the answer of the bermuda company to the matters complained of in the petition of mr. perient trott humbly offered to the consideration of the honourable the knights, citezens and burgisses assembled in parliament. somers islands company. 1677 approx. 4 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a25505 wing a3287a estc r213481 99825851 99825851 30242 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a25505) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 30242) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1804:03) the answer of the bermuda company to the matters complained of in the petition of mr. perient trott humbly offered to the consideration of the honourable the knights, citezens and burgisses assembled in parliament. somers islands company. 1 sheet ([1] p.) s.n., [london : 1677] imprint from wing. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng trott, perient. -true relation of the just and unjust proceedings of the somer-island-company. bermuda islands -early works to 1800. great britain -colonies -administration -early works to 1800. 2008-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-07 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-08 john pas sampled and proofread 2008-08 john pas text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the answer of the bermuda company to the matters complained of in the petition of mr. perient trott , humbly offered to the consideration of the honourable the knights , citezens and burgisses assembled in parliament . the bermuda company having purchased the soyl of the island , were incorporated in 1614. by the name of the governour and company of the city of london , for plantation of the summer islands ; and thereby had the sole government committed to them , with a power to make laws as near as might be to the laws of england ; being the same power granted to all other his majesties foreign plantations , and the company are still the proprietors of the said islands . and if any by-laws were made contrary to their power , or prejudicial to the island ( as is untruly suggested ) the company here must needs be the great loosers . that no lands have been taken away from any person without due proceedings and examinaton had according to the laws and constitutions of the islands ; neither have any records or due entries manifesting any mans title to the same been razed or altered , nor have any persons been admitted to any shares in the said islands , but upon evidence of their right and title to the same . that the penny in the pound upon tobacco , is a tax necessary to support the charges of the government , ( over and above the publick shares set aside and now imployed for that purpose ) and is duely imposed , and for the recovery thereof , actions at law are brought against the petitioner mr. trott , whereby the validity of the said tax will be tryed . and if the governour and council there do impose any assessment upon the planters , without the consent of the assembly , it is without the knowledge of the company , and contrary to the known laws of the place , and would be redressed upon complaint made to the company here . that the managing the trade of tobacco in the companies magazin ships , is necessary for the proprietors , sufficient for the growth and utmost improvements of the islands , satisfactory to the planters , alwaies used since the first purchase of the islands , and the only way for the preventing of frauds and oppressions . as to the whale fishing , the company having made a lease thereof for ninety nine years , to several undertakers , who expended near four thousand pound in boats , tackle , and other charges for carrying on the trade , and having intrusted some persons under them to manage the same for five years , and the said trustees having some ways interested mr. trott therein , and the five years being expired , the said boats and tackle were seized at the request and for the said undertakers , who are the proprietors and owners of the same . and are now under the value of one hundred pound . as to the building of ships , if the same were not restrained , there would not be timber left sufficient for the necessary supply of the islands . and as to appeals , any person aggrieved may bring the same , unless where the cause of action is under the value of five pounds . and ever since the granting of the said charter , the company have endeavoured to advance the common and publick interest of the islands , and the rights of the proprietors there . and the islands are now in a more flourishing condition than ever they were since they were first planted . nevves from virginia the lost flocke triumphant. with the happy arriuall of that famous and worthy knight sr. thomas gates: and the well reputed & valiant captaine mr. christopher newporte, and others, into england. with the maner of their distresse in the iland of deuils (otherwise called bermoothawes) where they remayned 42. weekes, & builded two pynaces, in which they returned into virginia. by r. rich, gent. one of the voyage. rich, richard, fl. 1610. 1610 approx. 11 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2006-06 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a10725 stc 21005 estc s122506 99857630 99857630 23393 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a10725) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 23393) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 728:8) nevves from virginia the lost flocke triumphant. with the happy arriuall of that famous and worthy knight sr. thomas gates: and the well reputed & valiant captaine mr. christopher newporte, and others, into england. with the maner of their distresse in the iland of deuils (otherwise called bermoothawes) where they remayned 42. weekes, & builded two pynaces, in which they returned into virginia. by r. rich, gent. one of the voyage. rich, richard, fl. 1610. [16] p. : ill. (woodcut) printed by edw: allde, and are to be solde by iohn wright at christ-church dore, london : 1610. in verse. signatures: a-b⁴. the first leaf bears signature-mark "a" and a woodcut of a ship; the last leaf is blank. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng gates, thomas, -sir, d. 1621. newport, christopher, ca. 1565-1617. virginia -description and travel -early works to 1800. virginia -history -colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -early works to 1800. bermuda islands -description and travel -early works to 1800. bermuda islands -history -early works to 1800. 2005-10 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-11 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-02 taryn hakala sampled and proofread 2006-02 taryn hakala text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion depiction of ship a the lost flocke triumphant . with the happy arriuall of that famous and worthy knight s r. thomas gates : and the well reputed & valiant captaine m r. christopher newporte , and others , into england . ¶ with the maner of their distresse in the iland of deuils ( otherwise called bermoothawes ) where they remayned 42. weekes , & builded two pynaces , in which they returned into virginia . by r. rich , gent. one of the voyage . london printed by edw : allde , and are to be solde by iohn wright at christ-church dore . 1610. to the reader . reader , how to stile thee i knowe not , perhaps learned , perhaps vnlearned : happily captious , happily enuious : indeed what or how to tearme thee i know not , only as i began i will proceede . reader , thou dost peraduenture imagine that i am mercenarie in this busines , and write for money ( as your moderne poets vse ) hyred by some of those euer to be admired aduenturers , to flatter rhe world : no , i disclaime it , i haue knowne the voyage , past the danger , seene that honorable work of virginia , & i thanke god am arriud here to tell thee what i haue seene , don , & past : if thou wilt be lieue me so , if not so to : for i cannot force thee but to thy owne liking : i am a soldier , blunt and plaine , and so is the phrase of my newes : and i protest it is true . if thou aske why i put it in verse ? i prethee knowe , it was onely to feede mine owne humour : i must confesse , that had i not debard my selfe of that large scope which to the writing of prose is allowed , i should haue much easd my selfe , and giuen thee better content . but i intreat thee to take this as it is ; and before many daies expire , i will promise thee the same worke more at large . i did feare preuention by some of your writers , if they should haue gotten but some part of the newes by the tayle , and therefore though it be rude , let it passe with thy liking , and in so doing i shall like well of thee : but how euer , i haue not long to stay : if thou wilt be vnnaturall to thy country-man , thou maist , i must not loose my patrymonie ; i am for virginia againe , and so i will bid thee hartily farewell , with an honest verse : as i came hether to see my natiue land , to waft me backe lend me thy gentle hand . thy louing country-man . r r. newes from virginia of the happy ariuall of that famous & worthy knight sir thomas gates and well reputed and valiant captaine newport into england . it is no idle fabulous tale , nor is it fayned newes : for truth herselfe is heere arriu'd , because you should not muse . with her , both gates and newport come , to tell report doth lye : which did deuulge vnto the world , that they at sea did dye . t is true that eleauen monthes and more , these gallant worthy wights : was in the shippe ( sea-venture nam'd ) depriu'd virginia's sight . and brauely did they glyde the maine , till neptune gan to frowne : as if a courser prowdly backt , would throwe his ryder downe . the seas did rage , the windes did blowe , distressed were they then : their ship did leake , her tacklings breake , in daunger were her men . but heauen was pylotte in this storme , and to an iland nere : bermoothawes call'd , conducted then , which did abate their feare . but yet these worthies forced were , opprest with weather againe : to runne their ship betweene two rockes , where she doth still remaine . and then on shoare the iland came , inhabited by hogges : some foule and tortoyses there were they onely had one dogge to kill these swyne , to yeild them food that little had to eate : their store was spent , and all things scant , alas they wanted meate . a thousand hogges that dogge did kill , their hunger to sustaine : and with such foode , did in that i le two and forty weekes remaine . and there two gallant pynases , did build , of seader-tree : the braue deliuerance one was call'd , of seauenty tonne was shee . the other patience had to name , her burthen thirty tonne : two only of their men which there , pale death did ouercome . and for the losse of those two soules , which were accounted deere : a sonne and daughter then was borne and were baptized there . the two and forty weekes being past , they hoyst sayle and away : their ships with hogs well freighted were , their harts with mickle ioy . and so vnto virginia came , where these braue souldiers finde the english-men opprest with greife and discontent in minde . they seem'd distracted and forlorne , for those two worthyes losse : yet at their home returne they ioyd , among'st them some were crosse . and in the mid'st of discontent , came noble delaware : he heard the greifes on either part , and sett them free from care . he comforts them and cheeres their hearts , that they abound with ioy : he feedes them full and feedes their soules , with gods word euery day . a discreet counsell he creates , of men of worthy fame : that noble gates leiftenant was the admirall had to name . the worthy sir george somers knight , and others of commaund : maister georg pearcy which is brother , vnto northumberland . sir fardinando wayneman knight and others of good fame : that noble lord , his company , which to virginia came and landed there : his number was one hundred seauenty : then ad to the rest and they make full , foure hundred able men . where they vnto their labour fall , as men that meane to thriue : let 's pray that heauen may blesse them all and keep them long aliue . those men that vagrants liu'd with vs , haue there deserued well : their gouernour writes in their praise , as diuers letters tel . and to th' aduenturers thus he writes , be not dismayd at all : for scandall cannot doe vs wrong god will not let vs fall . let england knowe our willingnesse , for that our worke is good , wee hope to plant a nation , where none before hath stood . to glorifie the lord t is done , and to no other end : he that would crosse so good a worke , to god can be no friend . there is no feare of hunger here , for corne much store here growes , much fish the gallant riuers yeild , t is truth , without suppose . great store of fowle , of venison , of grapes , and mulberries , of chesnuts , walnuts , and such like , of fruits and strawberries , there is indeed no want at all : but some condiciond ill , that wish the worke should not goe on , with words doe seeme to kill . and for an instance of their store , the noble delaware , hath for a present hither sent , to testific his care , in mannaging so good a worke , two gallant ships : by name the blessing and the hercules , well fraught , and in the same two ships , are these commodities : furres , sturgeon , cauiare , blacke-walnut-tree , and some deale-boords , with such they laden are : some pearle , some wainscot and clapbords , with some sassafras wood : and iron promist , for t is true , their mynes are very good . then maugre scandall , false report , or any opposition th' aduenturers doe thus deuulge : to men of good condition : that he that wants shall haue reliefe , be he ofhonest minde : apparell , coyne , or any thing , to such they will be kinde . to such as to virginia , do purpose to repaire : and when that they shall thither come , each man shall haue his share . day wages for the laborer , and for his more content , a house and garden plot shall haue , besides , t' is further ment that euery man shall haue a part , and not thereof denaid : of generall profit , as if that he twelue pounds ten shillings paid , and he that in virginia , shall copper coyne receiue , for hyer or commodities , and will the country leaue , vpon deliuery of such coyne , vnto the gouernour : shall by exchange at his returne , be by their treasurer paid him in london at first sight , no man shall cause to grieue : for 't is their generall will and wish that euery man should liue . the number of aduenturers , that are for this plantation : are full eight hundred worthy men , some noble , all offashion . good , discreete , their worke is good , and as they haue begun : may heauen assist them in their worke , and thus our newes is done . finis . servants on horse-back, or, a free-people bestrided in their persons and liberties, by worthlesse men being a representation of the dejected state of the inhabitants of summer islands : containing short illustrations upon a petition presented to the high court of parliament for redresse / published by will. golding ... golding, william, 17th cent. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a41380 of text r7910 in the english short title catalog (wing g1020). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 102 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 15 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a41380 wing g1020 estc r7910 12251685 ocm 12251685 57140 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a41380) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 57140) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 145:14) servants on horse-back, or, a free-people bestrided in their persons and liberties, by worthlesse men being a representation of the dejected state of the inhabitants of summer islands : containing short illustrations upon a petition presented to the high court of parliament for redresse / published by will. golding ... golding, william, 17th cent. [4], 24 p. s.n.], [london : 1648. place of publication from sabin. signed, p. 24: "summer-islands 7. of the first-month, viz. march 1647. finis." reproduction of original in british library. eng bermudas company for the plantation of the somers islands. bermuda islands -politics and government. a41380 r7910 (wing g1020). civilwar no servants on horse-back: or, a free-people bestrided in their persons, and liberties, by worthlesse men: being a representation of the deject golding, william 1648 17609 12 5 0 0 0 0 10 c the rate of 10 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the c category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-08 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-08 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-09 jonathan blaney sampled and proofread 2007-09 jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion servants on horse-back : or , a free-people bestrided in their persons , and liberties , by worthlesse men : being a representation of the dejected state of the inhabitants of summer islands . containing short illustrations upon a petition presented to the high court of parliament for redresse . published by will . golding master of arts , and teacher to the congregation in that island 2 chron. 16. 10. then asa was wroth with the seer , and put him in a prison-house , for he was in a rage with him , because of this thing : and asa oppressed some of the people the same time . quam quisque pessimè fecit , tam maximè tutus est , salust . printed in the yeare , 1648. the epistle to the honourable committee of lords and commons , intrusted to examine the petition presented unto the parliament , in the behalfe of the inhabitants of the summer islands , by captaine sayle , and william golding . june anno 1646. honourable sirs , it pleased the high court of parliament to accept a petition , in behalfe of the summer islands , and to recommit it unto your selves , for examination , your care and readinesse in attending that trust , was very eminent , onely you met with obstructions , partly from the company who are concerned in the petition , partly from the sad breach between city and armies emergent in that nick of time , and since , by the necessitated absence of captaine sayle , and my selfe , whose attendance was requisite . in pursuance thereof , honourable sirs , i beseech you resume the complaints which are before you , that your petitioners may not languish under an usurped power ; nor the power and honour of parliament be trampled on , by the vilest of our english nation . sirs , to set this wheele on motion , i have presumed to publish the copy of the petition , and papers affixed , as presented unto the high court of parliament . as also some few acts and lawes , made by governours councell and assembly with us ; with some animadversions upon them for your better information , leaving it to the wisdome and justice of parliament to judge thereof . sirs , i have taken this course , not with desire to asperse the honourable company , the nobility and gentry of that court , from whom we have alwayes found helpe , when their leasure would permit their presence at the court ; but to discover the practice of the trading-party , who hold the people in bondage , and study to vex those , who plead for liberty . besides , sirs , those of the company concerned in the petition , will be ready to give out , that your petitioners durst not owne their act , and therefore withdrew , and declined the prosecution thereof ; whereas the world shall know , that was not the reason ; but the attendance upon places , care of our families , a good providence opening a way for our returne ; with our great expence , under long delayes , were the true causes of it . sirs , mr. steele , who is of councell hath the copy of papers at large , if you desire further satisfaction then what is printed . the wise god make you as angels to judge righteously , and as gods to relieve the oppressed . sirs , i am you humble servant , william golding . προλεγομενα or , the preface to the reader . my purpose is not to compile a history , nor to enter upon a distinct narration of all trans-actions with us : ( i suppose that will be performed by a better hand ) but onely to give a briefe assay of things , that the honourable court of parliament , with others , may clearly perceive , wee have not complained without a cause . i shall briefly premise a few things to cleare a way to the ensuing treatise , viz. the reader is desired to take notice , 1. that the island called summer islands ( alias bermuda ) is governed by a company of merchant adventurers of london , who hold their power by patent from king james , who keep courts , make lawes , and reverse them at pleasure , chose deputy governours , magistrates , and commanders over the inhabitants there , all which , depend for direction in their respective places , upon the company of london . 2. that though there be many noble lords , and worthy gentlemen of that company , yet are they strangers ( for the most part ) how things are carried in the bermuda court ; for their more weighty imployments , take them off from so low and inconsiderable affaires . the court is upheld by a deputy , and a few assistants ; many of whom being of the trading party , wait upon the quarterly courts , to consult what may tend to their advantage , and the government of the island in subordination to that end . 3. that the pretence of the present difference in the islands , is about a congregation gathered there into gospel-fellowship ; the beginning whereof , and by what authority gathered ; the manner of its proceeding , with the oppositions it met with in its infancy ; is faithfully reported by mr. white , pastor of that congregation , in his answer to a scandalous paper , sent from the island , and printed under the patronage of mr. prynn ; all which i shall passe over to prevent tediousnesse . 4. that through the indulgence of the high court of parliament , and honourable committee for the american plantations , the congregation in summer islands is indempnified in matters of gods worship by their orders . these things premised , i shall give a briefe account of the proceed of things , occasioned since the company of london chose captaine turner to be governour of these islands . servants on horse-back . it pleased the company ( or part of them ) anno 1645. to change their governour in summer islands ( how regularly they proceeded i say not ) and chose captaine thomas turner , pretending that he being an honest and dis-ingaged person , and now cloathed with authority , might the better heale the distempers of the island , who arriving at the island , soon discovered his purpose and designe , and within six or seven months acted so excentrically , that many of the inhabitants finding themselves agrieved , did earnestly intreat cap. sayle , and william golding to addresse themselves for england , to seek shelter for themselves , and others , against the blacke storme which was fallen upon them ; who , casting themselves , and families upon the lord , undertooke that * province , and by the good hand of god upon them , comming to london , they besought the company to heare their complaints , and put them into a way of security and peace : the complaints were read and committed to examination , but no report made after five months attendance : at length it pleased the lords , and many gentry to be present at court , resolving to heare , and issue matters : but the trading assistants ( with their friends ) perceiving this businesse would be now called upon , left the court , in whose absence ( though thirty or forty still remained ) yet according to their orders , requiring seven assistants at least , with the governour or his deputy , there was not that number to make a court , which lost us that opportunity , and clearly taught us what to trust too ; upon which , captaine sayle and william golding besought the parliament . the copy of whose petition was as followeth : to the honourable , the knights , citizens , and burgesses assembled in parliament ; the petition of wil. sayle , and wil. golding . humbly sheweth , whereas your petitioners ( with the inhabitants of summer islands ) the free-borne natives of this kingdom , groaning under severall pressures , inconsistent with their native priviledges , having duly sought redresse from the company of that plantation , and waited these six months for a favourable issue ; but , without successe , are enforced to spread their sad condition before your honours , viz. 1. that your petitioners at the pleasure of the company ( or part of them ) have beene , and may againe be , restrained of the liberty of their persons . 2. your petitioners are denyed the free disposall of their proper goods . 3. your petitioners are burthened with an impost upon their tobaccoes ( which is this yeare raised a third part ) amounting usually to as much ( or more ) then the principall yeeldeth . the company little regarding the ends therein pretended , nor are the inhabitants satisfied in the disposall thereof . 4. your petitioners complaine under excessive fraught set upon their tobacco , and rates upon the merchant goods sent them . 5. that the deputy-governour , captaine tho. turner , lately sent over , refused to jtake the oath ( usuall at the enstalment of other governours ) yet summons an asembly , who ( by their speaker ) calls themselves a parliament , gives them an oath of secrecy ▪ together with them makes new laws , and inforce them , sleight the power of parliament , imprison , ( men at pleasure ; ) turned out magistrates of known integrity to this state , without , and against the known order of this supreame court , forbid appeals , silence ministers , approved by the honourable company , and whose labours were desired by the inhabitants , conceale good orders , for the incouragement of honest men , and strengthens the hands of lewd persons , with many other vexatious wayes . your petitioners deepely resenting these grievances , humbly pray . 1 that your petitioners may be free to transplant themselves , and substance , when providence goes before them , and bee protected in their due liberties , whiles they remaine in these islands . 2 that liberty of free trade be granted to the inhabitants , according to their desires , and the subscriptions of many worthy members of that company , as appears by the papers affixed , by which also your wisdomes may difcerne , whence most of these sorrowes flow . 3 that offenders against the parliament , and just liberties of the inhabitants , may be put into a way of tryall . 4 that the deputy governour may be questioned , and ( if your wisdomes see just cause ) suspended , and his new elected councell , raised by his sole power , by your wisdomes reduced , your petitioners ( entrusted by many of the inhabitants as to the premises ) having run the hazzard of their lives , to escape the violence of a meer arbitrary power , and wasted themselves , families and estates , in the pursuance thereof , having a ship ready to returne them to their relations . and fearing to fall under the power of those who have already envaded whatever is deare unto them ( except their lives , which are next in danger ) are humbly bold to fly to your honours for just and speedy reliefe , your petitioners refreshed with by past favours , ( which they humbly acknowledge , and crave continuance of , ) shall continue praying &c. a coppy of the papers affixed to the petition when presented to parliament , the first being the answer of the assembly in summer ilands , to the inhabitants , suing for free trade ( viz , ) summer islands . die lunae 6 aprill . 1646. having received divers petitions from severall of the inhabitants of these islands , thereby craving a free trade for tobacco , and to have priviledge to transport the same at their own pleasures , not weighing nor regarding the priviledge and royalty of the honourable company , after long dispute , and serious debate , and well weighing how far forth we can in justice answer your expectations in this particular ; and moreover well regarding his majesties letters patent , granted to the honourable company , we for your better satisfaction , have thought good to affixe that branch or clause , whereby we are absolutly prohibited , and debarred of this priviledge ; and as we are all nearly concerned in the premises as you are , so we do hereby declare , and ingenuously promise , that if it were in our power to grant , or lawfull for us to do , &c. we should be no ways wanting , and dilatory to advance our own priviledge , and profits , and whereas it doth appeare to us , that we all groane under the excessive rates held , and set upon the goods sent hither from the honourable company , and that our tobacco , and goods , passeth at low rates , we shall in that behalfe use our best skill and indeavour , by enforming the honourable company , as well on your , as our own behalfe : to have such things reformed , as are neither for their honour , nor for our profits : not doubting of reliefe therein , when we shall , with all candor and integrity , hold forth our just grievances unto them , this wee hope will clear us from having any selfe end , or want of will and affection , in the discharge of the trust reposed in us by our countrey : but we are bound by oath , and duty , to maintaine that power from whence we derive our owne , yet alwayes regarding our owne , so farre forth as civility , and justice will warrant it . ordered to be read in the severall churches of these islands . signed , john vaugham clerke of the assembly . a branch of the grants extracted out of the letters patents , and to the intent that the said company , their successors and assignes , shall and may enjoy the full and sole benifit and profit of this our grant , according to the true intent and meaning of the same , our will and pleasure is , and by these presents for our heirs , successors , of our more especiall grace , certaine knowledge , and meere motion , and of our supream and absolute authority ( which we forbid to be argued , disputed , or brought in question ) we do straightly charge and command , all and every person , and persons , whatsoever , of what degree or condition soever , he or they or any of them be , that none of them , other then the said company , successors , assigns , deputies , servants , factors , or the assigns of some of them , do at any time hereafter attempt , presume or go about any manner of way , directly or indirectly , to transport any monies , goods or merchandise , out of any our kingdomes into the limits or bounds of the said summer islands , or import out of the said islands , or any part thereof into any forreigne parts , or into any of our kingdomes upon paine of forfeiture of all such monies , goods and merchandise , which shall be so imported , or exported contrary to the true meaning of these presents , and of the ships and vessells wherein the same shall be so transported , or imported to the use of the said company , their successors and assignes ; and upon such further paine and penalty , and imprisonment , as by the lawes and statutes of this our realme of england , or by our prerogative royall , may any way be inflicted or adjudged for their contempt in that behalfe . the copy of another paper , affixed to the petition , was as followeth : upon certaine weighty confiderations presented to us , we of the company whose names are subscribed , finde our selves obliged in point of pitty and justice to declare our free consent , that the inhabitants of summer-islands be at liberty to dispose of their tobacco , and other goods , to whom , and how they please for their best advantage ; alwayes reserving the rents of the company or any members thereof , to the use of the proper landlord . illustrations or animadversions upon the heads of the petition . 1. the inhabitants have beene denyed the liberty of their persons . in a letter from the company to captaine sayle , then sheriffe 1638. or thereabout , under the hands of eleven of the company , there is this streight command , we charge you from his majestie upon like paines viz. ( his head ) neither to depart your selfe , nor to permit or suffer any other to be shipped , &c. the occasion of this order from the company ; 1. the inhabitans of the summer-islands , had sent forth a colony to inhabit st. lucea ( one of the caribee islands ) and many moe straitned for want of land and liberties , intended to have transplanted thither , and had been at charge to make provision aforehand , by sending a small pinace , and servants thither ; but upon this streight command were restrained , and the colony sent forth , for want of timely supply and ayd , were cut off by the adjacent indians ; and many by this meanes damnified in their estates and lives . the trading party of that company foresaw that they would soone want tenants and servants , if a way were opened to the inhabitants of summer-islands of more freedome and inlarged subsistence . also in the government of captaine woodhouse a new oath was devised , every one was to bring forth his tobacco , and to sweare there was all that they had made , and because mr. painter , magistrate , refused to take that oath , and m. stirk minister , drawing up a modest petition to the governour for the non-imposing of it to the prejudice of the subjects liberties , both were banished the island ; & though the company of london , did not allow the sentence of banishment , yet they did make no manner of reparation unto m. painter & m. stirke upon those who had so censured them . wil. righton is at this present under the sentence of banishment by captaine turner the now deputy governour , because he refused to have his children baptized by mr. vyner , though the said righton , belongs not to any of those tribes to whom m. vyner was sent to take charge of , an. 1647. by the now governour a councell of war was called , and one feadle was judged ( without any other tryall ) to be tyed to the gallowes , for words ( as it is said ) he should speake concerning the governour tending to muteny ; mr. painter magistrate , first wronged , and after railed upon , by one edwards of the company in an open letter sent to summer-islands , mr. painter for returning this answer ; mr. edwards the oyle-man hath done me much wrong , the lord reward him according to his deeds ; was judged by the company to suffer corporall paines , an exemplary punishment . in the government of captaine tucker , a silly boy , whose name was deane , for stealing a piece of cheese , was condemned to dye , and executed . 2. the inhabitants may not dispose their proper goods . instance in tobacco ( the onely staple commodity and means of support to the inhabitants ) which the company straightly forbids to be disposed of , otherwise then to their magazeen ship , witnesse their knowne practice , and [ frequent orders in their letters to their governours and officers ; one of their letters hath it thus , the governour & sheriffe , are to be required ( as formerly ) not to permit any trade at all , either with natives or strangers , nor any ship or vessell to come and remaine there longer then the space of — dayes , and that onely to take in water and provision to supply them in case of necessity and not otherwise . also in another letter of the company , they expresly forbid the island to trade upon any tearmes with new england , who at that time wanted cattell , which we could spare , and they had such commodities as we wanted ; but neither they , nor we might enjoy the liberty of mutuall commerce , surely this savours of want of bowells towards them , and envy to the good of our poore colony . witnesse the company approving under ten of their hands , their sheriffes act in ceasing the tobacco traded for by a dutchman , 1636. for such power the company gives to the mr. of the magazeen ship , requiring the governour and sheriffe to be assistant to them ; likewise captaine robert dennis by commission from the company , an. 1643. ceased some three or foure thousand of tobacco , traded for by a merchant of barnstable ship , with the inhabitants for shoos , stockings , lockram ( commodities which the inhabitants wanted to cover their nakednesse , and the magazeen ship brought not that yeare , whose loading ( except that which she left by the way at barbadus , was chiefly salt and madera wine ) and though offer was made by the merchant to pay penny per pound which the company claims as their due , yet unlesse three halfpence for fraught was added , dennis would not suffer him to carry away the tobacco but possest himselfe of it as forfeited to the company , this practice had almost put the island into a muteny , who hereby enraged , threatned captain dennis ship ; but by the wisdome and vigilancy of cap sayl our governour , the people were appeased ; yea the desire of trade from m. copeland minister , in a letter to the company , hath muteny in it , so the court judged in their answer to his witnesse ; captaine turners words at his first comming , who protested in the hearing of many , that if any inhabitant should refuse to send their tobacco , home in the magazeen ship , he would seize on the tobacco , and imprison their persons ; at this present yeare 1647. he commanded his counsell to take notice what tobacco every man had , and returne the names of such as should refuse to send it home in the magazeen ship . instance in other goods , anno 1636. or thereabout . at a full and honourable court , liberty was granted unto the inhabitants to build a pinace or two , to trade with the plantations for such commodities as they had ( excepting tobacco ) the yeare following ( when some of the inhabitants to their great cost and hazzard had prepared a vessell for that purpose ) the company or part of them , sent expresse command , 1 that no person should be transplanted , as above , 2. no live cattle , 3. no provision ( but upon limited conditions , incompatible with merchandizing , should be sent away . 't is as though they had said , you shall build a vessell ( if you will ) to looke upon , and undoe your selves , but shall have no encouragement to employ her . that it was thus ordered by the bermuda court , their orders in mr. steels hand can witnesse . the deniall of this freedome of a pinace once granted , and before revoked , built , was probably the occasion of the losse of lucea , the lives of many there , and hopes of that plantation , and therein , that addition of honour and revenue to the english nation : for the colony sent forth thither from summer-islands , engaged their undertakers to supply them with men , and other necessaries , which was that chiefe cause of building that pinace , which ( before finished ) might not be imployed to helpe the island , or them at lucea . after this , some of the inhabitants , craving the concurrence of some of the company of london , bought a ship , and furnished her with a cargoe of goods , sit for the plantation of summer-islands , which when the company understood , they made a strict order , forbidding the ship ( now ready to set sayle ) to come at that plantation , till first their magazeen ship had been there ; the traders feared she would gather up the dollards which the spaniards left there the yeare before , and marre their market , the hindring this ships comming to bermuda , was a great prejudice to that country , and the undoing of many owners there ; for missing that opportunity the ship was lost to them both in hopes and principall . instance in oringes and lemons , with which the country abounds , and most perish for want of use ; even these may not be disposed of , untill the london ship ( which usually comes out of season ) be first served , nor may the inhabitants dispose of their owne cedar , but by order from the company ; nor any of the inhabitants have wine , or strong-waters sent them but by order of their court . furthermore the companies censure of mr. painter to pay 40 li. ster. unto mr. edwards oyleman ( besides corporall and exemplary punishment ) for writing to mr. edwards as before ; yea the court have ordered that planters in the island might be prevented of buying shares , desiring rather to keep them racked tennants , and perpetuall servants , and yet the inhabitants who are free of the company have no more priviledge in the island , then the most wretched tennant . thus the trading party serve themselves of all the profits , which that poore island , with the industry of the plantours produceth . the orders of the company in the hand of master steele can witnesse , i have not wronged them in the premises . 3. to the third complaint , impost upon tobacco , formerly three halfpence , since one penny per pound , this yeares 1647. three halfpence . first , this impost was never granted by the consent of the inhabitants , that i can gather . secondly , protested against by divers of the company . thirdly , and why may it not be lawfull ( if the trading party will vote it ) to take 2d . per pound impost , yea the whole bulke of tobacco ; yea our beds , lands , servants , children ; truly , they and their now governour are agreed to take all , as you shall heare afterwards . the ends pretended , not regarded . first , the commanders in the island , not supplyed with that number of servants , which the booke of orders , and the companies law allow . secondly , but two ministers , who have salleries paid them , to wit , 40 li . per annum , when yet there are nine publicke churches ( besides the chappell ) to be supplyed . thirdly , the congregation , with the pastor and teacher , are compelled to pay impost out of their tobacco towards the maintenance of the universall ministers sent by the company , when yet they attend not their ministery , nor were they sent to the most of them , nor hath the pastor or teacher the least allowance from the company : truly the singing men and porters under artaxerxes in the time of the babylonian captivity found better usage ; for it was decreed concerning them , that it should not be lawfull to impose tol , tribute , or custome upon them ezra 7. 24. fourthly , no considerable quantity of ammunition and armes , to secure so considerrable a garrison . and all the use the ammunition serveth to ( for present ) is to keep in awe the independents ; for when captaine sayle was in the harbour , with a small ship , with some twenty men captaine turner kept a guard , pretending feares , but when a spanish ship was wrackt , and a hundred of souldiers , & sea-men came a shoar ; and most of the inhabitants of ability gone aboard , * no appearance of a guard . captaine turner had another game in chase , the nine hogs-heads of corne paid him by the country for the former guard , is a trifle to what he rakes now from the spaniards , without regard of justice or civility . 5. debts not paid by the company , no satisfying account given the country . the company had in stocke about anno 1637. eleven hundred pound sterlin , were in debt anno 1647. eighteen hundred pound have had yearlly for impost upon the tobacco , three hundred , foure hundred , it may be five hundred pound sterlin ; wee know of little in comparison laid out for the good of the countrey , or honour of the company , and yet a new taxe is levyed with pretence to pay debts : the company will never be out of debt , whiles they know to pay themselves out of the tobacco of the country . captaine butler when his time of government was expired , comming to london , sued the company , and recovered damage , the which was levyed upon the shares , even theirs who had done no wrong . in anno 1635. or thereabouts ; the traders of the company bought the plantors tobacco , and agreed for a price ; but the price of tobacco falling , they turned it upon the plantors , to their exceeding damage . fourthly , excessive fraught , to wit , three halfpence per pound ; first , the tobacco for the seven or eight yeares have seldome yeelded more to the plantors in the island , secondly , other plantations , viz. virginia , christophers , &c. who trade with what ships they will , pay not above penny per pound , and yet the distance between them and england is greater . excessive rates set on merchants goods . this the paper affixed to the petition witnesseth , as the sense of the inhabitants , yea of the assembly , the choice friends of the trading party : nor will men wonder , who consider the state of the inhabitants who must trade with no ships but the company , and must have their goods , or goe naked , and at their prices , and the company ship their tobacco , or it must perish , and at their price too , not allowing in goods for tobacco above two pence per pound , which at first penny amounts not to above one penny per pound ; yet i must not wrong the trading company , for anno 1647. they sent little or no goods to supply the countrey , their cargo and purser stayed at barbadus , where is better trading , and sent the ship to make a fraught out of the countries tobacco . the truth is , had not providence put the inhabitants into a way of weaving cotten , which they buy for porke , beefe , and fish , of one ship or other ( upon hard tearmes ) trading between them and barbadoes , the inhabitants had long since turned adamites out of necessity . i have heard some passionately professe that if the company would take care to feed and cloath them and theirs , they should bore their eares , and they would be their servants for ever : and now let the world judge what masters they serve . i could adde much more , and tell the world , of particular wrongs , offered by some members of that company , to the poore plantors here , but i spare them , as not the miscarriage of the body , with whom i have to deale , and not with the body neither , but with the feet and toes of it . i proceed now to reflect on the government in the island , as it lyes in order in the petition , confining my selfe to the time since captaine turner was sent over by the trading party , who being one of them , acts their principles , and from beginning told us of private instructions , under which ( its like ) we have suffered much , though not under that plea , but by an assumed power , and a high hand . i shall branch the fifth head into particulars : first , captaine turner refused to take his oath at his enstalment , which other governors never did , this will be witnessed by men of fidelity ; if he hath since taken it before his counsell in a clandestine manner , it is unknowne to us , and i suppose ( if done at all ) it was neare two yeares after he tooke his place . i meane not the oath of supremacy , allegeance , or covenant , but that proper to the deputy-governour of summer-islands . his excuse was , he tooke it in england , but that was denyed by the deputy and secretary of that company in open court . secondly , calls an assembly , pretending the company so ordered it ; but that also was denyed , and the lawes of the company say , the second yeare it may be lawfull for the governour to call an assembly , he within twenty dayes . 't is probable this plot was laid at barbadus , where captaine turner meeting with captaine parker ( who not long before stole away from barmuda thither , and since ( comming well from his companions ) in his way homeward , dyed of an impostume , blood issuing out of his mouth , eares , and nostrills . ) the grand ingenier of trouble to the congregation in summer-islands , put captaine turner upon this designe , and named the men fittest to act therein , who for the most part were made choice of . this assembly thus met , call themselves a grave assembly . truly there were many grave and grey headed drunkards of that * convention , who proved the grave of piety , justice , and civility . but this is too low a style for them , therefore ( by their speaker ) they are called a parliament , and by the governour summoned downe under the name of burgesses , that under this pretence , without respect to the parliament of england or company under whom they stand , they might exercise an independent power over the congregation . thirdly , being met , an oath of secrecie is imposed , viz. you shall sweare by all meanes to conceale the secrets of the house , and not impart or discover , either by word or writing , or by any other meanes to any one not being of this present assembly , the passages or carriage of any affaires or businesse that shall be treated of , and disputed during the whole time of the sitting , and continuance of the said assembly , &c. i shall not tell you how their grave wisdomes , spent seven or eight dayes in little else then finding out who it was should say a cole merchant was come our governour , as though this had been a greater disparagement , then to feed hogs and ducks , cleanse ponds , and such like drudgery . i proceed to higher trans-actions . fourthly , they make new lawes viz. of purpose to snare the congregation . dongson of the assembly at assizes , when one of the congregation pleaded he had transgressed no law of england , answered , you have transgressed our lawes , otherwise we could have had no advantage against you . an act for casting out independent magistrates and commanders . whereas by common experience we finde , that where people will not readily and chearfully obey the lawes , orders , rules , government , under which they live , undoubtedly there must follow upon that state and people , inevitable misery and confusion : and the rather when the magistrates , and those who fill the seats of justice shall apparently withstand the same . now whereas we the inhabitants of the summer-islands have at this present many magistrates and publicke officers placed over us , members of the independent church , and will not yeeld obedience to the established fundamentall lawes of the king , nor yet submit to the ordinance of the high court of parliament , nor direction of the honourable company . we the generall assembly , for prevention of so great disturbance which we have cause to feare may suddenly fall upon us , by the power of those magistrates , independent covenanters desire it should be enacted ; and by the power and authority of the generall assembly , be it enacted , that no manner of person , or persons , who hath or have entred into covenant , and is admitted a member of the independent church , being at this present , a publick officer or magistrate , and being hereof lawfully convicted , by proof , or his , or their owne confession , shall ipso facto be discharged from his or their office or offices of command , and others chosen to their places by this assembly , joh. vaughan , secretary . dat. 14. april 1646. this act was forthwith put in execution , before any crime was objected or proved against them whom it did concerne . die jovis 16. july 1646. whereas at the a last sitting of this present generall assembly , it was amongst other things , enacted , that all manner of ministers , and other persons , inhabiting , and residing within these islands should conforme themselves in all things touching the publicke worship of god in obedience to the directory of the parliament of england : and whereas mr. nath. white , mr. pa●rick copland , and mr. wil. golding , and divers other persons adhering to them , have most presumptuously in contempt of authority taken upon them to congregate themselves together in a publicke place of meeting , and there set up a new forme of discipline according to their owne wills , not acquainting the governour and councell here ; although by their petition to the honourable houses of parliament , they promise obedience to the civill magistrate , b which practice of theirs is against the lawes and government of this place , hereby drawing unto them many of the inhabitants from their parish churches , upon such dayes and times , as our faithfull ministers , now sent unto us by the honourable company are exercising the ministery in preaching gods word unto the people , and have likewise received into their church-covenant divers and sundry persons contrary to all lawes and rules of government , which doings of theirs , if not timely prevented , must and will be destructive to the long established peace of these islands . wherefore this grave and generall assembly do order , and by the authority and power of the same be it ordered , that the said m. white , mr. copland , and mr. golding , and other members of their congregation ; nor all , nor any of them , doe from henceforth presume to practice , or set up any other discipline or order in church-government , other then what is commanded by parliament and directory set forth unto us . and we doe further order by the authority aforesaid , that no manner of person or persons inhabiting within these islands shall or doe hereafter presume , to enter into covenant with them to be of their congregation , nor bring in their children to be baptized , or any marriage solemnized by them , they being not in our judgements , capable to performe the ministeriall function or administer either sacraments . having c laid downe their ministery , and declared themselves to be but lay-men , but these duties shall be performed by our ministers , already conformable to the ordinance aforesaid . and likewise be it further ordered that no person or persons inhabiting within these islands , shall absent themselves from their owne parish-churches , unlesse to such churches where our ministers shall be then teaching upon such paine and punishment as shall be thought fit upon high contemners of authority , d as to the governour and councell for the time being , shall be thought expedient . john vaughan secretary . ordered to be published throughout these islands . this act was sent forth with a proclamation to put life into it ; which was as followeth : by the governour and councel , july 18. an. 1646. whereas it pleased almighty god to designe me for this place , and the honourable company reposed the trust and government of these islands into my hands : i have hitherto endeavoured with all mildnesse and meeknesse of spirit , to gaine a right understanding in and to the manners and orders of the people in these islands , and have ( through gods providence ) discerned divers ill-affected people , which are refractory to the lawes , and long established government of church and state here established , and observed by my worthy predecessors , in consideration whereof , wee the governours and councell , for the prevention of the evill that may ensue , do by this my proclamation declare unto all his majesties loving subjects inhabiting within in these islands , that we doe expect the like conformity unto all his majesties lawes and statutes , and to the acts and orders made and established to be observed in these islands , as our predecessours might have , had , or should have ; assuring all those that shall persist in their wilfull disobedience to the power and authority derived from the honourable company by vertue of the letter patents granted by his majesty king james of blessed memory unto them , and from them unto us ; to proceed against e such , to the full measure of their demerits , being too sensible how my lenity and milde behaviour towards some , hath been sleighted , and experimentally too to much abused ; but for such as will endeavour to live in the feare of god , and in obedience to the lawes , i shall both by my state and person endeavour to maintaine them in their rights and just priviledges ; and whereas ( with griefe of heart i speake it ) there is a party in these islands , that have withdrawn themselves , not onely from the rules of civil government , which are prescribed and warranted unto us to walke by , but also have of their owne inventions set up , and imposed a discipline , and bound them in covenant to observe the same without my f privity or consent , which rule and order , or rather indeed disorder ( as i may justly tearme it ) being not warrantable by the parliament , and synod in england , but otherwise commanded by that authority and directory set forth to us . wherefore i have been enforced , with the advice and consent of my councell and assembly , to make and set forth an order , thereby to declare the danger of such unnaturall division , tending to the subversion of the knowne lawes , and orders of church and state . and i doe hereby in his majesties name , will and require , all the inhabitants of these islands , to yeeld due obedience to the same , as they and every of them may avoyd the penalty due to contemners of authority , and as they tender the peace and quietnesse of this colony . and moreover , i charge , and require all counsellours , justices , church-officers , constables , head-boroughs , and all , and every his majesties subjects to yeeld obedience to the order annexed , and to all the laws and acts made , and set forth in and by this present assembly , and all such as shall be g dissoyall to authority , or disobedient herein , i charge and require the officers aforesaid respectively in their severall tribes , to be vigilant and carefull to take notice of all such as shall in the least degree oppose this my command ; and them , and every of them , of what condition or quality soever they be , to bring them before me to be proceeded against as contemners of the laws , and utter enemies to the peace and safety of this colony . i doe further require , that this proclamation be published in all the churches and publicke meetings , together with the order above mentioned . given under my hand at my house , at s. georges the day and yeare aforesaid . tho. turner . the intelligent reader will easily discerne the contradictions between the order and proclamations , the order requires obedience to the directory of parliament ; the proclamation , conformity to the lawes , acts , and orders established ●o be observed by his worthy predecessours ; now in his predecessours time the directory was not in being , but the episcopall way . they made a law forbidding rests upon the sabbath day . a proclamation may 19. an. 1647. by the governour , whereas an order of assembly bearing date , die jovis , 16. of july 1646. with a proclamation thereunto annexed , and ordered to be published in all the churches of the islands , thereby requiring conformity to that order , and to all other orders here established to be observed as h a law : and for as much as since the publishing hereof , i have manifestly found divers ill-affected people ( contemners of our government ) have not onely sleighted our authority , but have and i do contemn the power and authority of the honourable company and parliament , and have drawne themselves from the discipline , and orders established to be observed in our church-government , and ever since continued in disobedience and contempt of our lawes , and government , endeavouring the subversion of the same to the continuall disturbance of our peace k and quietnesse in these islands . in tender consideration whereof , and out of zeale to gods glory , and the hallowing of his sabbath , which of late hath been too much polluted , and blasphemed , by reason of our unnatural division : i do therefore in his majesties name , and by vertue of the power given to me by the honourable company and parliament , streightly will and require all the justices , constables , and all other officers , with all , and every his majesties subjects to take speciall notice of the aforesaid order , and proclamation . and that every justice in his respective tribe , doe immediately apprehend all manner of person , and persons , that have gone contrary to that order or proclamation , or hereafter shall do contrary to the same . and the persons so offending to binde over with two sufficient sureties to answer their contempt at the next generall assizes , and such as shall not give sureties , that they be forthwith committed to prison , to be proceeded against according m to their demerits . and of this i shall require a continuall and strict account , as you , and every of you will answer the contrary at your perill . tho. turner . dated 19. may , 1647. ordered to be published the next sabbath day . an act for the suppressing of all such persons , that under the name of independents have separated themselves from the discipline which is held forth unto us in these islands . whereas through the providence of almighty god , this poore plantation from the foundation hitherto , hath enjoyed , and hath been partaker of many gracious blessings , whereby every poore plantor might , and that ( through the goodnesse of the same god ) may sit and enjoy n under their owne vines , while divers other countries through o apostacy and rebellion , doe welter in their owne blood . and as the lord , who is just in all his wayes , and righteous in all his judgements , doth threaten us likewise , intimating thereby , that by reason of our sinnes wee have deserved the same measure of punishment to fall upon us . ( the lord of his mercy prevent it . ) and whereas likewise the lord hath ordained wholesome lawes and orders for the punishment of vice p and for the maintenance of true religion and vertue . in tender consideration thereof , and in regard of the trust reposed in us , and confirmed upon us by the fundamentall lawes , and laudable customes of the kingdome of england , we have taken notice of sundry persons men and women that have withdrawne themselves in their q allegiance from his majesty in their obedience from the honourable parliament and company , and from the lawes and ordinances thence derived , and here established to be observed in church and state . it is therefore by this present assembly enacted , and by power and authority thereof , be it enacted , that all and every person and persons which shall not immediately after the publishing hereof conforme themselves and be obedient to our laws , that by vertue hereof from henceforth they be reputed and esteemed r as malignants , and utter enemies to the peace and quiet government of these islands . and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid , that each counsellour in his or their severall trybes , with the assistance of the constables , and as many other as shall be needfull , doe demand and take sufficient sureties for the good behaviour from every person and persons , that shall refuse conformity , the principall in 5 l. ster. and the sureties in 50 s. a peece . and such as shall refuse to give such you security , that the counsellour aforesaid do seize their estates , as opposers and contemners of our lawes and government . and be it also enacted , that from henceforth no publicke meetings or conventicles be frequented , either at the mill-house , or any other place in these islands , upon paine of 20 s. for every one so offending , to be levied for publicke uses , and such as shall not be able to pay , to be sent down to worke at the colony , untill the said 20 s. be satisfied , provided that family duties be not prohibited or neglected : and for their disobedience to our former orders ; we also enact , and by the same power be it enacted , that every person and persons that hath so offended shall be forthwith seized , according to an ordinance of parliament , dated westminster aug. 23. 1645. s provided alwayes that it is the sense and meaning of this present assembly , that all manner of person and persons , that shall yeeld obedience to civill authority , and live henceforth in all godlinesse and honesty , shall have protection , immunity , and freedome from all trouble and molestation , by or from any ceremony , or imposition in matters of gods worship , according to the order of the right honourable committee of lords and commons ordained for the plantations . and we doe further order by authority aforesaid , that this present act be forthwith published , observed , and duely put in execution upon the penalty before specified on the delinquents part , and under the paine and penalty of 5 l. ster. to be imposed on every officer that shall be remisse or slack therein , and to be cashered from his or their places ; provided neverthelesse that it is our intent and meaning that this act be in force untill the honourable company by due order of their court , shall alter or make void the same ; any law , order heretofore made to the contrary thereof , or to any part or parcell thereof in any wise notwithstanding . joh. vaughan , secret. charles whittenhall , speak . june 25. 1647. i desire wise men would weigh what that passage import ( apostacy , and rebellion ) whether apostacy relates not to the episcopall way , and rebellion , to the just defence of parliament against an open enemy ? also the act provides that in some case , the whole estate be ceised , and yet after a forfeiture of 20 s. is added , or vassallage adjudged in case not able to pay . an act for enforcing such as either causlessely neglect the sacrament of the lords supper 〈◊〉 wilfully refuse to have their children baptized . whereas there are now amongst us too many men and women , who savour of anabaptizme , and doe either neglect , or out of wilfulnesse refuse to have their children baptized : it is therefore enacted by the present assembly , and by the power there of be it enacted , that from henceforth every person or persons upon the next sabbath or sermon-day within the tribe , wherein any childe is , or shall hereafter be borne , shall bring their children to be baptized , if conveniency permit ; but if conveniency will not permit , then such children shall be brought the next sermon-day following , upon pain of 5 l ster. to be levied upon every offender for general uses , provided that this reach not to the baptizing of bastards or negroes children . and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid , that every person and persons , doe receive the sacrament of the lords supper in his , or their now tribe wherein they dwell , at such times , as by our ministers they shal be u prepared for the same , and such as shall negligently refuse to come to be examined , and to receive at the hands of our ministers , m. william vyner , or m. tho. hooper , who are for the time being , or such other ministers as shall be conformable to the directory , such person or persons being found capable , shall be lyable to one w months imprisonment , without bayle or mainprise ; and if he or they will not then conforme , 40 s. shall be levyed for every such default for publicke uses . john vaughan , secret. an act for the establishing the right worshipfull our governour to have the command of the castle in his owne hands , and all the land , and commodities and profits thereunto belonging . taking into consideration the weaknesse of our castle and forts , which are the keyes and bulwarks of these islands , against a forreigne and domesticke enemy , the sad experience of our present condition being sufficient motives to rouse up , and to shake off dull security , to use all lawfull meanes for the preservation of this poor plantation in peace and quiet government . it is therefore enacted by this present generall assembly , and by the power and authority of the same be it enacted , that our present governour doe continue the command of the kings castle in his owne power , with all the land , servants , and other priviledges , and commodities to the same belonging , and to place there such officers under him , as he shall finde both faithfull , and able to discharge the trust , and to dispose of severall forts , to his discretion , being of right belonging to him as he is by commission captaine generall of all these islands , provided alwayes that this act be in force untill we receive answer of the last generall letters , or untill the honourable company doe alter or make void the same , any order or commission heretofore had , or which x hereafter may intrench the honourable resolution to the said letters in any wise notwithstanding . john vaughan secret . charles whittenall speaker . june 25. an. 1647. thus i have given the world an account of some of the lawes enacted by this grave assembly , leaving the godly-wise to judge of them ; we now proceed . they enforce these lawes , viz. by their sole power . instance , 1. the magistrates , under the odium of independents ( though standing by power of parliament and company ) are ipso facto discharged of their place , and others chosen by the governour and his councell . instance andrew bromlow , samuel wise , william reighton , had their cattle distrained upon the breach of that act , requiring the baptizing infants , supra . m jenor , and one phillip clemons wife , were sent downe as prisoners to the governour , for not frequenting their parish church . the whole congregation , and their friends , keeping a fast at their usuall place of meeting , upon a day appointed by the governour ( but the governour not approving that place ) by warrant commanded them to towne , who going together in their boats , he would not suffer them to land , but sent his martiall to chuse out some ten of them , whom he detained prisoners eight dayes , and when he dismist them , he confined them , and the rest of the congregation to their owne plantations , withall binding them over to answer it at the assizes , onely reserving to them the liberty of fishing , and hearing the word . imprisons men at pleasure . instance lieutenant john davis , who was by the censure of the house committed close prisoner , and cast forth of the assembly , for saying that what the assembly did , was of no force till confirmed by the company . they pretended this was a breach of the oath of secresy , when yet they be the expresse words of the companies printed lawes , which all the inhabitants are bound to take notice of . this davis was not for their turne , though no independent , therefore they sought this occasion against him . instance the imprisonment of m. wilkinson , m. reyner , m. more one whole month , protesting against the assemblies meeting a second time , and others of their proceedings at first sitting ; and because the world shall see what was done by those magistrates , had no muteny in it : i shall give you a copy of their protest , and the assemblies censure thereupon , viz. right vvorshipfull governour , whereas your warrants are issued forth to command all such persons who are under the name of burgesses , to tender their attendance at georges towne , pretending their meeting to be for the ordering things tending to the safety of this island , we of your councell whose names are subscribed , do crave leave of your worship , to deliver our judgements of the same . 1. we conceive , that this which you call an assembly , to be no other but an innovation , having neither precept nor order , from the honourable company , nor president in this island for it . 2. that in the former meetings of these persons now conveened , was handled , maintained , and ( as they would have it ) acted , things absolutely contradictory to order of parliament , and the honourable company . 3. rumor being spread by some of these parties , that at this meeting , they will quite put downe the preaching of the word , by those faithfull ministers of christ , m. white , m. copland , and m. golding , though by parliament and honourable company allowed . 4. certaine of those persons now conveened , insinuating into your worships , that the whole countrey ( with urgency ) solicited this meeting , which we finde not to be according to truth , with much more which we sorbeare to relate till a hearing before the high court of parliament , and honourable company in england be made , to which we appeale , and in the meane time declare we may not , we dare not ( for the glory of god ) the safety of this island , and our just obedience to the trust by higher powers reposed in us ) comply with this your meeting , nor the putting into execution any thing that there shall be , or heretofore hath beene by them agitated , till heard and confirmed by the honourable company in england , who have not been defective to expresse their minds in that point to that purpose . and as by necessity enforced , doe crave your worships protection for our peaceable being in this place , till we , or such of us as by the mercy of god shall receive opportunity for transporting our selves unto the honourable court of parliament and company , for redresse of such grievances raised and fomented by those persons now conveened ; and humbly pray we may in behalfe of the parliament and company , have liberty to take such attestations , as may be needfull for the maintenance of the premises . subscribed , wil. sayle . wil. reyner . wil. wilkinson : joseph more . july 21. 1646. the assemblies censure upon this paper , july 13. 1646. upon dispute of a scandalous paper brought in as a charge against the power and proceedings of this assembly under the hands of captaine sayle , mr. reaner sheriffe , mr. wilkinson , and mr. moore , the said mr. reyner standing to justifie the same , to the derogation of the power of parliament of england , the power and priviledge of the honourable company , and the subversion of the government of this place , upon e mature debate had of the premises , it was voted and ordered by the whole assembly , that m. reyner should be committed to the marshalsey during the pleasure of this assembly and be suspended from bearing office in this island , with reference to the honourable company , mr. wilkinson , and mr. moore , being severally examined did likewise , in contempt of the court , and power thereof justifie the same paper , and contrary to their oaths refuse their assistance , and voluntarily deserted their places , thereupon were both censured by the generall vote , ut supra . john vaughan secret . let wise men judge what weake logicians these grave assembly be , who take in more into the conclusion , then the premises will beare . we proceed , imprisoned one watkins , upon suspicion of crime , whereof he had been formerly acquitted at an open assizes , nor could the grave assembly fasten any new matter upon him , but after some dayes imprisonment dismist him . instance the imprisoning of mr. white , themselves cannot say for what ; one whiles they pretend words spoken by him , in deregation to the company , which ( if spoken ) would not beare an action at common law , to which mr. white appealed , under this pretence he was prisoner fifteen weeks . after some respite m. white was againe imprisoned six weeks , the pretence i know not , after ( their malice being restlesse ) there is a speciall warrant ( without any name ) issued forth . it runs thus , you shall apprehend and send downe to prison , the first , and so the second that preach at the mill ( so they in scorne call the place where the congregation meeteth ) who yet refuse to allow them so much as the chappell to exercise in ) by vertue of this namelesse warrant , mr. white upon a lords day was apprehended by the head-burrow of pagets tribe ( who a few weeks before was tyed to the gallowes for pretended words of muteny . ) who , assisted with some twenty apprentices of pagets tribe , sent mr. white to prison , where he remained for severall weekes , since that the governour and councell have fancied concealment of treason against him , for words as they pretend spoken in his hearing some foure yeare since ; and upon this colour they keep him prisoner , notwithstanding captaine turner offered to give mr. white his a liberty , if he would be bound to wave the care of the congregation ; and now the governour speakes like himselfe , and professe the quarrell to be against the gospell ; at the next b councell table , they order mr. white should bee sent home prisoner , whom i leave to make relation of the insufferable wrongs done him , and the shields of the earth to right him against such high oppression . instance , the imprisoning of robert nalton seven weeks , because he would not be dispossessed by the governours warrant , of that house and land , on which he lived , but appealed to the assizes , for a legall triall ; during the time of whose imprisonment : another was possest of the land , and house , and all the goods therein ; nor might the said nalton bee released out of prison , till he would submit to the governours order under his hand , or be bound to his good behaviour , the later he was forced unto . if i mistake not , this proceeding was not onely arbitrary , but hath tyranny in it . instance , the close and streight imprisoning of mr. kestaven ; and fining him 50 l. for presenting , and mr. reyner jun. in like manner for writing a petition , for the satisfaction of the world about this proceed . i shall give a copy of the petition , with the governours answer , as followeth : to the right worshipfull captaine thomas turner governour , and captaine generall of these islands , with the worshipfull his councell . the humble petition of certaine inhabitants of the summer-islands . that whereas the honourable court of parliament at westminster in england , have by their high power and authority granted licence unto m. nath. white , and to all that shall adjoyne themselves unto him , to exercise the liberty of conscience in matters of gods worship , with all immunities and priviledges thereunto , desiring the honourable committee in power for the government of the plantations in america ( whereof the state of england takes the summer-islands for a parcell ) to see their honourable grant executed , who under their command , with their hands and seales have given and transmitted unto your worship to observe and performe , as also the honourable company for this plantation , granting under their hands and seales the foresaid ministers , sundry liberties and priviledges in the aforesaid matters of worship , with your own acts in that your late assembly , therein allowing that liberty so granted , as aforesaid ; but of late threatned ( by what means we know not ) with molestation and trouble , we your petitioners protesting to yeeld and render all due honor to your authority , & respect to your persons , endeavouring by all means to avoid all occasion of actuall offence , humbly pray these aforesaid liberties may by you be allowed , and against our adversaries maintained ; so shall you be instruments of gods great glory , reap the prayers of the saints , and we your petitioners be obliged at the throne of grace for you . subscribed with about a hundred hands . the issue was , the assembly is called , and an answer returned unto the petition as followeth . for as much as you challenge the high and honourable court of parliament in the kingdome of england , to have granted licence unto mr. white , mr. copland , and mr. golding , whom you call ministers ( the which themselves have denyed ) and thereby free power to exercise the liberty of their consciences in matters of gods worship . in answer hereunto , we say , that the honourable parliament , have given them no such liberty , but upon the petition of divers inhabitants in summer-islands , with such others as shall adjoyne themselves to them , that they without molestation have , and enjoy the liberty of their consciences , but not to exercise , we finde no such word mentioned , and the honourable committee hath given them protection and freedome , from any ceremony or imposition in matters of gods worship : all which we never denied , but c confirmed by an act of our assembly ; neither doe i believe , that any amongst them hath cause to complaine of any such imposition , since my comming , unlesse it be the innovation which they wilfully run into , in answer to the request of you who are the petitioners , most or all of you being d knowne to us , or most of us , we speake unto you as in the presence of the almighty god , we have not the least thought to intrench upon your liberties , or priviledges , or confine your consciences , so that you practice things lawfull , if the contrary , the law will reduce you ; we shall expect reformation in you by your obedience to authority , and we desire to live in love , and amity with you , and so by gods blessing we doubt not of your compliance , and your conformity . signed john vaughan . secret . the imprisoning of mr. copland , an aged and reverend preacher many weeks for exexcising on a fast day at the mill ( as they call it ) the day was by proclamation allowed by the governour , but the place liked him not . also a second time he was imprisoned , the governour pretending mr. copland should say , that the devill in the governour and his councell had cast some of the church into prison , and before mr. copland could be released , he must be bound to his good behaviour , who asking the governour what would breake his behaviour , he replyed , if you preach againe ; to which mr. copland answered , sir i knew not till now , that preaching was a breach of the good behaviour . instance , the imprisoning of john bristow ten dayes , and fining him three hundred pound of tobacco , because he would not deliver the keyes of his hired house , unto the governours new marshall , without the consent of the landlord , or the governours expresse command ; and for that the said bristow ( the marshal ) took m. white committed to his charge , till the governour should secure him . this bristow was no wise peccant in his office by the governours owne profession , he is no independent , but an honest man , and not for the governours turne . instance the imprisoning of mr. moore , for saying he was councellour ( as he thought ) of pagets tribe , and therefore refused to pay his levy , and before his censure or imprisonment . the london ship arrived , and mr. moore was chosen counsellour ( as he had information it should be ) by the company , yet is he committed to common gaole , and denyed the place of e counsellour notwithstanding the companies order . capt. turner knowes no authority above himselfe , but is come in conquerour over the summer islands . sleighted the power of parliament , which appeares , first , by denying the liberty granted m. white , and others , by that supreame court . secondly , by the words spoken in the assembly ( the governour present ) by th. wood a member thereof , when that foresaid grant was publickly read , it is said he , but a peece of parchment , and a little wax . thirdly , by that secret charge of apostacy and rebellion on parliament and nation . see the act for suppressing independents , supra . fourthly , by the anticipation of any power to possesse the kings castle , except from the company . see act for the establishing captaine turner to have the command of the castle in his owne hand , supra . fifthly , their sleighting the ordinance and power granted to the committee for the american plantations , when pleaded by the magistrates against the act for casting them out . the governour and assembly turned out of place , magistrates of knowne integrity ; which is first against the ordinance of parliament to the committee of plantations then pleaded to by the magistrates , but none regarded the power and authority thereof . secondly , it is also against the companies declaration , which was likewise urged but without successe , in which course the governour and councell still persist , for anno 1647. mr. moore chosen counsellour by the company was rejected ; likewise captaine turner making an overture in the vacancy of a counsellour in smiths tribe , that the tribe should have liberty of naming two men , and he with his councell would agree to choose one of them ; but when it came to acting , the governour set by the men in nomination , and chose one thomas burrows formerly censured at an assizes , as unworthy to beare the place of constable for misdemeanours there proved against him . of known integrity to the parliament . this island ( captaine sayle being governour assisted with the councel , since cast out by captain turner ) owned the parliament , when the most of the plantation stood either newter , or in open defiance to it ; the report whereof occasioned one ferns a kings man of warre to make prize of goods belonging to captaine sayle and other friends to the parliament , to their damage at least five hundred pound . the governour forbids appeales . the magistrates aforementioned after some dayes imprisonment , sent their appeale to the parliament and company unto the governour ; but were kept in prison , at least three weeks after ; mr. white hath beene denyed his appeale to the assizes held in this island , to honourable committee , and high court of parliament . so in robert naltons cause , whose appeale to assizes would not be granted , the governour at councell table is above all . the governour with his assembly forbids ministers to preach , witnesse the order of assembly , which is as followeth : die mercuriae 29. aprilis 1646. whereas we finde by daily experience what great distractions doth arise , by the intrusions of m. white , m. copland , and m. golding , into our churches , who will not conforme themselves to the directory of parliament , to the great disturbance of the present ministers , and other well disposed people ; we the generall assembly tendring the peace and well-governing of the church of god , and for the prevention of further mischiefe , doe order , and prohibit the said m. white , m. copland , and mr. golding to preach in any of our churches or chappels , unlesse they submit to the directory of parliament as aforesaid ; not prohibiting them to exercise their gifts , according to the extent and limitation given unto them by the high court of parliament , untill we receive further order and direction from them . ordered that this be sent under the clerkes hand , to the said mr. white , mr. copland and mr. golding . john vaughan secret . this order hath no truth in it , unlesse , in that passage , to the great disturbance of the present ministers ; to wit , mr. vyner , m. hooper , both of them professing they will administer no sacrament ( which yet was the condition they made with the company ) to the people of those tribes , where m ▪ white , or m. golding , should be suffered to preach publickly , the onely engine to keepe up the spirits of the people in opposition to m. white , and m. golding . these ministers whom the assembly silence , are allowed by the company , sent over by them at first with approbation . secondly , even since the difference about the congregationall way , the company wrote thus unto m. copland and m. golding , for the satisfaction of the people , wee have sent over two ministers , who ( we doubt not ) will be ready according to the directory to give them due satisfaction in point of administring sacraments and marriage . wee will not take upon us to prescribe you any thing . our desire is , that you and they , as fellow labourers may joyne hand in hand , for the good of the people . we are farre from pressing you against your consciences , we know well , that conscience is a tender thing , and must be tenderly dealt withall . your owne discretion ( we doubt not ) will sufficiently instruct you to be peaceable , not to vent your selves one against another in the pulpit , but to minde your maine worke which ( as we conceive is ) to preach christ to the people , &c. subscribed with nine of the companies hands . now our adversaries cannot charge us with disobedience , unto the wise , and religious counsell given by the company in this their letter : though ( to our faces ) and in the hearing of others , we and the congregation have beene in pulpits charged with schisme , heresie , errors , to be as chora● , dathan , and abiram , the disease of the land , and the magistrate ( as physitians ) stirred up to cut us off , and resembled to sampsons foxes with firebrands at their tayles , and ( to bring us yet further into contempt ) the people have been publickly taught , that god is not present at the mill ( though christ saith , two shall be grinding at the mill , the one taken , and the other left ) with such like stuffe , which we forbeare to publish ; whose labour were desired by the people . the most considerable of sandios tribe petitioned the governour to enjoy m. whites ministery , and many of smiths tribe , m. goldings ; but the governour would not hearken to the desires of either , and yet ( if we may beleeve him , and i have heard him speake it forty times ) he doth all for the glory of god , and the good of the country . conceals good orders . an. 1647. the company required that the congregation should injoy their liberty and the chappell to exercise in , this the governour conceals from the congregation , and makes the people believe , there is no such liberty granted to the congregation , stengthens the hands of lewd persons . those private instructions which the governour tearmed ( as it is said ) a boxe of poyson , were doubtlessely communicated to his assembly , else they durst not have proceeded with so high a hand against the congregation . also the letter that went in captaine sayles ship , carried by a crooked fellow , supra an. 47. with many other vexatious wayes . 1. instance , the governour sweares men , to their owne damage . secondly , by warrant caused eighteeen men of sandyes tribe to appeare at georges ( twenty miles distance , ) before the assembly met a second time , because under their hands they signified , they desired not that the assembly should so meet . also many of pagets tribe were molested upon the same pretence , by warrant commanded tho. bostwick , and one oker , to answer their contempt for being active in getting hands to a petition to the assembly , desiring them to mediate with the company for free trade . likewise the governour sent forth a warrant to apprehend mr. john somersale as fellon upon supposition , he would refuse to obey the warrant of the assembly met a second time , against which assembly , he the said somersale one of them , had openly protested and withdrawn from them octo. 7 an. 647. will. golding was served with a warrant to attend the governour sitting with his councell and assembly eight miles distance , & when the said wil. golding appeared , the governour with the rest , said nothing to him ; at which time will . golding heard captaine wood , and other say , they would maintaine their lawes with their lives . thirdly , governour and councell have changed the levy , payable by the country for generall uses , it was formerly assessed by the head . now by the acre , to wit , one pound of tobacco per acre ; the levy this yeare amounted unto eleven thousand of tobacco , or thereabouts , usually ( in other governours times ) not above five thousand ; all the generall worke in view , is the covering of the sessions house , which is made a dove-coat , and set with looking-glasses for the pigeons to dresse themselves by , no forts , no publick houses repayred , though there is need enough . the governour gives the country no account , but in grosse how this levy grow , onely the counsellours told us , item three hundred pound of tobacco for cedar planks sent by the governour as a present to mr. prim ( who aspersed the congregation . ) and one major williams , item seven hundred pound of tobacco in arrears since the former yeare , five hundred pound of tobacco for servants to over-see mr. whitnalls , and mr. halls businesse , when they were employed ambassadours to england from the governour unto the company ; also more for their charges levyed upon the country thirty six pound sterlin , since which time , sixty pound sterlin , out of the spanish wreck hath been disbursed upon that account . the occasion of sending these men for england was this , captaine sayle and wil. golding having appealed from the governour and assembly , and resolving to goe for england to exhibit their complaints against them ; the governour with some of his councell judged meet to send mr. hall , and mr. whitnall to maintaine the acts made by the assembly , and accuse the congregation , but prevailing in neither , they returned . now the country must beare their charges , yea the congregation ( against whom they were imployed ) before convicted of any offence done , must contribute to the vaine expences of these men . also the congregation are forced to pay for communion wine for the use of the tribe , though neither they , nor theirs , have any benefit by it . also to the readers of the respective tribes , though some ( or most of them ) be knowne drunkards . many of the inhabitants unsatisfied with this account , refused payment ; and the counsellours by the governours warrant ( signed before any levyes were demanded ) distrained on their tobacco , and tooke their owne demands . fourthly , the governour at a mustering dis-armed those of the congregation , and their friends , and all at the same time , passionately beat one chapline with his keyne , for asking ( after his armes were taken from him ) whither hee must stay in the body , or go forth . also one hill upon a sleight pretence . likewise , hee commanded a file of musqueteers to seize mr. painters armes , which were then delivered ; and why may not the governour send a file of musqueteers to cease my bed money , or servants ? fifthly , at an assizes wil. golding ( then in england ) was sued by mr. christopher pits for five hundred pound of tobacco , which the said pits recovered , and upon execution forceably tooke from the wife of will . golding in his absence : but how comes will . golding to be liable to this debt ? thus , captaine chadocke undertooke for some such debt , for mr. worth , whom he tooke with him to trinidado , but stood nor engaged to pay that debt to m. pits , captain chadock makes m. rich. waylet ( who married captaine chadocks daughter ) a letter of atturney , captaine chadock dyed , and his two sonnes inherit and divide his estate ▪ m. waylet e dyes . now m. golding marrying with m. waylets widow is sued for his debt , and the governour informes the iury , that it is just that captaine chadocks daughter should pay it , and the iury found it so . at the same assizes , m. painter is warned to make his appearance , but must not know wherefore , who giving his attendance , an action of defamation was laid against him by m. vyner , for saying m. vyner drunke aqua vitae , as fast as mrs. foord could still it , or such like words , m. painter desires respite untill the next assizes , but would not be granted . m. painter denies the words the governour is his accuser , the sole witnesse and advocate to the iury to heighten the action , and likewise the iudge , and lury findes the action five hundred pound sterlin for the plaintiffe . seventhly , at an assizes held an. 1647. m. white obtained a warrant to summon down some persons , against whom he had just acceptions , entred his actions , and prepared his witnesses , but when he moved the court , his actions might be called upon ; it was denyed , notwithstanding the assizes before he tooke the oath of supremacy , which the governour urged upon him , supposing his refusall would have rendred him uncapable of the liberty of a subject , the governour ashamed to urge the oath a second time , is not ashamed to give mr. white a flat deniall of trying actions . eightly , whiles will . golding was in england , the governour complying with lewd fellows , sought to take away the life of his deare wife , pretending words of muteny against her , and told her aforehand , he would hang her ; but nothing being proved , he lost his longing , and dismist her accusers without a checke . ninthly , a spanish ship endangered amongst the rocks , feb. 14. 1647 the governour ( before the ship was wrackt , or the company of the ship forsaken her ) with his owne hands , and by his appointment , did so pillage and ransacke ( even beyond modesty ) the distressed men that came a shoare , that he hath made the island stinke in the nostrills of the spaniards , and exposed the inhabitants , and other of the english plantations to their wrath , when they shall fall into their hands ; and herein he is incouraged by the trading party ( who not contenting themselves with invading the liberties of the inhabitants , expose their lives to the fury of a forreigner ) for the company in their instructions sent over with captaine turner give liberty to pillage all spaniards who shall fall upon the coasts . as also in a generall letter to captaine chadock , an. 1640 they give these instructions : and that when any spaniards doe hereafter fall into distresse on those islands , and shall send , or seeme to capitulare before their arrivall on land , that you and the councell there , doe require them to cast themselves on , or stand to your courtesie , or otherwise , that you keep them off , and doe not suffer them to land . signed with fourteen hands : captain turner laying hold upon this advantage , so minded the enriching of himselfe thereby , that he neglected the safety of the island ; for how easie had it been for the justly provoked ( though disarmed party ) if the feare of god had not restrained them , to have joyned with the spaniards , and have wrought their will upon him , and his faction without resistance . i onely hint this , to let the world see , that independents ( as they call them ) dare not take those advantages , which carnall prudence prompt others too ; but quietly commit themselves unto the f righteous judge of all the world for compensation for wrongs done them , in the day of recompence for zions controversie . thus much touching the complaints contained in the petition . animadversions upon the requests therein , fall next under consideration . first , we crave liberty to transplant our selves ; first , because it hath been , and may againe be denyed , while the company continue an unlimited power over us , in what we have and are . secondly , the island will not beare the increase of men and beasts . thirdly , the land is worne out , not enjoying a sabbath these thirty yeares . fourthly , we have served the trading company long enough and for nought , and are unwilling to leave our children bondslaves . fifthly , we cannot beare the yoke of tyranny , nor the insolency of worthlesse and illiterate men , to be our lawlesse judges ; especially in the matters of god the things whereof they savour not . sixtly , we are deserted of the company who in justice should relieve us ; and at best in our redresses to them , the remedy hath proved worse then the disease , who ( if at any time they have saved the children of the needy , yet , have not broken in peeces their oppressors , psal. 72. 4. the failing in either is a defect in justice . seventhly , suppose our rockes were amber-greece and our mountaines the finest gold , yet would the trading party invent waves , by raising rents , by new impositions , by limiting us to their ship and goods ; by demurages or the like , to keepe us still in rags ( almost ) to nakednesse . secondly , liberty of free trade of propriety of goods . first , it is our birth-right , and that ancient bounds left us by our fathers to inherit , let them whom it doth concerne consult the word of truth ▪ deut. 27. 17. cursed be he that removeth his neighbours landmarke , and let all the people say , amen . secondly , we earne it with the hazard of our lives , and a kinde of banishment . thirdly , it is the priviledge of all other english plantations , who have either meanes , or hopes of support , besides tobacco , which we want . fourthly , in case the london ship should miscarry , where should the inhabitants seeke supply , or hope for it . fifthly , if tobacco beare a low price , the company will send a ship but little goods . instance an. 1647. hardly one hundred pound cargo from the company to accommodate foure thousand people , and captaine turner , the mouth of the trading party , protested he cared not if the tobacco yeelded but 〈◊〉 and duties ▪ it should be sent home , if the trading company may be maintained ; it matters not what becomes of the poor planters . sixtly , why should the inhabitants be debarred of the benefit of society and commerce , which is the islands cause , whilst ships that passe by have no encouragement to anchor in our harbour . seventhly , many worthy members of the company would grant this liberty , who being free thereof , are interest in all due profits as any other . third head . that offenders be put into a way of triall ; first , because the faction of the governour is so prevalent , that we can have no hopes of right here , having this experience , that such as have been named by the tribe for jury men ( if they comply not with the governours liking ) have been discharged , or put upon the jury of life and death , though no use of such a jury at that time . secondly , because many crimes are capitall , requiring witnesses to depose viva voce : now we have not liberty , or power to examine witnesses , and take attestations which they desired from the governour , could not be obtained , or not exercised , when seemingly granted . thirdly , most of the magistrates are parties in the charge , and how can we with prudence engage them in these causes . fourthly , we cannot confide in all , who have power to take attestations , it is knowne to us , attestations have been mended ●●●ed ; and how should we in this confusion be secure . fourth head : that the deputy-governour may be questioned : first , in errorem , that his examples be not a president or emboldning to the succeeding governour , because justice upon offenders , is not speedily executed , 〈◊〉 heart of the sons of men , are set to doe evill . secondly , that the peace of the country may be preserved . thirdly , how else shall the oppressed be righted , or secured for the future ? job hath a saying , that the hypocrite reign not lest the people be ensnared , job 34. 30. that the new elected counsellours and commanders may be reduced . first , the company who plead this priviledge , have nor done it ; they restored indeed two counsellours but the governour allows but one of hem ? secondly , else usurpation in authority will be justified . thirdly , else it is all one , as though the governour was paramount ; for if he be left to himselfe , to place and displace magistrates and commanders , ( they being his creatures ) must in all comply with him or lose their honour . fourthly , else those magistrates and officers who have beene faithfull to the state and company , and have suffered so much infamy cannot be repaired in their reputation . ( fifthly , they and others will bee discouraged for the future to serve the publicke , if thus left under the feet of vile men . sixtly , else the island will soone be corrupted ; most of that new creation , being men of foule mouthes and lives , giving bad examples , not daring to punish sin in others , themselves being in the same or greater condemnation . truly there is nothing owned for sin with us , but going to the mill , walking soberly , humbly , and non-compliance with workers of iniquity . these are the ill-affected persons , the malignants , the disobedient to authority , refractory , &c. in the language of the governour and assembly , in their acts and proclamations . conclusion . the result is , to leave the world to judge whether these things gathered up , and put together , will not amount in the governours councell and assembly in summer-islands , to a premunire exercise of arbitrary power , injustice , impiety , oppression in a high degree , ( that i say not ) tyranny in some of them who have thus acted ? and whether it is not a righteous thing that those who have usurped power should be made uncapable of the exercise of power for the future ? as for the trading party in the company , who have drawne downe ( at least collaterally ) dishonour ( that i say not ) guilt upon that honourable society , i shall leave them to the wisdome and justice of a full court of their owne ; or rather at the bar of the supreame judicature of our nation , before whom the complaints lye ; waiting with patience their honours resolution . now if any man shall object . i am 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and besides my calling . i answer , first , i am forty that there was occasion given me . secondly , ministers are men , their lives , families , estates , and liberties , are civill things , and whilst invaded , cannot but complaine . thirdly , the company and assembly have quited me of a third part of that labour in the exercise of my calling , whilst a preacher to the country . i can now spare time to study men especially those who study my undoing in whatsoever is deare unto me . fourthly , it is not improper to the ministers of the gospell to beare witnesse against all unrighteousnesse of men , and when their mourhes are stopt , to speake in print , the words of truth and sobernesse . fifthly , who knowes but the discovery of these things may lead some concerned in them unto repentance , which is all the harme i wish these lines produce . lastly , i am engaged , and should seem to mocke the honourable parliament and committee , should i not pursue the complaints exhibited to them ; nor would the condition of that congregation , the state of my family , my personall infirmities and expence , far above my estate , ( not having the least allowance from the congregation or company ) nor yet the unsetled state of the nation , as then it stood ; suffer me to stay and plead to the petition , all which considered i am inforced to make this remonstrance professing ( in the presence of god ) i have endeavoured it with all fidelity , not making lies my refuge ; if any mistakes be , it is through mis-information and in lesser things . the substance of the remonstrance , specially in matters concerning the governour , his councell and assembly , will he attested ( if need be ) by faithfull witnesses . the lord settle truth , justice and peace , throughout the earth , and honour our nation to be the coryphaus and first leader in it . amen . summer-ilands 7. of the first month , viz. march , 1647. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a41380e-490 * dura quidem provincia . subscribed with eightteen hands . illust. illust. mr. steele hath the originall letters under the hands of severall of the company . see answ. of comp. to mr. copl . mr. steel . * but dismist the guard before the pretence of fear was removed . qu. 47. a crooked barke fellow brought a private letter , and had 5 l. allowed . 1. branch of the fifth gen. head . bran. 2. * concilium or rather conciliabulum . bran. 3. bran. 4. act . nota. audactur calumniare & . aliquid adherebit . to this day our adversaries canot prove any of these things against us . a at the former sitting , they rose and adjourned not , and yet they sit againe as though cloathed with full power . b they had allowance from the company , and by an order of parliament c they laid downe only what they had from the bishops . d they proclaime to the world that they governe arbitrarily . summum jus , summa injuria . e bona verba . f the congregation was gathered before cap. turners governourship at least two years . g cap. turner kings it bravely in his expression . h this mock parliament assumes legislative power . i wo to them who make lyes their refuge . k the wicked are like the troubled sea . m and the governour , and his counsell must be the judges . n their owne language . o nota. p independency . q o yee sons of men how long will you seek after leasing . ps. 4. r see how their esta●es and lives are in danger . s contradiction . this looke like tyranny . u nota. w fides suadenda est non impera ida . x though from the power of parliament ▪ bran. 6. bran. 7. e not halfe an houre . a who now is the best subjects b councell-tables are the law of the island , where quicquid libet , licet . pet. submissively sheweth . c a superlative power , this our parliament confirms what the parliamen of england doth . d not to be drunkards , filthy persons , swearers , e nequid usquam honesti oculis occurrat . bran. 8. bran. 9. bran. 10. bran. 11. tyrannis boni quem mali suspectiores sunt semperquae aliena virtus , formidolosa est . salust . bran. 12. bran. 13. vexatious wayes . e actio personalis , moritur cum persona . f scutum tibi potius , quam gladium sume . liu. requests . the life of man homo quasi {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} simul scal. ob virtutes certissimum exi●ium sac. hist. a fresh discovery of some prodigious new wandring-blasing-stars, & firebrands, stiling themselves nevv-lights, firing our church and state into new combustions. divided into ten sections, comprising severall most libellous, scandalous, seditious, insolent, uncharitable, (and some blasphemous) passages; published in late unlicensed printed pamphlets, against the ecclesiasticall jurisdiction and power of parliaments, councels, synods, christian kings and magistrates, in generall; the ordinances and proceedings of this present parliament, in speciall: the national covenant, assembly, directory, our brethren of scotland, presbyterian government; the church of england, with her ministers, worship; the opposers of independent novelties; ... whereunto some letters and papers lately sent from the sommer-islands, are subjoyned, relating the schismaticall, illegal, tyrannical proceedings of some independents there, in gathering their new-churches, to the great distraction and prejudice of that plantation. / published for the common good by william prynne of lincolnes inne, esquire. prynne, william, 1600-1669. 1645 approx. 320 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 46 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a91187 wing p3963 thomason e261_5 estc r212456 99871072 99871072 123470 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a91187) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 123470) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; 44:e261[5]) a fresh discovery of some prodigious new wandring-blasing-stars, & firebrands, stiling themselves nevv-lights, firing our church and state into new combustions. divided into ten sections, comprising severall most libellous, scandalous, seditious, insolent, uncharitable, (and some blasphemous) passages; published in late unlicensed printed pamphlets, against the ecclesiasticall jurisdiction and power of parliaments, councels, synods, christian kings and magistrates, in generall; the ordinances and proceedings of this present parliament, in speciall: the national covenant, assembly, directory, our brethren of scotland, presbyterian government; the church of england, with her ministers, worship; the opposers of independent novelties; ... whereunto some letters and papers lately sent from the sommer-islands, are subjoyned, relating the schismaticall, illegal, tyrannical proceedings of some independents there, in gathering their new-churches, to the great distraction and prejudice of that plantation. / published for the common good by william prynne of lincolnes inne, esquire. prynne, william, 1600-1669. [12], 48, 28 p. printed by john macock, for michael sparke, senior, at the sign of the blue bible in green arbour., london : 1645. annotation on thomason copy: "july 24th". reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng great britain -politics and government -1642-1649 -early works to 1800. great britain -church history -17th century -early works to 1800. bermuda islands -religion -early works to 1800. 2007-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-03 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-02 john pas sampled and proofread 2008-02 john pas text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a fresh discovery of some prodigious new wandring-blasing-stars , & firebrands , stiling themselves nevv-lights , firing our church and state into new combustions . divided into ten sections , comprising severall most libellous , scandalous , seditious , insolent , uncharitable , ( and some blasphemous ) passages ; published in late unlicensedprinted pamphlets , against the ecclesiasticall jurisdiction and power of parliaments , councels , synods , christian kings and magistrates , in generall ; the ordinances and proceedings of this present parliament , in speciall : the nationall covenant , assembly , directory , our brethren of scotland , presbyterian government ; the church of england , with her ministers , worship ; the opposers of independent novelties ; and some seditious queres , incitations , practices , to stir up the commonalty & rude vulgar against the parliament , assembly , ministery ; worthy both houses , and all sober-minded christians serious consideration , detestation , and crying for speedy exemplary justice on the libellersand libels , to prevent our churches , religions , parliaments , kingdomes eminent ruine . whereunto some letters and papers lately sent from the sommer-islands , are subjoyned , relating the schismaticall , illegall , tyrannicall proceedings of some independents there , in gathering their new-churches , to the great distraction and prejudice of that plantation . published for the common good by william prynne of lincolns inne , esquire . take heed therefore , that the light which is in thee be not darknesse : if thine eye be evill , thy whol body is full of darknesse : if therefore the light that is in thee be darkenesse , how great is that darknesse ? luk. 11. 25. mat. 6. 23. these filthy dreamers despise dominion , and speak evill of dignities : these are raging waves of the sea , foaming out their own shame ; wandring stars , for whom is reserved the blacknesse of darknesse for ever . jude 8. 13. london printed by john macock , for michael spark senior , at the sign of the blue bible in green arbour . 1645. to the high and honourable court of parliament . most religious and judicious senators , i here present to your saddest thoughts and serious deliberations , an abstract of sundry most scurrilous , scandalous , seditious railing libels , lately published to the world in print , by some anabaptisticall independent sectaries , and new-lighted fire-brands ; wherein the undoubted priviledges , ordinances , just proceedings of parliament ; the reverend assembly of divines ; our brethren of scotland ; the church of england , with her government , ministers , worship ; the nationall covenant , directory , presbytery ; professed defenders of the parliaments priviledges , ordinances against their licentious schismaticall practises , ( according to their solemn vow and covenant ) are so audaciously affronted , oppugned , slandered , railed against ; and the common people so earnestly excited to mutiny against the parliament assembly , presbytery , government and ministers of our church of england , that i am confident no former age did ever produce such monstrous insolencies , such detestable virulent libels , which neither the honour , justice , nor wisdome of that soveraigne court of justice wherein you are assessors , nor the peace and safety of our religion , church , state , nor your own personall security , nor the nationall vow and covenant , ( engaging both your honours and all others who have taken it against these pernitious mutiniers ) can any longer suffer you patiently to tollerate ( as hitherto you have done ) without exemplary proceedings against , and punishments upon the authors , printers , publishers , dispersers of these most scurrilous and mutinous pamphlets . wherein they most injuriously and falsly revile , traduce all such for persecutors , fighters against christ and his kingdome , enemies to the wayes of christ , pulling his royall crown from off his head , his kingly scepter out of his hand , oppugners of the most religious , conscientious , godly , best-affected party ( as they pharisaically and falsly terme themselves ) dividers betweene the parliament and their best , their faithfullest freinds ; prophane apostates , popish jesuiticall incendiaries , haters of gods people , and the like ; who out of conscience , solid judgment and cordiall affection to the safety , tranquility of religion , parliament , church , kingdome , dare openly by word or writing , maintain the undoubted jurisdiction of parliaments , synods , magistrates in ecclesiasticall affaires , or oppose their factions , schismaticall independent wayes and innovations , destructive both to magistracy , ministery , vnity , parliaments , and that blessed reformation so much desired . for my owne particular , i have with much patience and contempt endured , without any reply at all , their false unchristian invectives against my self , only for writing in vindication of the undoubted ecclesiasticall jurisdiction , directive and coercive power of christian emperours , kings , magistrates , parliaments , in matters of religion and church-government , in my , truth triumphing over falsehood , antiquity over novelty , published with your speciall approbation ; and my independency examined , ( which have much incensed this waspish generation , unable to give any satisfactory answers to them ) and i should have continued silence still , had my own private interest only been concerned . but when i discerned them to be so audaciously licentious , presumptuous , as to a set their mouth against the heavens , to b revile the very gods themselves , and curse the rulers of the people ; c to despise government and speak evill of dignities , to bring railing accusations against , and d resist the higher powers , publishing libell after libell , against the proceedings , ordinances , and jurisdiction of the present parliament and assembly , yea with antichristian pride , to e oppose and exalt themselves above all that is called god , or that is wershipped ( as they have lately done , in the pamphlets hereafter mentioned , and in the nativity of sir iohn presbyter , &c. freshly published since the rest ; every of these latter libels being more seditious and pernitious then the former ) and f barrabas like , to stirre up sedition and insurrection among the people , against the ordinances , votes of parliament , and that ecclesiasticall reformation and pre-byteriall government you have resolved to establish ; g my bowels ; my bowels were pained within me at my very heart , so that i could not hold my peace , nor keepe silence any longer , because thou hast heard , o my soul , the sound of these seditious trumpets , and the alarme of this schismaticall anti-parliamentary war : yea should i now refraine from writing , the very stones themselves would immediately cry out against their most infamous libels and mutino●s presumptuous practises , opposite to all publike order , government , authority . and the rather am i necessitated to this ungratefull worke , because their very libels , actions , speeches proclaime a plotted avowed confederacy among some furious ringleaders of these independent sectaries ( though i presume the more moderate are not guilty of it ) against the parliament , assembly , and all their resolves in matters of religion or church-government , yea , against our very church , ministers , and tithes the meanes of their support ; as their libellous passages against the ecclesiasticall power , proceedings of the parliament and assembly ; their publike oppositions against the nationall covenant , directory , the ordinances prohibiting disorderly & unlicensed printing of libellous scismaticall pamphlets ; against lay-mens preaching in the army or else-where ; for due payment of tythes , &c. recited in the ensuing sections , will at large declare . and that which further confirmes me in this opinion , is : first , the new seditious covenants which the members of some independent congregations enter into ; to adhere , defend , maintain , to the utmost of their powers , and contend for , even unto blood , the establishment of that independent form of church government which themselves have set up and submitted to , and oppose the presbyterian , in contempt of the parliaments authority : in truth meere anti-covenants of the nationall league and covenant , which they utterly refuse to take , and rayle against . 2. their menacing predictions to the assembly and presbytery in their two last k libels ; wherin they print , that the time hastens the people will call them to an account , and repell and confound them by the sword ; that the life of sir iohn presbyter is like to be neither long nor good ; that he wil be brought to a sudden untimely end , perhaps hanging . that presbytry shall live but a short time to do mischeife , and then , the common people will beg in to sing , her tosse , the devil 's dead ; presbytery will quickly dye , the synod be dissolved , the divell chained up : and therefore follow the advise of old cat● ; spem retine . rejoyce o heavens , sing aloud o earth , clap thy hands for joy , o england-post nubula soles ; thou shalt have a time of quietnesse , of pence , of content , for presbytery will have never a child to vexe thee , to imprison thy free denizens , to sucke up thy fatte , devoure thy good things and eat up thy bread out of thy childrens mouthes , and himselfe is not long lived , as i shewed before ; and then farewell persecution for conscience , farewell ordinance for tithes , farewell ecclesiasticall supremacy , farewell pontifical revenue , farewel assembly of divines dissembled at westminster , you shall consult together no more , farewell sr. simon synod , and his son presbyter iacke . gens antiquaruit , multos dominata perannos , &c. which passages , presage and intimate nought else , but a plain conspiracy , confederacy , against the assembly , presbytery and presbyterian party . 3. some late seditious speeches of two preaching captaines of this schismaticall confederacy ; who being apprehended and questioned by sr. samuell lukes officers for preaching in newport-pannell , and other places neare adjoyning , in contempt of an ordinance of parliament made the 26. of april 1645. which ordaines , that no person be permitted to preach who is not ordained a minister ▪ threatning condigne punishment to the offenders against it for their contempts ; enjoyning sr. thomas fairfax , the lord major , the committee of militia for london ; the governours , commanders , and magistrates of all garrisons , castles , places of strength , citties , townes , forts , ports , and the respective committees of each county , to see the same duly observed in the army and places aforesaid , and make speedy representation to both houses , of such as shall offend therein . these captaine preachers ; ( far wiser then that devout centurian cornelius , who feared god with all his house , and prayed to god alwaies ; yet never turned preacher to his owne band , for ought we read , but by gods own direction from heaven , sent for the apostle peter to instruct him and his family , acts 10. ) among other speeches averred ; that they were illegally used by sr samuel in being apprehended ( for their contempt against this ordinance ; ) most fasly and seditiously affirming , that the generall & all the colonels in the army were deeply engaged . in their designe : that they would acquaint their friends in the hovse of commons of their bad usage , that they had done nothing but taught the word of god ; ( among other things , that wee had no true church not ministry , and that the children of beleevers had no more right to baptisme then those of infidels , &c. ) which they would justifie , and those friends likewise : that they had commission from the parliament for what they did , &c. whereupon one capt. oxford answering them ; that he was confident there were few or none in the house would uphold them ( against an expresse ordinance of both houses ) and that the generall and collonels would not side with them in this case : the said pedicant captains replyed ; that should be tryed speedily : for they were resolved to make this businesse the leading case of the kingdome for all the godly party : adding ; that if the godly and wel-affected party were thus persecuted , they should be forced to make a worse breach then what was yet , when they had done with the kings party : and telling ensign ratford and his souldiers , that they were worse then cavaliers ; and that when they had made an end of the war with the cavaliers , they shovld be forct to raise a new army to fight with them . certainly these seditious privy covenants , libels , speeches , compared with the ensuing sections , letters , discover and portend no lesse then a strong conspiracy among some anabaptisticall sectaries to oppose the power , ordinances and proceedings of parliament , to extirpate all other governments but their own , and to set it up by the sword , or popular commotions in despight of your authority . and is it not then high time for your honours , with all other well-affected persons to look about you ? to vindicate your own power , honour , justice , against these most seditious , audatious , contemptuous libellers against your soveraign authority , your most religious ordinances , proceedings in the desired waies of reformation ; and to make some of them exemplary monuments of your impartiall severity , to deter others from the like unparalleld insolencies , not read nor heard of in any preceding age , nor practised by any generation of men , but these new furious sectaries : who to engage all sorts of people in their quarrell , proclaim a free toleration and liberty of conscience , to all sects , all religions whatsoever , be it judais●e , paganisme , turcisme , arianisme , popery ; ( as all their pamphlets manifest ) and to interest the female sex , and draw them to their party , they ( contrary to the n apostles precept ) allow them not only decisive votes , but liberty of preaching prophesying , speaking in their congregations ; yea , power to meet in their * nocturnall conventicles , without their husbands , parents , ministers privitie , the better to propagate christs kingdome , and multiply the godly party : which , what confusion and ataxy it will soon ▪ produce in church and state , if not prevented by your honours extraordinary speedy diligence , wisdome , power , i humbly submit to your deepest judgements . i am certain your honours have read the a histories of the tragicall wars and commotions of the anabaptists in germany ; whose opinions where-ever they predominate , are fatall to the government , magistracy , ministery of all states , churches , and bring in popular tyranny , and licentiousnesse , the worst of evils . o then let not your honours patience or indulgence to such anabaptisticall libellers involve both you , us , our realm , in like german popular sedicions , devastations , and bloody massacres , which they threaten : but if these new seditious lights and fire-brands , will needs set up new churches , heresies , church-governments , and vent their new errors or opinions against your power and authority , let them doe it onely in new-england , or other new-fovndlands , since old england needes them not , unlesse it be to set her all on fire . as for those furious champions and emissaries of theirs who have most presumptuously opposed your religious ordinances , by word , deed , and presuming on the strength of their freinds within your wals , ( the opinion wherof , with your former lenity towards them hath much increased their spreading leprosy ] intend now at last to try this issue with your honours ; whether your just ordinances , or their willfull contempts against them shall take place ; it is presumed you will so proceed gainst them , and the authors , printers , publishers of the execrable libells h●re presented to your veiw , that they and all the world shal know , you a●e a soveraigne court of parliament ; whose priviledges , honour , you have all joyntly covenanted to mantain with your lives , power , fortunes ; and to proceed against all such secret underminers or open impugners of them , as capital delinquents : and these mutineers experimentally know , that no one member of your honorable assembly , will so far dishonour himself , or violate his publike trust & covenant , as to countenance such audacious willfull offenders in the least degree ; nor yet for fear or favour of any faction , any person how great soever , decline one hairs-bredth from that straite path of truth and publike justice , [ the greatest security and support of parliaments , kingdoms ] especially in these leading-cases , wherein you are most concerned , and as much obleiged to maintain your own priviledges , power , reputations , ordinances , against seditious sectaries , as against rebellious c●valeers : or else dissolve , give over your intended almost-accomplished reformation ; and so render your selves , with your proceedings contemptible to all the world : which god forbid . if any should object ; that the punishment of these grosse libellers & ring-leaders of sedition would discontent and disengage the independents , with all other sectaries of their opinion , who are a considerable party now ; which might prove dangerous to the state in this juncture of our publike affaires . i answer : 1. that i doubt not all moderate and juditious persons of that party wil willingly disclaime , if not excomunicate , banish them their congregations , and yeeld them up to publike justice , as persons worthy the severest censures ; else all the world will cry shame upon them . secondly , admit your executing justice on them should discontent their party ; yet thankes be to god ( for all their vapouring ] they are not so potent , so considerable as to over-aw a parliament from doing justice on such of their party , who libel against , or affront their power & proceedings ; in which case , our whole three kingdomes are solemnly engaged by publike covenant to assist you to the utmost , with their very lives and fortunes . thirdly , the greatnes of the kings power , party , hath not retarded you from executing justice upon strafford , canterbury , tompkins , & sundry other delinquents : shall then the lesse considerable faction of anahaptists and other sectaries hinder you from proceeding against a few seditious libellers and delinquents of their party ? fourthly , either you must permit them to go on to libel and affront your authority , orders , proceedings still , without exemplary punishments , to your great dishonour , infamy : or else proceed against them now , whiles your ordinances , and their contempts against them are fresh , their party small : else they will plead prescription , and you will be lesse engaged , lesse able to punish them hereafter , in case they should grow stronger and more numerous . principiis obstandum ; is ever the best policy . fiftly , let their party be as considerable , as potent as is falsely surmised by themselves , yet i humbly conceive , it stands neither with the majesty , honour , power , nor wisdome of a parliament , to be afraid of doing justice ( especially in maintenance of their own ordinances , priviledges whoever they discontent : in such a case , fiat justitia , ruet caelum ; is the safest resolution . majestrates and inferiour judges ( much more then supreamest courts of judicature ) must not * fear the faces nor frowns of any mortalls in discharging their duties , but execute justice and judgement , what ever comes of it , and trust god with the event . sixtly , the not doing exemplary justice in such leading cases of publike concernment , will render your parliamentary authority , ordinances , proceedings more contemptible to your own party , then ever they were unto the kings : yea , animate the country club-men and every inconsiderable sectary , not only to jeat , contemn , disobey your ordinances and commands , but at last to prescribe laws unto you , [ as * iack cade and his confederates did to the parliament in the 29. of hen. 6. ] which will by consequence bring parliaments into contempt , and so speedy desolation upon all our dominions , after so many successefull proceedings . up therefore and be doing justice upon some few chiefe offenders of this kinde for the present , to prevent execution upon many others , if not ruin on us all , for the future , and god himselfe will no doubt be with you ; * you neede not fear what flesh can do unto you , or sectaries speake or write against you : whose ensuing scurrilous libellous seditious passages will so publikely discover their uncharitable , unchristian , libellous , slandering , tumultuous dispositions , and hypocriticall , false , froward , licentious tempers , to all the world , as will render them odious to all sober minded , peaceable , consciencious , modest christians , if not to themselves , and all ingenious persons of their own sects ; and so , through gods blessing , reduce many of them to the bosome of our church , from which they have formerly revolted . it is not my intention by any the premisses to soure or exasperate your honours in the least degree against any peaceable , consciencious , orthodox , or truly religious christians , seduced by the independent party ; or to stir up any kind of persecution against such ; whose consciences will ( i doubt not ) in due time be fully satisfied , perswaded to submit to that presbyteriall church-goverment and discipline , which you have now resolved to establish in our churches ▪ there being nought there in repugnant to gods word , or which any well-informed conscience , can have cause to scruple at . towards such as these , it is most just and reasonable , all christian charity , meeknesse , long-suffering , brotherly love , and fitting liberty should be indulged for the present , till god shall further open their eyes and turn their hearts unto us . for whose better sati●faction in the irregularities of their new concealed independent way , i have here-unto subjoyned some letters and other papers lately sent me from the summer islands ; whereby they may discover , the faction ; arrogance , pride and cruelty of the independent ministers there , and that the liberty of conscience they plead for , & pretend they grant to presbyterians , others ; and the peaceablenesse of their way , is but a meere fiction , contradicted by their practise ; and likewise discern , how they lead their followers by a meere implicite faith ; impose upon them a popish blind obedience ; exercise a meere papall authority and unlymited dangerous arbytrary power over them and others ; pretending an vtopian government after the mind of christ , which is no where written in his word ; nor in any classicall authors , ancient or modern , but founded only in their own fancies , not yet fully discover'd , nor set down in writing , nor agreed on among themselves , nor published to others for their better satisfaction . the serious consideration whereof may happily reclaime our independents here from the error of their seperating destructive ways , and ease the oppressed planters of those islands from that independent yoake of bondage under which they so much groane , as to cry out to you for releife of their sore oppressions in their letters : which i shall beseech your honors in their behalfe ( since they have made their addresses to your tribunall by my mediation ) seriously to lay to heart , and seasonably to redresse . thus humbly craving pardon from your honorable assembly for my true-hearted zeale to do you faithfull service , by this unburthening of my conscience , and presenting you with this fresh discovery of those new wandring-starres and firebrands who revile , oppugne your ecclesiasticall jurisdiction , proceedings , ordinances ; disturb the much-desired peace of church , state , ( which we should all earnestly endeavour in these distracted times ; ) i humbly recommend all your faithfull undertakings for the security , tranquility of both , to gods owne blessing with my devoutest orisons to the throne of grace , and ever remaine , your honours , the republikes , churches , most devoted servant , william prynne . a fresh discovery of prodigious new-wandring-blasing-stars and fire-brands , stiling themselves nevv-lights : firing our church and state into new combustions . the apostle paul , led by a propheticall spirit , hath left us such an exact character of the last times , and of the exorbitant tempers of many christian professor living in them , as never suited with any age so fitly as this wherein we live , nor with any generation of people , so well , as those new-lights and sectaries , sprung up among us , who ( being many of them anabaptists ) have all new-christned themselves of late , by the common name of independents : this character we finde recorded , 2 tim. 3. 1. to 10. this know also , that in the last dayes perillous times shall come : ( and what times were ever more perillous then the present ? ) for men shall be lovers of themselves , coveteous , boasters , proud , blasphemers , disobedient to parents ( naturall , civill , ecclesiasticall ) unthankefull , unholy ; without naturall affection , trace-breakers , false accusers , incontinent , fierce , dispisers of those that are good ; traytors , heady , high-minded , lovers of pleasures ( of their own bellies , lusts , wayes , opinions , fancies ) more then lovers of god ; having a form of godlinesse , but denying the power thereof : from svchtvrne away . but some might demand of him , by what distinguishing marke may we know who these persons are ? the apostle therefore subjoynes such a symptome , as suits most exactly with our new separating lights & conventiclers , who forsake the publike assemblies , and creep into private houses , working principally ( as the * devill did at first ) upon the weakest sex : for of this sort are they which creep into hovses ( thus interpreted by the apostle : heb. 10. 25. not forsaking the assembling of our selves together , or the publike assemblies , as the manner of some is , and of our sectaries now ) and lead captive silly women , laden with sinnes , led away with diverse lusts : ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the trvth ( as those independent seekers are , who like * wandring stars , gad every day after new-lights , new-fashions of church government , wavering like empty clouds without wa●er , or waves of the sea , driven with the wind and tossed not knowing yet what government they would have , or where to fix ; believing and practising all things , with a reserve , to alter their opinions and practise every day upon discovery of further light , 〈◊〉 the independent apologists professe for themselves , and advise all others to do . now because such house-creepers and new-lights , have usually lofty conceits of their own opinions , judgements , wayes ; as if the truth of god were monopolized unto them , and therefore all the world should speedily submit to their foolish dictates , and erronious by-paths : the apostle immediately passeth this censure of their persons and proceedings . now as jannes and jambres withstood moses , so do these also resist the truth : men of corrupt mindes , reprobate ( or of no judgement ) concerning the faith : but they shall proceed no further , for their folly shall be manifest unto all men , as theirs also was . the very detection of their abominable , seditious , seducing practises , shall put a stop to their proceedings , and frustrate all their expectation . now if any man should doubt whether this prophesie of the apostle were really intended of separatists and sectaries ; the holy ghost hath resolved it in direct termes in the generall epistle of jude , v. 17 , 18 , 19. but beloved , remember that the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our lord iesus christ ( and among others of the apostle paul in the for ecited text ) how that they told them , there should be mockers in the last time , who should walk after their own ungodly lusts ( not after the spirit and word of god which they most pretend to : and would you know who these are ? ) these be they who separate themselves , sensuall , having not the spirit . to which the apostle peter addes these further descriptions of them . 2 pet , 2. 10 , 11 , 12 , 14 , 18 , 19. that they despise government , are presumptuous , felfe-willed , speak evill of dignities , bring railing accusations against them , speak evill of the things they understand not , beguile unstable soules having hearts exercised with covetous practises , being clouds carried with a tempest , wels without water , who when they speak great swelling words of vanity , allure through the lusts of the flesh , through much wantonnes ; ( of spirit as well as flesh ) those who are clean escaped from them who live in error : while they promise them liberty ( the liberty of conscience to professe what religion they list , to use what church government they please , without controll of parliament , synod , or magistrates ) they themselves are the servants of corruption ; and as iude , v. 13. prove raging waves of the sea , foaming out their own shame , wandring starres , to whom the blacknesse of darknesse is reserved for ever . all which descriptions , how properly they suit with our newindependent-lights and incendiaries , i shall clearly demonstrate out of severall clauses in their late seditious anti-parliamentary impressions , betraying the rottennesse of their hearts , the pride , sedition , and rebellion of their spirits , which i shall reduce to these ten sections . 1. seditious , scandalous , libellous , and uncharitable passages against the authority and jurisdiction of parliaments , synods , and temporall magistrates in generall , in ecclesiasticall affaires . 2. against sundry ordinances and proceedings of this present parliament in particular . 3. against the nationall covenant prescribed by parliament . 4. against the present assembly of divines , sitting and acting by order of parliament . 5. against the directory ratified by ordinance of parliament . 6. against our brethren of scotland , whom of late they much applanded . 7. against presbyterians and presbyterian government in generall . 8. against the church of england , her worship , ministers , and government in generall . 9. against such who have out of conscience written or preached against their seditious wayes , and libels . 10. seditious queres , passages , and practises , to excite mutinies and popular commotions against the parliament , and disobedience to its commands . section i. containing divers seditious , scandalous , libellous passages against the authority and jurisdiction of parliaments , synods , and temporall magistrates in generall , in ecclesiasticall affaires , in the late writings of several independent new-lights , and firebrands . i shall begin with a copy of a letter written by john lilburne , lieu , colonell , ( the ringleader of this regiment of new-firebrands ) to william prynne esq ; upon the comming out of his last book , intituled , truth triumphing over falsehood , antiquity over●novelty : of which letter there have bin three impressions made by him , without license ; contrary to the ordinance of both houses , restraining the printing or dispersing of unlicensed , libellous , & seditious pamphlets : whre he p. 4. writes thus . sir , in your last book that you put out , you spend a great deale of paines in citing old rusty authors , to prove that kings , councels , synods , and states , have for so many hundred yeares medled with matters of religion . i grant you they have ; but i demand of you , by what right , or by what authority out of the word of god they have so done ? hath god the father , or jesus christ his sonne given them any allowance in this ? or have they not hereby rather fulfilled the prophesies of the scripture , which saith , rev. 17. 17. that the kings of the earth shall give their power unto the beast till the word of god be fulfilled , which they have done in assisting the popes to joyne the ecclesiasticall and civill state together , making the golden lawes of christ to depend upon the leaden lawes of man ; yea upon such lawes , as was just suitable to their tyrannicall lusts , and which might the most advance their wicked ends and designes : and in the doing of this , they have set up a perfect antichrist against god's christ , yea , england is not free from this . and to hold , that kings , parliaments , synods , states , have any thing to do in matters of religion and church-government , he concludes pag. 5. to be a setting of the potentates of the earth together by the eares with christ ( who is to rule all nations , rev. 12. 5. ) to pluck his crown from his head , his scepter out of his hand , and his person out of his throne and state , that his father hath given him to raign gloriously in . which is thus backed by henry robinson the ( supposed ) author of the answer to mr. william prynnes 12. questions concerning church-government , pag. 6. particular churches , members of a kingdome and nation , are not obliged in point of conscience and christianity , to submit unto whatsoever publike church government , rites , and discipline , a nationall councell , synod , and parliament shall conceive most consonant to gods word , unlesse it prove so in the whole kingdomes , nations , and those very particular churches judgement , pag. 8. the grounds of independent government , attribute nothing to the magistrate in church affaires further then the magistrate is a member of their churches and assemblies , pag. 12. you can no more justifie a nationall church of christians shall likewise go up to the temple of jerusalem from whence by the same prophesie , they are also to receive the word of god , and not from parliament , pope , synod or presbytery . mr. henry burton in his vindication of churches commonly called independent , &c. p. 49 , 50 , 51 , &c : the church is a spirituall kingdome , whose only king is christ , and not man : it is a spirituall re-publick , whose only law-giver is christ and not man. no man nor power on earth , hath a kingly power over this kingdome . no earthly lawgiver may give lawes for the government of this republick . no man can or ought to undertake the government of this communion of saints . no humane power or law may intermeddle to prescribe rules for the government or form of this spirituall house . not councels , not senates . this is christs royall prerogative , which is uncommunicable to any , to all the powers on earth , &c. he adds , p. 60 , 61. we challenge you to shew us , any parliament , councell , synod , ever since the apostles , that could or can say thus , it seemed good to the holy ghost and us , to determine controversies of religion , to make and impose canons to binde all men , &c. shew this to us at this time , and we will obey . but if you cannot , as you never can ; never let any man presse upon us that scripture , that synod , which hath no parallell in the whole world , and so is no precedent or patterne , for any councell , synod , parliaments . a short answer to adam stewarts second part of his over-grown duply to the two brethren ; with certaine difficults questions easily answered : printed ( without license ) 1644. supposed to be written by mr. iohn goodwin , p. 13 , 17. but perhaps you 'l say , there is an act of parliament , a civill law declaring heresie , or any different from the state opinions , such as for the present are in fashion to be censurable by the civill power ; i answer , not without all due respect unto the lawes , and such as made them , that if there be any distinction between a church-state and a civill-state , which all christians hitherto acknowledge , the enacting civill lawes to punish spirituall offences , is not only a solecisme or impropriety in state , but an incroaching on the churches power , a profaning of the keyes , and injurious to the offender , who by this meanes is punished both beyond the degree and nature of his offence . if the blessed spirit should at any time bear witnesse unto your spirit , or unto the spirit of a whole parliament and synod , what were this to the spirits of other men ? must not they wait with patience untill the blessed spirit be pleased to visit their spirits likewise , before they can joyne with yours or the assemblies spirit ? but if the synods determination of this or that controversie should seem good unto the holy ghost , as the churches decrees of jerusalem did , must they therefore be imposed upon the countrey , the whole world ? is not this to equallize your synodall canons with those decrees of the apostolicall church of jerusalem , and to make scripture of yours , as well as theirs ? is not this to adde to scripture ? nay , to alter it , p. 28. but if king and parliament may not force a new religion or sect , suppose presbyterian , upon the kingdome , much lesse can the synod , which neither has not yet pretends as is alleaged , to use the materiall sword ? and if for matters of religion all power originally is in christ , as you sometimes acknowledge , how can king , parliament , or synod , wrest it from him ? nay what think you ? is it not secondarily in the people , as well as civill power , which you affirme in the same page ? and so doubtlesse is spirituall power , unlesse you will make god to have provided mankinde better of a safegard , or liberty to defend their bodies , than their soules : if then the spirituall power be so inherently in the people next under christ , as that they cannot so well renounce and part from it in many respects , by what they may of civill ; how can it be thought by any one , that the king , parliament , synod , though never so much importun'd by a thousand such asses , should goe about to settle a new presbyterian scotch government , with an intention to force a conformity of the whole kingdome , three quarters whereof cannot as yet be thought to submit unto it willingly or for conscience sake , pag. 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36. qu. 5. is it not an ungodly thing to suffer men to be of any religion ? ans . no , for both our saviour his apostles , and the primitive christians did the same : neither is it in the power of flesh and blood to hinder it . qu. 6. is it not the most unseemely sight to see the people of one citty run seambling from their parishes to twenty conventicles where so many severall doctrines are taught ? an. no , but farre more monstrous and abominable in the eyes of god , for people of twenty severall opinions for feare or favour to assemble and joyn together hyprocritically in one way of worship or church discipline . q. 8. ought we not then at least to keepe our different opinions and religion unto our selves in obedience to the civill magistrate that commands it ? an. no , because it is better to obey god then man. qu. 9. if jesuited papists and other subtile hereticks be suffered , will they not likely seduce many unto their erronious by-pathe ? ans . though a tolleration of erronious opinions may gaine some to sathan , yet truth being therewith to be published and improved will in all probabillity , not onely gaine so many more to god ; but any one thus wonne to god , unto his truth , is worth thousands of those that fall from it . qu. 10. but may not the multiplying of heresies stifle or expell the truth like as the abounding of tares and weedes often choake the wheate and for this cause not to be permitted ? an. though it seeme to be many of the first , yet our saviour in the parable of tares . math. 13. teaches us a quite contrary doctrine , and forbids ( heresies ) the tares to be pulled up before [ the day of judgment ] the harvest . v. 30. 39. least the wheate , the children of the kingdome true professors , v. 30. 39. be therewith rooted up . qu. 21. is it not a pious act to compell a company of carelesse idle people to heare a good sermon , to do a good worke whether they will or no ; ans . no more pious an act , then for papists to use the like compulsion towards iewes and protestants , inforcing them to heare their sermons , masse , or vespers . q. 24. may not the civill goverment interpose to punish such church members with whom the spirituall by reason of their refractorinesse cannot prevaile ? answ . nothing lesse , since the civill state or government has no more power , nor vertue to make a papist turne protestant in england , then it can prevaile to make a protestant become a papist in spaine . qu. 29. but can there be any hurt in forceing refractory people to be present at religious orthodox assemblies , where if they will , they may be informed of the truth . an. yes , first because there can come no good thereof through want of willingnesse , which god onely reguards in him which is thus compelled ; and secondly , because this ( forceing ) is a doing evill that good may come thereof , which is prohibited , rom. 3. 8. the falshood of m. w. prynnes truth triumphing , &c. printed in london 1645. without license ( written by h. robinson , who hath set up a private unlicensed printing presse ) determines thus : p. 19. 20. 26. but did , the only wise god think we resolve to create man after his own image , to estate him in such a sad and execrable condition , worse then that of beasts , wolves , bears & tigres , as that he must necessarily tyrannize or be tyrannized over both in soul and body and yet it cannot possibly be otherwise ; if you will grant a power to kings , parliaments or synods , to require conformity from others in any thing which is not agreeable to their consciences ; for if such a latitude and height of iurisdiction be granted but to the more orthodox kings parliaments and synods ; both papists , lutherans , calvinists and independants pretending and really takeing themselves to be the most orthodox , are bound in conscience to lay clayme to , and put in execution this power of compelling all the world unto their uniformity , and so infallibly produce the most cursed enmity and hatred betwixt all the people but differing in opinion exceeding that of cannibals , or the profoundest of antipathics betweene any rationall creatures whatsoever . you say the oposites to parliaments ecclesiasticall jurisdictions have formerly and more especially in this present parliament addressed severall petitions to this high and honorable court for reformation of the church , &c. wherein under favour , i conceive you have mis-apprehended their proceedings & intentions , which doubtlesse was for the most part , or best affected , that the parliament , in whom they acknowledge the soveraigne power to reside , would permit , cou●tenance and encourage all godly men of gifts in preaching down heresies , errors , idolatry , popery , &c. many whereof had either beene formerly established by law , or not permitted to be preached downe , through the prelates corruption contrary to the law. this is the best , even all the reformation , which the civill magistrate , as civill , has a capassity of compassing against all heresies and errors , which must necessarily be vanquished by the sword of the spirit and cannot possibly be suppressed by carnall weapons or the civill sword ; they may destroy the flesh , but cannot properly be said to touch and worke upon the spirit . t is no small dis-service which you do both parliament and assembly , in thus exposing their proceedings , to be questioned by no little , and that the * most conscionable and best affected party of the kingdome , such spirits of contention as this of yours , were those which made the first great breach among the parliaments friends , master john goodwins theomathia , pag. 48 , 49 , 50. the generality and promiscuous multitude of the world , who have a right of nominating persons to a parliamentary trust and power , are but a secular root , out of which the independent brethren conceive , an impossibility that a spirituall extraction should be made : a man may as well bring a clean thing out of an unclean , ( in jobs expression ) as make a spirituall extraction out of this secular root , who have no authority nor power from christ to nominate or appoint who shall be the men , that shall order the affaires of christs kingdome , or institute the government of his church ; therefore there is an impossiblity that a legitimate ecclesiasticall power , should according to the minde of christ , or any precept or president of scripture be by them conferred upon any man , or that the persons so elected should have a power by vertue of such nomination or election , to enact laws or statutes in matters of religion ; & to order under mulcts and penalties , how we shall worship and serve god. section ii. comprizing their seditious , scandalous , libellous and daring passages against sundry ordinances and proceedings of this present parliament in particular not to be paralel'd in any age , nor tolerable in this . their intolerable libellous seditious passages of this nature are so many and various that i must branch them into severall heads . i shall 1. begin with their invectives against the severall ordinances of both houses of parliament , for the regulating of printing , and suppressing the great late abuses , and frequent disorders , in printing many false , scandalous , seditious , libellous and unlicensed pamphlets , to the great defamation of religion and government . john libourne in his unlicensed , printed libell , intituled , a copy of a letter to master prynne , thus declares against these ordinances pag. 2 , 3. but being that b you and the black-coats in the synod , have not dealt fairly with your antagonists , in stopping the presse against us , while things are in debate , yea , robbing us of our liberty ( as we are subjects ) in time of freedome , when the parliament is sitting , who are sufficiently able to punish that man * whatsoever he be ) that shall abuse his penne ; so that whilst we are with the hazard of our dearest lives , fighting for the subjects liberty , we are brought into egyptian bondage in this and other particulars , by the black-coats , who i am afraid will prove more cruell task masters then their deare fathers the bishops ; who cowardly sit at home , in my apprehension , for no other end but to breed faction and division amongst the c wel-affected to to the parliament , promoting thereby their owne interest , which is lazinesse , pride , covetousnesse and domination , endeavouring to lay lower then the dust , a generation of men whom they falsly call sectaries , that have in the uprightnesse of their hearts , without synodianlike ends , ventured all they have in the world for the good of the parliament , and the common-wealth of england , and who may bid defiance to all their adversaries , that brand them with unfaithfulnesse ; so that by meanes of which , i have not been able that way , yet to accomplish my earnest desire ; and truly it argues no manhood nor valour in you not the black-coats , by force to throw us downe and tye our hands , and then to fall upon us , to beat and buffet us ; for if you had not been men that had been afraid of your cause , you would have been willing to have fought and contended with us upon even ground and equall termes namely , that the d presse might be as open for us as for you , and as it was at the beginning of this parliament ; which i conceive , the parliament did of purpose , that so the free borne english subjects might enjoy their e liberty and priviledge , which the bishops had learned of the spanish inquisition to rob them of , by locking it up under the key of an imprimatur , in whose tyrannicall steps the synod treads ; so that you and they think you may rayle at us cum privilegio , and ranke us amongst the worst and basest of men , as f rooters up of parliaments , and disturbers of states and common-wealths . the scurrilous , blaspemous , unlicensed libell , stiled , the arraignment of persecution ; thus contemptuously affronts & jeers this ordinance , with the parliament , synod and directory , in the very title page ; this is licensed and printed according to holy order , but not entred into the stationers monopoly : and in the opposite page : die saturni , april . 6. 1645. it is decreed and ordained by the reverend assembly of divines , now assembled in holy convocation , that doctor burgesse and master edwands doe returne thanks unto the worthy author of this treatise , intituled , the arraignment of persecution , for his g pious endeavours and vigilant care he hath therein , at the entreaty of this synod . and it is further ordained , that they doe desire him , to print and publish the said treatise forthwith , and that it be recommended to the people , as h a divine hand-maid to the right understanding of the directory . and it is yet further decreed and ordained , that none shall presume to print or re-print the said treatise , but whom he shall authorize under his owne hand writing , till this most holy synod shall further order . scribes . henry roborough . adoniran byfield i appoint my divine cozin martin claw-clergy , printer to the assembly of divines , and none else to print this treatise . young martin mar-priest . what more audacious , jeering affront could be afforded to the commons or assembly , then this feigned libellous order ? in the book it selfe , page 2. persecution had a thousand trucks , above all the rest , for to block up all passages . stop all mouths , and fortifie himselfe round ; he turned reverend imprima●ur : and here the pursuer was at a stand ; for all was as fast as the devil and the presbyters could make it : they sought to authority to i o●en the presse , and still the presbyters ( as the custome is ) were in the way , that nothing could be done . p. 10. this fellow persecution stoppeth presses , whereby men cannot make their just defence , suffers nothing to be licensed , printed , preached , or otherwise published , but what himselfe alloweth ; and having thus bound the hands , and stopt the mouths of all good men , then he comes forth in print against them , like an armed man , and furiously assaults them , exaults and exalts himselfe over them , faineth arguments for them , and then like a valiant champion , gives them a conquering answer , and thus puts them to flight , and pursues them with revi●ings , scandals , forgeries , and opprobrious nick-names , as anababaptists , br●wnists , independents , scismatiques , heretiques : thus he dealeth with the godly party ; ( how godly you are , well appeareth to all the world by these your libellous , seditious , ungodly pamphlets . ) the libellous book in pursuance of this stiled , a sacred decretall &c. proceeds in the same language , page 24. lest they should fall upon our reare , under pretence of suppressing the kings papers , we bounded the presse with our k presbyterian compasse ; that they could not without hazard of plundering , transgresse our reverend imprimatur . then issued out witlesse scholastick tractates , against the anabaptists , &c. having thus neatly stopt their mouths , we sophisticated their arguments , &c. and then with our politick answers , we present them to the people with an imprimatur . james cranford or the like . we imploy doctor featly's devil ( a very reverend ten pound sir john ) to make a discription of the anabapti●●s , &c. and this foule spirit for the love he beares to the black-coats at the doctors decease , transmigrated into old ephram pag●t ( seldome lyes the devil dead in a dry ditch ) so that the good old man to confute the l mortality of the soule , hath made himselfe sure of an immortall spirit . many such scurrilous passages against the ordinances for regulating printing , ( made by both houses , speciall care and direction before the assembly met ) are scattered in their libellous pamphlets , which i pretermit , wherein they write , ●s if there were neither heaven nor hell . onely i shall adde , that some of these persons have acted as contemptuously against these ordinances , as they have written and printed . for master henry robinson ( the supposed author of the arraignment of persecution . a sacr●d decretal , m●●tyns eccho , and other most scurrilous , seditious libels ) hath maintained a private printing-presse , and sent for printers from amsterdam , wherewith he hath printed most of the late scandalous , libellous books against the parliament ; and though he hath been formerly sent for before the committee of examinations for this offence , which was passed by in silence ; yet he hath since presumed and proceeded herein in a farre higher straine then ever : besides john l●lburne being questioned before that committee by speciall order of the commons house for printing his libellous letter ▪ contrary to th●se ordinances ▪ hath pending his very examinations ▪ contemptuously printed and dispersed abroad his false and scandalous reasons delivered in to that committee , for printing his former libellous letter , with some marginall ●nno●ations and a scandalous , libellous petition , remonstrance ( as formerly articles ) against colonell king ; ( to omit other printed unlicensed papers ) an insolent contempt not to be parallel'd , at least not to be tolerated . secondly , i shall proceed to their libellous , scurrilous and seditious invectives against the ordinance for payment of tythes ; which iohn l●lburne in his forementioned libellous letter thus affronts charging the parliament with no lesse then perjury and breach of their covenant , for making it . page 4. 27. if you put the parliament in mind of their covenant , tell them . i think they have sworne to root out all popery , and therefore have lately abolished the common-prayer ( that great idol ) but yet have established tythes , &c. the very n root and support of popery ; which i humbly conceive is a contradiction of their covenant ; and which will be ● greater snare then the common-prayer to many of the precious consciences of gods people , whose duty is , in my judgement , to dye in prison , before they act or stoop unto so dishonourable a thing as this is to their lord and master , as to maintaine the black-coats with tythes , whom they look upon as the professed enemies of their anointed christ ; he that payes o tythes , is subject to the whole law of tythes , in which there was a lambe to be brought for a sinne offering , which is abolished ; also , he that was to take tythes , was one that was to offer sacrifice daily for sinne , which if any doe so now , it is to deny christ come in the flesh , and to be the alone sacrifice for sinne by his death , and so overthrow all our comfort , joy and hope . a most insolent , scurrilous and seditious passage to stirre up the people to rebell against this ordinance . this libell is thus seconded in the seditious pamphlet , instiled the arraignment of persecution , in the epistle dedicatory . to the reverend , learned prolocutor , assessors , the commissioners of the church of scotland , and the rest of the venerable assembly of divines now sitting in holy convocation at westminster . reverend sirs , according to my duty , at your divine entreaty i have reduced those pious instructions received from you unto such a pleasing forme as , i hope , shall not only affect , but abundantly edifie the people of this kingdome under your holy jurisdiction , for considering your spirituall care over them , and how your time hath been token up wholy in the procurement of that sacred ordinance for tythes , wisely thought o● before the directory , for he is an infidell and denieth the faith , that doth not provide for his family , &c. and pag. 26. lib. consc . my lord , the defendant smels of a fat benefice ; see , see his pockets are full of presbiterian steeples , the spires stick under his girdle , ha , ha , ha : instead of weather-cocks , every spire hath got a black-box upon it , and in it the pure and imaculate ordinance for tythes , oblations , &c. sure shortly instead of moses and aaron , and the two tables , we shall have sir simon and sir john , holding the late solemne league and covenant , and that demure , spotlesse , pretty , lovely , sacred , divine , and holy ordinance for tythes ( the two tables of our new presbyterian gospell ) painted upon all the churches in england : o brave sir simon , the bels in your pocket chime all-in , ours chime all-out ; i pray give you a funerall homily for your friends here , before you depart ; here 's twenty shillings for your paines ; you know 't is sacriledge to bring downe the price , as it was in the beginning , is now , and ever shall be ▪ world without end , amen . sop. 38. my lord , but our dissembly doctors teach otherwise ; yet i think if your lordship should settle anabaptistry or the like , even that which they now persecute and threaten , preach and pray against , and forwarne the people of as hereticall and damnable , provided you should endow it with goodly fat benefices , and sanctifie it with the halowed ordinance for tythes , offerings , oblations &c. questionlesse the generality of those persecutors of anabaptists , would have the wit to turne anabaptists , for their religion is moved upon the wheele of the state : our temporizing doctors , our state protestant ministers are not so simple to swim against the streame , they are wiser in their generation , for they know most wealth goes that way ; as long as our ordinance is laden with tythes , offerings oblations , they 'le be sure to give fire ; but should the state deprive their religion of all ecclesiasticall revenue , of parsonages , tythes , &c. yea , should it be this very presbytery they so aime at , that they should so impoverish , certainly we should have more parishes then presbyters , more steeples then doctors ; then they would not be so hot for presbytery , or zealous to persecute its opposers ; i would your lordship would make tryall ; call in but your ordinance for tythes , and turne them to the good will of people , and then — a tythe-pig will be sold for a pennie . page 44. there is this scurrilous quere put among others . 5. whether the late divine ordinance for tythes , offerings , oblations and conventions , be not better gospel , and in all presbyterian wisdome to be preferred and provided before the directory for the worship of god ? o cives , cives , quaerenda pecunia primum virtus post nummos . many more clauses of like nature are in this prophane libell , which i pretermit . but that which is the most audacious , contemptuous , seditious , publike affront of all others against the ordinance , is the prophane , scurrilous libell , intituled . a sacred decretall nor hue and cry from his superlative holinesse , sir simon synod , for the apprehension of reverend young martin mar-priest : in the front whereof there is the picture of a bull , tossing sir simon synod on his hornes , and trampling the ordinance for tythes under his feet , with this inscription upon it , ord . for tythes . and page 2. this explanation of it ; nothing appeareth but a bull tossing sir john upon his hornes , and stamping the blessed ordinance for tythes under his cloven feet ; o profane martin ! o wicked martin ! o sacrilegious martin ! o blasphemous martin ! what ? tosse a presbyter , and prophane the holy ordinance for tythes ? martin's not a benefic'd man , that 's infallible divinity ; wherefore being thus jeer'd and bul'd , we decree and ordaine &c. page 7. 8. 10. the subtill tell-tale must be taken , else all 's mart'd ; both parliament and people will understand our deceit , and then sir john may goe whistle for his tythes , if the people once understand their owne right : and that the exaction of tythes is meere theft and robbery : they 'le have the wit ( if they be wise ) to keep their owne ; cease hiring us to cheat and delude them to their faces , and we shall be laid levell with the mechanick illiterate laicks ; a wickednesse not to be mentioned in the church of god. page 10. 11. else how should we have got in our tythes , though now , god be thanked and the parliament , we have an ordinance for it : in case martin runne , push or gore at the ordinance for tythes with the right horne , at the directory with the left horne , let all the trained bands in the kingdome he speedily raised to confute him , that we may sophistically conclude our presbyterian premises , with take him goaler . martyns eccho proceeds in the like dialect , page 3. 4. 14. ( ô divine pillage , gracefull children ! ) if he had considered your pious providence to make sure the ordinance for tythes , before you could be inspired with the directory , he would first have had his 400. l. per annum with the deane of pauls house , confirmed by the ordinance of parliament upon him during his naturall life , like as our brother burges hath ( a super-episcopall induction , &c. ) if sir john synod shall renounce the ordinance of tythes , be content with the good will of the vulgar , &c. then martyn will cease libelling against him : in the mean time you are to provide that order may be taken , that the supervisers make diligent search and enquiry after all conventicles and private meetings , &c. for they are very dangerous and destructive to your proceedings ; for truly their practice and obedience to christ will make your law and gospel , your o●d . for tythes , and your directory the two great commandements , the fulfilling of the law , and the prophets , your fathers , of none effect . many such passages i find against the ordinance for tythes ; the very designe of these libellous and seditious sectaries being to incite the people to with-hold all tythes and maintainance from their ministers , and so to subvert the ministery , that none but their illiterate tub-preachers may instruct mens souls ; and this ( i feare ) brings many ministers into question as scandalous and malignant , who might else sit quiet would they desert their tythes , and renounce their ministery to please these sectaries . thirdly , i shall recite some of their contumelious libellous invectives against the ordinances of both houses of the 26 of april : that no person or persons be permitted to 〈…〉 minister . the seditious , libell●●● pamphlet intituled ▪ a sacred synodicall decretal ; or 〈…〉 from 〈◊〉 simon synod , for the apprehending of martyn ma-priest : ( the quintessence of scurrility , blasphemy and sedition ) writes thus , pag. 5. yea hee 'l not stick to tell the people , that the inhans●●ng and ingrossing of interpretations , preachings and discipline into our owne hands , is a meere monopoly of the spirit , worse then the monopoly of soape , &c. and that the new ordinance of the 26. of april , that no person or persons be permitted to preach that is not ordained a minister , &c. is but a patent of the spirit , to get the whole trade into their owne hands , and so rob the people with what ware , and of what price we please , thereby onely to advance and enrich themselves , impoverish and delude them , look in their faces and pick their pockets : if preaching should not be reduc'd and confined in the ancient bounds of the clergy , the mechanicks would out-strip the scholasticks in teaching and * knowledge would so encrease and multip●y among the common-people , and preaching grow so common with them , that we should grow out of esteem , and all things that are good and dainty depart from us ; therefore it was wisely prevented in time . pag. 17. martyn will tell the people , that we ( sir simon synod ) forged the new ordinance ( that none may preach that is not ordained minister , on purpose to make the sectaries fly before us ( to use the doctors phrase ) like lightning before the thunder . their preaching in the army is very destructive to our cloth ; therefore the ordinance was wisely commended to his excellency sir thomas fairfax to be executed there , which occasioned a pretty story betwixt an english-man and one of jemmy's owne countrymen : quoth the scotch-man , man , is it fit that colonell cromwels souldiers should preach in their quarters , to take away the ministeriall function out of the ministers hands ? why man ( quoth the english man ) doe they so ? quoth the scotch-man , i say man it is a common thing amongst them ; truly saith the english man , i remember they made a gallant sermon at marston-moore neer york ( where they were instruments to save this kingdome ) but your country-men were in such a fright , they durst not stay to heare them : martin prayes ( notwithstanding the ordinance ) they may make many such sermons , for that was one of the best sermons that hath been preached in the kingdome since our troubles began . pag. 21. indeed sir johns gummes being lately rub'd with a parliament corall ( the late ordinance that none may treach that is not ordained a minister ) is mad to put his boarish tuskes , his huge great iron fangs in execution ; to devour , rend , teare and crush these hereticks . and therefore we wisely consulted among our selves of a committee of examinations to be chosen out of us . it must not be esteemed a court of inquisition ▪ that 's popery : nor a renovation of the high-commission that 's antichristian ; onely an inlet to a thorow reformation , that 's a godly name and may doe much good ▪ &c. how contemptuously they have opposed this very ordinance in their practise , sending our their emissaries , captaines and souldiers every where to preach in corners , and giving tickets of the time and place of their conventicles ( some of them boasting of working miracles , and casting devils out of men possessed by their exercis●es at the jesuits and papists doe ) is so experimentally knowne to all and proved before the committee of examinations , in the case of captaine ( newly ) hobson , a taylor , and his confederate lay-preachers , who lately exercised their new ministerial function neer neuport painel , railing against our church , ministery and childrens baptisme , that it needs rather reformation by , then information to the higher powers . i shall close this section with some generall passages , affronting and jeering all ordinances of parliament in direct termes . the new most seditious libell , called martyns eccho , published the last week , stiles ordinances of parliament toyes : page 11. you must be carefull that your directory and all other yout ecclesiastical acts , be with great sanctity and reverence ador'd amongst the people , or else your esteem will goe downe ; and this cannot be done without some severe lawes , ordinances and the like to that end , which you must put the parliament upon ; you know your power and influence upon them , they 'le gratifie you with svch toyes , &c. the late seditious pamphlet , stiled a sacred decretal , is yet more vile ; pag. 3. 4. o ye classicall clerks and sextous of the three kingdomes , demolish and pull downe all the martyns nests from your church-wals and steeples , and have a spirituall care ( as you will answer the contempt of the new ordinance ) that hereafter no birds build , chatter , doe their businesse , or sing there , but church-owles , jack-dawes , otherwise called sir johns , blind bats , presbyterian woodcocks , and the like : o ye two houses of parliament , make another ordinance to make all the martins flye the three kingdomes the next midsommer with cuckowes and swallowes , that we may have a blew-cap reformation among bats , owles , jack-dawes and woodcocks ( and then blew-cap for us . ) i could furnish you with more such independent stuffe , but i am loth to defile more paper with this infernal language of rai●ing rabshakeh's ; and shall here appeale to every ingenuous mans conscience , whether he can with any shadow of reason or charity beleeve , that this froward , libellous generation of independent sectaries , who thus publikely libell , inveigh and oppose themselves against the jurisdiction , ordinances and proceedings of parliament , are the most p holy , religious , conscientious , best affected party ; the most precious saints and generation of gods dearest ones ; the parliaments best and faithfullest friends who have to their utmost power , and divers of them beyond their ability , supported & ventured their lives in the parliaments cause and service ; doing them more reall and faithfull service then any other generation of men in england , and the onely vindicators of the parliaments priviledges and subjects liberties against presbiterian and synodical usurpations ; ( as they boast in every one of these their libels against the parliament and its proceedings ; ) or whether they are nor in truth those q despisers of government , those evill speakers against dignities , those resisters of the higher powers , prophecied of the last times ; who have forgotten saint paul's canon , rom. 13. 1. let every soule be subject to the higher powers , &c. and tit. 3. put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers , to obey magistrates , &c. yea , the most desperate unparallel'd , publike contemners , affronters , deriders of the parliaments power , ordinances , proceedings that ever breathed in our english climate : who under the pretext name and colour of the wel-affected , faithfull , godly party , and stoutest champions for the parliament , endeavour by degrees to advance themselves ( by policy and the sword ) above it , and trample its authority ( as they doe the ordinance for tythes , and others ) in the very front of their sacred decretal , under their cloven feet . doubtlesse they can never fight cordially for the parliament and its proceedings ( but onely for their owne designes and interests ) who that seditiously , contemptuously speak , write , print against them ; and if their insolencies against the parliament , synod , magistrates , be already growne so intolerable , whiles their faction is yet but in the birth , how transcendently arogant and contumelious will they prove when they have accroached greater power , both in our armies and councels ? god give our supreame councell hearts , wisdome , zeale and fervency seriously to suppresse and punish these epidemicall growing insolencies in due time , for feare they become masterlesse , remedilesse in the end ; else these anabaptistical sectaries , these germane opinions and practises will ( i feare ) sodainly involve us in the germane , anabaptisticall distractions , insolencies , warres and disolations , recorded by sleidan and others , for englands admonition . section iii. containing scandalous , seditious , scurrilous passages against the nationall vow and covenant , prescribed by parliament . this national vow and covenant was deemed at first the onely probable means under god to unite our three kingdomes and the protestant party of all sorts together in a mutuall , brotherly , inviolable league against the common enemies of our religion , parliament , lawes and liberties : it was therefore universally prescribed to the members of both houses , the assembly of divines , lawyers of all sorts , the officers and souldiers in the army , and to the ministers and people of all conditions under the parliaments power in all our three dominions , being refused , oppugned at first apparently by none but papists , royalists or malignants : and the houses were so impartiall in the prescription of it , that such members of the lords or commons house , who did but scruple the taking of it , were suspended the houses till they did conforme . but now of late , a generation of independent sectaries , conceiving this covenant to thwart their licentious , schismaticall whimseys , not onely generally refuse to take it , and plead a speciall priviledge and exemption from it ( as if they were more priviledged persons then any peeres , commons or subjects whatsoever , and must be left at large to doe what they lift , when all others are obliged , ( and which is strange to me and others , some independent ministers , ) if not members of parliament who have taken it themselves , and enjoyned it to others , have yet adventured to plead for an exemption of this meer refractory party from it , which much encourageth them in their obstinate refusall of it , and hath so animated this seditious , lawlesse generation , that they have lately in print , not onely oppugned , but derided , libelled against this sacred covenant ( which we have all most solemnly in gods presence sworne , and under our hands subscribed to maintaine to the utmost of our power , euen with the hazard of our lives and fortunes ) which , i beseech you , let us all now most chearfully , really observe , by proceeding against the contemners infringers of it , or else for ever as readily , as solemnly renounce it , to our eternall infamy , as we at first chearfully subscribed to it . i shall begin with john lilbournes letter : pag. 6. 7. it may be in stead of satisfying my desire , you will run and complaine to the parliament , and presse them with their covenant , to take vengeance upon me . if you doe , i weigh is not ; for i blesse god i am fitted to doe or suffer whatsoever the parliament shall impose upon me ; but if you doe , take these two along with you : if you put them in mind of their covenant , tell them , i think they have sworne to root out all popery , but yet have established tythes , the very root and support of popery , which i humbly conceive is a contradiction to their covenant &c. a bold censure and scandall . the arraignment of persecution , thus traduceth and jeers the reverend assembly of divines and covenannt together : page 33. 34. persecution , is thy name perfect reformation ? perse . yes my lord : judge . who gave you this name ? i , reason , his god-fathers & god-mothers in his baptisme , wherin he was made a member of the assembly , and an inheritor of the kingdome of antichrist . judge , who are your god-fathers and god-mothers ? pers . my lord , master ecclesiasticall supremacy , and master scotch-government are my god-fathers ; mistris state-ambition , and mistris church-revenue are my god-mothers , and i was sprinkled into the assembly of divines at the taking of the late solemne leagve and covenant . judg. 't is strange that at the making of the late solemne league and covenant , blood-thirsty persecution should be anabaptized present reformation : then here 's a designe of blood in the covenant , if under the name of reformation the clergy have infused the trayterous , blood-thirsty spirit of persecution into it . j. human. my lord , there was never any nationall or provinciall synod but strengthned the hand of persecution , and that under the vizor of religion , j. reason , as soon as these underling divines are from under their episcopall taskmasters , and beginning to encroach upon your lordships power , they presently take this notorious , bloody traytor persecution , stript by your lordship of his high-commission habit , and out of their zeale dresse him in a divine synodicall garbe , and change name from persecution , and christen him reformation , so to engage your lordship and the kingdome of england and scotland in blood , to settle and establish bloody persecution by covenant , over the consciences of honest and faithfull men to the state , under the specious and godly pretence of reformation : page 39. by the late solemne leagve and covenant , good lord deliver us . the sacred decretal runnes in the same straine : page 13. 19. when we had introduc'd the brethren of the holy league , we so joyned their hands in the synodian hands of presbytery ▪ that their league could not be inviolate , their covenant ( the bed of their contract ) undefiled if our presbitry were not concluded . martyn will tell the people , that we contrive oaths and covenants meerly to ensnare and catch the people in our wiles ; make them carry a face of reformation according to the word of god , and thereby betray their innocent subscription to our presbyterian construction . john lilbourne in the unlicensed printed reasons of sending this letter ; pag 4. complaines against the parliament ; that the covenant was as earnestly prest upon tender consciences , though their faithfulnesse were no what doubtfull , as upon newtrals and malignants , and refusing , because of some expressions , put from offices of trust , and publike imployments . yet most of our sectaries and independents ( in immitation of the cavaleers ) have entred into ants covenants against this solemne covenant , in their private congregations , to defend● and maintaine their owne independent government even to blood &c. whatever forme of government the parliament shall establish ; the very extremity and height of seisme and sedition , if not of professed rebellion against supreame authority ; which makes them thus to villifie , traduce and contemptuously refuse the taking of this solemn covenant , and plead exemption from it , for feare of dis-ingaging so faithfull considerable a party as they have in the army ; who in time ( perchance ) will prescribe their new church-covenants unto us , or else exclude us from our native soyle , as now they doe from their independent congregations and the sacraments , unlesse we will submit unto them . section iv. containing sundry scurrilous , seditious , libellous , railing and blasphemous invectives against the assembly of divines , the presbyterian members of it , and their proceedings , though summoned , nominated , continued and directed in all things by ordinances of both houses of parliament . before this assembly met by order of both houses , or had given intimation what kind of ecclesiasticall government they intended to fix upon , our independent sectaries not only petitioned for such an assembly to be called , but made meanes that as many of their party as possible might be elected members of it . but when at last they discerned the assembly and parliament to dis-affect their anomolous , absurd independent way , as having no foundation in divinity nor policy , and tending to utter confusion in church , state ; and thereupon to incline to a presbiteriall government , embraced by all reformed churches in the christian world ; upon this they presently begin to declaime against the assembly and their proceedings in private , and soon after to libell against them in-publike , with such unchristian , uncivill , approbrious , billingsgate termes , as ( i am confident ) no oxford aulicus or satyricall cavaleere is able to paralell , their very tongues and pens , being doubtlesse r set on fire of hell : and not contented herewith , they lately conspired together to exhibit a petition to the parliament , for present dissolving the assembly and sending them hence to country cures ( to prevent the setling of any church-government , ) to which end , they met at the windmil taverne , where lievteu . col. john lilbourne ( a fit instrument for such a seditious designe ) sate in the chaire , and master hugh peter suggested the advice , which was accordingly inserted into the petition ; but the counsell-men ( smelling out the designe ) when the petition came to their hands , most discreetly left out that request , as seditious and unjust ; which yet the libellous author of martyns echho . page 15. hath since in wish renewed in these scandalous termes . you have as neere as you can made a third party , in labouring by your jesuiticall machiavilian subtilty , to divide the parliament , contrary to the trust reposed in them from the godly party , who have assisted them with their estates and blood , and to deny those their faithfull friends of their just deservings , their purchased freedomes , which should they doe , they would be branded as infamous to posterity , even unfaithfull , ungratefull , &c. at meliora spero , i hope better of them if your wicked machiavilian assembly were but taken from them and sent to their particular charges . in what sort they have libelled against them , hath partly appeared in other sections , but i shall give you a more particular account thereof in this . i shall begin with that most infamous , seditious , railing libell , intituled , the arraignment of persecution , the whole scope whereof against the assembly , is thus boldly expressed in the very title page , the arraignment of master persecution , presented to the consideration of the house of commons , and to all the common people of england : in the prosecution whereof , the iesuiticall designes and secret encroachments of his defendants , sir simon synod , and the john of all sir johns , sir john presbiter , upon the liberty of the subject , is detected and laid open , by reverend young martyn marpriest , sonne to old martyn the metropolitan ; printed by martyn claw-clergy , printer to the reverend assembly of divines , for bartholinew bang-priest , and are to be sold at his shop in toleration-street , at the signe of the subjects liberty , right opposite to persecution-court , 1645. the seigned license and epistle dedicatory to the assembly before it are altogether libellous , as is the whole book , against the assembly and its members : i shall give you only a taste of some phrases and epithites in it , viz. such a holy such a reverend assembly , such a quagmire of croaking , skip-jack presbiters , a reverend synodian , disguised with a sophisticall paire of breeches , saving your presence in bocardo , sir simon synod : new upstart frisking presbiters , synodian cormorants , the synodian whore of babylon ; the traiterous synod , called the assembly of divines , presbiterian horse-leeches , blood thirsty cattle ; this great gore-bellied idoll called the assembly of divines , arch-jesuiticall traytors ; the jesuiticall and traiterous designes of the synod ; our dissembly doctors , a consistory of devils , and the like . these be the charitable , modest , independent epithites which this libeller bestowes upon them . see next his libellous and blasphemous speeches against and censure of them , and the good end his charity wisheth to them . page 1● . the synod is guided by the holy ghost sent in a cloke-bagge from scotland , as of old from rome in the councell of trent : because the assembly have sadled the parliament , it is unlawfull for the presbiters to goe on foot : page 29. the traiterous synod called the assembly of divines , labours with might and main to establish and settle this traiterous spirit ( of persecution ) in the land . page 35. 36. it is most certaine that this fellow , whose name sir simon faineth to be reformation , is absolute persecution , so that had these reformers but as much power as queen marie's clergy , their reformation , would conclude in fire and faggot . judg. oh insufferable assembly ! i see , 't is dangerous for a state to pin their faith upon the sleeve of the clergy . j. reason . further my lord , whereas others are impoverished , spend their estates , engage and loose their lives in this quarrell they are enriched and advanced by it , save their purses and persons , cram and fill their greedy guts , too filthy to be carried to a beare , heap up wealth to themselves , and give not a penny , while others ( against whom they exclaime ) venture and expend all ; yea my lord , this great gorebelly idol , called the assembly of divines , is not ashamed in this time of state-necessity , to gull up and devour more at one meale , then would make a feast for bel and the dragon : for besides all their fat benefices , forsooth they must have their foure shillings apeece by the day for sitting in constollidation , and poore men , when they had filled all benefices with good trencher-men of their owne presbiterian tribe , they move your lorpship , that all ministers may be s wholy freed from all taxations , that now the trade of presbiter is the best trade in england ; all are taxed , and it goes free ; poore men that have no bread to still the cry of their children , must either pay and goe in person to the warres , while these devouring church lubbers live at ease , feed on dainties , neither pay nor goe themselves , but preach out our very hearts ; they make it a case of conscience to give all , but wise men they 'le give none : let the sick , the lame and maimed souldiers , and those that have lost their limbs and begge in streets ; let women that have lost their husbands , let parents that have lost their children , let children that have lost their parents , and let all that have or suffer oppression and misery in and for the publike cause consider this , and be no longer ridden and jaded by clergy masters ; but to give the devill his due , one thing to their commendations i have observed , that they are so zealously affected with the honour of their cloth , that 't were pitty to disrobe them of their cassock garbe , to be led in a string from westminster to algate in leatherne jackets , and mattockes on their shoulders : and my lord , though some thinke they would doe the state more good in leatherne jackets and mattockes , then in long cloakes and cassockes , yet my think they would doe the state better service with their canonical girdles , were the knot tyed in the right place . page 36. 37. primacy , metropolitanisme , prelacy , &c. are shrunk into the presbytery , and our high-commission turned into an assembly of divines . my lord , they have sate even till they have runne mad , you might doe well to adjourne , them to bedlam ; for my lord , they are raging mad to have the innocent blood of the anabaptists , brownists , independents &c. my lord , they have over-studied themselves & even wracked their wits to find out a religion for us ; poore men they have beene mightily puzled about it , it hath cost them the consumption of many : fat pig , chicken , capon , &c. the infusion of many a cup of sacke to bring it to birth , and after such dolorous pangs and bitter troubles for almost these two yeers , who would have thought they would be delivered of such a ridiculous vermine , called a presbyter ; parturiunt montes , nascitur ridiculus mus : and now my lord , after this montanous delivery , they are at their wits end , what dressing to put it out in ; all the taylors in the kingdome are not able to content them , what to doe they know not , and now the matter 's worse then ever it was ; they had thought to have shewne the world it in the godly shape of reformation , but upon examination , 't is found to be persecution ; a sad event ! there is no way now but bedlam for our doctors , it may chance to chastise them into their wits againe , and then upon their second thoughts , it may be , they 're bethink themselves to put a blew bonnet upon'● , and then it will passe from england to scotland , and scotland to england againe without question or controle . page 93. good my lord have mercy upon me ; i beseech your honour even for the clergy sake have mercy upon me ; consider my lord , that in my death is their ruine , it will be the greatest inroad upon the divines of christendome , that ever was made : oh! i beseech you my lord. by the mystery of their holy convocation , by their agony and bloody sweat , by their crosse and passion , at my shamefull approaching death and burial , good lord deliver me . by their glorious resurrection and assention from the pulpit above the state ; by the comming of the holy ghost to them in a cloak-bag from scotland , good lord deliver me . by the late solemne league and covenant ; by the 400. and 50. l. for the copy of their directory , because they could get no more , by all the fat benefices and goodly revenues of the clergy , good lord deliver me . page 43. 44. it is the sentence of this court concerning sir simon and sir iohn presbyter , who have thus jesuitically endeavoured to pervert the justce of this court , that sir simon be committed close prisoner to king henry the eights chappell , there to be kept in parliamentary safe custody , till the great assiges , held in the first yeere of the raigne of our soveraigne lord christ ( when the kingdom and the greatnesse of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the most high ) there and then to be arraigned with the rest of his holy tribe ▪ whether universal , national , provincial or consistorial counsels or synods , whatsoever before his highnesse the king of kings and lord of lords ; and my lord in the meane time to keep his holinesse in action , i beseech your honour that he may synodicate , a full resolution to these ensuing queries , 1. whether it doth not as much conduce to the subjects liberty still to be subjected to episcopal usurpation , as to be given over to presbyterian cruelty ? whether saint peters chaire doth not become a presbyter , as well as a bishop ? &c. as for sir john presbit●r , this court hath voted him to the uncleane , filthy , impious ▪ unholy dark and worldly dungeon , called jure humano , &c. as for persecution , the sentence of this court is , that thou shalt return to the place from whence thou camest to wit the noysome and filthy cage of every uncleane and hateful bird , the clergy of christendome there to be fast bound with inquisition , synodical , classical , pres●byter , al chains , untill the appearing of that great and terrible j●dge of the whole earth ; who shall take thee alive , with sir simon and his sonne sir john and cast thee with them and their confederates into the lake of fire and brimstone , where the beast and the false prophet are , there to be tormented day and right 〈◊〉 ever and ever . here is the independents incomparible charity to the assembly , presbyters and their adherents , to adjudge them thus to eternall torments in the fiery lak● ; i fear their new-lights originally sprung upthence , without more charity , sobriety , will undoubtedly be extinguished in this fiery region which they allot to others : the rest of the invectives against the assembly and presbytery in this persecuting arraignment . i shall passe by in silence and proceed to some fresher scurrilites of this kind . i find another most scurrlous libell against the assembly and their proceedings thus intituled ; a sacred decretall , or hue and cry from his superlative holinesse sir simon synod , for the apprehension of reverend young martin ma●-priest ; wherein are displayed many witty synodian conceits , both pleasant and commodious ; printed by martin claw-clergy , printer to the reverend assembly of divines , for bartholmew bang-priest , and are to be sold at his shop in toleration-street , at the signe of the subjects liberty , right opposite to persecution● court , and it concludes thus , given at our court of inquisition in king henry the sevenths chappel june 6. 1635. william twisse , prolocutor . cornelius burges assessor . iohn white , assessor . adoniran byfield hen. roborough s●ibes . this libell brings in the assembly , blasphemously abusing the sacred scripture names of god ( as el , eloim , jah , theos , adonas , &c. ) in synodicall convocation , classicall and presbiteriall exorcismes : & pag. 2. gives the assembly and presbiters these most scurrilous , railing epithites ; classicall bore-p●gges , divine , white-faced bull-calves ; presbyterian turkey-cocks , bidding them advance their learned coxcombs , &c. church-owles , jack-dawes , blind bats , presbyterian wood-cockes , presbyterian hangmen cruell executioners , terrible tormenters , synodian canibals , the ravenous tythe-panched numerous headed hydra of divines : the holy ravenous order of syon-jesuits , absolute jesuites , onely a little worse : it begins thus , page 1. we the parliament of divines now assembly in holy convocation at westminster , taking into our grave , learned and pious consideration , all the goodly fat benefices of the kingdome , the reverend estimation , honour and supremacy due unto the clergy , and out of a godly care and pious providence as becommeth divines ▪ for our owne guts , having used all subtilty and policy we in our divine wisdomes could devise , to take a goodly possession of the dearly beloved glorious inheritance of our fathers the late lord bishops , their divine supremacy , their sweet , their wholsome and nourishing revenues , their deare , delicate , toothsome tythes , most supernaturall and pleasant to a divine pallate : after which it cals them the p●issant assembly of divines ( lords paramount over church and state ) in parliament assembled at westminster , divine merchants , &c. avers p. 18. that the order . jesuits may become disciples to the order of presby●ers for equivocations , mentall reservations , dispensations of oathes , covenants , &c. chargeth the assembly , p. 6. for dealing craft●ly with the parliament and cheating the state. adding this most scandalous , seditions passage , extreamly derogatory to the parliaments honour . as the way of a serpent upon a rock is unknowable , so have our circumventions , underminigs and subtill contrivances beene ever invisible , insensible to them , and so silently , secretly and gradually , have intic'd them with the bait of religion ; and caught them with a synodian hooke ; we held out the league and covenant , the cause of god , and the like , to the kingdome , and at length plucks up a fish called a parliament out of their proper magisteriall element , into our synodian spirituallity ; and thus neatly wrested the scepter out of their bands , that they neither know nor perceive it ; that in truth the assembly is dissembled into the parliament , and the two houses made but a stalking horse to the designes of the clergy : they say it is decreed and ordained by the lords and commons , &c. but in plaine english , it is the assembly of divines ; 't is true , 't is the lords and commons in the history , but the assembly of divines in the mystery , as martin wisely hinted in his license before the booke of the arraignment ; for we are become the whole directive and coercive power both in church and state , a supremacy due unto us , as well as to the pope ; and though we give them ( as men doe bables to children ) the title of making and judging of lawes , to please them , yet with such distinctions and limitations ( to speak this under the rose ) that we intend for our selves , that which we give unto them , even as our brethren of the society of iesu doe concerning his holinesse the pope , in the infallibility and temporall power : this honour and priviledge was of divine right given , and anciently enjoyed by our reverend fathers the bishops ; and why should not we be heires unto it by our legitimate lineall descent ? all lawes , statutes and ordinances , both concerning church and state , were decreed , ordained and enacted by the lords spiritual and temporal , &c. and why not now by the assembly of divines and parliament now assembled at westminster ? this is not yet in the history , for indeed our matter is not yet ripe for such a discovery , &c. as all other wicked men , so these seditions libellers grow worse and worse ; their next most seditious libell against the assembly and parliaments proceedings being intituled , martins eccho , or a remonstrance from his holinesse reverend young martin mar-priest , responsory to the late sacred synodical decretal ; in all humility presented to the reverend pious and grave consideration of the right reverend father in god , the universall bishop of our soules his superlative holinesse sir simon synod . it begins thus . whereas his holinesse reverend young martin mar-priest ; taking into his grave and learned consideration the insufferable arrogance of our ambitions , aspiring presbytery their super-prelaticall supremacy , their ravenous blood-thirsty malice against the poor saints of the most high god , their inordinate , insatiable covetousnesse after the fat things of the land , their unparallel'd hypocrisie , their plausible pretences ▪ their incomprehensible policy , craft and subtilty ; their cunning insensible encroachments upon the priviledges of parliament , the just liberties of and freedome of the people ; their inchanting delusions wherewith they bewitch both parliament and multitude , the cruell thraldome , inhumane slavery , insufferable bondage they would reforme us and our children unto from generation to generation ; their powerfull endeavours to make the parliament betray their trust , break their oathes , pull downe old courts of tyranny and oppression , to set up new ; free us from episcopall persecution , to devour us with presbyterian cruelty ; convey our naturall rights and freedome to the pontifical usurpation of the clergy , that neither we nor our children after us ( notwithstanding the expence of our estates ruine of our families , effusion of our blood to redeem them ) may live in the land without the hazard of imprisonment , losse of goods , banishment , hanging &c. except we be presbiterian : these and many other things of high concernment , reverend young martin taking into his serious and deliberate consideration ▪ and seeing this eminent , irrecoverable ruine ready to devour both parliament and people hang over their heads , threatning certaine destruction to us and our posterity , if not timely and sodainly prevented : hereupon his holinesse reverend young martin , out of sincerity to god , and naturall love unto his distressed country , most willingly became servant to your superlative holinesse , to ease your burthen in this your toylsome time of classical exaltation of a little state ambition and spiritual supremacy & as much as in him lyeth , to vindicate the priviledge of parliament , our birth-rights and native freedome from your divine spirituality , that you may have the more time to stuffe your guts extend your panches eram your bellies , farcinate your ventricles t s●ort out directories , blurt out ordinances , grin at christ , swell at his sectaries , and for his meritorious pious endeavours martin expected a reward , as very justly he might ; but to cloake your covetousnesse and ingratitude , you pick quarrels against him for some small failings in his treatise ; i hope you will deale better with master prynne for his midnight dreames his distracted subitane apprehensions , i can tell you he expects it : but martin might have considered your ingratitude to the lord bishops , from whom formerly you received the holy ghost with all your spirituall preferments , and were first put into a capacity of lording it , as you now doe over the people ; whom , like ungracious children , viperous vermine , inhumane canibals , notwithstanding their grace and favour ; you have devoured up , and share their inheritance amongst you . ( o divine pilage ! gratefull children ! ) &c. page 4. 5. yet that his holinesse ( like yours ) might appeare immaculate and infallible to the whole world ; martin proclaimeth and demonstrates to all persons ecclesiasticall , by what name or title soever dignified or distinguished , whether arch-bishop calamie 's , or other inferiour single-sold presbyters ; that his holinesse , reverend young martin mar-priest , freely offerereth plenary pardon and remission to that traiterous , blood-thirsty man-eater sir simon synod , for his foule ingratitude , his malicious , mischievous , murtherous debates , consultations and conclusions , to shed the blood of his holinesse reverend young martin mar-priest , and deliver him as a prey to the monstrous huge iron faings and venomous boarish tuskes of his sonne jocke , and his bloody crue ( breake their teeth o god in their mouth ; break out the teeth of the young lyons o lord ; ) if the said savage , barbarous caniball sir simon synod , the next day of humiliation after the publishing hereof , shall very penetentially ( as if he were to preach a fast sermon ) come in unto reverend martin , and humbly submit himselfe to his holinesse , at his sanctuary in toleration-street , right opposite to state-opression and synodian tyranny ; and there humbly before reverend young martin confesse his evill , acknowledge his errors , a●d be heartily sorry for the same ; live sociably and quietly amongst his neighbours , never molest or injure any man for conscience , suffer his teeth and nayles to be pluckt out and pared by an honest independent barber , that hereafter he may never bite nor scratch ; and then peaceably returne to his parochial charge , render up all the goodly fat benefices in the kingdome to supply the necessities of the state , pay their arreares in the army gratifie their sicke , same and maimed souldiers with a reward more honourable ( according to their deserts ) then a tiket to begge ; supply the calamity , poverty and misery of poore widowes and orphans , whose deare husbands and fathers have been slaine in the service of the state , and not ( out of synodian state-policy ) to save their charity , subject the innocent babes to be led by the spirit into indian deserts and wildernesses , and under pretence of authority , rob the tender mothers of the fruit of their wombs ( a wickednesse insufferable in a common-wealth ) and to send the free-borne out of their native protection to forraigne destruction , least the cry of the fatherlesse and widowes should call for reliefe out of their fat benefices pontificiall revenues , &c. o the covetousnesse of the priests and the mercy of god ( as the germane saith ) endure for ever : if he shall hereto assent , renounce the ordinance of tythes , be content with the good will of the vulger , lay downe his state-ambition and usurpation of the civill power , suffer the commons of the land ( both rich and poore ) which are free-borne people , to enjoy quietly their owne nationall freedome , &c. he will not deride you any more . but if sir simon shall reject this grace and favour freely offered to him and to all the sir iohns in the kingdome by his holinesse , reverend young martin mar-priest , out of his divine clemency thus graciously extended from his holinesse proclaimeth to the whole assembly of sir iohns and to the whole kingdome , that come bondage , come liberty , come life come death ; come what come will , by the grace of god , young martin is resolved to u●mask your vilany to posterity , and lay a foundation for a future ; it not for the present recovery of the priviledge of parliament , and liberties of the common people from your synodicall , classicall presbyterian predominancy ; and therefore sir simon be advised betime , accept of this grace and favour offered , harden not your hearts as in the dayes of the bishops , lest the fierce wrath of the lord , even sodaine destruction fall upon you as it did upon them ; for be assured , swift and fearfull destruction and ruine does attend you and the lord will avenge his quarrell at your hands and as it is done unto your fathers the bishops , so shall it be done unto you ; and if your rising ambition be not sodainly repel'd your rise●reign and fall will be terrible to the kingdom : you may delude the people a while , but the time hasteneth that the x people wil cal you to an account the lord grant it be not , as i fear y by the sword. he addes p. 5. 6. well sir simon , if you will not mend your manners , martin will observe all your postures , and tels you plainly , that hee 'l not only fall upon your bones himselfe , but hee l set his celestiall brother . christopher scal●●kie his catechisticall brother , rouland rattle-priest , his divine brethren martin claw-clergy . bartholmew bang-priest , all upon your back , and amongst us all , we shall in time turne up the foundation of your classicall supremacy , and pull down your synod your spheare about your ears ; behold a troop commeth sir simon , martin is of the tribe of gad , though a host of sir iohns overcome him , yet he shal over come at last , yea , heel 'e jeere you out of your black cloaks , and make you ashamed of king henry the seventh's chappell , and he glad to work with your hands , or to be content with the good will of the vulgar , and then it will too late to compound with reverend martin and his divine brethren , therefore consider with your selfe sir simon before the mighty acts of the house of martin be come forth against you ; we do not intend to dally with you , wee 'l handle you with mittins , thwack your cassocks , rattle your jackets , stamp upon the panch of your villany , and squeze out the filth and garbidge of your iniquity , till you stink in the nostrils of the common people ; yea , wee 'l beat you and your sonne jack , guts and all , into a mouse-hole . there 's no one of martins tribe , but is a man of mettall , and hates a tithe-devouring persecuting priest , as he hates the devill , scornes their bribes , and bids defiance to their malice . these are to advise you , sir simon turne ye to martin in tolleration-street , ye stiffe necked generation of priests , lest the fierce wrath and sore displeasure of mighty martin fall upon you , confound you and your whole , sir johns generation , root and branch ; hearken ye rebellious assembly unto martin , persecute no more , take no more tithes , be content with the good will of the vulgar . whether these most seditious menacing passages and railing libels against the assembly , presbytery , and all ecclesiasticall parliamentary proceedings , be not published in print by seditious seectaries to stirre up the people to mutinie against the parliament , assembly , ministery , to fire us into new civill warres and commotions among our selves , and that by the underhand plots of some jesuiticall spirits , and malignant royallists , i shall humbly submit to the saddest thoughts of our supreame councell , which is best able to judge of them , and most able to prevent the eminent dangers which they doe portend . i shall close this section with a new printed libell , intituled , the nativity of sir iohn presbyter ; dedicated , to the right worshipfull the : ass : of divines , assembled at westminster ; with a most rayling libellous epistle ; to which these verses in derision of it are subjoyned . reverend assembly up , arise , and jogge , for you have fairly fisht and caught a frog . now have you set two years , pray can you tell a man the way that christ went downe to hell ? in these two years what can a wise man think that ye have done , ought else but eat and drink ? presbyterie ( climb'd up to the top of fame ) directory and all from scotland came ; o monstrous idlenesse ! alack and welly , our learned rabbies minds nought but their belly . section v. containing libellous , scurrilous , prophane , and unchristian passages against the directory , established by ordinance of parliament . you have met with some of these invectives already in the preceding sections , which i shall not repeat ; but only adde two or three passages more of this nature , full of athesticall and blasphemous scurrillity . the araignment of persecution , p. 44. desires , that his holinesse sir simon synod my synodecate a full resolution to these ensuing queres . whether it would not have been more profitable for the kingdome of england to have forth with hired a coach and twelve horses , to have set a directory from scotland ; then to have spent the learned consultations , pious debates , and sacred conclusions of such an holy , such a reverend , such a heavenly , such a godly , such a learned , such a pious , such a grave , such a wise , such a solid , such a discreet , such a spirituall , such an evangelicall , such an infallible , such a venerable , such a super-celestioll queer of angels , such a suparlative assembly of divines ; for almost these two yeares space , after the profuse and vast expence of above forty thousand pounds , besides their goodly fat benefices , upon their devouring guts , for an english directory of worship , equivalent to the scotch directory ? whether this directory standing in so many thousands to sumble it together , and the copy sold at 400 and 50 l. be not of more value then the writings of the prophets and apostles ? the sacred synodicall decretall or hue and cry , useth the like dialect , p. 23. be it secula seculorum , as authentick as the directory , &c. we had better have set two years longer in our most holy consultations , and made our forty thousand four hundred pound directory , a directory of fourscore thousand eight hundred pound value . pag. 5. martin will tell the country , that we sanctifie our new directory gospell , but to the temper of the city : tell the city , that the country people know not what to do with it , except to stop their bottles , unlesse we spend the state the other odde trifle of 40000 pounds , to divide it into chapters and verses ( the lord put it into their hearts ; ) and that as the truth is , its sanctity is only grounded upon the divine ordinance for tithes , ( some wiser then some ) for no longer penny , no longer pater-noster , i will defile no more paper with such horrid blasphemies ; only adde , that martins ecco , p. 12. makes the parliaments endeavouring to establish the directory the cause of the losse of leicester , in these words : and now the parliament being busied to fortifie your directory , &c. in the mean time leicester is taken , thousands are put to the sword , &c. which is sufficiently answered , by sir thomas fairfax routing the kings whole army and re-taking leicester , even whiles the parliament was most busie in fortifying the directory . but i proceed to another section . section vi. containing their libellous , scandalous , seditious passages , against our brethren of scotland , to raise divisione between us and them , contrary to the act of pacification , and the late solemne league and covenant . many are their intolerable libellous invectives of this kinde . i shall transcribe but few . hen. robinson in his answer to m. py●nes 12 questions , made the first assault upon our brethren , in this language . and what , think we made our brethren the scots so successelesse here in england , whilest the warres are now beginning to kindle in their own countrey , if it were not that they joyne with this nation , or rather provoke them to establish their so much idolized presbyteriall discipline of persecutions ? when they themselves thought they had just cause to be highly offended with the same ( their own ) persecuting spirit in episcopacy . when the lord required the israelites to appear before him at jerusalem thrice a yeare , he promised , that no man should invade their habitations in their absence , exod. 34. 23 , 24. which gracious providence of his , no doubt continues still protecting all such as are imployed by his command : but unlesse our brethren of scotland bethink themselves in time , and consider , that even as the persecuting bishops of england attempting to impose their government in scotland gave occasion to begin the warres in england : so if the persecuting presbyters of scotland continue to advance and get set up the scotch government in england , it may likely bring all the three kingdomes to make the seat of warre in scotland : i would be loath to prophesie upon this occasion ; but do much fear , that in how bad condition soever both england and ireland are at the present , if the warres last , but little longer scotland will yet be farre worse . god of his infinite mercy open the eyes of all three kingdomes in this their heavie visitation , reconciling himselfe unto them all , and them to one another , for his dear sonne christ iesus sake . the araignment of persecution by way of jear and scorne , p. 3 , 8 , 9. 19 , 39 , 42. satyrically inveighes against and derides scoth government , ranking it with satan , antichrist , the spanish inquisition , councell of trent , high commission , &c. beings in liberty of conscience , thus complaining . my lord , sir simon synod is like to pull out my throat , with the ravinous clawes of an assembly ; and master scotch government was fit to stab me with his scoth dagger : iemmy put up thy dagger ; averres , the synod is guided by the holy ghost sent in a cloke-bag from scotland , as of old from rome to the councell of trent . oft mentions by way of scorn and jeere , the advancing of the mickle army into the south ; addes , you may easily perceive how they would pinch your lordships nose with a paire of scotch spectacles , that your lordship might see nothing but blew caps ; he hath plaistred up the wrinkles of his face with scotch morter , &c. the sacred synodicall decretall , p. 4. tels us , &c. of a blew-capreformation , and then blewcap for us , p. 7. of the ay-blessed divines of scotland , p. 16. of laying rods in pisse for crumwel ; let him take heed of a scotch — : another course must be taken with hereticks , else our brethren cannot further engage ; god speed them well home againe , and let all the people in the kingdome say , amen . p. 18. of their running away at maston-more . p. 20. of an angel in the mount , upon whom o●● reverend assembly of grave and learned divines do daily wait , which mount is dunce-hill ( which by translation out of the originall ) by the divines of scotland ( whose countrey-man this angel is ) is englished mount sion : with other such like stuffe . and martins eccho , p. 8. our scottish brethren advanced lately as far into the south , as from brampton-moore to westmerland , for your assistance , are all yours , by vertue of the holy league and covenant , which they may in no wise falsifie , untill they see it convenient for them to do , as in the most sacred exhortation to the taking of the said league and covenant you have taught them . many other such seditious passages , tending to sow division between both nations , ( contrary to the fourth clause of the nationall covenant ) these new-libels , have lately published , which i forbear to register . section vii . containing most scurrilus , libellous , scandelous , railing invectives against presbyterians , and presbyterian government in generall , which many of them not long since so much applauded , desired , before the bishops removall . we have met with much of this scurrilous stuffe in other sections ; to which some few additions only shall be made in this . mr. henry robinson his falsehood , &c. shall leade up the forelorne-hope : where thus he writes to the christian reader : free thy conscience from the thraldome and bondage of those egyptian taskmasters , who care not what trash and trumpery they vent , so they may gaine proselytes and contributions . which he thus prosecutes , p. 9. but what availeth it to have the head of one lordly episcopall prelate cut of , when a hidra , a multitude , above seventy seven times as many presbyteriall prelates succeed instead thereof ? prelatia , prelacy , prelacy , as we use it vulgarly , is a preferring one before another ; and the presbyteriall government is much more truly said to be prelaticall , then either episcopall or papall ; unlesse you will say that neither episcopall nor papall be prelaticall at all . for in either of those governments there are but few prelates ; but in the other there are , to wit , so many prelates as there are presbyters , each whereof is an absolute * prelate ; that is , one preferred above his brethren . the araignment of persecution , declaimes thus against presbyterian government , p. 21. both papall and episcopall government is better then presbyterian , for they are , and have been more uniforme , and have continued many hundred years longer then presbyterian , and were long before presbytery was thought on : for alas , it was but a shift at a pinch the devill made , when neither of the other would serve his turne , and so came up presbyterie ; but what good the devill will have of it i know not : for who knowes the luck of a lowsie cur , he may prove a good dog. the sacred synodicall decretall inveighes thus against presbyterian government , p. 11. martin will put the parliament and people in minde of their protestation , and tell them , that by the same rule they pull downe the bishops , they are bound to put downe the presbyters , &c. for in martins astrologicall judgement , all the plagues of egypt were but a flea-biting to what one presbyterian church will be ( vinci si possunt regales cestibus enses ) we having mortified episcopall hercules , and possest his club. p. 19. indeed the pope is as truly christian , and his function as equally jure divino , as our presbyterie , conveyed from his holiness● , by our fathers the late lord bishops upon us . the unlicensed nativity of presbytery , said to be licensed by rowland rattle-priest , a terrible imprimatur : writes p. 5. that the devill made the vrchin sir john presbyter : an abject , a fugitive , newly come out of scotland , a witch , a rogue , and in apparell delighting in black as his father the devill ; fitter to be a weather cock then a divine : only the evill spirit of mercury , presented him to be the devils goat-head . section viii . conteining sundry libellous , schismaticall , uncharitable , and unchristian passages against the church of england , her worship and ministers in generall . iohn lilburne in his answer to nine arguments , printed without license , london , 1645. with his picture cut before it ; writes thus of the church of england , pag. 4. the church of england is a true whorish mother , and you are one of her base-begotten , and bastardly children , for you know a whore is a woman as truly as a true wife , and she may have children as proportionable , as the children of a true wife ; yet this doth not prove her children which are base-begotten are true-begotten children , because they have all the parts , and limbes of children , that are begotten in a true married estate and condition ; even so say i , the church of england neither is , nor never was , truly married , joyned , or united to jesus christ , in that espousall band , which his true churches are , and ought to be , but is one of antichrists nationall whorish churches , or cities spoken of rev. 16. 19. vnited , joyned , knit to the pope of lambeth ; as head and husband thereof ; being substitute to the pope of rome , from whom he hath received his arch-episcopall power , and authority . pag. 18. your church is false , and antichristian : therefore if every parish in england had power in themselves ( which in the least they have not ) to choose and make their own officers , yet for all this they would be false , for a false and antichristian church as yours is , can never make true officers and ministers of iesus christ , and though that the churches of the separation , want apostles in personall presence to lay hands upon their officers which lawfully they choose out from among themselves , yet have they their laws , rules , and directions in writing , which is their office , and is of as great authority as their personall presence . pag. 19. and thus have i sufficiently by the authority of the sacred word of god proved all your officers , and ministers false and antichristian , and none of christs , which if you can groundedly contradict , shew your best skill chalenge i you , and put you to prop , to hold up your tottering and sandy church and ministry , or else your great brags will prove no better then winde and fables , and you your self found to be a liar . pag. 22. and as for these two things , of conversion , and confirmation , or building up in the wayes of god , which you speak of , if you mean by conversion , and opening of the eyes , to turn them from darknesse to light , and from the power of satan unto god ; or if you mean by conversion , a deliverance from the power of darknesse , and a translation into the kingdom of the son of god , both of which the apostles ministry did accomplish in the hearts and lives of gods people , act. 26. 18. coll. 1. 13. i absolutely deny it , that your ministery in england doth this : and therefore i desire you to declare , what you mean by conversion , and prove your definition by the holy scripture , and also prove that you in england are so converted , which when you have done i shall further answer you by gods assistance , and as for their building them up in the wayes of god , as all true shepherds ought to build up their sheep , as acts 26. 1 pet. 5. yet i deny it , that your ministers do it , for how can they build them up in that , which they themselves are ignorant of , and enemies unto ? for as jannes and jambres which withstood moses , so do these men also resist the truth , being men of corrupt mindes , and destitute of the truth , 2 tim. 3. 8. and do feed you with husks and chaffe , being neither willing to imbrace it themselves , nor to let those that would , as their constant preaching and speaking against the truth of god , and the kingdom of his son doth witnesse , &c. i have taken the pains by the word of god , and demonstrable arguments grounded thereupon , to prove the church of england antichristian : i do promise you , i will by the strength of the lord of hosts , for ever seperate from church , ministery and worship in england , all and every one of them , as antichristian and false : yet thus much i say , and do acknowledge , and the scripture proves it , that god hath a people or an elect number in spirituall babylon ; yea in the kingdom of antichrist , part of which the church of england is , and none of them shall perish , but be eternally saved ; yet i say , it is the duty of all gods elect , and chosen ones , that are yet in the whorish bosome of the church of england , or in any part of antichrists regiment to separate away from it , and come out of it , least god plague them for their staying there . pag. 23. all the ministers of the church of england are not true ministers of christ , but false and antichristian ministers of antichrist . pag. 24. and as for your minor and assumption , which is , that you in the church of england do enjoy , and outwardly submit your selves to the true worship of god : it is most false , and a notorious lie and untruth , and as well might wicked faux , and the rest of the gunpowder-plotters say , that they submitted unto noble king james laws and scepter , when they went about to blow up the parliament house , that so they might destroy him and all his ; for you do not only oppose and justle ou● the true worship of god , and throw down and trample upon the scepter of jesus christ his son , but also you set up false and antichristian worship , the inventer of which is the devil , and the man of sin , his eldest and most obedient son. pag. 26 , 27. now from that which i have said , i frame these arguments : 1. that worship which is of the devils and antichrists invention , institution and setting up , is no true divine worship . but the worship of the church of england is of the devils and antichrists invention , institution and setting up , as revel . 13. doth fully prove . ergo , the worship of the church of england is no true worship . 2. that worship , which is a main means and cause of pulling down the kingdom of iesus christ , and establishing , maintaining , and upholding the kingdom of the devil and antichrist , and sends more souls to hell , then all the wickednesse , impiety , ungodlinesse , in the kingdom doth besides , is no true worship of god , but ought to be detested and abhorred of all his people . but such is the worship of the church of england ; ergo , &c. pag. 29. i absolutely deny your argument , and affirme , that your religion neither is the true religion , nor that it leads men the true way to salvation . pag. 37 , 38. i groundedly and absolutely deny , that either the church of england is , or ever was a true church , and till you have proved it true , all the pains that you have taken in proving that it is possible for corruptions & evil livers to be in a true church , is spent in vain , and to no purpose , and i am confident , that you nor none else will ever be able to prove the church of england true , nor any other nationall church : for christ jesus by his death did abolish the nationall church of the iews , with all their laws , rites and ceremonies thereof , and in the new testament did never institute no nationall church , nor left no laws , nor officers for the governing thereof , but the church that he instituted , are free and independent bodies , or congregations , depending upon none but only upon christ their head : therefore nationall churches under the gospel are of antichrists , that man of sins institution and ordaining , who only hath ordained laws and officers of his own for the governing of them ; therefore for you , or any other to say , and affirme , that this monstrous , ugly , botched and scabbed body , is christs true spouse , is dishonourable to his blessed being and mediatorship . his schismaticall seditious conclusion from all these premises is this , pag. 35. therefore let all gods people , that yet are in the bosome of the church of england , as they love their own inward peace , and spirituall joy , and look that their souls should prosper and flourish with grace and godlinesse look to it , and withdraw their spiritual obedience and subjection from all antichrists laws and worship , and joyne themselves as fellow citizens of the city of god , to worship and serve him in mount sion the beauty of holinesse , and there only to yield all spirituall obedience to christs spirituall laws and scepter . this language and opinion of his , concerning our english church , and ministry , is seconded by most independents in their late pamphlets ; of which you have had a bitter taste in the preceding sections , and their practice proves as much . for first , though they proclaime liberty of conscience to all sects and religions whatsoever ; yet they have so harsh an opinion of presbyterians , and all others , who submit not to their independent modell ; that they esteem them no better then heathens , infidels , unbelievers ; and proclaim them in their books to be * men who deny , disclaim , and preach against christs kingly government over his churches ; men unconverted , or at least converted but in part , vvanting the main thing , to wit , christs kingly office : men visible out of the covenant of grace , who have not so much as an outward profession of faith , who deny christ to be their king ; to whose persons and infants , the very sacraments and seals of grace , with all church communion , may , and ought to be denied , which is in effect to un-christian , un-church , un-minister all presbyterians , and to make them cast-awayes : if this be their charity to us already , what may we expect from them hereafter if their faction bear the sway ? secondly , when they gather any independent congregation , their practise is , for their ministers solemnly to renounce and abjure their former ordination in , and the people their pristine communion with the church of england , and all congregations else , whereof they have been members , and then to new-mould themselves into an independent church ; which practise they have lately begun in the plantations of the summer islands ; as a friend of mine from thence informed me by a letter dated , may 14. 1645. in these insuing termes . the independent church was set up here the last year , wherein they have covenanted to stand unto the death : but their covenant is not fully exprest reserving power in themselves , especially in their pastor , to alter it when they will , and as they think good ; they have exprest nothing in writing , though often urged to it , but he that joyns with them , must do it by a kinde of implicite faith , to imbrace what their church doth or shall imbrace , not knowing what it is or will be : when they began it , their minister called a fast for all that would be present , where in the publique congregation , our ministers being then but three , did lay down and renounce their ordination and ministry received in the church of england , and so become ( as they said ) no ministers ; but did joy● themselves together in covenant by words only to become a church ; first making a kinde of confession of their sins , and signifying that others might also joyn themselves to them , if they were such as after such confession they should approve of , and there was one principall officer did then joyn himself with them ; they then continued weekly lecturers still , yet as they said , not as ministers , but only as private men to exercise their gifts : wherein they laboured to draw others to joyn with them , and every week received in some : but that confession of sins grew daily more and more out of date , the rather for that * some were threatned to be called in question at the assises for some things which they confessed there ; so that at this time all is in a manner implicite , and though little or nothing be expressed by the party to be received in , yet he is not put back : but when they had gotten about thirty to joyne with them , they again called a fast for all that would be present , where it seems having appointed one of our assistant governors for their prolocutor , he nominated master white to be their pastor , which the rest confirmed by erection of hands ; then it seems master white nominated our other two ministers , master copland and master golding for his ruling elders , yet they continue to preach constantly as before , but master white only doth administer the sacraments , and that only to such as have joyned themselves in their implicite covenant with them . their practise therefore and their writings demonstrate , what ungratefull sons , and unnaturall vipers they are to our mother church and ministers of england ; which hath little cause to harbour these rebellious apostate sons , who thus abominate , renounce both her and her ministers , as antichristian . surely , some of their own independent faction , had other thoughts of her and her ministry ( unlesse they dissembled before god and man , as they commonly do without blush or check ) but very few years since ; and among other the five independent apologists , and master hugh peter , ( solicit●r generall of the independent cause and party ; ) whose subscription before the bishop of london , concerning our church of england in the late prelaticall times , when far more unreformed then now , i shall here present you with ; the originall whereof i found in the archbishops study , under master peter his own hand , c●dorsed with the archbishops , thus . master hugh peters subscription before the bishop of london , august 17. 1627. right reverend father in god , and my very good lord ; being required to make known to your lordship my judgement concerning some thing propounded at my last being before your lordship , from which propositions though i never dissented , nor know any cause why i should be suspected , yet being ready and willing to obey your lordship in all things , especially in so just a demand as this , i having consulted with antiquity , and with our modern hooker , and others , humbly desire your lordship to accept the satisfaction following . 1. for the church of england in generall ( i blesse god ) i am a member of it , and was baptized in it , and am not only assured it is a true church , but am perswaded it is the most glorious and flourishing church this day under the sun , which i desire to be truly thankfull for ; and for the faith , doctrine and articles of that church , and the maintenance of them , i hope the lord will inable me to contend ; tanquam ut pro aris & focis : yea , i trust to lay down my life , if i were called thereunto . 2. for the governour and government thereof ; viz. the reverend fathers , the archbishops and bishops , i acknowledge their offices , and jurisdictions , and cannot see , but there would a fearfull ataxy follow , without the present government , whereof i so approve , that i have , and do willingly submit to it , and them ; and have , and will presse the same upon others . 3 for the ceremonies that are in use among us ( as i have already subscribed ) so i shall diligently and daily practise , neither have i ever been accused for neglect therein , where i have formerly exercised my ministry , but to them do give my full approbation and allowance . 4. for the book of common-prayer , the lyturgie of the church , and what is in them contained ( finding them agreeable unto the word of god ) i have used as other ministers have done , and am resolved so to do , and have not been refractory in this particular at any time , nor do i intend to be ( god willing ) and to these , i subscribe with my heart and hand ; humbly , submitting them , and my self to your lordships pleasure . your lordships in all humble service , hugh peter . london the 17. of august . 1627. if master peter be now of another judgement , it manifests either his grosse ignorance , or temporizing then , or his levity now , and that he is as unsteady in his opinion , as in his excentrick motion from place to place : but this is in verity , the essentiall property of our lunacy new sights , who like the moon ( whose light predominates in them ) are alwayes changing ; yea , ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ; which they continually intricate with their independent doubts . section ix . containing libellious , scandalous , unchristian censures , and invectives against those persons , who out of conscience have written or preached against the independents seditious , schismaticall wayes and practises . i shall first begin with such invectives as concern my self : what large encomiums ( beyond my deserts ) i received from the independent party , before i writ against their new wayes & opinions , only in a moderate & modest manner by way of questions ; is very well known to themselves and others , being such and so many , that modesty forbids me to relate them ; lest i should be thought the herald of my own praises and deserts : how many libells , scandals , and false reports of all kindes they have causlesly published of me since , by speech and printed libells , only because i differ from them in opinion , and have in point of conscience ( being requested so to do ) declared my opinion of their new groundlesse wayes and tenets , is very well known unto many , who have leisure to peruse the severall empty pamphlets and invectives daily published a gainst me : i shall give you a taste of some few in lieu of many . it pleased iohn lilburne among others , for whom i have done some courtesies , but never the least injury , or discourtesie in word or deed , upon the coming out of my truth triumphing over falshood , &c. ( licensed by a committee of parliament for the presse ) before ever he had read the book , to write a libellous letter to me concerning it , which he sent to the presse and published in print without license , before i received and perused it : which though answered in print by others without my privity ; openly complained of in the commons house , ( who referred it to the committee of examinations as a most seditious libell against the parliament and assembly ; ) yet i deemed it more worthy contempt then any answer , as refuting not one syllable in my book : in this letter , he stiles me , an inciter of higher powers to wage war with the king of saints , and his redeemed ones : an endeavourer to set the princes of the earth together by the ears with christ , to pluck his crown from his head , his scepter out of his hand , and his person out of his throne of state , that his father hath given him to raign gloriously in : he most falsely chargeth me with this false position : that there is no rule left in the word , how we may worship god ; but that kings and states may set up what religion they please , or may mould it to the manners of their people : whereas there is not any such syllable in any of my books , but the contrary profe●sedly asserted and the controversies therein debated , concerne not the substance of gods worship or religion , but only the circumstance of church-government : which i asserted then , on such grounds as their party hath not yet refu●ed ▪ not to be precisely set down & determined in the new testament in all particulars , but yet conclude , that no church government ought to be set up , but that which is agreeable to the scriptures , though not dogmatically and precisely prescribed in them : ●o that if this libeller were not past all shame , he might have blush● to print and ●●print so notorious a falshood , without retractation . after this he thus proceeds : had i not seen your name to your books , i should rather have judged them a papists or a iesuits , then master prynnes ; and without doubt , the pope when he sees them , will canonize you for a saint , in throwing down his enemy christ . certainly no book of mine , either in the front or bulke , carries the least badge of a priest or jesuit in it ; and so far am i from demeriting any thing from the pope , or to be canonized by him for a saint ; that i can without vanity or ostentation affirme before all the world , that i have done more disservice to priests , iesuits , and the pope : made more discoveries of their plots , and written more against them and popery , then all the whole generation of sectaries and independents put together ; and i challenge all their sects to equalize , or come near , what i have really performed in this particular ; so that if any man this day breathing in england deserve an anathema maranathae , from the pope & his party , i have more cause to expect itthen any other : the whole kingdom therefore will proclaim him a notorious slanderer in this particular : he proceeds yet further , surely ( he writes , but his words are no oracles ) you have given away your ears , and have suffered as a busie-body in opposing the king and the prelats : without doubt all is not gold that glisters : for were you not a man that had more then truth to look after , namely your own ends and particular interests , which i am afraid you strive to set up more then the publike good , you should have importuned the parliament to have continued their favour and respect to that people , that cannot prostrate their consciences to mans devices . surely my conscience tells me , that i am free from this injurious calumny : for my ears , i blesse god i gave them not away , but lost them in a just quarrell , against all law and iustice , as both houses of parliament have unanimously adjudged : but whether you did not justly lose your ears for sedition then , and deserve not to lose he remainder of them ( that i say no more ) for your seditious and libellious carriage now , is a great question among your most intelligent friends : for my opposing king and prelates as a busie-body , perchance it might be your own case , it was never mine : what i have done against the unjust usurpations , and illegall excesses of either , i did it in a just and legall way , upon such grounds and authority , as was never yet controuled ; and this i dare make good without vainglory , that i have done more reall cordiall service with my pen against the usurpations of regality and prelacy , in defence of the subjects liberties , and parliaments jurisdiction , then all independent sectaries whatsoever , and that only out of a zeal to gods glory and the publick good , without the least private end or interest , which never yet entred into my thoughts , having suffered as much as any man of your sect ( if not more ) for the publick , without either seeking or receiving the least recompence , or reward ; having spent not only my time and studies , but some hundreds of pounds in the republicks service since my inlargement , without craving or receiving one farthing recompence in any kinde ; whereas if i had sought my self , or been any way covetous or ambitious , i might perchance have obtained as advantagious and honourable preferments , as any independents have aspired to , if not challenged as their right , for lesse meritorious publick services and sufferings then the least of mine . as for my importuning the parliament for continuance of their favours to that people you speak of ; surely when i finde them more obsequious to the parliaments just ordinances and commands , lesse willfull and more conscientious ; i shall do them all the offices of christian love ; but whiles contumnacy , obstinacy , licentiousnesse , uncharitablenesse and schisme are most predominant in them , the greatest favour i can move the parliament to indulge them , is to bridle these their extravagances with the severest laws , and to prefer the publike safety of church and state , before their private lawlesse conceits and phantasticall opinions . he addes , that i am in this as cruell a task-master as pharaoh : and that the son of god , and his saints are but little beholding to me . surely to confine licencious lawlesse consciences to the rules of gods word , the justlaws of the realm , and rectified reason , can proclaime me no egyptian task-master : but rather decl●re your sect meer libertines , who will not be regnlated by , nor confined within these bounds ; yea , i trust the son of god and his true saints are as much beholding to me ( in your sense ) as to the greatest patriarchs of your independent tribes , be they whom they will. this libeller being questioned before the committee of examinations concerning this letter , by their speciall favour returned his reasons why he sent it in writing , which he no sooner exhibited , but published in print the next day after , to defame and slander me among his confederates ; who give me now no other epithites in their discourses ; but a papist , a persecutor of gods saints , an enemy of christs kingdom , vvho deserve to lose my head for opposing them in this cause , &c. which i no more value , then the moon doth the barking of a lousie cur. in this new unlicensed paper , first he vaingloriously relates his own sufferings and deserts : secondly , traduceth the justice of the parliament and others , against some seditions sectaries ; misreciting many of their proceedings to the scandall of publick justice , and the parliament , pag. 3 , 4. thirdly , pag. 5. he pretends my books against independents ( licensed by authority of a committee of parliament ) to be the principall causes of the rigid proceedings against separatists especially my truths triumphing over falshood ; which being subsequent in time to all the particulars he recites , could certainly be no occasion of them ; and therefore he playes not only the sophyster , but slanderer in this particular . fourthly , pag. 5 , 6. he misrepeats , and misapplies some passages of mine , to all of his sect in generall , and to himself and svch as he is in the army and elsewhere : whereas there is not one syllable in my passages to that purpose , but only against some particular authors i there mention , and such of their confederates , who maliciously and audaciously oppugne the undoubted rights , priviledges , and just proceedings of parliament , contrary to their solemne covenant , league , and protestation ; and if you proclaim your self or any other in the army or elsewhere to be of this anti-parliamentary regiment ( as now you do ) i then professe my self an opposite to you , and shall make good against you what ever i have written , when and where you please . fiftly , he writes , that i eagerly endeavour to incense the parliament against him , and such as he is in the army , and elsewhere , and in the conclusion of my independency examined , presse the cutting of them off by the sword , & executing wrath and vengeance on them upon pain of contracting the guilt of highest perjury : a most malicious scandall : for first i never mentioned him or his in particular ; neither knew i how he stood inclined . secondly , in my independency examined ; i only in a generall discourse affert , that kings and civill magistrates , have by the law of god a lawfull coercive power , thought not to restrain the sincere preaching of the gospel and truth of god , yet to suppresse , restrain , imprison , confine , banish the brea●hers of heresies , schismes , erronious , seditious doctrines , enthusiasmes , or setters up of new formes of ecclesiasticall government without lawfull authority , to the en●●ngering of mens souls , or disturbance of the churches and kingdoms peace : these are my formall words which i there make good by scripture , & presidents in all ages ( & will justifie by gods assistance upon any occasion against all sectaries & independents whatsoever ) after which i close up this discourse in these very words : and if any hereticks , false-teachers , schismaticks ( chuse which of these three ranks you and yours will fall under ) obstinatly refuse conformity after due admonition , and all good means used to reclaim them , the poets divinity and policy must then take place , as well in ecclesiasticall , as civill and naturall maladies . cuncta prim tentanda , sed immedicabile vulnius , * ense rescidendum est , ne pars syncera trahatur . is this any urging of the parliament , to cut you and yours off by the sword ? and to execute wrath and vengeance on you ? if you be such obstinate hereticks , schismaticks , or false-teachers , who fall within the compasse of my words , god forbid , but the sword of iustice should be drawn out against you , as well as others , at least to chastise and reduce you to obedience , though not finally to cut you off , unlesse in case of absolute necessity : but if you are none of this obstinate hereticall , schismaticall brigade ( as i make you not , unlesse you make your selves ) my generall indefinite words will relate , neither to your self in person ( whom i never once minded in my writings ) nor to any of your tribe : and therefore in this particular , i charge you for a malicious slanderour and false informer , demanding justice and reparation from you for this , and all the forementioned passages , wherein you have wilfully done me wrong . sixtly , pag. 6. he injuriously chargeth me , as guilty of being an incendiary , betwixt the parliament and their faithfull friends and servants ; and that my actions and practises tend to no better end , but to make him and his partie ( vs ) to be sleighted and contemned , and that they a faithfull , conscientious , and considerable party in the army and kingdom might be disingaged and cavsed to lay down their armes , &c. after which , he concludes thus , pag. 7. now i appeal to everie true hearted englishman , that desires a speedie end of these wars , of what evil consequence it would be to the parliament and kingdoms , to have such a faithfull and considerable partie as mr. prynne calumni●teth , and reproacheth as bad , if not worse then ever the bishop of canterbury did , should be causleslie cut off with the sword , or be disingaged by his means ( especiallie seeing the kingdoms necessities is such , that they stand in need of the help of forrainers ) in which passage he intimates : first , that those anti-parliamentary seditious sectaries , who confederate with this libeller know their own particular ( pretended ) strength in the army and kingdom . secondly , that they fight only for their own private interests , and to erect their own church government , not for religion not the publick cause ; since my very writing against their schismaticall seditious wayes but in meer generall terms ( as this libeller , one of their privy cabinet councell intimates ) and that by authority of a committee of parliament , in just defence of the parliaments undoubted ecclesiasticall jurisdiction and authority ( which they most affront of any men whatsoever ) is a means to disingage , and cause them to lay down their armes : thirdly , i answer , that if he & his party be such faithfull friends and servants to the parliament , and such a conscientious considerable party both in the army and kingdom as he pretends , my writing in defence of the parliaments jurisdiction ( which they pretend to fight for ) can be no dis-ingagement or dis-couragement to them ; and therefore himself alone must be the incendiary twixt them and the parliament , and the dis-ingager of them to lay down their armes , by these his slanderous libells against the parliaments jurisdiction , priviledges , proceedings , not i who have only cordially maintained them ( according to my solemn vow and covenant ) by publike encouragement , and speciall approbation . i shal therefore challenge so much iustice from this epistoler , as publikely to retract all these his malicious libellous slanders of me , without the least provocation given him on my part ; or else he must expect from god & all good men ( yea from his own best friends and party ) the brand of a most malicious libeller , slanderer , incendiary , and undergoe the punishment due to such . to this i might adde a whole bundle of calumnies and injuries against me in master iohn goodwins calumny arraigned and cast , wherein he chargeth me , pag. 2. for aspersing the honourable committee for plundered ministers and himself , in averting , that he was suspended and sequestred by that committee ; which all the committee then , and himself with his confederates since experimentally know to be a reall truth , however they outfaced it for a time : his other calumnies are so grosse , and triviall , that i will not waste paper to refute them . these libellers are not single , but thus seconded by a brother of their sect , one henry robinson in his pamphlet intituled ; the pretences of master william prynne , &c. ( a meer empty libell fraught with nothing but railings , and slanders against me ) and in his latter libell intituled : the falshood of master william prynnes truth triumphing , in the antiquity of popish princes and parliaments : to which he attributes a sole soveraign legislative , coercive power in all matters of religion ; discovered to be full of absurdities , contradictions , sacriledge , and to make more in favour of rome and antichrist ▪ then all the books and pamphlets which were ever published , whether by papall or epi●copall prelats or parasites , since the reformation : with twelve queries , eight whereof visit master prynne the second time , because they could not be satisfied at the first ; printed in london , 1645. here is a large libellous title , but not one syllable of it so much as proved or made good in the book : wherein he convinceth me , neither of falshood nor absurdities , nor contradictions , nor sacriledge : and whereas he chargeth ; that my truths triumphing , &c. makes more in favour of rome , and antichrist then all the books and pamphlets which were ever published by papall or episcopall prelats or parasites since the reformation ( of which he makes not the least offer of proof in his book ) i shall aver to all the world ( i hope without ostentation , being thus enforced to it ) and appeal to all men of iudgement who have read it ; that it makes more against rome , antichrist , and the usurped power of popish , lordly prelates and clergymen in points of calling councels , the authority of prelates , clergy men and synods in making binding canons , &c. and other points therein debated then any book or pamphlet whatsoever of this subject written by any prelate , clergy man , laicke , or by all the whole mungrell regiment of anabaptists , sectaries or independents put together : therefore this title of his ; is a most false malicious impudent slander , of a libeller past shame , void both of truth and conscience . his passage against me , pag. 9. 10. is much of kin to his title page , where thus he writes : the truth is , i cannot deny but master prynne was once by more then many , and they godly too , held to be a man of piety ( and was highly honoured , in whose books and pamphlets notwithstanding which have been published of late ) may be observed more corrupted principles , and a far worse spirit of persecution , then ever was discovered in the late delinquent decapitated archbishop , from his first ascending unto his highest growth of authority and greatnesse ; and in the diary of his life , which i suppose master prynne printed , not to do him honour ( though after ages will not be tyed to be no wiser then master prynne ) i finde such eminent signes of a morall noble pious minde , according to such weak principles as he had been bred up in ( his own persecuting disposition , disabling him from being instructed better ) and particularly so ingenious a passage in his funeral sermon , whereby he justifies the parliament in putting him to death ; as i may safely professe to all the world , i never yet could discerne any thing near of like piety , or ingenuity to be in master pryune , by all that ever i yet heard of him from first to last , or by all the books of his which ever came to my hands , wherein yet i have hitherto done him the honour in being at charges to buy as many , i mean one of every sort , as i could ever meet withall . surely , i am much beholding to this gentleman , for proclaiming me a man of more corrupt principles , and a person possessed with a worse spirit of persecution then the late decapitated archbishop , but the archbishop far more obliged to him , in canonizing him for such a saint : as for his diary , i published it as i found it , not so much to do him honour as right , which is due to the very devill himself : but had this libeller remembred , that i reserved the criminall part of his life , for two other volumes , one of them already published ; and the first part of the other now at presse , which will render him , the archest traitor and underminer of religion , laws , liberties , parliaments that ever breathed in english aire ; or had he seriously considered his obstinate impenitency , and justificntion of his innocency ( though most criminall of all that for which he was condemned ) even on the very scaffold ; he would have blushed at his large encomiums of such a traytor in affront of publike justice , to cast the greater blemish on my self , who was publikely called by authority to bring him to his triall . having thus reviled my person only for w●iting against independent new wayes and fancies ; having naught else to object against me , he fals soul upon my very profession of the law in these reproachfull termes , pag. 21 , 22. certainly t is none of master prynnes least oversights thus to bring himself a lawyer , ( whose wrangling faculty sets and keeps all people at worse war amongst themselves , then all forraign enemies can do ) into a contest with mr. goodwin , &c. if master prynne were a man truly godly and conscientious , he might long ere this time have considered the unlawfulnesse of his very calling , acco●ding to the greatest part of lawyers practise , in entertaining more causes then they can possibly take care of as they ought , in taking of excessive fees , prolonging suits , and so involving the whole kingdom in their sophisticall quirks , tricks and quillets , as that a man can neither buy nor sell , speak nor do any thing , but he must be liable to fall into their tallons , without ever being able to redeem himself , the lawyers having most of their mysteries written in little lesse then heathen language , and detaining us in such ignorant captivity , as that we may not plead nor understand ; by which and such like devises of theirs , they are become the greatest grievance , crying loudest to heaven for justice to be done upon them by this parliament , next to the corrupted , depraved clergy men . surely these independent sectaries , resolve to extirpate all lawyers and clergy-men , as the greatest grievances under heaven ; that so both law and gospel may be dispensed only by their lawlesse , gospellesse lips , hands : and this makes them raile at these two honourable professions , without which no kingdom or church can long subsist : for my own part , i blesse god , i am not ashamed of my profession ; it s no dishonour unto me , ( since god himself hath honoured zen● a professour of it , tit. 3. 13. ) and i trust i shall never dishonour it : and though some perchance abuse it ( as many do all other callings ) 〈◊〉 makes it not unlawfull or a grievance , no more then other callings , 〈◊〉 being the fault of the person , nor of the profession : take he●d therefore how you pr●ss● this argument further , lest it reflect with disadvantage on your self , who have much abused the profession of a gentleman , by turning lib●ller ; of a merchant , in turning an independent preacher ; of a minister , in becoming an unlicens●d mr. printer of all these new seditious libels , in an alley in bishopsgate street , the very name whereof , made you such a panegyrist , to trumpet out the archbishops p●ety and gr●ces to the world , after his execution as a traytor . i shall rake no more in this pamphleters nasty kennel , which abounds with such fil●hy stincking stuffe , and billingsgate language as this . the author of the araignment of persecution , thus makes himself merry with me , pag. 15. that learned gentleman , just-as conformity of lincolns inne , esq ; can throughly resolve you , both by scripture texts , presede●ts of all sorts , and the constant uninterupted practises , examples of the emminentest emperours , princes , councels , parliaments , &c. it is well these illiterate ass●s are able thus to de●ide , what they can no wayes answer or re●ute by scripture , reason , or authorities of any kinde , but their own brainsick fancies . he proceeds thus , pag. 39. by the apochrypha writings , and non-sense arguments of mr. edwards : by the distracted thoughts , and subitane apprehensions of mr. prynne ; by the designe of the clergy ; by their forced tears ; by their hypocrisie ; by their false glosses , interpretations , and sophystications , good lord deliver us . here i am joyned with very good company , though in a blasphemous railing lyturgy , fit only for such conventicles as this libeller indoctrinates . the compiler of the sacred synodicall decretall , thus sports himself with dr. bastwick and me , pag. 22. dr. bastwick and jockey shall be god-fathers , and the whore of babylon god-mother , and it shall be christened , common-councell of presbyters : ( heare 's like to be a city well governed ) but it is not yet fit to be known by that name , while the childe is in the cradle ; when it can go alone , it will be a pretty play-fellow for my son iack , if the doctor can but cure him of the martin : 't is true , he hath given him a good cordiall against some independent qualmes , wherewith my son iack hath been much oppressed , since mr. prynne hath been outlaw'd by the gospel , his voluminous errours had the benefit ( sir reverence ) of the peoples posteriours to correct them , ( let the doctor have a care of his bills ) nam in posteriori pagina , omnia sua fic corriguntur errata : that 's a signe of some grace ; who sayes mr. prynnes not an honest man , that hath consecrated so much to such a reverend use ? but he shall have a better place when it falls , hee 's in the way of preferment , he doth supply the place of an informer already , for he must do a little drudgery before he be a judge . in what an uncivill , unchristian manner they have rayled against my ever honoured brother dr. bastwick , as an apostate , a fighter against god , an enemy of iesus christs , &c. only for writing against their independent novelties , himself hath at large related in his postscript . how they have abused dr. twisse , mr. hindersham , mr. calamy , mr. marshall , dr. burges , dr. featly , mr. paget , and especially mr. edwards , ( whom they revile beyond all measure ) only for opposing their new anarchicall government , hath in part been formerly touched , and would be over-tedious particularly to relate : i shall therefore conclude with two passages more ; the one concerning doctor burges , the other doctor twisse and the assembly , in their last libell , called martins eccho , p. 7 8. such hath been their good service to the church and state , that for my part , it should not much trouble me , to see them as well knockt down : i mean to see doctor burges , and a competent number of his brethren , set down upon their presbyterian thrones , judging the tribes of this our israel ; be ye mounted upon your great coach-horses , which trundle you too and fro , from london to westminster ; mount all your new canons , and advance like mighty men of valour , the horsemen and chariots of israel , even whole black regiments of you into the fields , under the conduct of your general●ssimo , william twisse , prolocutor ; and fire all your new cast ordinances at once in the face of your enemies , and so finish your good work your selves , and trust your sacred cause no longer in the hands of the profane . by this short taste , you may discern the most uncharitable , slanderous , lying , libellous disposition of these new independent lights , whose works are so full of infernall deeds of darknesse , and of the black language of hell. section x. containing seditious queries , passages and practises to excite the people to mutiny , sedition , disobedience , and contumacy against the parliaments proceedings , ordinances , and to resume their power from them . i have in the preceding sections , already transcribed sundry clauses of this nature ; i shall remember you only of some few more , in two or three late unlicensed libels . the author of , an answer to mr. prynnes twelve questions concerning church-government ( supposed to be master henry robinson ) pag. 2. makes this quere : what if the parliament sh●uld be for popery again , iudaisme or tur●isme ? t is no offence to make a quere , nor impossible to come to passe : the greatest part of such as choose our parliament men are thought to be popishly or malignantly affected : by the same law and doctrine the whole kingdom must in consequence , and such obedience as you dictate , conforme themselves to poperie , iudaisme , or turcisme , &c. and pag. 24. 25. he propounds these queries , of purpose to blast the power , and ecclesiasticall proceedings of our present parliament , and render them detestable , or contemptible to the people . whether have not parliaments and synods of england in times past established popery ? and whether may they not possibly do * so again hereafter ? whether in case a parliament and synod should set up popery , may they therein be disobeyed by the people ? if they may be disobeyed in one particular , whether may not they upon the like grounds be disobeyed in another ? whether the people be not judge of the grounds for denying obedience to parliament and synod in such a case ? whether the pretence of giving a parliament and synod power to establish religion , and yet reserve in our own hands , a prerogative of yeelding or denying obedience thereunto , as we our selves think good , be not an absolute * contradiction ? and lastly , whether they that attribute such a power to parliaments and synods , as they themselves will question and disobey , when * they think good ; do not in effect weaken and quite enervate the power of parliaments , or else condemn themselves in censuring the independents for withholding of obedience from parliament and synod in such things , wherein * they never gave , or meant ever to give power ? if the whole kingdom may denie obedience unto popish acts and canons , or upon any other the like just occasion , and they themselves be judge whether the occasion be just or n● : whether may not independents a part of the kingdom onlie , do the like in all respects ? or whether ought they because a lesser part of the kingdom , to yield obedience to popish acts and canons because a major part approve of , and agree with a parliament and synod in establishing them ? whether would it not be an ungodlie course for anie people to hazard anie thing at the disposall of others , or to be carried by most voices , which may possiblie , if not more then probablie be decided in such a manner as the yielding obedience thereunto would be burthensom to their consciences , if not absolutelie sinfull ? whether were it not an * ungodlie course for the whole commons of a kingdom so farre differing in religion as that they professe before hand that they dare not yield to another , upon perill of damnation , to make choise of a parliament and synod , with entring into vow and covenant , to become afterwards all of that religion , whatsoever the parliament and assembly should agree on ? whether it be not absurd for men to say , they vvill be of such a religion as shall be settled , before they see evidence to convince them ? and vvhether it be in the povver of man to be really of vvhat religion he vvill , untill he see reason and demonstration for it ? if a representative state or * * magistrate may have laws for setting up of a religion , or establish vvhat church-government they please ; vvhether have not the people the same povver originallie in themselves , to * assume again , and put it in execution vvhen they please ? and vvhether vvere this othervvise then to attribute unto a mixt multitude , to the vvorld , if not absolutely as it is distinguished from the saints in scripture , ioh. 15. 18 , 19. and 17. 6 , 9 , 11 , 4. at least by some voices , to make choise of a religion , lavvs and discipline , vvherevvith the saints , houshold and church of god must necessarilie be governed ? these seditious quaere's are since reprinted and propounded by the same author ( henrie robinson ) in another libell of his , intituled , the falshood of mr. william prynnes truth triumphing , &c. p. 26 , 27. to what other end , but to stir up the people to mutiny , to rebellion against the parliament and its proceedings ( a thing lately attempted by a mutinous petition framed by independents , but afterwards moderated by some discreeter persons , and by some late libellous , seditious pamphlets ) no wise man can conjecture . to omit many new seditious , mutinous passages in the arraignment tf persecution , a sacred decretall , and martins eccho ; compiled , published , printed , vended , dispersed by independent sectaries , who highly applaud them ; instead of excommunicating , detecting , suppressing , punishing the authors and dispersers of them , i shall ( for brevity sake ) transcribe only this most seditious oration in the close of martins eccho , directed to the common people , to excite them to mutiny and rebellion against the assembly , parliament , their military , civil and ecclesiasticall present proceedings , deserving no lesse then capitall punishment , being done in seditionem regni , no lesse * then high treason by the common law. pag. 16. rejoyce , rejoyce good people , for this blessed reformation , which is ready , like an evening wolf , to seize upon you and yours : loving friends and neighbours , stand still gaping with your mouths , and quietly bow down your backs , whilest you are bridled and sadled , and let the holy , humble , and * gentle presbyterians get up and ride , they will doubtelesse deal very meekly with you , and not put you out of your place , though the proverb be , set a beggar on horse-back , and hee 'l ride to the devil ; though they have spurs , yet they will not use them . you remember how the bishops posted you furiously to and fro like iehu the son of nimshi , untill with foundring and surbats they have even wearied you of your lives ; the gentle presbyters will in no wise ride you so hard , though some malignants would make you believe , that sir iohn will never be off of your backs , because it is intended he shall have his holy spirituall courts in every parish of the kingdome ; but this benefit you are like to have , that if by his continuall riding hee so gall your backs and shoulders , that you can no longer endure , but cry out by reason of your severe oppression , you shall have liberty granted you , to leap out of the frying pan , into the fire , by making your * appeal to the common-councell of presbyters ; forsooth , where when you shall come with this complaint , your fathers the bishops made your yoke grieveous , and our parochiall presbyters , ( those lyons whelps ) do adde hereto : now do you ease somewhat the grievous servitude , and heavy yoke put upon us . you may * expect from this honorable court , an answer like unto that of rehoboams to those distressed people , that cryed unto him , our fathers made your yokes heavy , but we will adde thereto : our fathers chastised you with whips , but we will chastise you with scorpions , and mend your selves as you can , for we are the divine power , and consequently the law-givers both of church and state ; therefore you are to be content and submit your selves to your superiors ; your severall presbyters in you severall parishes , that have the rule over you , must in no wise be resisted , but as it is meet , be humbly obeyed in all things that they shall command you ; and * their power is not to be questioned , for the same power which lately was resident in & confined to the breast of one man , to wit , an archbishop , is inherent , and of divine right , in the body of a presbytery , and conveyed equally to every particular presbyter : therefore if this episcopall power be offensive and obnoxious to you , never expect to have it otherwise , for your * parliaments themselves cannot lawfully help you . now have you not cause to rejoyce for this iubilee , this year of deliverance from your anti-christian servitude , to aegyptian bondage ? yes sure , therefore i say , rejoyce and be glad , and again rejoyce , lift up your heads , for doubtlesse your redemption draweth nigh : the righteous shall be delivered out of trouble , and the wicked shall come in his stead , prov. 11. 8 but in plain terms ( loving friends , neighbours and country-men ) let us a little reason together seriously : have not you born the brunt and heat of this unnaturall war ? is it not you that pay all the taxes , cessements , and oppressions whatsoever ? is not the whole burthen laid upon your backs ? burthen after burthen ? even till your * backs break ? how many thousands of you , who were of great estate , are even reduced your selves , your dear wives and children , to misery and poverty ? how many thousands and millions have you exhausted ? yea , hath not your hands been liberall beyond your abilities ? how freely have you brought in your gold , your silver , your iewels , rings &c. which in london , middlesex and essex , amoun●ed to above eleven millions , besides threescore millions extract●d out of the counties , with the innumerable sums otherwise raised , and spent in this service ? hath not your blood , the blood of your dear children and friends , been only engaged and spilt ? and is it not dayly shed in this quarrell , while the * presbyters clap you on the backs , animate , encourage , and preach out your very lives and estates , and involve you in all these miseries , and themselves touch it not with the tip of their little finger ; you have your hu●bands , your sons and servants , imprested from you , and forsooth , a priest must not be meddled withall , under sacriledge , blasphemy , or prophanenesse at least : they are * freed from all charges and taxations , and all is laid upon you ; and notwithstanding your insufferable misery , your unsupportable charge and oppr●ssion , under which you groan , and are fit to expire , those greedi● wretches are not ashamed to exact their * tythes , though they pluck it out of your childrens mouthes . there had been more need of an ordinance to have sessed the priests , and imprested them to the wars , for that vvould be more conducent for the kingdoms good : for should the king set up his episcopall clergy , and the parliament their presbyterian clergie , in the forefront of their battells , forlorne hopes , and put them instead of other honest innocent harmelesse soules , upon all their desperate attempts , without doubt they would as zealously preach for peace , as they doe now for war : they would quickly agree and turne as they were , rather then loose all . i am confident this would prove the most effectuall meanes for * our reconciliation , then any that hath beene yet attempted . consider this i beseech you , call to minde all your former expences , ventures and cessements for this present warre , and the miserable condition you and the whole kingdome strugleth in , as it were for life , and are now all ready to be devoured ; your estates are wasted , your men slaine , your hands weakned , and the kingdome is fit to be over-run , your strength decayeth , and your enemy increaseth , and all your assistance hath beene conveyed through the hands of the b presbyterian party , they have c born al offices , & have had all in their own disposing , but what is become of it ? wisemen say , that the treasures and wealth , that hath been spent for the managing of this warre , would have maintained a greater warre seven yeares longer , some body have feathered their nests , though yours are bare : now how thinke you , is it otherwise possible but the kingdome must be ruined if this course be continued , and to adde more certainty of destruction to it , these men now in this our greatest extremity , labour to divide the d parliament partie in twaine ; before the synod was assembled , the cries of the people were heard , their petitions answered , miseries redressed , monopolies remooved , oppressions eased , tender consciences respected , the servants of god delivered out of prisons , courts of tyranny and oppression suppressed , &c. but since their session , the case is quite altered , nothing but iesuiticall and machivillian pollicy hath bin on foote , thousands of petitions of poore widdowes , orphanes and all manner of distressed oppressed persons , who cry daiely and cannot be heard ; and these fat preists can have ordinance upon ordinance for their ends ; they can have the sweat of other mens browes confirmed upon them by an ordinance , whiles others e cannot have their just requests , for their owne rights answered : though their wives and children perish ; our f presbyterians wives must go like ladyes , with their silke & taffety , some with their fanns and silver watches forsooth hunging by their girdles , to please the pretty sweet faced , lovely mopphet withall pretty things , t is pitty there 's not an ordinance all this while , for them to weare rattle● ; consider this with your selves , & for what your estates and blood have beene engaged , the liberties of the subject , and the protestant religion , now how much after this vast expence , this sea of blood , of the subjects liberties , have you attain'd ? even thus much , he that shall open his mouth freely for the vindication of your native liberties , cannot doe it without the hazard of his own , yea of his life ; i know that the priests thirst after my blood , but i call the god of heaven to witnesse , would it quench their thirst , and be a ransome for our posterity , i would freely offer it to the common good● and as for the p●●testant religion hath it not beene lock'd up in the breasts , of the assembly ? hath not your faith beene pin'd upon their sleeve ? your estates spent , and your blood shed for the result of their mindes , right or wrong , and so have fough● for you know not what ? but it may be you 'l say , you have engaged for the suppression of prelacy , high-commission &c. you have indeed beat the bush , but the presbyters have caught th●● hare , instead of one high-commission , in the whole kingdome , you shall have one in * every parish under the name of a parochiall sessions , besides the generall high-commission call'd the common councell of presbyters ; now have you not , to shu● the smoke , skippt into the fire ? is the matter any thing amended ? sure you have got a worthy reformation : but it may be you have a better esteem of these new courts , then of the old high-commission : let me aske you ? do you thinke that they 'l be better then their patterne ? &c. thus you may see what you are , to rely upon , if in conscience you cannot submit to any thing they command , you know your wages , you must be banished : and doe not our presbyters not onely labour for the banishment , but for the lives of the contrary minded to them ? and is not this thinke you , as evill measure as ever was measured out of the high-commission ? wherfore i beseech you friends , consider what you do , consider the frait of your bodies ; into what slavery you are fit to inthrall them . i know you would be loath your children after you should be deprived of trading or living in the kingdome , though they should differ a litle in opinion from others . i beseech you therfore , save your selves from this wicked generation , who have spent your estates , your blood and all , and you are now worse then ever you were hitherto , all hath beene in their disposing , and you are betrayd , and daiely delivered as a prey to the enemy : the lord deliver us , amen . whether this be not another sheba , a trumpeter to blow up popular sedition and rebellion against the parliament , synod , and their proceedings , deserving sheba's punishment ; and whether it be not more then time for the honorable court of parliament to proceed severely against such scismaticall libellous and seditious mutiniers as these forementioned , let all wise men judge . if our foolish pitty and indulgence towards them ( according to the proverbe ) destroy our citty , our church , our religion , our parliament , our realmes , let those superior powers answer it , who have authority to prevent it ; i can with a good conscience professe and say , liberavi animam meam , what ever censures , reproaches scandals , libels i suffer for my good intentions , from this libellous generation of * unreasonable men , who have litle faith and lesse charity . certain queres propounded to independent ministers and their members , convincing them in many things to be meer papists , and swervers from the word of god. 1. whether independent ministers prescribing , and members submitting to a new-forme of church-government , not yet fully knowne to , or agreed on among themselves ; nor reduced unto certainty by any of their sect , but fluctuating and swimming in their ministers giddy braines , with a reserve of altering , adding or diminishing at their pleasure ; be not a meere popish blind obedience ? a receiving of a church-government with an implicit popish faith , to believe as their minister or church believes , without knowing certainly and determinately what they do dogmatically believe ? and a plaine worshipping of they know not what , their independent way and government , being yet not fully delineated nor 〈◊〉 in writing by any of their party , though frequently pressed to it . 2. whether independent ministers , members , churches denying the lawfull legislative , directive , coercive authority , jurisdiction of parliaments , councels , synods , kings , and temporall magistrates in all ecclesiasticall affaires , or matters of religion ; appropriating this power wholy to themselves and their independent conventicles ; their pleading of an exemption of themselues and members from all secular powers in church matters , as being immediately subject herein to none but christ : their usurping authority to erect and gather new independent churches not onely without , but against the command of parliaments and princes ; their dayly practise of admitting , rejecting church-members , & excluding godly christians not onely from their churches , but even from the sacraments , and their children from baptisme in case they submit not to their new-fangled way : their denying the liberty and benefit of appeales from themselves to any superior tribunall ; be it a classis , synod , or parliament , by way of ●urisdiction but onely of advice . their proclaimeing their owne independent churches , to be the onely true churches of christ ; and allothers f●lse , erronious , antichristian , from which all must sever under paine of damnation ; their imposing new o●thes and covenants , under pain of exclusion from church-communion on all their new members ; and binding them wholy to their wayes , edicts ; their stilling themselves supreame heads of the church next under christ ; and exalting themselves , above all that is called god , or worshipped , above all other ministers or christians whatsoever , as the only lights of the world , and tying the scriptures to their owne new-fangled expositions ; be not an erecting of a meere arbitrary , tyrannicall , pap●ll , antichristian jurisdiction in every independent congregation , both over the soules , consciences , bodies of christians , and a setting up of as many petty popes , as there are independent ministers or congregations ? 3. whether independents admitting women , not onely to vote as members , but sometimes to preach , expound , and speake publikely as predicants , in their convent●cles , be not directly contrary to the apostles doctrine and practise , 1 cor. 14. 34. 35. 1. tim. 2. 11. 12. and a meer politick invention to engage that sex to their par●y ? whether their pretended liberty of conscience for every man to bleeve , professe , and practise , what religion he pleaseth , ( be it paganisme , judaisme , turcisme , popery ) without co●rtion or punishment by the magistrate , be not a like wicked policy , contradictory to scripture and religion : which proclaimes a licen●iousnesse to practise any sinne with impunity ? and warrants popes , papists , iesuits to murther protestant princes ; blow up parliaments ; massacre heretiques ; absolve subjects from their allegiance ; equivocate ; worship images , saints , reliques , and their breaden-god ; and commit any wickednesse for the advancement of the catholique cause , because their religion and consciences hold them lawful . and how then can we justly punish any traytor , rebell , murder , adulterer , swearer , drunkard , polyganist , theef , in case he be really perswaded in his conscience , what he doth is lawfull ? 4. whether the independent ministers in the assembly will undertake to bind either themselves or all others of their party for the future , without any reserve of altering or changing their opinions and practise , to that independent way of church government , which mr. thomas goodwin , or they shall at last , after long expectation , set down in writing ? if yea , that contradicts their owne profession , and prot●station in their apollogy : takes away that liberty of conscience they contend for ; and attributes a greater authority to them alone to oblige their party , then to the whole parliament or synod . if no , then certainly it is vaine to exspect a set 〈◊〉 of church-government from those fluctuating divines , who till neither under-take to oblige themselves or others for the future , by anything they resolve on or practise for the present : and a meare sottishnesse for any people to depend upon such unstable weather-cocks , and roling stones , who know not where to rest or settle ; and that way certainly can be none of christs , on which the very prime sticklers for it d●re not absolutely and immutably to fasten for the future , what ever they pretend for the present . 5. whether publike preaching , prophefying , and expounding the scriptures by independent souldiers , taylors , weavers , and other illiterate mechanicks , neither publikely called to , not fitted for the ministry , especially when and where there are able painfull preaching ministers to instruct the people , be not a most exorbitant . arrogant , scandalous , and disorderly practice , no where warranted by gods word , but directly condemned by numb . 18. 21. 22 , 23. c. 16. 3. to 41. 2 sam. 6. 6. 7 , 2 chron. ●6 . 16. to 23. ier. 14. 14. c. 27. 19. hosea 4. 4. 9. mal. 2. 7. 2 chron. 17. 8. 9. neb. 9. 4 , 5. c. 12. throughout . mat. 28. 18. 19. 20. mar. 16. 14. 15. 20. acts 20. 28. gal. 6. 6. hebr. 13. 17. c. 5. 4. 1 tim. 3. 2. c. 4. 14. 16. 2 tim. 4. 2. 5. rom. 10. 14. 15. 1 cor. 12. 28. 29. c. 14. 29 to the end . tit. 1. 7. 9. contrary to the very light of nature , the priests among all heathen nations whatsoever being distinguished from t●e people , and not all promiscuously priests , gen. 42. 22. 26. 2 king. 17. 32. 1 kings 12. 31. 32. zeph. 1. 4. acts 14. 13. and quite opposite to the practice of all christian churches in all ages ? ● 6. whether mr. hanserd knols ( the illitterate anabaptist ) his moderate answer to dr. bastwicks booke , p. 19. 20. where he averres : that the condition upon which people are to be admitted into the church , are faith , repentance , and baptisme ; and none other . and whosoever ( poore as well as rich , bond as well as free , servants as well as masters ) * did make a profession of their faith in christ iesus ▪ land would be baptized ( he meanes re-baptized ) into ( he should say in ) the name of the father , son , and holy spirit ▪ were admitted members of the church ; but such as did not beleeve , and would not be baptized ( though formerly baptized by others ) they would not admit into church communion . and that this hath bin the practise of some churches in this city , ●ithout urging or making any particular covenant with members upon admittance : doth not herein diametrally contradict his other independent brethren , who exact particular covenants , from their new admitted members and do not re-baptize them ? whether he hath not plaid the anabaptisticall jugler with ▪ mr. cranford , in printing onely , imprimatur ia : cranford , in the title of his booke , and leaving out the preceding formall words of his license , to the great abuse both of the reader and licenser , viz. i have perused this treatise ( called a moderate answer to dr. bastwick ) which though● iudge erronious , yet to satisfie the desire of a friend , and prevent the cavils of some adversaries , i oppose , imprimatur ia : cranford . and whether these and such like practices proclaim not the anabaptists such as * dr. foa●ly proves them : a false and lying sect , if not blasphemous too , as the premised sections declare some of them to be ? a transcript of a letter lately written from the sommer islands , to william prynne of lincolnes inne esquire ; relating the schismaticall , tyrannicall , and seditious proceedings of the independents there ; and how they lord it over the soules and bodies of those who dare oppose them ; how contemptuously they speak against the power of parliaments , the church of england , and scandalize all others whatsoever , who are not of their faction . which gods providence newly brought to my hands from thence , when i was closing up the premised discovery . worshipfull sir , ali health , happinesse , and prosperity wished unto you ( as to mine owne soule . ) the occasions moveing me at present to trouble you with these unprofitable papers , are great and many ; and happily i being a stranger unto your worship , you may account it more then boldnesse , yea even peremptory saucinesse , in me to presume to write and crave favour to and from one who never had the least knowledge of me . but the manifold reports i have heard of you by divers good christians , emboldeneth me ; but especially seeing your good works which i have perused with care and diligence , which from mr sparks his brother i procured , enforceth me so much the more in this my boldnesse , not doubting but that you are a true hearted christian , truly fearing god , embracing piety and hateing iniquity , a faithfull well-willer to the church of god ; and to all the israel of god , and to all true israelites who with faithfull hearts love the sion of god truly and sincerely , without hypocrisie or halting between opinions , dessenting from it in any by or false respects , the which are the only causes moving me hereunto : and for which i have suffered , and a●● and have beene these thirteen mōnthes * prisoner in bonds , for standing in defence , and an opposite unto , or against a certaine independent church , hatched and forged in the braines of our divines ; and by them constituted , erected , and fully accomplished ; and with us held in great repute and adoration , yea and the actors of it not as men , but even as demy gods , attributing that unto them , which is only proper unto god ; especially unto their pastor mr vvhite , the chiefe actor of their faction , a most seditious turbulent , and hatefull malicious person , and as politick as achitophell , and as crafty and subtle as the devill , having as he holds the world in hand , that by his wisedome none can excell him in the lawes , both ecclesiasticall and civill ; and therefore amongst us , ( a company of poore simple ignorant and undiscerning people ) he is so accounted of , as all his words are oracles , and himselfe no lesse sent from god ; and therefore whatsoever he saith , is and must be a law , whether it concernes body , soule , or conscience ; for he cannot crre , so perfect is he in their conceits : and if * christians in griefe and distractions of soule and conscience , at their courses , shall sue unto our rulers for redresse of their factious aud seditious courses by way of humble petition , for a cessation of those things , till we shall heare from england , what discipline the high court of parliament and synod hath concluded upon , and that to embrace and follow ; then shall we presently be summoned to an assizes , and there undergoe such penalties as by the court shall be censured upon , or else , which they most ayme at , to have us , contrary to knowledge and conscience , acknowledge we have wronged them , and there in open court before the countrey confesse our selves sorry for what we have done ; this is our misery : yea if i shall speak , much more write in our owne defence against their independent church , laying open their factious and schismaticall government , and their envying against our church , and church government , and discipline , though they have proofes and grounds sufficient by the word of god to convince them , the which i could never yet see disproved by them ; together with my name annexed thereunto , yet if he threaten me for boldnesse herein to have a counsell table called against me , i am sure of it , and there to bee baited and banded to and againe by a whole counsell ; together with our schismaticall divines , even as a beare at a stake , not one to speak one word in my defence , nor in the defence of gods cause ; but with an unanimous consent and voyce my writings exclaimed against , pronounced libels , and ignominious and slanderous writings , though none of them approved so to be , nor disproved for the truth i stand for ; yet shall i be censured by them , for them , bound to my good behaviour , put in sureties ; and if at any time afterwards i shall divulge any thing either by pen or tongue against this independent church ▪ their governours , or government , doctrine , or the like , i must then presently be declared infamous ▪ and lie in prison till to the contrary we heare out of england ; yea however , for want of sureties in this case , to lie in prison notwithstanding till i can or doe put in sureties ; the which i did for the space of five weeks , to my great damage and charge , and also detriment , being an aged poore man of 74 yeares of age ; and five nights in the cold winter time almost drowned in the prison with raine , and sore tempestuous weather , having no shelter to save my selfe dry : these , with other things , have i undergon , too large for to relate , and that chiefely from this white of this independent church , pastor ; i meane by his meanes , for if hee sayit , it must and shall be by our rulers , who indeed ought to be chiefe instruments in removing and casting out such venomous vermine out of both church and common-weal●● but how can it be expected , when they themselves are inconfederacy with him , and joyne hand in to work wickednesse ; therefore whoever speaks or writes against one , doth it against all ; therefore with a cunning sleight they put it off , as not being done in the behalfe of their church ; but as that by it i labour the subversion of the peace of our countrey as much as in me lay , as though our countreys peace rested wholly upon the planting of this their independent church , whereby they have made more and greater breaches , as can be manifestly proved , then ever they will be able to make good , both in church and common wealth : yea in private families also , the husband against the wife , the wife against the husband , the children against the parents , the parents against the children ; and the like , according as your selfe have worthily noted in your twelve interrogatories . is not this a great misery in so little a spot , even a handfull of people ; oh miserable times ! oh unhappy conditions ! now if you demand a title or name of this their church , or from whence derived , i cannot answer you ; for i suppose themselves know not , only framed of their fancie and braines , only to get themselves a name , fame , and popular applause and estimation of the world : but thus much i am sure of , it is derived partly from the anabaptists , partly from the brownists , but most especially from the donatists , having in it a smatch of each ; however they feign it to the church of new england , which , as they say , is the purest church this day in the world ; yet come they farre wide of it , so that it is but their saying not their doing . but grant that they were in their way aright , yet hold it we not requisite that their examples should be rules to us to walk by , seeing that both the one and the other have beene constituted and erected by an indirect way , without the advice and approbation of lawfull authority of king , parliament , and synod , the which our men say they are not to attend or waite upon princes nor parliaments leisures , the cause being christs owne , and depending only and alone upon him , and not upon any humane power : and they his servants , and christ their lord , it refteth on them in his behalfe to doe it , it being a spirituall and no carnall work . and againe some of them have said it , that parliament and synod can establish no other church discipline or government then theirs , unlesse they will goe contrary to the word of god ; this hath beene publikely delivered : yea by the same party such stuffe hath beene delivered , that hath made all modest and shamefull faces to blush , eares to glow , and hearts to grieve that hath heard it ; yea and that upon dayes of humiliation , making divers people both objects and subjects openly to work upon ; thundering out punishments and judgements , both spirituall and temporall , against divers persons , as though they had both swords in their owne power , or as though they had absolutely knowne gods secret decree ; and this hath beene held for sound and good orthodox doctrine , when divers have repented of their hearing ; and these not once nor twice , but often . infinite might i relate , even from their owne mouthes , which would make wise men admire , but i must passe over them to avoyd tediousnesse to my selfe , and trouble to you . and that in your wisedome you may the better conceive of this their church , the first beginning was a certaine feast , held every week at severall houses , which feast they called a loblolly feast ; which for the common fare of our countrey is as our watergruell in england , so they would have it but of a common food ; at which feast each did strive to excell another in the difference of making it : after they had once gotten a certaine number unto them , and so of an ordinary food they made it extraordinary ; yea so extraordinary , that some in few meetings were forced to sell the feathers out of their bedding , for milk , butter , and creame to feed them withall , and to make their loblolly the more dainty and toothsome ; others againe to maintaine this feast , for one dayes entertainment , themselves and whole family must pinch for it two or three months after ; by which feast , by the shew of neighbourhood or feast of love , though never none was found , in short time they encreased in every parish to a pretty number . at which feast also their bellies and stomacks being well gormondized , the minister propoundeth certaine questions unto them by way of catechising of his owne framing , for halfe an howre ; which each had in writing one from another , and like schollers these their lessons to learne against each wednesday , and great care was taken ; some for feare of reproofe , and some popular applause : and these ca●●chisings being ended , they then for an houre or two discourse of neighbours that would not joyne with them , traducing both names and persons ; this man is a drunkard , a whooremaster , and the like ; such a woman was light and wanton , and loved such and such a man ; such a man loved such a woman ; this was the manner and order of their feasts , till at length themselves were most of them drunkards and whooremongers . the next thing was , a day in a week at noon for two houres space to catechise youth and children , upon a simple small catechism set out by one mr oxenbridge , sonne to doctor oxenbridge of london , who with his wife especially were the first ground-works of this faction : who in time before it came to any perfection , departed from us , but left the cursed seed or fruit of their faction behinde them : they being gone , this mr white as chiefe , takes in hand to accomplish this businesse , which with another as forward , but better seene in it then themselves , one mr golding , a young head but well learned in schismaticall science , if not worse , joynes together , labours with and overcomes an ancient man , mr copeland by name ; and then on all hands with an unanimous consent , they joyne their forces for the erecting and establishing this their church ; and then in stead of catechising youth , they would catechise ancient people young and old of both sexes : this they could not well accomplish , being by divers withstood ; but seeing they could not bring that to passe , then would they not suffer any to communicate without examination before , and that as well beleevers as others , yea them especially , though never so learned and sufficient , which bred a sore broile amongst us ; yet of many could they not have their wills , though put from the sacrament . then denied they to baptize children , unlesse the parents rehearsed the creed , and such as did had their children baptized , and such as would not , theirs were not . then having made themselves strong by encreasing their company , they then began a weekly lecture upon every wednesday , one one week , another another week ; these exercises were wholly and only for the building up of this their church : exclaiming against our church , both in matter , manner , order , government , discipline , and governours , applauding this their owne , the holiest , and purest church upon the earth , next unto new england : here they deny all supream power of magistracy , yea of the king himselfe , only to guide them in the channell , and to defend them and maintaine them in this their church , orders , and discipline , to punish all such as shall oppose them : themselves being chiefe thereof under christ , but especially their pastor white , so pronounced by their prolocutor , one of our present governours in the house and presence of god , and the whole congregation , that he was * supreame head of this church next under christ , and none above him : this was one mr painter a cooper . then the other two ministers were chosen elders , whereof mr golding the younger man in yeares was the chiefe , mr copeland the inferiour , next a deacon one mr robert cesteven a counceller , and a great stickler ; thus have you as yet all the officers : but before this choyce the baptizing of infants was quite rejected and given over , holding a tenet , that children ought not to be baptized , but only such as were of yeares of discretion , and able to render an account of their faith , according to mark 16. 16. with divers other places , saying , they were no pastors , and therefore durst not * baptize one nor other , and that they had baptized more children already then they knew how to answer : this was mr whites owne speech unto my selfe upon a lecture day , i having two of my children to baptize at the same time . vpon this i confesse , and se●ing the great inconveniency that did arise thereon , and many children in the countrey to be baptized , and many more like to be , i put pen to p●per and write unto our chiefe governour capt. vvilliam sayle , foure or five sheets of paper , and presented as a new yeares gift , hee being the only man , as i supposed , to redresse and reforme by vertue of his place and power , all such erroneous and factious errours both in church and common weale ; but hard successe i found in my epistle unto him : in the front of the work , i shewed him how i was perplexed both in minde and conscience for yeelding unto them through his instigations and perswasions , at an assizes before , for another writing delivered by me unto mr white himselfe , upon his and the rest their silencing themselves , leaving our churches upon the lords dayes , and gathering swarmes of people into their owne houses as conventicles ; and there have reading , singing , praying , expounding , and preaching , yea if truth were knowne , the sacrament also administred in their private houses ; and all these ordinances denied in the houses of god , yea they were slighted , contemned , scorned , and rejected , even as iakes : these at the beginning of constitution of their church ; nay in one small tribe or parish three or foure such severall places of meetings , and the houses of god destitute . secondly i writ against independent churches according to my poore understanding , i being a man of no learning , but especially against their church , saying , had i power and approbation , i would shake the whole fabrick thereof ; this was taken very heynously . but to let passe other things contained therein , come we to the work , where first i maintained our church of england against all independent churches , to be a true and a perfect church ; yet so , as not being free or cleare from all defects , as no church under heaven was , is , not never will be , comparing our church with all other reformed churches , and their defects and deformities . secondly by seven wayes i maintained the lawfulnesse and the necessity of baptizing infants , where i answered divers objections of the anabaptists , and theirs also unto me in number fourteen , and laid downe their objections severally . thirdly and lastly , i shewed who of necessity were bound , and therefore ought to baptize infants , namely those to whom god had given the dispensation of the word and sacraments , that is , such as god hath called to the ministeriall function , and endued them with gifts and graces answerable for their callings , such and none but such ought to meddle in the word or sacraments ; here i shewed the duty of all who had children to baptize only to such , and to none but such : then next , the duty of ministers , they being so sought to ; they ought , they must baptize them : next i confuted and condemned certain heretick● and schismaticks that denied and refused to baptize infants , and namely themselves ; and lastly concluded with a friendly exhortation to all ministers to be carefull to perform their duty in this , and in all other points . this in brief was the summe and effect of my new yeares gift , of which i heard not a word for three weeks space , in which time , yea so soon as he had it , he shewes it to the ministers , who all this time perused , scanned , and sifted it ; upon the which mr white comes to my schoole , salutes me kindely , with one with him to catch and beare witnesse what proceeded from me , at length uttered his mind ; amongst many other passages , that i perverted the scripture to my own ends , saying i had abused the words of our saviour , luk 10. where he commandeth little children to come unto him , and forbid them not : you maintaine saith he , he meanes such children as suck the breast , here is your errour , saith he , and for this you shall smart ; but saith he , his meaning was , such as were newly converted to the faith , these , saith he , are those that christ calls little children or babes , as in 1 iohn 2. 1. therefore for this your * absusing and wresting the word , you shall answer it , and i doubt not but to crave so much favour of the governour , as to call a councell table , where you shall answer your abuses , and peremptory scandalous and libellous writings , and so at length we parted . the next week following i writ a letter to the governour , giving him to understand , i had taken him for an honest christian friend , telling him withall ▪ i sent it not to them but unto him , supposing himselfe only would have made use of it for some better ends , and withall laving open schismaticks more plainer then before , advising him upon them five marks or tokens to know them by , to search and see if he knew none or could finde none . then i shewed , that faction and sedition did spring from these sinnes , pride , hypocrisie , and ambition ; and from these three did arise presumption , and rebellion , both against god and man , shewing how and wherein ; praying these sinnes were not found amongst us , but neither named nor pointed at any that hold could be taken . the next sahbath a warrant was served on me for my appearance at a councell table the thirteenth of february 1644 , where being as before , i was so baited and banded to and againe , as wonder it was , and shortly * after clapt in prison : however nothing traverst that day , save only the letter , nor my new years gift never questioned ; when and where i made mine appeale for england , where god blessing me , would i have beene at present , had it not fallen out , that in october last in the dead of the night , my house with all i had therein was burned , to my great losse and prejudice ; so that being altogether unable , i am forced with sorrow to stay behinde , as not being able to put clothes on my back ; having also burnt all my writings , which hath beene more griefe to me then the losse of all my meanes and goods , which was more then of mine owne i shall ever see againe . but having digressed from the proceeding of this sect , i returne againe where i left : and having given over the baptizing of infants for a good season , at length they gave over preaching , as being no ministers , as being made so in an antichristian manner ; and no true ministers till such time as they were new called and ordained by their holy church ; which at length was accomplished : in which time they still continued their weekly lectures ; whereat there was added , and they received members unto and into their church daily , but after a most strange manner ; their exercise being ended , those that were to enter in , came upto the chancell with great sobriety and shew of humility , and sorrow , with contrition , and wounding of conscience for sinne ; and there stand , but with much hypocrisie and dissimulation ; and there before the pulpit , with all the holy brethren and sisters about them , they make a consession of their sinnes , are in outward shew sorry for them , with great contrition : upon which enquiry is made among them , what they think of their confession and contrition , and whether they are not worthy as members of their holy church to bee received in ? answer is made , yea : then they tell them , they do accept of them , and with great applause they all receive them , all shaking and embracing and hugging them , with great joy , biding welcome brother , welcome sister . but such confessions and doings as you never saw the like ; insomuch that law might justly take hold of many of them : but these open confessions have a pretty while bin left off , they being ashamed of it in regard the people mock them , telling them that this open auricular confession is meere idolatry and superstition ; therefore now they have private confessions ; and whosoever entereth into their church , must also enter into covenant to stand to and to maintain their church and church-discipline , orders , governours , and government , to the uttermost of their powers and abilities ; yea they must endeavour and strive therein even unto blood . and concerning baptizing of infants at the taking up againe of their ministery ; they also have taken up againe the use of the sacraments , but only among themselves ; but for any that are not in or of their church , their children shall not bee baptized unlesse they will enter into their church , and covenant with them ; neither for the sacrament of the lords supper , shall any partake thereof , but only their owne flocks and members , by which cause many people who have an ardent desire thereunto , have beene deprived of it , some * two yeares , some three yeares , some more some lesse , to their great griefe and sorrow ; and for the manner , forme , and order of the sacrament amongst themselves , it is according to their faction , derogating from our mother church as i heare : and for all such as are not of them , nor adheres unto them , we are accounted as † heathens , yea even as dogs , or swine , and so reputed . thus in briefe have i laid you downe the order and manner of their church from the beginning to this present , which hath beene in agitation these foure or five yeares ; and whether it be yet fully perfected , i think themselves are ignorant of ; but now is their maine hope , that their great pastor of their church is now come for england , and that from and by the parliament he will accomplish a full and absolute setling and establishing this their church amongst us , by vertue and power from the parliament , and by friends that he will raise , especially by the meanes of one mr holland , one that beares some place of eminency in parliament , who is a great and extraordinary friend of his ; the which if he should accomplish this their wicked desires , then will they tyrannize over us , and bring a great confusion upon our whole countrey , and raise civill warres among us , to our utter subversions , being in comparison but a handfull of people , to the great griefe and hearts sorrow of many honest christian hearts , who desire the peace of gods true church , but for all false wayes we utterly abhorre . and now worshipfull sir , with favour give me leave to use by way of similitude the words of mordecay unto ester c. 4. 14. who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdome for such a time as this ? even so say i to you sir , what know you whether the god of mercy and consolation hath raised you up as an instrument or meanes for these distracted times ? yea , what know you , whether by your help and assistance you may not be a meanes and help for the release and delivery of many poore distressed and distracted christians from the cruelty and tyranny of these schismaticall schismaticks , whose mercies are meere cruelties , which we know by woefull experience we shall finde . and however we are farre remote from you , yet we beseech you ( i speak in the behalfe of many ) let your goodnesse by your ayde and assistance even stretch it selfe to the utmost ends of the world , if occasion be offered , for the good of gods church and people ; and as your works comming by gods blessings amongst us , to our great joy and comfort , and to the vexation of our malignant adversaries ; who notwithstanding slights them , saying , you have writ according to your understanding , and to the corruption of your owne heart , and that you have beene answered and foiled in your owne arguments ; perswading poore simple ignorant people unto any thing ; for divers having seene your twelve interrogatories , struck them into such a damp and distemperature , that they knew not what to say or doe , untill their pastor especially with their elders , through deluding speeches , gave them as they suppose some comfort ; otherwise i perswade my selfe many of their adherents had revolted from them , and turned cat in the pan . but no marvell though they sleight you ; for they doe sleight all the most reverend divines and men of learning , wisedome , and gravity , whose lives have beene cautious , pious , and religious that have beene before them : let a man name any forreigne and domestick , some they will set at naught , others happly with a more reverend respect , yet sleight them ( as my selfe at times have produced at least a hundred upon occasions ) they will answer , they were good reverend men in their dayes , and taught well according to their times ; though you name the interpreters of the scriptures , or bring in beza or iunius , upon their annotations , yet say they , these were but men , subject to failings and errours , and their dayes were the times of ignorance , and of superstition , and the cleare light of the gospel was not then so manifestly and so clearly made knowne unto them as now it is , the lord revealing his will with a greater splendor in these latter dayes unto his servants the ministers then in former times , for the calling and gathering together of his elect from the foure corners of the world , and by them in these latter times hath shewed a more nearer and easier way to heaven then formerly ( o impious impiety ! ) wherewith they delude poore simple people , deceiving them , being voyd of understanding and discerning even to their destructions : for let a man discourse with them , and shew them their solly and their blindnesse , and shew them the erroneous wayes they are in ; this presently is their answer , * we doe know that our teachers , who are our leaders , they are wise , learned , religious , pious , and holy men , and they cannot erre , say they ; and they have paund their soules upon this way , and would they wilfully damne their soules were it not the right way , no t is impossible ; therefore we will never forsake this way , but whatever they say or teach we will build our salvation upon it , and seale it with our blood : thus have they taken poore soules captives and deceived them ; and through their delusions we have daily a falling away , forsaking the old way which is the true way , and turning to sinne and schisme , and erroneous factions , which are new invented wayes never heard on till not much my time before . wherefore we beseech you , we beseech you in the bowels of love and compassion , let the serious consideration hereof move you to enter list with this stout champion , whose pride we know to be such , that hee will overcome ten thousand better then himselfe ; and not only to enter list , but also as god hath called you to , and seated you in a place in that high court of parliament ; that so you would oppose his enterprises and hinder him of his desired purposes , that so he may not come with power and authority from that high court , to lord it and to beare rule over the lords inheritance amongst us , but rather forced to recant , and lay downe all his and their schismaticall courses , or confine them all together to some other place . things comming into my minde one after another , causeth me not to set them downe so exactly in order as they hapned , but somewhat confusedly : i should have told you at first , this man , mr white , was by the company of adventurers sent over some yeares since , minister for our two tribes , pembrook and devon , and by the earle of dorset then governour , with the whole company , they bound him in a bond of two hundred pound stirling to live with us peaceably and quietly , and to follow the orders and discipline of our church for the space of three yeares after his arrivall ; which argued he was a man of a turbulent spirit in the place where he was , at knights bridge neare westminster * ; during this time of his bonds he was at hot a zealot as possible might or could be , both for the book of common-prayer , as also for all other ceremonies of the church , as kneeling at the sacrament , crosse in baptisme , ring in the marriage , and all other things whatsoever , so long at his bonds lasted : but suddenly after he turned upside downe , and after foure yeares hee began these things ; and seeing he could not accomplish his desire with us , he made shewes of leaving us and goe to another charge that was vacant , unlesse we would sue unto him by † humble petition , as unto a prince , which we refused to doe ; the other they did , and gave him a call , and with their call , a hogge of forty shillings price ; which call he received and embraced , forsook us , and went unto them : he had not long beene there , but by some of our tribe he was sued unto to come to us to baptize three children ; the which he did , he and his wife , mr copeland and his wife being witnesses to one ; where his text being ( he that despiseth you , despiseth me ; and he that d●spiseth me , de●●iseth him that sent me ; ) at which time he did so exclaime against us , saying , we despised him and his doctrine , and had cast both him and it from us , and so consequently god the sonne , and god the father , because we would not sue ▪ unto him by way of petition : when he also for our fact , pronounced a doome against us in his pulpit , saying , stand up ye of pembrook tribe and heare your doome , which was , you shall live here these twenty yeares without a preaching minister ; comparing also our reader to the idoll dagon ; the reading-pew to the place of desolation , saying , here sits the idoll of abomination in the place of desolation ; saying our book of common-prayer was an idoll also . and still in their weekly exercises , defame they our church , and church discipline , with the orders and manner thereof , crying , she is uncleane , she is uncleane , polluted , defiled with antichristianisme , both in church-government , manners , orders , and discipline , yea throughout ; therefore say they , come out of her my people , and take not of her pollutions , with divers such like ; yet for the man , i must confesse he hath beene and is a worthy and reverend teacher , which causeth many , yea most people the easier and sooner to be deceived , as also by humble carriages , and pious walking , which is such , that as our saviour saith , is able to deceive the very elect , by their walking in sheeps clothing ; but sure i am , they are ravening wolves , and easily may be discerned by their fruits ; that is , by their doctrines , the which however it sound good to simple people , and is as honey in their mouthes , but sure i am , they tend only and wholly to their owne schismaticall faction . and thus have i beene large in my discourse , and troublesome unto you , though in briefe . now sir , you know that he who cutteth wood over his head , is in danger of the chips flying in his face ; so fareth it with me , i having beene an opposite against them , both by speaking and writings ; they are therefore become mine inveterat enemies , and have from time to time traduced me : and as the case once was yours , so is it and hath beene mine , having suffered much by our rulers , through their meanes , they being all in a confederacy ; and likely , if he can possibly , suffer more ; but i hope will defend me from their cruelty by the help and meanes of you ; who are able to sympathize another mans case by his owne , and be the easier stirred up to compassionate my case , and to doe your best endeavour for me , and many more honest hearted people , who by me desire from you the like favours ; so shall i and them also be bound to pray for your prosperity here , and everlasting happinesse hereafter ; desiring you to keep this writing to your selfe , and make use of them , and not shew them to any , except to some sure friends , not but that any thing herein contained is also absolutely true , but that they are mine inveterate and malicious enemies , and if by the parliament they should get their desires , then am i sure to suffer most exceedingly ; therefore i am forced to send to you underhand by way of mr spark , and another to write the subscription of his letter , that my hand bee not seen ; such laying wait there is for any my writings . this gentleman the bearer , hath in some measure beene a co-partner with me in suffering , and hath had much trouble , and is now come for england to cleare himselfe from many false accusations laid to his charge , as also to maintaine the countreys agrievances and his owne also : and if your worship shall bee pleased to doe him any friendly office , either by word or counsell , he will be thankfull , and so shall more ; and with my selfe in especiall be bound to pray for you , and ever rest your truly devoted and faithfull well-willer in heart till death to be commanded . richard beake . sir , i desire your favour i may heare from your worship , which will be a joy to me and many others , who rejoyce of you , and hope well in you . this letter is seconded by sundry others from thence to the same effect , and to move the honourable houses of parliament to take some speedy course for the quenching of those flames of schisme and sedition , which these new independent lights and firebrands have kindled in this plantation , and taking off the unsupportable yoak of tyrannicall and arbitrary government over the persons , estates , and consciences of the free-borne english subjects there , which these lordly tyrants have imposed on them , threatning ruine to this plantation ; which i hope their honours , and all others concerned in it , will seriously lay to heart . i shall adde to this two other papers , ( to wit , a petition , and advertisement ) sent lately from the same islands to me by mr richard norwood , which fully discover the schismaticall and arrogant proceedings of the independents there ; and refute their present innovations in a substantiall satisfactory manner . to the right worshipfull our worthy governour captaine iosias forster , and his councell . right worshipfull and worthy governour , &c. i know you are not ignorant of the rent or division here begun , which though i beleeve ( as you have often testified ) you favour not , yet through your gentlenesse and forbearance towards the authours and abetters ; it growes very strong , and is like to prevaile ; which i suppose you know not , but may further understand if you be pleased to make enquiry , and to heare other men . for mine owne part i frame not this as a complaint or accusation against them , being but one man , and the matter concerns all ; besides i have seene the successe that others have had that wayes , and i know they are too strong a party for me or any one man to encounter with . but being very sensible of the danger approaching , lost by my silence i might seem to consent unto it , i thought it necessary to give notice , and to endeavour what in me lies to prevent it , whatsoever may befall me for so doing . therfore i have written this advertisement following , which i could wish might come to the hands of all . the intent and scope wherof is , to invite and perswade all to a cessation from setting up any new discipline and government amongst us untill we heare what is decreed by the honorable assembly of parliament : or if that cannot be obtained ( as i have small hope , considering how eagerly they pursue their ends , and how great a number they have gayned to their party ) yet that the authours would expresse punctually in writing , what manner of discipline and government it is which they would set up . and because ( it may be ) they will say , that they have already exprest it in their sermons , especially in their lectures ordayned for that purpose ; therefore i have set down thirty or more doubts of speciall moment which they have not yet cleared . neither is it fit that our religion or this part of it ( which they would seem to make a principall part ) should remain in their breasts only , for so they may adde , detract , or alter , as they please ; but ought to bee fully exprest in writing . and i beleeve they are scarce agreed themselves touching all points of their intended discipline ; which you may perceive if you please to examine them severally , according to these or such other questions , as you shall think fit . therefore in the first place ( according to my duty ) i humbly present this advertisement to the consideration of your worship and your councell , to whom god hath committed the government of this place , and of all persons here , and of whom he will certainly require it , if such an evill as is threatned should befall through your neglect . for although the great antichrist and his clergy did prevaile to perswade christian princes and magistrates , that the government of the church and care of religion pertained not to them , but to the clergy , and the like , is now here preached amongst us : yet i verily trust , you entertain no such false principle . for , to establish true religion , to maintain it , and to see that the duties of religion be duly performed to god and man , is almost all that the law requireth , and so is almost ( if not all ) the duty of the christian magistrate . and this being taken from him , and put upon the clergy , he may serve as an officer to execute what the clergy shall decree , but ceaseth in a manner wholly to be a magistrate . thus commending you to the tuition and direction of almighty god. i rest march 6. 1642. your worships in all due observance , rich. norwood . an advertisement to such here as have care of the conservation of true religion . it is and ought to be the principall care of every good christian , to conserve the knowledge and exercise of true religion in himselfe and others , being the one thing necessary . but from this these times have much declined everywhere ; and even in our deare native countrey , so farre as called for a speedy reformation , or threatned ruine . and seeing little hope of the one , the latter was justly feared by many , and by my selfe ( i confesse ) amongst others , being the principall cause of my comming hither . but the lord hath mercifully stayed those feares , and given us fresh hopes by the reformation in so great a measure begun by the present parliament , which also they endeavour through many difficulties to accomplish more fully . and considering how worthily they have begun , and what great things they have effected above all expectation , we have no cause to mis-doubt them , nor to anticipate their honourable proceedings , but rather to attend what shall be determined by them ; especially considering that wee of this place , as wee have not beene much burthened , except by some ministers ; so now we are altogether unburthened of the ceremonies , and whatsoever else hath usually beene offensive to good christians in england . for if we should set up a new government or discipline and forme of religion here , wee must alter it againe when wee understand out of england what forme the parliament have or shall establish : some say no , our ministers are as supreame heads under christ of their severall churches here , and not subordinate in these things ecclesiasticall , to parliament or any other power upon earth whatsoever : but this opinion savors too much of antichristian pride and presumption . others say , the parliament will establish the same forme that our ministers will set up here ; but these conjectures doe much wrong that honourable assembly ; for if the matter were so easie and evident , that our ministers here can presently determine it ; then what need the parliament so long to debate and consider of it ? what need such consultation with the ablest divines in england , and many other from all parts ? and why hath there beene such difference of opinions touching this matter even amongst the most godly and learned in christendome for these 100 years together . i remaines therefore , that wee must change againe when we heare from thence , and considering what changes have beene made by some already , if we should now make another change in setting up a new discipline , and shortly after another when we heare out of england ; such mutability would neither be safe for this place , not suteable to the stedfastnesse of the church and people of god , which is the pillar and ground of truth , and must not be wavering , and carried about with every winde of doctrine &c. the apostle makes it a signe of a double minded man to be unstable in all his wayes : and in the epistle to the hebrewes ; be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines &c. and the prophet saith , why runnest thou about so much to change thy wayes ? it will be answered , we intend not to change , but to the better ; but withall remember , that such is alwayes the pretence , and oft-times the intent in all innovations whatsoever . therefore solomon saith , my sonne feare god and the king , and meddle not with them that are given to change . not but that even the best christians may al●er sometimes in some circumstances of religion ( some good and weighty causes requiring it ) but it must not be through levity , nor of an high minde , nor for selfe ends . a restlesse levity , and that with contempt of authority , under pretence of greater and new lights , is a dangerous signe of an anabaptisticall spirit . therefore i say , what we change , ought to be done with the feare of god and the king. in the feare of god , namely according to his word ; and with the feare of the king , that is , consenting with the lawes and soveraigne authority set over us ; or at least not with an high hand in contempt thereof ; for every soule must be subject to the higher powers ; yea saith chrysostome , though he be an apostle , though an evangelist , though a prophet . therefore i could wish ( as i have often perswaded ) that wee might stay for the determination of the parliament in these things , and likewise the approbation of the company in those that concern● them . but because some here are very impetuous , and a further change is daily preached and pressed amongst us , i have little hope to stop the violence of this streame . therefore to the intent we may understand and consider what to doe , and ( as the saying is ) look before we leap , i should in the next place desire , as many others doe , and as it concerns us all to desire of them , and of our ministers especially , that they would be pleased to set down in writing , whatsoever new thing in doctrine or discipline they would have us entertaine , different from the practice or tenents of the church of england ; that so each thing being well considered , examined , and adjudged by the word of god , we may entertaine or reject it accordingly . i know there are sundry objections alleadged and pretended , more then i need to repeat or answer here ; for howsoever it is true that we are to submit our selves to the word of god , i meane the holy scriptures in all things ; yet not so to men , especially when they seek themselves in stead of christ : no though they tell us , they are the mouth of god , and sit in moses chaire ; and therefore must be heard and obeyed ; and that the government of the church belongeth to them next under christ , and that even caiaphas , though a persecutor of christ . yet when he had the place of high-priest he prophesied the truth . and though they tell us we must not strive with the priest , nor reprove our r●prover ; and though they accuse us to have rejected and opposed more good ministers then any other like place professing christianity ( of which there is no shew of truth i know ) and that they which rebell against the ministers , cannot be under the government of christ , with many heavy threats against such : and though they threaten to leave us destitute of the word of god , if we make any resistance ; and though it be often alleadged , that we have rare and reverend ministers , endued with new light , and that so great , as the like hath scarce beene since the apostles times ; nay i have heard some , and those of note , preferre it before that of the apostles , at least in some things . and further , that all foure of our ministers concluded of a new discipline , and new courses of edification , whereof two being gone into england to agitate the businesse there with their friends , and in parliament : god hath sent another from providence almost miraculously , who was not of their counsell , and yet doth approve of all their proceedings , and as earnestly presse them as the rest . besides ( say they ) all the chiefe professours in the countrey are for the same ; yea the chiefe authority in the island , next the governour . so that all things thus concurring , shewes ( say they ) that there is an extraordinary hand of god in the effecting of it ; and therefore wee ought quietly to yeeld our selves to them , least wee resist even god himselfe . these ( i say ) and other the like arguments in this case , however they may prevaile much with some that have other foundation for their religion besides the scriptures ; yet to an understanding man they will easily appeare to be of small value , as would be more evident in answering them particularly , which i shall readily doe if it bee needfull . but having no purpose here to dispute , but rather to invite to a cessation from these occasions of strife and controversie , or at least wise to a due consideration of what we doe ; i shall only answer in generall . it is a saying of divines agreeable also to the experience of good christians , that satan never tempts more dangerously whether by himselfe or others , then when he doth most perswade us not to resist his temptations , but to yeeld our selves to them ; and even the lord himselfe doth sometimes prove his church and people , whether they will cleave unto him ( that is hold fast to his word ) or unto other lords , other lights , other spirits besides his , as deuter. 13. 3. and so the apostle foretelleth , there should be schismes , and heresies in the church , as , for there must be heresies even among you , that they which are approved amongst you might be knowne . and so , but there were false prophets also among the people , even as there shall be false teachers among you . therefore we must not take up our religion upon the credit of men , how great soever they may seeme to be , but examine things by the word of god , and see that it be firmly grounded there . to the law and to the testimony , if they speak not according to this word , it is because there is no light in them . therefore they must prove by the word of god ( not by outward signes and wonders ) the things they teach , and would have practised . and first let us know them fully , and with those noble bereans , search the scriptures , and examine them throughly before we entertaine them . they tell us daily of a greater light , whereby they discerne these things , and other great and glorious things that are working and already begun in the world within these three yeares , and will shortly be accomplished , even so great and so excellent a change in the world as may seeme to be a heaven upon earth ; the lord grant it , and hasten it ; but withall let us desire and expect these things with sobriety and watchfulnesse , lest whilst our eyes be taken up and dazzled with a present expectation of these high and glorious things , we see not the danger that is at our feet , but be caught in the snare before we be aware , remembring the words of our saviour in this case , when his disciples asked him saying , lord wilt thou at this time restore the kingdome to israel , he answered , it is not for you to know the times or the seasons , which the father hath put in his own power . i have read in some history of the west-indies , that about 100 yeares since or more , the iland vianis ( which some of our men are now gone to discover ) and all those ilands thereabout were inhabited by certain indians , which for ingenuity and feature surpassed many others ; these held the immortality of the soule , and thought that when it departed the body , it went to a kinde of purgatory , which they supposed to be the cold northern mountaines congealed with frost and snow ; where after it was sufficiently purged , it went from thence into countreys more southerly , and there abode for ever , enjoyning a thousand delights and pleasures . the spaniards having knowledge of this opinion of theirs , and wanting men to work in their gold mines , came thither with ships from hispaniola or cuba ( which are to the southward ) and making some goodly shew , told these silly indians that they were come from the southern parts , places of great felicity , where the soules of all their ancestors and friends departed were in all joy and happinesse ; and they were now come to transport them immediately thither , that they might never come at all into that purgatory in the northren parts : these simple people being dazelled with the conceit and imagination of these things , could not forethink their danger at hand , but came flocking to the spaniards in great numbers ; who when they saw their opportunity set saile , and carryed them thence to their gold mines , where they were soone consumed with grievous service and slavery . in like sort it concernes us not to be so much transported with any glorious pretences of some great temporall freedome and felicity at hand , as to be drawne in any sort from the church of england , especially as it is now reformed and in reforming , but to know fully of those that would draw us whither they would have us goe , and upon what grounds , that so we may search the scriptures , and throughly examine those grounds thereby . god hath delivered our nation ( as many others in christendom ) from under the bondage of the great antichrist , we have not prized this deliverance , nor made that use of this liberty , nor those many mercies and blessings accompanying it that we ought . and considering our great abuse of gods favours , and in particular the sinnes of this place in all sorts , magistrates , ministers and people , and especially the evident unsoundnesse of those that are professors here : it were just with god whilst we look for light to send us darknesse , and whilst we propose to our selves the speedy ruine of antichrist , great freedome and glorious times ( all which the lord can effect in his due time ) wee fall our selves into another servitude and bondage perhaps as grievous as the former , under petty antichrists . for if that grand antichrist come down ( as we have good hope ) and a company of clergy-men should arise ( whether ministers , or who else ) that should as it were divide his kingdome among them , by assuming every one to himselfe such a like power over his church , or the people committed to his charge as the grand antichrist usurped over the catholique church , and that as he did lure divino ( which they pretend ) surely they would become so many petty antichrists , and the church should be brought into servitude and thraldome as before . and indeed , as the errour to which the iewes were most inclined in generall , was to set up other gods , that is false gods , attributing something to them which was proper to the true god : so the errour to which christians in generall are most inclined , is to set up false christs ; that is antichrists of the clergy , attributing something to them that is peculiar to christ himselfe , or to his church , which is christ mysticall ; as was foretold by the apostles , and is evident by the experience of all ages since christ : and of which our saviour himself seems to give warning , when he saith ; for there shal arise false christs and false prophets , and shall shew great signes and wonders , so that if it were possible , they should deceive the very elect. and by such meanes , even the pope himselfe and all his clergy had their first rising , having the suffrages and helpe of some that seemed otherwise to be good christians . it behoves us therefore to be earnest with god in prayer , to walk more worthy of his grace , and the light of the gospel vouchsafed unto us , least he send us strong delusions ; to be sober minded and watchfull , remembring there will bee alwayes some antichrists , and that the church and people of god is never like to be free from persecution , affliction , and temptation in this world ; and that we shall never have such ministers , whom we may absolutely trust to for our religion ( as some here professe to doe . ) calvin in his preface to psychopannychia , hath those words , is this to learn christ , when a man shall apply his eare to any doctrines ; yea , though they bee true without the word of god ? if thou receive it as from man , wilt thou not as easily entertaine lies ? for what hath a man that is his own but vanity ? therefore we must alwayes have the loynes of our minds girded and our lamps burning , and stand upon our guard our selves : and so follow men ( even the apostles themselves ) as they follow christ . the apostle speaking of ministers saith , let 〈◊〉 man at his pleasure beare 〈◊〉 over you by humblenesse of mind● — advancing himselfe in those things which he never saw ( but are of his own devising ) rashly puft up with his fleshly minde . and in another place , believe not every spirit , but try the spirits whether they are of god : and for trying the spirits , we must follow the rule of our saviour , who saith , beware of false prophets which come to you in sheeps c●oathing , but inwardly they are ravening woolves , yee shall know them by their fruits , &c. and their fruits are their conversation and doctrine : but the conversation of themselves and their adherents , being a thing more personall , and so apt to stirre up offence ( which i would avoid so much as i may ) i forebeare to prosecute . their doctrine then we must examine by the rule of gods word ; which that we may the better doe being a matter that so much concerns us , we should desire as i have before said , we might have the particulars wherein they differ from the publike doctrine and practise of the church of england set down in writing . this if they be not able , or shall disdaine to doe , as not accounting us worthy for whom they should doe it , they must not be offended , nor complaine of us that we are opposers in this matter of the kingdome of christ , and will not be ruled by them in the course of their ministry ; for what discretion were it , to follow strangers we know not whither ? it s like they will say , they are no strangers , they have lived long here . but as we know one of them came by an accident very lately ; the other two though they have been long among us , yet they are in a manner strangers to us , for they are not the same men that formerly they were , having changed their opinions and practises in many things that we know , and it is like in many other things that we know not , and how farre they will proceed , and where they will make a stand wee know not , nor it may be they themselves . if they shall say ( as some pretend ) that the government and discipline which they would have us entertaine , is of it selfe evident by the word of god , to every one whose eyes are not blinded by the god of this world , & that they have declared it already in their sermons , especially in their weekly lectures , which it seemes they have instituted for that purpose : as hee that preached the third lecture seemed to intimate , when speaking of this intended church and discipline , he said , his first reverend brother had laid the foundation , his second reverend brother had shewed what must be the materials of this building , namely , such and onely such as could bring good testimony of their conversion and holy conversation : and he was now to shew the forme and order to bee observed in every particular church , and how each one was to be superiour or subordinate to others ( though he did not this at that time so farre as i understood . ) the same things or to the same purpose were againe repeated in the fourth lecture . but i say , all this notwithstanding , the things are of themselves obscure and doubtfull ; which doubts they have not taken away , but rather encreased . some of which doubts amongst many , i will here set down , not raised from speculations of things afarre off , and not like to trouble us , but such as arise from that which is frequently preached and pressed or practised amongst us . in which though i endeavour to understand things in the best sence , yet because they expresse not themselves plainely , i may mistake their meaning in some things , and therefore also doe the rather desire they would fully and plainly expresse their intent in writing : as one that am ready to joyn in whatsoever i understand , to tend truly and indeed to the advancement of the kingdome , and government iesus of christ , but would not be missed by the devices of men , under this or any other pretence whatsoever . 1. whether they meane to set ut vestries againe , for every tribe as formerly they have done , and so to govern the severall parts of their charge by severall ve●●ries of a douzen men in each vestry ▪ whereof the minister to be the chiefe ; and so to enquire , heare , and present offenders as heretofore ? 2. whether they meane to continue those weekly meetings which they call l●blolly feasts , whereof also the minister is the chiefe ; and what persons shall bee admitted to them , and upon what termes ? 3. whether they meane to continue that lordly or masterly practise of universall catechising all men and women weekly , begun here almost two yeares past , and pressed upon all with great vehemency ; and that all shall still be tied to answer according to that catechise of mr oxenbridges , called babes milke , or some other ? these three practises as they have been used here , being as i conceived their own inventions , and not grounded on the word of god , nor the examples of the primitive or other reformed churches , nor on the lawes of our land , but pressed upon us meerely by their own authority , i did in some sort oppose at their first comming up ; namely , by testifying both privately and publikely my dislike of them , and the reasons why : but especially the last more at large , whereunto i was moved by mr iohn oxenbridge , who took upon him to write a defence of this practise of universall catechising all men and women , and of true beleevers in speciall ; and to answer the objections which i had made against it . but what he hath performed , and how well beseeming his worth and reputation , i leave to the j●dgemnt of such as have or shall peruse my confutation of that his defence and answer , where i have put them together : touching these three practises , i should move sundry questions , but that it seemes they are all laid down of late , and as it is thought will not be taken up againe , therefore we shall passe them over , that we may come to those new things which they urge now . 4. whether this discipline and forme of religion , which they would set up , be the same in all points of moment with any other reformed church whatsoever , except perhaps in providence , where it had no such successe as should induce us to embrace it . if they say , yes , in new-england , we are very doubtfull of that , ( not knowing certainely what is practised there ) the rather for that some have endeavoured to establish universall catechising here upon that ground saying , it was generally used there , which appears not to be true : besides , if such a discipline be there , it is no leading example to us , partly because they have had no long experience of it , and partly because there may be much difference between the people there and here ; for if all magistrates , ministers and people were eminent in piety , we need not much care what government were used , no , though it were wholy arbitrary , for none would injure another ( and to this condition the churches in the apostles times seeme nearest to ●pproach . ) but here where it is farre otherwise , and in other places in generall , men must be wary what discipline and government they set up , presupposing it must come into evill mens hands as well as good , yea , and that more often . 5. whether this discipline be fully set down by any sound divine , and not rather framed by themselves , borrowing from severall churches , and severall divines , what will best serve their turne ? and whether our three ministers agree in all points touching the discipline they would have us embrace ? 6. what severall offices , and how many officers shall be in every church , and how subordinate one to another ? and whether the minister shall not be the chiefe of those officers , or as it were the supreme moderator or governour of them all , without whom nothing shall bee established , and also to have the principall hand in putting in and putting out these officers ? for so they seeme to intimate . 7. whether this minister and his officers will govern and censure the rest according to some lawes or in an arbitrary way ? and if in an arbitrary way , to whom shall they appeale if they have wrong ? and who shall question and judge the minister if he decline from the truth , or be a wicked liver ? and whether this bee not like to prove a very tyrannicall government if it come into evill hands , which must be presupposed ? 8. if they will govern and judge according to some lawes ; what be those lawes ? whether some already extant , or some others which they will frame , and who they be that shall frame these lawes ? and what shall be the severall penalties or censures for delinquents ? 9. what tryall ( in things of importance ) the party accused shall be allowed ? the common law of england ( to avoyd tyranny and injustice , to which the corrupted nature of man is much inclined , and even of clergy men as well as others ) allowes a tryall by 12 indifferent men , which are honest and free men , of good ranke , having no dependance , nor are in feare of the iudge , nor beare no ill will to the party accused , but such as are like to deale impartially , and that upon oath . whether he shall have that or some other so faire a tryall ? 10. what things they be which they will undertake to judge of ? and whether any thing shall bee wholy reserved to the judgement of the civill magistrate ? or whether the party offending , or the matter in controversie , shall be punished or judged of both , namely , by the civill magistrate , and also by th●se ecclesiasticall iudges ? 11. if they say they will judge only of ecclesiasticall matters , what are those matters ecclesiasticall , and how exempted from the jurisdiction and authority of the christian magistrate ? for the pope and bishop obtained of kings that sundry things might bee called ecclesiasticall , and so belong to their spirituall courts ( as they call them ) which are no more ecclesiasticall then other matters which belong not to them . 12 whether these ministers and other officers shall be judged by the christian magistrate in all things as other men ? or how farre forth they shall bee under his jurisdiction and authority , and how farre forth exempted ? 13 from what places of scripture is such a form of government deduced , justified , or allowed ? 14 who shall be the other members constituting these intended churches , and who shall be excluded from them ? to this all or some of them at least seem to answer expresly , that they shall consist only of such as are truly regenerate , and can bring sufficient testimony of their conversion and holy conversation ; and all others shall be excluded as heathens , cananites , publicans , &c. 15 and seeing they have said sometimes , and will , i suppose , grant , that not one fourth part , nor it may be , one tenth part of the people here or in england , are able to bring such sufficient testimony of their true conversion and holy conversation , and thereupon shall be excluded christian society , and reputed as aforesaid , whether this will not breed a most dangerous division between church and common wealth , threatning the ruine of both ? 16. i suppose they cannot but be sensible in part , and foresee the desperate issues of such a separation ; and therfore it would in the next place be known , whether they intend not to salve it by some politick course , contrary to these principles , and what good policy can be used to this purpose ? for mine own part , i can think of none ; for either they must frame religion to the people as the popes and romish clergy did heretofore , making it suteable to the dispositions of most men ; or else ( which is more usuall ) feign a people to religion ; admitting and accounting whom they lift through partiality , favour , and sinister respects , to be truly religious , though they be not , and so receiving them into the church as true converts , though they can bring no good testimony of their conversion and conversation . this policy ( i confesse ) may have faire pretences , and would advance them highly above all men ; as they which opening , no man can shut ; and shutting , no man can open ; this would set them a● gods in the temple of god , the church , and bring them in infinite gaines . but it would set up many antichrists , as busie , violent , and rigorous within the small spheare of their activity , as the great antichrist hath been in his : it would turne religion into policy , making it serve for humane purposes . the faith of our glorious lord jesus christ should be had in respect of persons ; it would prove a tyrannicall usurpation over the true church , as the popish policy hath done ; for which , as for sundry other reasons that might be alleadged ( if it were not palpably wicked ) it ought not to be suffered . 17. whether there be any place of scripture to justifie such a separation as is afore mentioned ? they say , yes ; because john the baptist said to the scribes and pharisees , o generation of vipers , who hath forewarned you to fire from the wrath to come ? therefore a minister may keep out of the church such as cannot bring testimony of their true conversion and holy conversation ; this and other like reasons they alleadge , which are so insufficient , that they need no answer , especially having no purpose , as i have said , to dispute here . but a matter of so great consequence ought to be clearly and foundly proved ; which doubtlesse they can never doe . 18. what times they were wherein the church did thus separate from it selfe all that could not bring sufficient testimony of their conversion and holy conversation ? because they say , in former times it was the usuall practice of the church , but shew not in what times , nor where , nor for what causes . there is no doubt but those that live or fall into grosse or manifest sins , may be separated or excluded ; also in times of persecution they would no doubt be very wary what strangers they did admit into the church ; but that 's not the thing in question . 19. many other doubts in this matter they leave untouched or uncleared ; as 1. whether infants shall be received into the church by baptism before they can bring this testimony ? 2. whether those that have been baptized without such testimon● , have been rightly entred into the church , or shall need to be baptized againe ? such a rumour there is spread , upon what occasion i know not . 3. what manner of testimony this must be ? 4. who must give it , and whether a man 's own testimony may not serve in this case , and when ? &c. these and many other like should be cleared , which we passe over . 20. whether they meane , that any man may of himselfe excommunicate another , when they say frequently , a man may , or i would passe a private excommunication against such or such a man ? 21. what they meane to alter in the administration of the sacraments ? i heare there is much variety of late . the last child which i saw baptized , the minister required the father to say his creed , which done , the minister made an exposition of it , making some doubt also of some part of it , and then asked the father if he would have his child baptized into that faith , who answering , yea , it was baptized ; and thus i heare he useth of late to baptize others . now it would be knowne , why it may not serve the turne for the father to testifie his assent to the articles of the creed &c. as heretofore hath been used ? 2. whether the child and parent also may not be very uncertaine of the faith into which the child was baptized ▪ seeing the ministers exposition is not recorded ? 3. whether they have the same opinion of the creed that they seeme to have of the scriptures , that it may not bee publikely read or repeated unlesse it be also expounded by a minister , and why ? 4. whether this tying of the baptism to the ministers exposition , may not serve as a fit opportunity for hereticks ( not yet discovered ) to baptize children into their heresie ? 22. whether the scriptures be not the word of god , able to make a man wise unto salvation , except only then , when they are pronounced and expounded by a minister ? and whether the places of scripture that we ( which are no ministers ) alledge in any case , be not also the word of god , as true and of as much sorce as if they were pronounced by a minister ? 23. whether the writings of eminent and approved divines may not be read in the church , when there is no sermon ? nay whether they may not prove more profitable then the sermons of some schismaticall or other unworthy ministers ? 24 whether our english common prayer ( having never yet been called in ) may not be read in the church , such things being altered or left out as have bin doubtfull or offensive to good christians ? or whether it is so faulty that it may not bee used at all ? because they will not suffer it to bee read at all where they preach ; and as i heare , intend to abolish the reading of it quite . 25 whether they will permit any other book of common prayer used in any other reformed church , or some other that may be framed , or that no set form at all may be used but such prayers only as the minister doth then conceive , nor any thing read , no not out of the scriptures , but what the minister doth then expound ? 26 how long it is they mean when they say a few dayes , that they would have men that would be converted or receive a further degree of grace to exercise themselves in humiliation , before they shall partake of those enlightnings and comforts they speak of ? and after what manner this is to be done , and from what ground of scripture ? 27 what covenant it is which they perswade so much all the members of this church to enter into at their admittance ( and which as is thought is already begunne ) whereby they must bee bound one to another ? and how farre forth they must assist and defend one another ? what are the particular parts and circumstances of this covenant , and how it shall be confirmed , whether by subscription or by some solemn vow ? 28 whether he which hath entred this covenant , shall still remayn as hee was , a true member of the church and common wealth of england , or be of some other reformed church , or of some separate & independent church ? 29 we grant there is often mention in scriptures of a covenant betwixt god and the people , &c. but whether there may be any warrant in scripture for such a covenant between all the members of this church , as they would have ? they alleadge for it these words , and when paul was come to jerusalem , h● assayed to joyn himself with the disciples : where say some , the word joyn that is in the originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifies a joyning by covenant ; but i finde no such thing in my lexicon . i finde the like word used where it is said , then the spirit said unto phillip , go near and joyn thy self to yonder chariot ; where , by joyning is meant no covenant . other places they alleadge , but we would see some to the purpose if they have any . 30 whether it bee not injurious to the honourable assembly of parliament , to pretend such innovations or changes to be according to their minde , which they have never authorized , nor declared themselves to have any purpose to authorize or allow ? many other doubts i have omitted , but by these which i have noted , is may sufficiently appeare , that though they have long preached of these matters , yet many things remaine very uncertaine . and if they would take the paines to set downe in writing , as aforesaid , all parts of their intended discipline and government , it would be very profitable to themselves ; for it would give them occasion more throughly to consider it , and more wisely to order it . is there cause then that they should bee so incensed against those that make question of these things in a moderate and christian way ? or whom they feare will oppose any of them , as to threaten them with the judgments of this life , and of the life to come ; yea , to assigne them the lowest places in hell , as if themselves were well acquainted , and had such power in disposing places there , as the pope pretends to have in purgatory ? surely we learne in our first entrance into learning , qui dubitat , qui saepe rogat , mea dicta tenebit ; is qui nil dubitat , nil capit inde boni . is it just or reasonable they should accuse , censure , and defame such an one publikely in the pulpit , where the party accused cannot , without offending the congregation , and the lawes , answer for himselfe , though he be innocent ? surely in all equity the accusation , especially of one that is innocent , ought not to be more publike then his defence or answer is permitted to be . is it suteable to christian charity to use heavy imprecations or cursings against such , and when the hand of god is upon such a man in any affliction , as sicknesse losses , death , or the like ; to set him out in the congregation by evident and well known circumstances , as an adversary to god , and as one whom god was now smiting to destruction for his opposition and obstinacy against the kingdom and government of christ ( as they call this their intended discipline . ) doubtlesse it behoves ministers to have some feare of god , and respect of man , and to lay aside these carnall weapons , whereby they would affright and terrifie us , that wee should not dare to quitch nor make the least resistance , whilst in the meane time they set up themselves as lords over us in their intended discipline , calling it the kingdom and govenment of christ ; but if they would indeed set up the kingdome of christ , let them take the sword of the spirit , which is the word of god , and make good what they deliver , by that . and for us ( as many i meane as have care of the preservation of true religion ) let us hold fast to the word of god , and not be discouraged ; nor let that goe , though they upbraid us in a scoffing manner , saying , come you scripturian● , you scripture-men that must have scripture for what you will doe ; come , i will give you scripture enough to overthrow your religion , turne to ezekiel &c. these and many other such speeches , what else doe they rellish but of a spirit of the old antichrist , which being now more discovered and expelled from his former habitation , walks about through dry places , seeking himselfe an habitation in some other persons and places , where in a new disguise he may practise his wonted malice undiscovered . let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith christ ha●h made us free , and not be drawne from the church of england , which we know , to joyne our selves with any new separate and independent church which we know not ; although we heare many contumelious and reproachfull speeches uttered against the church of england . they ought to be better affected , and to give that honour which is due , as they which have sucked her breasts , and received as their naturall , so their spirituall birth there , if ever they were new born . we ought to acknowledge , with thanksgiving the aboundant grace and mercy of god towards the church of england ; who hath made it no lesse honourable then any other reformed church whatsoever , whether we consider the first reformers , being men of fingular piety , and blessed martyrs of christ ; or the purity of doctrine there publikely professed even to this present . or the number of holy martyrs , who have advisedly sealed that doctrine with their blood : or the eminent lights in the ministry successively shining there in great number : or the many and sincere professors and practisers of religon there , ever since the reformation ; or lastly , if we consider the many great deliverances which the lord hath vouchsafed us , from the wicked plots and hostile attempts of the common adversary , crowning all with much prosperity , and causing the fame and glory of it to be spread throughout the world . these and the like have not been seene in their separate and independent churches . in the meane time , we deny not , but that besides our many other grievous sinnes , there have beene also many grosse faults and intollerable in the ecclesiasticall policy and discipline , as it was abused by those that were intrusted with it , and many foule effects have thence proceeded , which have ( especially of late yeares ) corrupted religion , eclipsed our glory , and laid it in the dust , caused the lord to hide his gracious and loving countenance from us : and was like to have proved the remedilesse ruine of church and common-wealth : of which sinnes though wee all stand guilty before god , as having been authors or procurers of them ; yet it becomes not any , that is , or lately was a member of that church , to upbraid her with these things in a despightfull manner : such men according to that saying of the apostle , are jealous over us amisse , yea , they would ( alienate our affections , and ) exclude us ( from the church of england ) that we should altogether love them . but these corruptions as they have beene for the most part forced upon the church , by the usurped power of those which were intrusted , and pretended the greatest care of the church ; so they have been , and wee trust will bee cast out and reformed by the present parliament . now i would not be mistaken , as if i desired to derogate any thing from the dignity of that most eminent calling of the ministry ; i have no such meaning , neither doe i think a worthy minister to be unworthy or unfit for other the most eminent offices or callings in church or common-wealth , were it not that he hath a most eminent calling already sufficient to take up the whole man , and unmeet to be yoaked with other callings , as the apostle saith , who is sufficient for these things ; and the apostles doe reject such employments with a kinde of contempt saying , it is not meat that we should leave the word of god to serve tables , and a little after , we will give our selves continually to prayer , and to the ministry of the word , intimating that these things would hinder them from prayer and the ministry of the word ; whereby it appeares , they would not be deacons , nor take upon them any other office in or over the church , but spend themselves wholly in the word and prayer ; the like might be manifested by sundry other scriptures . and the evill of it hath beene so generally observed in england , that ( as i heard ) queene elizabeth , when she had conferred upon a minister authority and power to rule , was wont to say , i have spoyled a good preacher to day . and surely ( if we observe it ) the desire of superiority and dominion in or over the church , in ministers and clergy men , and the readinesse of princes and people to conferre it upon them ; hath been a principall , if not the principall cause in corrupting religion from time to time , and of setting up the great antichrist , and many others , as might easily be shewed if it were not an argument too long for this place . thus farre ( through the gracious assistance of god ) i have expressed my minde in this matter , to the intent i might stop , so much as in me lies , the setting up of a new discipline and government of our owne framing , seeing we are already freed of all those things that have usually beene burthensome and offensive to good christians in england ; and that we expect daily the further determination and decree of the honourable assembly of parliament in these things , or if i cannot prevaile so farre as to stop it , yet that wee might look before we leap , and understand well what we doe before we doe it . or if neither that may be obtained , yet hence it will appeare , that my selfe and some others deserve no blame , much lesse such evill speeches as are usually vented against us by some , because we will not rashly runne with them we know not whether . and lastly , i desire that this may be a publike testimony of my judgement in these things . for to be present , and heare them daily pressed , and to bee alwayes silent , is taken for a signe of consent and approbation . march 1. 1642. rich. norwood . postscript . since this advertisement of mine came abroad ( though but a month , ) what horrible forespeakings , threatnings , imprecations , and censures have beene publikely denounced against me in severall parts of the countrey , i shall not need to repeat , being too well knowne . neither will i answer them accordingly lest i also be like them ; i will only in the feare of god , and by the comfortable assistance of his holy spirit apply that saying , how should they curse where god hath not cursed ? or how should they detest where the lord hath not detested ? and those words of david , it may be that the lord will look on mine affliction , and doe me good for his cursing this day . a desperate thing it is for men to blaspheme against some good light ; and what is it , to acknowledge the good gifts and graces of god in those which they so bitterly preach against ; and to overwhelm them all with most foule and feigned susspicions and aspersions without cause ? as when they say , satan will not use profane and wicked men , but he makes choise of those that are of good and able parts , men of a religious life , of a blamelesse conversation ; these close hypocrites he makes his instruments to oppose the kingdom of christ ( that is their intended discipline ) &c. with other like speeches . i say it is very dangerous for men thus to give way to wrath and malice . the scribes and pharisces did see , and would no doubt have acknowledged the eminent gifts and graces that shined in our saviour , if he would have applied them to the establishing of their faction . but because he would not doe so , they maliciously traduced him , and said he had an uncleane spirit ; but he reproves their desperate wickednesse , shewing how nearly they did approach , or became guilty of the sinne against the holy ghost . and let every man take heed how they doe cunningly fasten slanders , or otherwise shew despight unto the spirit of grace , because it will not be subordinate unto their ends . i could wish also they would consider the words of marsilius patavinus , in his book entituled , defender of the peace , where speaking of those that presume to frame or presse orders , decrees , and other parts of discipline , without license of the true law-giver or prince , and endeavour to draw people to the observation of them by surreptitious words , as it were compelling them by threatning eternall damnation to such as transgresse them , or denouncing execrations , reproachfull speeches , excommunications , slanders , revilings , or other maledictions against them , or any of them , in word or writing ; such ( saith he ) are to suffer corporall punishment in a most high degree , as conspirators , and stirrers up of civill schisme , or division in a common-wealth . for it is saith he , a most grievous kinde of treason , because it is committed directly against the royall majesty of the prince and his soveraigne authority ; and tendeth to set up a plurality of supreame authorities or powers , and so of necessity to the dissolution or overthrow of every civill government . they object also , that i am but a lay-man , and therefore should not meddle with matters of divinity , applying that proverb ne sutor ultra crepidam , and saying , that even the sunne , moone , and starres , wherein he hath skill , should teach him that lesson , which alwayes move in their owne spheares , except they be wandring starres , for whom the blacknesse of darknesse is reserved for ever , with many other bitter expressions . but this is an old plea of the popish clergy , to hold the people in ignorance and thraldome , and should not be taken up by those that would seeme to be more opposite to popery then protestants are . that eminent and blessed divine doctor sibbes was of another minde , who speaking in commendation of mr sherland ( that was no preacher ) disdaines not to say he had good skill in controverted points of divinity , and that he was a good divine . and surely the calling of a christian is of that importance , that he must , if need so require , omit whatsoever calling he have besides , to make good that one most necessary , neither can he justly be charged to move out of his spheare whensoever he meddles with matters of christianity and religion , especially such points as he is pressed to embrace and submit unto . the apostle exhorts us all , that wee should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints . and i may fitly answer them in the words of that renouned souldier of christ doctor bastwick who being checked by the bishop of canterbury in like sort as i am by these , that he being a physitian , a lay-man , should presume to write of some points in divinity , answers in latine , to this purpose in english . i writ a book ( saith he ) not to finde my selfe employment or to stirre up strife , but of a christian minde and affection , according to my duty to god and my prince . the reproach of a lay-man toucheth not me , for he which hath vowed himselfe to christ is one of gods clergy . the ancient church doth not acknowledge that surname of a lay-man , but reckons it among the soloecismes of the beast . we have given , promised , and vowed unto christ in baptisme our name and faith ; and have solemnly denounced battell against the flesh , the world , the devill , herefie &c. against which wee must fight unlesse wee put off the reverence and respect of our vow . how unseasonable is it then to ask by what authority we fight against these ? ( and a little after ) shall that be a fault in me , which is a praise to divines ? they exercise physick , grazing , merchantdize , they husband their grounds , plant , gather in their fruits , they all may doe all things , i envy not ; yet i wonder we should be so streightned , whilst they have such liberty . but if some blunt fellow should ask a divine , hear'st thou good man , what hast thou to doe with the court , with privy councell , with seats of judgement ? what hast thou to doe with renting lands , with planting vineyards , with breeding cattell , with money the provocation of all evills ? would he not check such a bold question with some sharp answer ? yes doubtlesse he would . what then should we doe when we are asked , what wee have to doe with god , with christ , with religion , with the truth ? we will laugh to scorne such envious questions , and performe with diligence what god calls us to . wee will endeavour with all chearfulnesse the defence of the truth , the conservation of religion ▪ the observation of our fidelity and allegiance to that soveraigne authority which is over us ; rendring an account of our endeavours to him , to whom wee have vowed our selves &c. he that desires to see his defence more at large , may peruse his apology to the english prelates . now i beseeth you brethren , mark them diligently which cause division and offences contrary to the doctrine which yee have learned , and avoid them . 18. for they that are such serve not the lord iesus christ , but their own● bellies ; and with faire speech and flattering , deceive the hearts of the simple . march 30. 1643. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a91187-e540 a psal . 73. 9. b exod , 22. 28. acts 23. 5. c 2 pet. 2. 10. d 2 thes . 2. 4. e 2 pet. 2. 11. rom. 13. f mar. 15. 7. g jer. 4. 19. k martins eccho . p. 5. 6. the nativity of sir iohn presbyter , p. 5. 9. 10. 1● . note . n 1 cor. 14. 34. 35. 1 tim. 2. 11 , 12. * which they used in new port pa●●ell , ( contrary to the governours command . a sl●idan , com. l. 5. 10. gastius , de anabaptist : erroribus . bullinger advers . anabaptist . guil. de bres c●ntr . les anabap●●stes . d. featlies dippers dipt , p. 199. 200 , &c the history of the anabaptists . object . answ . * psal . 56. 4. isa . 7. 4. jer. ● . ● . 17 ▪ * see 31. h. 6. c. 1. * psal . 56. 4. notes for div a91187-e2770 gen. 3. 1 , 2 , 12. 1 tim. 2. 14. jude 23. james 2. * pray god you prove so . 1. libellous seditious passages against the ordinances in regulating printing . b neither i nor the black-coats , but the parliament , were the sole authors of these ordinances . * and therefore you who have abused your pen , as much as any man. c you would say illaffected , as your libels against their power , ordinances , and proceedings evidence d so it is in an orderly & regular , though not in a libellous & seditious way . e liberty to print libels , standers , invectives against parliamentary proceedings , is not the subjects liberty or priviledge but his claim and shame . f your libels , carriages proclaim them such . g impious , & seditious , if you will not pious . h rather a diab●licall libell against it . i not to print modest and sober trea●ies , but seditious libels , 〈◊〉 , blasphemy . k it was a parliamentary ordinance of both houses not made by presbiterians . l it seems th●● libeller denies the soules immortality , and writes as it there were no heaven nor hell . libellous , seditious passages against the ordinance for tythes . n they were long before popery ; and being the ministers maintainance warranted not only by the law of nature , of nations , and the old testament , but by the new too , 1 cor. 9. 7. to 16. o if you add , by vertue & in 〈◊〉 of the leviticall law to leviticall priests , your argument , might have some weight , but if by vertue of the fore-cited gospel texts , the law of the land & common equity to ministers of the gospel ( as now tyths are 〈◊〉 ) your 〈…〉 nonsense luke 10. 7. 1 tim. 5. 17 , 〈◊〉 . g●l . 6. 6. 〈…〉 . he should say 〈…〉 . p 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 pet. 2. 10. 〈◊〉 13. 2 , 3. r james 3. 6. 〈…〉 . note . a most independ●nt false calumny . s a grosse scandall , they never de●●red , but to be moderately taxed in equa●ity with others : 〈…〉 their . 〈…〉 . 〈…〉 . t a very modest christian phrase . psal . 58. 〈…〉 well 〈…〉 kingdom 〈…〉 . x 〈…〉 . y 〈…〉 * and is it not much more so in independ . churches , where the minister in truth like a pope rules all the rest at his pleasure ? will admit none but those of his own faction . note note . note . note . note . note . note . master henry burton his vindication of the churches commonly called independent , p. 56. 62 , 63. note . note . such were fit to make independant members . note note note note 2 tim. 3. 7. * gal. 5. 2● . note . note . note . * you mean and conclude ; erge , you must not obey them in pulling down popery , and setting up a presbyteri●ll government againstus now . * not so , but only in things simply civill , and directly against gods word . we must not obey them in things against gods word , but must obey them in all things not repugnant to it , is no contradiction . * no but when god commands us not to obey . * note , the parliament must have no more power then independents give , or mean to give them . * where any such are imposed on them by the parliament , they may passively disobey , not seditiously oppose ; but this is not our present case , but the quite contrary . * a presumptu●us censure of the vow and covenant , and parliaments pressing of it . * you devil-like omit out of the vow and covenant , according to gods word , &c. * a seditious quere to stir up the people against the parliament , and reseinds their acts. * glanvil . l. 14. p. 170. * you should rather say furious sectaries and anabaptistical independents . * your independent conventicles , admit of no appeal , and so are meerly arbitrary and tyrannicall * they may infall●bly expect it from your independent churches who claim by their own private usurped power , authority to exclude all from the sacraments , & their children from baptisme , and imprison all such who submit not to , or oppose their government upon just grounds of piety and policy . * your independent churches power , is such who admit of no appeal or superiour judicature , which presbyterians plead for . * against independents proceedings , admitting no appeals . * doth not your neck deserve to be broken at tiburn , for such seditious incitations to rebellion & mutiny against the parliament ? a loud lye . * why not the independents rather , who are guiltiest of the two , and boast so much of their number in the army , and good service in the wars . * a most false , seditious slander , the contrary being true , that presbyterian ministers pay greater taxes , according to their prop●rtion , then any other men , though many independents scape scotfree . * why may not presbyterians as justly exact tythes for their pains and maintenance , being due by law , as independent ministers both tythes and contributions too , independent officers , souldiers , pay ? * when all ministers are destroyed on both sides , independents lay-preachers , and sectaries will embrace peace , not before , b some think most money sticks in independents singers , who have beene most active in singering and disposing moneyes , of which some of them give very poore accounts . c some thinke independents have born two to one for the presbyterians considering their number . d it s such libellous firebrands as you that doe it . e a grosse scandall to the parliament , tending to mutiny . f this indeed is true of your independents wives , who marry ladyes and rich widdowes who go thus attyred . * this is true of your independent conventicles . * a most sedi 〈…〉 flander . * 2 thes . 3. 2. * acts 16. 30. 31 , 32 , 33. acts 8. 12. 36 , 37. 38. 39. acts 18. 8. neither of which texts warrant your practice of re-baptization of christians formerly baptized by others . * the dippe●s dip● . p. 204 ▪ &c. notes for div a91187-e19500 * this is the independents liberty of conscience where they have power in their hands . note * is this the liberty of conscience independents plead so much for ? let their own law there bee their iudge here . independents liberty and charity to their brethren . not note note their insolency against the power of parliaments . note note * a new independent king and pope . * independents true anabaptists . note this schismaticall practise . note . * this is the lordly anabaptisticall li●erty of conscience that independents grant to their orthodox brethren . * why should not independents hav● the like liberty of conscience as they grant their opposites ? note the manner of ga●hering independent churches and ordi●ation of their ministers . such are fit members for lawlesse independent churches . note this confederacy . * is this liberty of conscience or rather tyrannizing over mens consciences ? † this is independents charity and humility . note note independen●s atrogance and spirituall pride * independents blinde obedience as bad or worse then popish . * independents formerly as episcopall and ceremonious as presbyters . † spirituall pride if not papall . notes for div a91187-e21030 〈…〉 . 〈…〉 . prov. ● . 21. rom. 13. 1. note objections o arrogance● answer 1 cor. 11. 19. 2 pet. 2. 1● act. 1. ● . act. ● . 7. matth. 24. 24. 2 thes . 2. 11. luk. 12. 35. cor. 11. 1. col. 2. 1● . ioh. 4. 1. mat. 7. ●6 . a man would think that seeing there are twelve lay-men ( a● they term them ) to one cleargy-man , be could not retaine his power ●ver them , but experience shewes the contrary , that if he be an active politition that hath authority on his side , and can make use of a popists princiciple which is in most men by nature , he may rule them almost as he list . iam , 〈◊〉 . ● tim. 3 , 15. acts 9. 26. acts 8. 29. 〈◊〉 6. 17. gal. 5. 1. gal. 4. 17. 2 cor. 2. 16. act. 6. 24 notes for div a91187-e23120 numb . 23. 1. 2 sam. 16. 12. rom. 16. 17. a true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america to wit, of virginia, new-england, bermudus, barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of virginia, and new-england, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, 1599-1682. 1670 approx. 374 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 64 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-12 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a33345 wing c4558 estc r17743 11935895 ocm 11935895 51178 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a33345) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 51178) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 864:24) a true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america to wit, of virginia, new-england, bermudus, barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of virginia, and new-england, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, 1599-1682. 85 [i.e.91], [1], 35 p. printed for robert clavel, thomas passenger, william cadman, william whitwood, thomas sawbridge, and william birch, london : 1670. reproduction of original in william l. clements library. "examples of the wonderful works of god in the creatures": 35 p. at end. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng america -description and travel. virginia -description and travel. bermuda islands -description and travel. new england -description and travel. barbados -description and travel. 2005-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-03 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-04 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2005-04 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a true , and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america . to wit , of virginia . new-england . bermvdvs . barbados . with the temperature of the air : the nature of the soil : the rivers , mountains , beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. as also , of the natives of virginia , and new-england , their religion , customs , fishing , huntings , &c. collected by samuel clarke , sometimes pastor in saint bennet-fink , london . london , printed for robert clavel , thomas passenger , william cadman , william whitwood , thomas sawbridge , and william birch . 1670. the description of virginia , and the plantation of the english . the temperature of the air ; the nature of the soile , the rivers , mountains , beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. as also of the natives , their religion , customs , fishings , huntings , treachery , &c. anno christi , 1584. sr. walter rawleigh obtained of queen elizabeth of glorious memory , a patent for discovering , and peopling of unknown countries , not actually possessed by any christian prince , dated march 25. and in the 26th . year of her reign : in prosecution whereof april 27th . he set forth two barks under the command of mr. philip amadas , and mr. arther barlow , which arrived on that part of america , which that virgin queen named virginia : and thereof in her majesties name there took possession july 13. and having taken a view of , and liking the country ; and having had conference , and some trading with the savages , observing about fourteen sorts of sweet smelling timber trees , and many other commodities ; bringing with them two of the savages , they returned home in september following . anno christi , 1585. sr. richard greenvile was sent by sr. walter rawleigh with a fleet of seven sail , which landed in the isle of st. john de porto rico. may 12. and there fortified themselves , and built a pinace . the spaniards promised to furnish them with victuals , but did not : whereupon , they took two spanish frigots . in hispaniola they had friendly greetings , and some trade with the spaniards ; from whence they came to an anchor at wokocon , whereby the unskilfullness of the master , their admiral strook on ground and sunk : july 25. they returned for england , and by the way they took a spanish ship of three hundred tun , richly laden . in virginia they left a colony under the goverment of mr. ralph lane and others , besides an hundred men . the governour wrote from his new fort in virginia , that if they had kine , and horses in a reasonable proportion , no country in christendom was to be compared to it . they discovered from roanoack to the chesipians above one hundred and thirty miles , and to chawanock north-west , as far . in the beginning of june 1586. the natives conspired against the english , for which , the chiefest of them lost his head : and sr. francis drake coming thither after he had sacked diverse of the spanish towns , took the colony with 〈◊〉 his victorious fleet , and brought them into england . the same year sr. walter rawleigh 〈◊〉 sent a ship of an hundred tun with provisions for the colony , which arrived at hatorask presently after they were come away wherefore having sought them in vain , she returned with her provisions 〈◊〉 england : about a fortnight after her departure , sr. kichard greenvile , general of virginia , with three ships arrived there , and neither hearing of the ship , nor the colony which he had left there the year before ; after long search in vain , he left fifteen men to keep possession of the country in the isle of roanoack , furnished for two years , and so returned , by the way spoiling some towns of the azores , and taking diverse spaniards . anno christi , 1587. sr. walter rawleigh ( notwithstanding former discouragements ) sent another colony of one hundred and fifty persons under the government of mr. john white , with twelve assistants , to which he gave a charter , and incorporated them by the name of governors and assistance of the city of rawleigh in virginia . these arrived july 22. at hatorask , where they went ashore to seek the fifteen men left there the year before , intending to plant at chesopiok : but they were informed by a native called manteo , that the savages had secretly slain some of them , and the other were fled they knew not whither . this manteo was afterwards baptized , and by sr. walter rawleigh was made lieutenant of roanock . here also mrs. dare the governours daughter was delivered of a daughter , that was baptized by the name of virginia . aug. the 27. they departed and returned into england . the commodities that are in virginia . oak of an excellent grain ; straight , tall , and long , elme , beech , birch , very tall and great , of whose bark the natives make their canows ; nut-hasil , hasil , alder , cherry-tree , maple , eive , spruce , aspe , fir in great abundance and many other fruits , trees which the english knew not . from the firrs issues much turpentine , and tar , and pitch . eagles , hearn , shaws , cranes , large ducks and mallard , geese , swans , wigeon , sharks , crows , ravens , kites , sea-mews , pidgeons , turtle-doves , turkies , and many other fowles and birds unknown ; hawks of diverse kinds . deer red and follow , bears , wolves , beavers , otters , hares , conies , martens , sables , hogs , porcupins , polecats , cats wild and great , dogs , whereof some like foxes , elks , and some lyons , squirrils of three sorts , some flying squirils , hares , &c. whales , porpoises , seales , cod very large , haddocks , herring , plaise , thornback , rack-fish , lobsters , crabs , mussels , wilks , cony-fish , lump-fish , whitings , salmonds in great plenty . tobacco , vines , strawberries , rasberries , goosberries , hartleberries , corants , roses , pease , angellica , ground-nuts . the wood that is most common is oak , and walnut , many of their oak are so tall and strait , that they will bear thirty inches square of good timber for twenty yards long : there are two or three several kinds of them : there are , also two or three kinds of walnuts , there are cyprus trees , some of which are neer three fathom about the root , very strait and fifty , sixty , yea eighty foot without a branch . there are also some mulberry trees , and chesnut trees , whose fruit equalizeth the best in france , or italy ; they have plums of three sorts , cherries , vines , gassafras trees . virginia lies in the latitude of 43. degrees and 20. minutes , north. anno christ , 1606. king james ( of happy memory ) granted a pattent to sundry persons to plant along the coast of virginia , where they pleased between 34. degrees and 45. of northerly latitude , in the main land , and the islands thereunto adjoyning within a hundred miles of the coast thereof . in pursuance whereof , there were some ships sent the same year to begin a plantation in the more southerly part of virginia . virginia is a country in america that lies between the degrees of 34. and 44. of north latitude . on the east it s bounded with the grear ocean . on the south with florida . on the north with nova francia . but for the west the limits are unknown . the plantation which was begun in the year 1606. was under the degree of 37. 38. and 39. where the tempreture of the air , after they were well seasoned , agreed well with the constitutions of the english. they sound the summer as hot as in spain : the winter as cold as in france or england : the heat of summer is in june , july , and august , but commonly a cool briefs asswages the vehemency of the heat : the chiefest winter is in half december , january , february , and half march. the winds are variable , which yet purifie the air , as doth the thunder and lightning , which sometimes is very terrible . sometimes there are great droughts , and othersometimes great raines , yet the european fruits planted there prospered well . there is but one entrance by sea into the country , and that is at the mouth of a very goodly bay , which is about eighteen or twenty miles wide . the cape of the south side is called cape henry : the land there is white sand , and along the shore are great plenty of pines , and firrs the north cape is called cape-charles : the isles before it are called smiths isles . the country is full of large and pleasant navigable rivers . in it are mountains , hills , plains , valleys , rivers , and brooks ; this bay lieth north and south , in which the water flowes near two hundred miles , and hath a channel for one hundred and forty miles , of depth between seven and fifteen fathom : the breadth makes ten or fourteen miles . northward from the bay the land is mountanous , from which fall some brooks , which after make five navigable rivers : the entrance of these rivers into the bay being within twenty or fifteen miles one of another . the mountains are of divers natures , some of stone for millstones , some of marble , &c. and many pieces of chrystal are brought down from them by the raines . the soil generally is lusty and rich , being generally of a black sandy mould : in some places a fat slimy clay : in other places gravel . the countrey generally hath such pleasant plain hills , and fertile valleys , one prettily crossing another , and watered so conveniently with sweet brooks , and chrystal streams as if artists had devised them . by the rivers are many marshes , some of 20 , 30 , 100. yea 200 acres , some more , some less . on the west side of the bay , and neerest to its mouth , is the river called powhatan , according to the name of a principal countrey that lies upon it : the mouth of it is near three miles in breadth : it s navigable one hundred and fifty miles as the channel goes : in the farthest place which the english discovered , are falls , rocks , and shoales which hinder any farther navigation . in a peninsula on the north side of this river , the english first planted , in a place which they called james town . as our men passed up one of their rivers , there came to them some called sasquesahanocks with skins , bows , arrows , targets , beads , swords , and tobacco-pipes for presents . they were great and well proportioned men , so to the english they seemed like giants ; with much ado they were restrained from adoring their discoverers . their language well seeming their proportion , sounding from them as it were a great voice in a vault : their attire was the skins of bears , and wolves . one had a wolves-head hanging in a chain for a jewel : his tobacco-pipe was three quarters of a yard long , prettily carved with a bird , a bear , a dear , being at the great end sufficient to beat out a mans brains : their bows , arrows , and clubs are suitable to their proportions . one of the biggest of them had the calf of his legg measured , which was three quarters of a yard about , and all the rest of his limbs answerable thereto . his arrows were five quarters long , headed with flints , formed like a heart , an inch broad , and an inch and an half long , which he wore in a wolves skin at his back : in one hand a bow , and in the other a club. the natives of virgina have generally black hair , but few of them have beards . the men have half their heads shaven , the hair of the other half long : the women are their barbers , who with two shells grate away the hair of what fashion they please . the womens hair is cut in many fashions according to their eyes , but ever some part of it is long . they are very strong , of able bodies and nimble : they can lie in the woods under a tree by the fire in the coldest weather , and amongst the grass and weeds in summer : they are inconstant , crafty , timerous , quick of apprehension , and very ingenious . they are very covetous of copper , beads , and such trash . they are soon angry , and so malicious , that they seldom forget an injury . they seldom steal one from another , lest their connivers should reveal it . their women are careful to avoid suspition of dishonesty without the leave of their husbands . each house-keeper knows his own lands , and gardens , and most live of their own labour . they are sometimes covered with the skins of wild beasts , which in winter are dressed with the hair inward , but in summer without . the better sort use large mantles of dear-skins , some embroidered with white beads , some with copper , and others are painted . but the common sort have scarce wherewith to cover their nakedness , but with grass or leaves . some have mantles made of turkey feathers , so handsomly wrought , and woven with thred , that nothing could be discerned but feathers . these were exceeding neat and warm . the women are covered about their middles with a skin , and much ashamed to be seen bare . they adorn themselves with copper and painting ; they have , their leggs , hands , breasts , and faces cunningly wrought with divers works , as beasts , serpents , &c. artificially wrought in their flesh with spots . in each ear commonly they have three holes , whereat they hang chains , bracelets , or copper . some of their men wear in those holes a small green , and yellow coloured snake , near half a yard long , which crawling and wrapping her self about his neck , oftentimes familiarly kisses his lips : others wear a dead rat tied by the tail . some on their heads wear the wing of a bird , or some large feathers with the tail of a rattle-snake . many have the skin of a hawk , or some strange fowl , stuffed with the wings stretched abroad . others a piece of copper ; and some the hand of an enemy dried . their heads and shoulders are painted red , with a certain powder mixed with oyl , which they hold in summer to preserve them from heat , and in winter from cold . he is most gallant that is most monstrous to behold . their habitations are mostly by the rivers , or not far from some fresh spring . their houses are built like our arbours , of small sprigs bowed and tied together , and so close covered with mats , or the bark of trees , that notwithstanding wind , rain , or weather , they are as warm as stoves , but smoky , though they leave a hole on the top right over the fire . their lodging is by the fire side on little hurdles made of reeds , and covered with a mat. on these round about the house they lie , heads and points , one by another , covered with mats or skins , and some stark naked : of these they are from six to twenty in an house . their houses are in the mid'd of their fields or gardens , which are plots of ground : from twenty to one hundred , or two hundred of these houses stand something near together . men , women , and children have their several names according to the phansie of their parents . their women are easily delivered of child , yet they love their children very dearly ; and to make them hardy , in the coldest mornings they wash them in the rivers , and by painting and ointments they so tan their skins , that after a year or two no weather will hurt them . the men spend their time in fishing , hunting , wars , and such manly exercises , scorning to be seen about any womanly exercise , which makes the women very painful , and the men oft very idle ; the women and children do all the work ; they make mats , baskets , pots , morters ; they pound their corn , make their bread , prepare their victuals , plant and gather their corn , bear all kinds of burdens , &c. their fire they kindle by chafing a dry pointed stick in a hole of little square piece of wood , which taking fire , will kindle moss , leaves , and such dry things . in march and april is their fishing time , wherein they live on fish , turkies , and squerrils . in may and june they plant their fields , and then they live most upon acrons , walnuts and fish : some upon crabs , oisters , land tortoises , strawberries , mulberries , &c. in june , july , and august , they feed upon the roots of tocknough , berries , fish , and green wheat ; and their bodies alter with their diet , as those of deer , and wild beasts do : and accordingly they are fat or lean , strong or weak . they use much their bows and arrows in fishing , hunting , and the wars . they bring their bows to the form of ours , by scraping them with a shell : their arrows are made of strait young sprigs , which they head with bone , two or three inches long : with these they shoot at squirils . other arrows they have made of reeds , pieced with wood , and headed with christals or flint , &c. for knives they have the splinters of a reed , wherewith they cut the feathers of their arrows into form : with these knives they will joynt a deer , or any other beast , shape their shooes , buskings , mantles , &c. to make the notch of their arrows , they have the tooth of a bever set in a stick , with which they grate it by degrees . their arrow heads they quickly make with a little bone , which they ever wear at their bracer , of a splint of stone or glass , in form of a heart which they glew to their arrows ; their glew they make of the sinews of deer , and the tops of deer horns which will not dissolve in cold water . in their wars they use round targets made of the bark of trees , and swords of wood , or the horn of a deer put through a piece of wood , in the form of a pickax . their fishing is much in boats , which they make of one tree , by burning , and scraping with stones and shels till they have made it in the form of a trough . some of them are a ell deep , and fourty and fifty foot long , and will bear from ten to fourty men , according to their bigness : for oars they use paddles and sticks , with which they will row faster than our barges . the women use to spin the bark of trees , deer sinews , or a kind of grass called pemmenaud , of which they make a very good thred , which serves for many uses about their houses , apparel , fishing-nets , lines for angles : their hooks are either a bone grated in the form of a hooked pin , or of the splinter of a bone tied to the cleft of a little stick , and with the end of the line they tie on the bait . they also use long arrows tied to a line , with which they shoot at fishes in the river , or darts which they throw at them . they take extream pains in their huntings and fishings , whereunto they are enured from their child-hood : and by their continual rangings about , they know all the places and advantages most frequented with deer , beasts , fishes , fowls , rooks , bemes . at their huntings they leave their habitations , and in several companies go to the most desert places with their families towards the mountains , or heads of rivers where there is plenty of game . it 's a marvel how they can pass these deserts of three or four dayes journey over , without missing their way . the women bear their hunting houses after them with corn , acrons , mortars , and bagg and baggage which they use . when they come to the place of exercise , every man endeavours to shew his best dexterity ; for hereby they get their wives . they will shoot level about fourty yards , near the mark , and one hundred and twenty is their best at random . when they have found the deer , they environ them with fires , and betwixt the fires they place themselves ; and some take their stand in the mid'st . the deer being frighted with the fires , and their voices they chase them so long within that circle , that oftimes they kill six , eight , ten , or fifteen at a hunting . sometimes also when they find them in a point of land , they force them into a river , where with their boats they kill them . when they have shot a dear by land , they follow him like blood-hounds , by the blood and stain , and oftimes so take him . hares , partridges , turkies , or eggs , fat or lean , young or old , they devour all they can come by . when they intend wars , the werowances corks , consult with their priests and connivers , and ancient alleys , and friend : they have captains over every nation , which are lusty young men . they rarely make wars for lands or goods , but for women and children , before the battel they paint and disguise themselves in the fiercest manner they can devise : either army hath his general , they take their stands a musquet shot one from another : rank themselves fifteen a breast , and so place themselves , that the rear can shoot as well as the front. then from either part a messenger is sent with these conditions , that whosoever is vanquished , upon their submission within two dayes after , shall live ; but their wives and children shall be prize for the conquerors ; upon the return of the messengers , they approach in their order . on each flank is a serjeant , and in the reer a lieutenant , all duly keeping their places ; yet leaping and singing as they go . upon the first flight of their arrows they give an horrible shout ; and when their arrows are spent , they joyn together , charging and retiring , each rank seconding the former : as they get advantage , they catch their enemy by the hair of his head , and then down he goes , and with his wooden sword he beats out his brains , &c. their musick is a thick cane on which they pipe as on a recorder . for their wars they have a great deep platter of wood , which they cover with a skin , upon which they beat as upon a drum ; of these they have base , tenor , countertenor , mean , and trebble . if any great person come to the habitation of a werowanee , they spread a mat for him to sit upon , setting themselves just opposite to him ; then all the company with a tunable voice of shouting , bid him welcome . then some of the chiefest make an oration to him , which they do with such vehemency that they sweat till they drop again . such victuals as they have they spend freely upon him ; and where his lodging is prepared , they set a woman finely painted with red to be his bedfellow . their trading with the english is for copper , beads , &c. for which they give skins , fowl , fish , flesh , mais , &c. they have a religion amongst them : all things that were able to hurt them beyond their prevention , they adore with divine worship : as fire , water , thunder , lightning ; the great guns of the english , muskets , horses , &c. but their chief god is the devil whom they call oke , and serve him more for fear than love . in their temples they have his image in an ilfavoured shape , and adorned with chains , copper , and beads , and covered with a skin . by him is commonly the sepulchres of their kings : their bodies are first bowelled , then dried upon hurdles ; about their neck , and most of their joynts they hang bracelets , chains of copper , pearl , and then they wrap them up in white skins , and roule them in mats for their winding-sheets , laying them orderly in their tombs , which are arches made of mats : the rest of their wealth they set at their feet in baskets . for their ordinary burials they dig a deep hole in the earth , and the corps being wrapped in skins , and mats , with their jewels , they lay them upon sticks in the ground ; and then covet them with earth . the burial being ended , the women having their faces painted with black , sit twenty four hours in their houses mourning and lamenting by turns , with such yellings and howlings as may express their great sorrow . in the woods they have some great houses filled with the images of their kings and devils , and tombs of their predecessors , which they count so holy , that none but their priests , and kings dare come into them . they have a chief priest , differenced from the inferiour by the ornaments of his head , which are twelve , sixteen , or more snake-skins stuffed with moss , the skins of weesels and other vermin ; all which they tye by the tails , so as the tails meet on the top of their head like a tassel , about which a crown of feathers ; the skins hang down about him , and almost cover his face . the priests faces are painted as ugly as they can devise , and they carry rattles in their hands . their devotion is most in songs , which the chief priests begins , and the rest follow . their solemn meetings are upon great distress of want , fear of enemies , times of triumph , and of gathering their fruits ; at which time all both men , women and children meet together . the people are very barbarous , yet have they government amongst them , and their governours are well obeyed by their subjects . the form of their government is monarchical . one of their chief rulers is called powhatan from the place of his habitation : some part of the countrey came to him by inheritance , the rest by conquest . in several parts of his dominion he hath houses built like arbors , some thirty or fourty yards long ; and in each house provision for his entertainment according to the times . about the kings person is ordinarily attending a guard of fourty or fifty of his tallest men : every night upon the four quarters of his house stand four sentinels , and every half hour , one from the corps dugard doth hollow , unto which each of the sentinels doth answer ; if any fail , he is extreamly beaten . one house he hath wherein he keepeth his treasure of skins , copper , pearl , and beads , which he stores up against his burial ; none comes to this house but the priest. at the four corners stand as sentinels four images of a dragon , a bear , a leopard , and giant-like man , all ilfavouredly made according to their best workmanship . their king hath as many women as he will , whereof , when he lies on his bed , one sitteth at his head , and another at his feet : but when he sits , one sits on his right hand , another on his left. when he is weary of any of them he bestows them upon those that deserves best at his hands . when he dines or sups , one of his women , before and after meat , brings him water in a wooden platter to wash his hands . another waits with a bunch of feathers to wipe upon instead of a towel , and the feathers were dried again . his kingdom descends not to his sons , but first to his brethren , and after their decease to his sisters , and to the heirs of his eldest sister . they have no letters whereby to write or read ; the only law whereby he rules is custome ; or else his will is his law which must be obeyed . his inferiour kings whom they call werowances , are tied to rule by customes , yet have they power of life and death : they all know their several lands , and habitations , and limit , to fish , fowl , and hunt in : but they hold all of their great king , to whom they pay tribute of skins , beads , copper , pearl , deer , turkies , wild beasts , and corn ; with great fear and adoration they all obey him . at his feet they present whatsoever he commands ; at his frown their greatest spirit will tremble : offenders he causeth to be broyled to death ; or their brains to be beaten out ; their ordinary correction is to beat them with cudgels , for which yet they will never cry nor complain . anno christi 1611. the l. de la ware upon his return from virginia , gave this account of it . that the number of men which he left there was above two hundred , the most in health , and provided of ten moneths victuals in the store house , besides other quantities of corn , and shew much friendship . for the securing of the colony he built three fronts : two of them being seated near point comfort , had adjoyning to them a large circuit of ground , open , and fit for corn. the third fort was at the falls , upon an island environed with corn ground . the country is wonderful fertile and rich : the english cattel were much encreased , and did thrive excellent well . the kine in a hard winter when the ground was covered with snow , lived ( with one anothers help ) upon the grass which they found , and prospered well ; the swine encreased much . that year captain argoll went with his ship up pembroke river , where he met with the king of pastancy , and procured of him and his subjects eleven hundred bushes of corn , besides three hundred for his own company , with which he returned to james's town , and delivered it into the store . then did he return and discover pembroke river to the head of it , which was about sixty five leagues within land , and navigable for any ship : then marching into the country , he found great store of beasts as big as kine , of which , they killed two , and found them to be good and wholesom meat , and yet easie to be killed being but heavy , and slow creatures . he found also a mine and a strange kind of earth , which the indian used for physick , and it cures the pain of the belly : he found also a water issuing out of the earth which tasted like allom water ; it was good and wholsom : he found an earth like a gum , white and clear ; and another red , like terra sigillata : an other white , and so light , that being cast into water , it swims . their dear have usually three or four fawns at a time , none under two : and our english goates in virginia oft times bring forth three ; and mostly two young ones , so fruitful is the country : they have beavers , otters , foxes , racoons , ( as good meat as a lamb ) hares , wild catts with rich furrs ; musk-rats , &c. wild pidgeons in winter numberless , the flocks of them will be three or four hours together flying over , so thick that they obscure the very light ; turkies far bigger than ours that will run as fast as a gray-hound , buzzards , snites , partridges , owles , swans , geese , brants , droeis , shell-drakes , teal , widgeon , curlews , puits , black-birds , hedg-sparrows , oxeies , wood-peckers , and in winter flocks of parakitoes . their rivers are plentifully stored with fish : as sturgeon , porpass , base , carp , shad , herring , eele , cat-fish , pearch , trout , flat-fish , sheeps-head , drummers , jarsishes , craifishes , crabs , oisters , &c. at one hale they have caught as much sturgeon , base , and other great fish as hath loaded a frigot . they have without art , grapes , mulberries , maricocks like a lemmon , whose blossome may admit comparison with our most pleasant and beautiful flowers , and the fruit is exceeding delightful to the tast . many goodly groves of chincomen-trees , that have husks like a chesnut , and are good meat either raw or boiled . chesnuts great store , and walnuts plenty of three sorts ; filberts , crabs smaller but sowrer than ours . anno christi , 1613. mr. alex. whitaker , who was minister to the colony , writing to a friend in london , gives this account of the natives . they acknowledg ( saith he ) that there is a great good god , but know him not , having the eyes of their understandings yet blinded ; wherefore they serve the devil for fear , after a most base manner , sacrificing somtime their own children to him : his image they paint upon one side of a toad-stool , much like to a deformed monster : their priests are no other , but such as our english witches are . they live naked in body , as if the shame of their sin deserved no covering : they esteem it a virtue to lie , deceive , and steal , as their master the devil teacheth them . the natives are not so simple as some have conceited : for they are of body strong , lusty , and very nimble ; they are a very understanding generation , quick of apprehension , sudden in their dispatches , subtile in their dealings , exquisite in their inventions , and industrious in their labour . the world hath no better marks-men with their bows , and arrows than they be : they will kill birds flying , fishes swimming , and beasts running : they shoot with marvellous strength , for they shot one of our english , being unarmed , quite through the body , and nailed both his armes to his body with one arrow . their service to their god is answerable to their lives , being performed with great fear and attention , and many strange dumb shews are used in it , stretching forth their limbs , and straining their bodies exceedingly . they stand in great awe of their priests which are a generation of vipers , even of satans own brood . the manner of their life is much like that of the popish hermites : for they live alone in the woods , in houses sequestred from the common course of men ; neither is any man suffered to come into their house for to speak with them but when the priest calls them . he takes no care for his victuals , for all necessaries of bread , water , &c. are brought to a place near to his house , and are there left which he fetches at his pleasure . if they would have rain , or have lost any thing , they have recourse to him , who conjures for them , and many times he prevaileth . if they be sick , he is their physitian : if they be wounded , he sucks them . at his command they make war and peace neither do they any thing of moment without him . they have an evil government amongst them , a rude kind of common-wealth , and rough government , wherein they both honour , and obey their kings , parents , and governours : they observe the limits of their own possessions . murther is rarely heard off : adultery , and other gross offences are severely punished . the whole continent of virginia situated within the degrees of 34. and 47. is a place beautified by god with all the ornaments of nature , and enriched with his earthly treasures . that part of it which the english chiefly possess , begins at the bay of chesapheac , and stretching it self in northerly latitude to the degrees of 39. 40. and is interlined with seven most goodly rivers , the least wherof is equal to our thames : and all these rivers are so nearly joyned , as that there is not very much distance of ground between either of them , and those several pieces of land betwixt them are every where watered with many veins , and creeks , which sundry wayes do cross the land , and make it almost navigable from one river to another , the commodity whereof is very great to the planters , in respect of the speedy and easie transportation of goods from one river to another . the river powhatan ebbs and flowes one hundred and forty miles into the main ; at the mouth whereof are the two forts of henry and charles . forty two miles upward is the first and mother town of the english seated , called james town : and seventy miles beyond that upward , is the town of henerico built . ten mile beyond this is a place called the falls , because the river hath there a great descent , falling down between many mineral rocks which be there . twelve miles beyond these falls is a chrystal rock with which the indians use to head most of their arrows . the higher ground in virginia is much like to the mould of france , being clay and sand mixed together at the top , but digging any depth , its red clay full of glistering spangles . as for iron , steel , antimony , and terra sigillata , they are very frequent . the air of the country , especially about henerico , and upwards , is very temperate , and agrees well with our english bodies . the extremity of summer is not hot as in spain , nor the cold in winter so sharp as ours in england . the spring and harvest are the two longest seasons , and very pleasant . the summer and winter are both but short . the winter for the most part is dry and fair ; but the summer ofttimes watered with great and sudden showers of rain , whereby the cold of winter is warmed , and the heat of summer is cooled . amongst the beasts in virginia , there are two kinds most strange . one of them is the female possowne , which hath a bag under her belly , out of which she will let forth her young ones , and take them in again at her pleasure . the other is the flying squerril , which , by the help of certain broad flaps of skin , growing on each side of her fore-legs , will fly from one tree to another at twenty or thirty paces distance , and more if she have the benefit of a little puff of wind. the english kine , goats , hoggs , &c. prosper very well . they have hawkes of several sorts , and amongst them auspreis , fishing hawkes , and cormorants . in the winter they have great store of cranes , herons , pidgeons , patridges , and black-birds . the rivers and creeks are over-spread with swans , geese , brants , divers , and those other named before . the woods have many kinds of rare and delightful birds . the rivers abound with fish , both small and great , as pike , carp , eele , perches of six several sorts , &c. the sea-fish come into their rivers in march , and continue till the end of september . frst come in great skuls of herrings : then big shads , and rock-fish follow them . then trouts , base , flounders , and other dainty fishes come in before the other be gone . then come in multitudes of great sturgeons , and divers others . some five miles about henerico by land , but by water fourteen miles . sr. tho. dale , anno christi 1611. began to build a city , called the new bermoodas , situated very commodiously , whereunto he laid out , and annexed to be belonging to that corporation for ever : many miles of wood-lands , and champion , which he divided into several hundreds . as the upper and the nether hundreds roch-dale hundreds , wests-sherley hundred , and diggs his hundred . anno christi 1614. pacahuntas , the beloved daughter of the great king powhatan , having been carefully instructed in the christian religion , by the care of sr. tho. dale , and having made some good progress therein , renounced publickly her countrey idolatry , and openly confessed her christian faith , and desiring it , was baptized by the name of rebecca , and was afterwards married to one mr. rolph an english gentleman of good repute , her father and friends giving their approbation to it , and her vncle gave her to him in the church . anno christi 1616. sr. tho. dale returning into england , there came over with him mr. rolfe , with rebecca , his convert and consort , and tomocomo , one of powhatans counsellors ; mr. rolfs wife rebecca , though she carried her self very civilly and lovingly to her husband , yet did she behave her self as the daughter of a king , and was accordingly respected by divers persons of honour here in england , in their hopeful zeal by her means to advance christianity in these countries . as she was with her husband returning into virginia , at gravesend she fell sick , and came to her end and grave , having given great demonstration of her christian faith and hope . the english in virginia anno christi 1620. were divided into several burroughs , each man having his share of land duly set out for him , to hold and enjoy to him and his heirs for ever . the publick lands also for the company were set out by themselves ; the governours share by it self ; the colledges by it self , and for each particular burrough ; the ministers gleab also was set out and bounded , their being 200. l. per annum allowed to each minister for each town . they are all governed according to the laudable form of justice used in england . the governour is so restrained by a counsel joyned with him , that he cannot wrong any man , who may not have any speedy remedy . in the years 1619. and 1620. there were 9. or ten ships sent to virginia , wherein were 1261. persons ; most of them being for publick uses , as to plant the governours land , 80. persons ; tenants for the companies land 130. tenants for the colledge land , 100. tenants for the ministers gleab-lands 50. young maids to make wives for so many of the planters 90. boyes for apprentices 100. servants for the publick , 50. some were imployed to bring up thirty of the infidels children in true religion and civility . the commodities which the planters were directed to apply themselves to , were iron ; for the making whereof , 130 men were sent over to set up iron work ; proof having been made of the excellency of that iron . cordage : for which ( beside hemp ) order was given for the planting of silk-grass ( naturally growing in those parts ) in great abundance , which makes the best cordage , and linnen in the world. of this every housholder was bound to set 100. plants ; and the governour himself set five thousand . pot-ashes , and soap-ashes ; pitch and tar. for the making whereof , divers polanders were sent over . timber of all sorts , with masts , planks , and boords for provision of shipping , &c. there being not so good timber for all uses in any countrey whatsoever ; and for the help in these works , provision was sent of men and materials for the setting up of sundry saw-mills . silk : for which the countrey is exceeding proper , having an innumerable of the best mulberry-trees , and some silk-worms naturally found upon them , producing excellent silk , and to further this work , many seeds of the best silk-worms were sent over . vines ; whereof the countrey naturally yields great store , and of sundry sorts ▪ which by good culture might be brought to excellent perfection : for effecting whereof divers skilful vegneroons were sent , with store also from hence of vine plants of the best sort . salt : which work were ordered to be set up in great plenty , not only to serve the colony , but to promote the great fishings upon those coasts . divers persons of publick spirits gave much to the furtherance of this plantation . two unknown persons gave plate and other necessaries for the furnishing of two communion tables . mis. mary robinson gave 200. l. towards the building of a church in virginia . an unknown person sent the treasurer 550. l. in gold for the bringing up of some of the infidels children in the knowledge of god , and true religion , and in fit trades whereby they might live honestly in the world. mr. nicholas ferrar by will gave 300. l. to the colledge in virginia , to be paid when there should be ten of the infidels children placed in it . and in the mean time 24. l. per annum to be distributed unto three discreet and godly men in the colony , which should bring up three of the infidels children in the christian religion , and in some good course to live by . an other unknown person gave 10. l. to advance the plantation . anno christi 1620. the right honourable henry e. of southampton was made treasurer ; from which time to the year 1624. there were 24. ships sent to virginia : and there were divers persons set for the making of beads , wherewith to trade with the natives , and for making of glass of all sorts : and 55. young maids were sent to make wives for the planters . also a magazine of all necessaries was sent for the colony , to the value of 2000. l. besides goods , sent by private persons great store . twenty five persons were sent to build boats , pinnaces , and ships for the use of the colony in the fishing trade , and for further discovery . the plants of cotten wool trees prosper well , and so did indigo seeds , oranges , lemons , sugar canes , cassary , pines , plantanes , potatoes , and sundry other indian fruits . some of the english east-india company gave seventy pound , eight shillings sixpence , towards the building of a free schoole in virginia , to be called the east-india school . another unknown person added to it the sum of thirty pound . and another sent in gold twenty five pound . another unknown person gave thirty pound ; for which there was to be allowed fourty shillings a year for ever , for a sermon preached before the virginia company . another gave a rich bible , and a great church bible , and other books to be sent to virginia , and an exact map of america . the books were valued at ten pound . mr. tho. bargrave , a minister in virginia , when he died , left for the use of the colledge his library worth one hundred marks . 〈◊〉 anno christi 1621. the treacherous natives , notwithstanding all the courtesies and kind usage by the english to them , most perfidiously , and treacherously murthered above three hundred of them , and would have done the like to all the rest , but that god ( through his infinite goodness and mercy ) moved the heart of one of them , who was converted to christianity , to discover the same a few hours before it was put in execution , the like massacres have been since . a description of the bermudas , or sommers islands : the first discovery , and plantation of it by the english . the temperature of the aier ; the nature of the soil , trees , plants , fruits , hearbs , fishes , fowls , and other commodities thereof . these islands were first discovered by one bermudas , from whence they received that name ; and afterwards from sr. george sommers an english-man , they were called sommers islands . they lie in the western ocean , and in that part of the world commonly called america , and vulgarly the west-indies . their latitude , or elevation is 32. degrees , 25. minutes , which is almost the same with the madaeraes . they are environed round about with rocks , which north-ward , and westward , and southward extend far , by reason whereof they are very strong , there being only three places whereby ships can come into them , which places also are well fortified . but within there is room to entertain a great fleet : in most places the rocks appear at a low water , and are not much covered at an high water , for it ebbs and flows there not above five foot. the shoar for the most part is a rock , so hardned by the sun , wind , and sea , that it s not apt to be worn by the waves , whose violence also is broken by the rocks before they come at the shoar . the mould is of diverse colours , neither clay nor sand but betwixt both : the red which resembleth clay is worst : the white resembing sand , and blackish is good : the brown betwixt them both is best . under the mould two or three foot deep , is a kind of white substance which they call rock : the trees usually fasten their roots in it , and draw their nourishment from it ; neither indeed is it rock or stone , nor so hard , though for the most part harder than chalk ; not so white , but like a pumice , and spongy , easily receiving and retaining much water ; and in some places clay is found under it : the hardest kind of it ( which is commonly under the red ground ) is not so spongy , nor retains much water , but lies in the ground like quarries , as it were thick slates , one upon another . most of their fresh water ( whereof they have good store ) comes out of the sea , drayning through the sand , or thorow the aforesaid substance which they call the rock , and leaving its saltness behind it , in the passage becometh fresh . somtimes they dig wells of fresh water within four or five paces of the sea-side : and usually they ebb and flow as the sea doth . the air is most commonly clear , very temperate , moist , with a moderate heat , very healthful , and apt for the generation , and nourishing of all things : so that there is scarce any thing that is transported from england thither , but it yields a far greater encrease : and if it be any living thing , it becomes fatter and better liking then in england : by which means the countrey was so replenished with hens and turkeys , within the space of three or four years not being looked after , many of them forsook the houses , and became wild and so encreased abundantly . the like encrease there was of hogs and other cattle according to their kinds . there seems to be a continual spring , which is the cause that some few things come not to that maturity and perfection as were requisite . and though the trees do shed their leaves , yet are they always full of green . their corn is the same which is used in most parts of the west-indies : to wit , maiz which , to such as are used to it , is more hearty and nourishing than our english wheat , and yields a far greater encrease , as sometimes a pound of one or two graines : of this corn , and divers other things without either plowing or diging the ground , they have two harvests every year : for they set about march which they gather in july : and again in august which is ripe in december . and little slips of fig-trees , and vines do usually bear fruit within a year after they are planted , sometimes in half a year : the like fertility they have in other things . there is scarce at any time to be perceived either frost or snow , nor any extream heat , for there is alwayes some wind stirring which clears and cools the air : their summers and winters observe the same times with ours , but their longest dayes and nights are shorter than ours in england by almost two hours and an half : as also their shortest dayes and nights are as much longer then ours : for their longest dayes are about fourteen hours , and their shortest ten . when its noon with us , its morning with them , and when it s about five a clock in the evening with us , its noon with them ; so that while the sun declines with us it rises with them , as also it doth in virginia , its apt to thunder and lighten all the year long , and oft times more terrible than in england , yet never any are hurt by it . there is no venemous creature in this country : the yellow spider which is there making her webb as it were of silk , and bringing forth her young of eggs , like little drops of quick-silver , neither is it perceived to be venemous , yet there is a plant that climbs trees like our ivy , the leafe like that of a vine , that is somewhat venomous , but of no great force . there is great store and variety of fish , and so good as these parts of the world afford not the like , which being mostly unknown to the english , they gave them such names as best liked them : as rock-fish , groops , porgie-fish , hog-fish , angle-fish , cavallies , yellow-tailes , spanish-makerels , mullets , bream , cony-fish , morrayes , sting-rays , flying-fish , &c. the like they did by the fowl , as cohoos , sandbirds , hearns , duck , teal , pemblicoes , castle-boobies , hawks , &c. at the first plantation of this country by the english it was all over grown with woods , and plants of several kinds ; and to such as were unknown to them they gave such names as best pleased themselves : such as were known retained their old names ; as cedars , palmitoes , black-wood , white-wood , yellow-wood , mulberry-trees , stopper , trees , lawrel , olive-trees , mangrowes , pepper-trees , yellow-berry-weed , red-weed , &c. these and many others they found of natures planting : but since they have inhabited it , there have been brought , as well from the indies as from other parts of the world , sundry other plants , as vines of several kinds , sugar-canes , fig-trees , apple-trees , oranges , lemons , pomgranates , plantanes , pines , parsnips , raddishes , artichocks , pottatoes , cassavie , indico , &c. in so much that it s now become like a spacious garden , or orchyard of many pleasant , and profitable things . there are many tortoises , which they call turtles : they are in the shape of their bodies like crab-fishes , and have four fins , they are as big as three or four men can carry , the upper part of them in covered with a great shell , weighing about half a hundred weight , the flesh that cleaves to the inside of it being roasted against the fire , is almost like the marrow of beef , excellent good ; but the shell of it self harder than horn : she hath also a shell on her belly , but not so hard as the other , for when it s boiled it becomes soft like the gristles of beef , and is good meat : these live in the sea , spending the spring , and summer time about these islands , but where they spend the rest of the year is not known ; they are like to fowl in respect of the smallness and shape of their heads , and necks , which are wrinkled like a turkey , but white , and not so sharp bil'd ; they breed their young of eggs which they lay , in their flesh they resemble beasts , for it eats like veal , but more hard and sollid : they alwayes feed upon grass growing at the bottom of the water , neither can they abide any longer under the water then they hold their breath , which the old ones will do long , but the young ones being chased to and fro cannot continue two minutes without coming up to breath . shortly after their coming to those islands the male and female couple , which they call cooting , this they continue about three dayes together , during which time they will scarce separate though a boat come to them , nor hardly when , they are smitten . not long after , the she turtle comes up by night upon some sandy bay , and further up than the water uses to flow , where she digs a hole with her fin upon the sand about two foot deep , and coming up several nights there layes her eggs , about half a bushel ( which are about the bigness of a hens egge , but as round as a ball ) and each time covers them with sand very curiously , so that a man can hardly find the place : these eggs in time are hatched by the heat of the sun , and so creep out of the earth , the dam coming no more at them . they are no bigger than a mans hand at first , which some fish will devour : they grow slowly and seem to live long ; they will sleep on the top of the water , and used to sleep on the land till the countrey was inhabited . they will live also out of the water about three weeks , and that without meat , but then they mourn , and pine away . being turned upon their backs when they are on the land , they cannot without help , or some disadvantage recover themselves ; by which means , when they come a shore to lay their eggs , they are easily taken ; as also they are when they are cooting . otherwise they are taken mostly by night , by making a great light in a boat to which they will resort , so that a man standing ready , with a staff in his hand wherein is a sharp iron , four square with a line fastned to it , this iron he strikes into the upper shell of the turtle where it sticks fast , and after she hath tired her self a while with swimming about , she is easily taken : the head being cut off they will live twenty four hours , so that if you cut the flesh with a knife , or touch it , it will tremble , and shrink away ; there is no meat that will keep longer , either fresh or salt . there is a fruit called a prickled pear , growing in such places as are scarce fit for any thing else , namely , upon rocks and cliffs , and commonly by the sea-side , as if the salt water did something help to the generating and nourishing of them : the tree grows certain years before it bears fruit , and then it continues bearing very many years , having almost all the year long fruit upon it . though it be called a tree it hath scarce any body or branches , but consisteth in a manner wholly of leaves and fruit soft and brittle ; many of these pears grow upon and about a leaf without any stalk at all , and having some prickles about the top ; being opened the juyce is of a crimson colour , and they are full of seeds within . there are gray and white hearns , gray and green plovers , wild ducks and mallards , coots , redshanks , sea-widgeons , gray-bitterns , cormorants ; many smal birds like sparrows and robbins , wood-peckers , crows , falcons , jerfalcons , hobbies , &c. the cohow , is so called from his voice , a night bird , being all day hid in the rocks . the egge-bird which comes constantly in the beginning of may , when they begin to lay eggs almost as big as hens , and continue laying till midsummer , and are very tame , their young are excellent meat , their eggs are white , and the cohows , speckled like a turkeys egg , as big as hens . the tropick bird hath his name from the place where he is most seen . the pemblico is seldom seen by day , and by her crying foretells tempests . for plants . the poison weed , in shape like our ivy , with the touch of it causeth redness , and itching , but after a while pass away of themselves , without farther hurt . the red weed is a tall plant , whose stalk is covered with red rind . the root steeped , or a little of the juice drank alone , is a strong vomit , and effectual against distempers of the stomach . there is a kind of woodbind near the sea , that runs up about trees likk a vine : the fruit is somewhat like a bean , but flatter , which eaten , purges strongly , yet without harm : there is another small tree that causeth costiveness . there is also a plant like a bramble , that bears a long yellow fruit with a hard snell , and within is a hard berry which purges gently . red pepper is a fruit like our barberries , which bruised with the teeth sets all the mouth on a heat , for the time violent , but swallowed whole have the same operation with pepper . the sea-feather is a plant growing on the rock in the bottom of the sea , in form of a vine-leaf , but far larger , with veines of a palish red , interlaced , and weaved each into the other . there are also store of indian pompeons , the water melon , and the musk-mellon , the most delicate pineapple , papawes , &c. ambergriece is many times found upon the shoar . the most troublesome things in these islands are the winds , especially in the spring and autumn . the hurricanes have sometimes done much hurt : muskito's are very troublesome : there is a certain bugg which creeping into chests , by their illsented dung defile all , besides their eating . there are pismires or ants in the summer times so troublesome that they are forced to dry their figgs upon high frames , anointing their feet with tar which stops their passage . worms in the earth are destructive to their corn , and tobacco , causing them much labour every morning to destroy them , which else would derstoy all . there have bee● large lizards which are now destroyed by cats . spiders are large by of beautiful colours , as if adorned with silver , gold , and pearl . their webs in summer woven from tree to tree are perfect raw silk , both in substance and colour , and so strong , that birds bigger than blackbirds are snared in their nets . of these bermudus islands there are many , some say five hundred , if we call all them islands that lye by themselves compassed with the sea , of which some are larger and others less , they lye all in the figure of a crescent , within the circuit of six or seven leagues at most ; the greatest of them is about sixteen miles in length from the east north-east , to the west south-west , standing in thirty two degrees and twenty minutes . about these islands are seen many whales , attended with the sword-fish and the thresher . the sword-fish with his sharp and needle-like fin pricking him into the belly when he would dive and sink into the sea , and when he starts up from his wounds , the thresher with his club fins beats him down again . here is also a kind of web-footed fowl , of the bigness of our green plovers , which all summer are not seen , but in the darkest nights of november and december ( for in the night only they feed ) would come abroad , making a strange hollow and harsh howling ; their colour is inclining to russet , with white bellies , and the long feathers of their wings are russet and white , they breed in those of the islands that are farthest in the sea , and there in the ground they have their burrows , like conies . of these , the english at their first coming , with a lighted bough have taken three hundred in an hour . afterwards they found out this devise to take them , by standing on the rocks or sand by the sea-side , they would hollow , laugh , and make the strangest noise that possibly they could , with which noise these birds would come flocking to the place , and settle upon the very armes and head of him that so cryed , still creeping nearer and answering that noise themselves , by which means our men would weigh them in their hands , and those that weighed heaviest and were best they took , the other they let go , and thus they have taken twenty dozen of the best of them in two hours space ; they are fat and plump like a partridge , and very well relished . in january they gat great store of their eggs which are as big and as well relished as our hen eggs ; these they call sea-owles , because of their hooting , they have crooked bills and will bite shrewdly . not long after the english had planted in this island , which was about the year 1620. it pleased god to send a great plague upon them by reason of a few rats that came in a meal ship , which though at first few in number , yet within the space of two years they multiplyed so exceedingly , that they did not only fill those places where they first landed , but swimming from place to place they spread themselves all over the country , insomuch , as there was no island though severed by the sea from all others , and many miles distant from the place where they first began , but was pestred with them ; they had their nests almost in every tree , and in all places had their burrows in the ground , like conies to harbour in : they spared not the fruits of either plants or trees , nay , nor the plants themselves , but eat all up . when the planters had set their corn , they would come by troops the night following , or as soon as it spict , dig it up again and eat it . if by diligent watching any of it escaped till it came to easing , it would very hardly scape them : yea , it was a difficult matter when they had it in their houses to save it from them , for they became noysom even to the persons of men. they used all diligence for the destroying of them , nourishing many catts , wild and tame ; they used ratsbane , and many set the woods on fire , so that the fire ran half a mile or more before it was extinguished . every man in the country was enjoyned to set twelve traps , and some voluntarily set neer an hundred , which they visited twice or thrice in a night . yea , they trained up their dogs to hunt them , wherein they grew so expert , that a good dog in two or three hours space would kill ●●rty or fifty rats . other means they also used , yet nothing would prevail , finding them still to encrease upon them . this was a cause of great distress to the planters ; for by this means they were kept destitute of bread for a year or two , so as when they had it afterwards again , they were so weaned from it , that they would easily forget or neglect to eat it with their meat . by this means they were so destitute of food that many died , and the rest became very feeble and weak , whereof some being so , would not , and others could not stir abroad to seek relief , but dyed in their houses . and such as did go abroad were subject through weakness to be suddenly surprized with a disease called the feages , wherein they had neither pain , nor sensible sickness , but as it were the highest degree of weakness , depriving them of power and ability to execute any bodily exercise , as working , walking , &c. being thus taken , if any body was present that could minister to them any relief , they would strait wayes recover , otherwise they died there . about this time there came to these islands a company of ravens which continued with them all the time of this mortality and then departed from them . never any being seen there before or since : but it pleased god at length , that the extremity of their distress began to abate , partly by supplies sent them out of england , and partly by some rest and ease that they got thereby . yet the rats continued for some time after , notwithstanding all the devises and industry that they used to destroy them . but suddenly it pleased god , ( by what means was not known ) so to take them away , that the wild catts and dogs that lived upon them were famished , and many of them leaving the woods came down to the houses , and to such places where they used to garbish their fish , and so became tame . here are many wild palm-trees growing , in fashion , leaves and branches resembling the true palme : the tree is high and strait , sappy , and spungious , having no branches but in the uppermost part of it , and in the top grow leaves about the head of it : ( the most inmost part whereof they call the palmeto , and it is the heart and pith of the tree , so white and thin as that it will pill off pleats , as smooth and delicate as white sattin , into twenty folds in which a man may write , as in paper ) where they spread and fall downwards about the tree like an over-blown rose : the leaves are as broad as an italian vmbrello , under one of which a man may well shelter his whole body from rain , for being stiff and smooth , the rain easily slides off . the palmito , or soft top roasted , tastes like a fried melon , and being sod , it eates like a cabbage , but is far less offensive to the stomach . from under the broken rocks they take forth cray-fishes oft times greater than any of our english lobsters . they have also aboundance of crabs , oisters , and wilks ; at one draught they have taken small and great about a thousand fishes , as pilchards , breams , mullets , rock-fish , &c. every cave and creek being furnished with aboundance of them , which lie there sucking in the water which falls from the high hills mingled with the juyce of the palms and cedars , and such other sweet woods , whereby they become both fat and wholsome . there are sparrows fat and plenty ; robbins of diverse colours green and yellow , &c. many of the turtles before mentioned , be of a mighty bigness , insomuch as one of them will suffice seventy , or eighty men at a meal , especially , if she be a she turtle , which will have five hundred eggs in her , being as many as fifty or sixty men can eat at a meal , they are very good and wholesome meat . there are mulberry trees , olive trees , cedars of colour red , and very sweet , which bear a kind of berry that is very pleasant to eat . the top of the palmito tree is in season , and good all the year , if you take but an hatchet and cut it , or an augur and bore it , it yields a very pleasant liquor , much like to our sweet wines : it bears likewise a berry in the bigness of a prune , and in taste much like it . anno christi 1609. sr. thomas gates , and sr. george sommers , as they were going to virginia suffered shipwrack at these islands , where they continued till may , 1610. in which time they built there a ship and a pinace of cedar , in which they departed to virginia , leaving only two men behind them : and shortly after some of them came back to the sommer islands , where sr. george sommers dying , his men ( contrary to his last charge given unto them ) went for england , leaving behind them three men who stayed voluntarily , who shortly after found in sommerset island a very great treasure of ambergreece valued at nine or ten thousand pounds sterling . the discovery of these islands being made known in england to the virginia company by these men that returned , they sold it to one hundred and twenty persons of the same company , who obtained a charter from his majesty : and in april 1612. sent thither a ship called the plough , with about eighty men and women in it , who arrived there in safety in july , where they found the three men that had voluntarily stayed there before as you heard . these men had planted corn , great store of wheat , beans , tobacco , and melons , with many other good things for the use of man : besides they had wrought upon timber , in squaring and sawing cedar trees &c. they were no sooner come within a league of the land but a company of fish met them , and never left them till they came to an anchor within the haven , of which with hooks and lines they took more than their whole company was able to eat . two dayes after they went out with their net and boat , and if they would have loaded two boates they might have done it , which also they might have daily , there was such plenty of them . the day after they went to the bird islands , where with their hands they took up as many birds as they pleased , they were so tame . they took up three for every boy and girl , and four for every man. then sent they out some for wild hogs , who brought home some , that did eat as well as our english mutton . anno christi , 1612. mr. r. moor was sent over thither governour for three years , who spent the greatest part of his time in fortifying the country , and training the people to martial exercises . he built nine or ten forts , and planted ordnances upon them . to him succeeded captain tucker , anno christi 1616. who spent his three years in husbanding the country , planting , and nourishing all such things as were fit either for trade , or for the sustentation , and use of the inhabitants . he also added to the fortifications , and made some inclosures . the the country also was then divided , wherein every adventurer had his share allotted to him , whereupon the planters built them substantial houses , cleared their ground , and planted all things necessary , so that in a short time the country began to approach near unto that happiness wherein it now floweth . nevv-england described , and the plantation thereof by the english of the beasts , fowles , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. of the natives , of their religion , customs , fishings , huntings , &c. the place whereon the english have setled their colonies is judged either to be an island surrounded on the north with the great river canada , and on the south with hudsons river , or a peninsula , these two rivers over lapping one another , having their rise from two great lakes which are not far distant each from other . massechusets bay lyeth under the degree of 42. and 43. bearing south-west from the lands-end of old england ; at the bottom of which bay are scituated most of the english plantations . the bay is both safe , spacious , and deep ; free from such cockling seas as run upon the coasts of ireland , and in the channels of england : without stiff running currents , rocks , shelves , bars , or quicksands . when you have sailed two or three leagues towards the bottom , you may see the two capes bidding you welcome . these capes thrust themselves out into the sea in form of a crescent , or half moon , the surrounding shoar being high , and shewing many white cliffs , with diverse intermixtures of low-sand , out of which , diverse rivers empty themselves into the sea , with many openings , wherein is good harbouring for ships of any burthen : the harbours are new-plimouth , cape anu , salem , and marvil-head , all which afford good ground for anchorage , being land-lockt from wind , and seas . the chief and usual harbour is the still bay of massechusets , which is also aboard the plantations : it s a safe and pleasant harbour within , having but one secure entrance , and that no broader than for three ships to enter abreast , but within there is anchorage for five hundred ships . this harbour is made by many islands , whose high clifts shoulder out the boisterous seas , yet may easily deceive the unskilful pilot , presenting many fair openings , and broad sownds , whose waters are too shallow for ships , though navigable for boats , and small pinnases . the entrance into the great haven is called nant●scot , which is two leagues from boston . from hence they may sail to the river of wessaguscus , naponset , charles river , and mistick river , on all which are seated many towns . here also they may have fresh supplies of wood and water from the adjacent islands , with good timber to repair their weather-beaten ships : as also masts , or yards , there being store of such trees as are useful for the purpose . the places which are inhabited by the english , are the best ground , and sweetest climate in all those parts , bearing the name of new england , the air agreeing well with our english bodies , being high land and a sharp air , and though they border upon the sea-coast , yet are they seldom obscured with mists , or unwholesome foggs , or cold weather from the sea , which lies east , and south from the land. and in the extremity of winter , the north-east , and south-winds comming from the sea , produce warm weather , and bringing in the seas , loosen the frozen bayes , carrying away the ice with their tides : melting the snow , and thawing the ground : only the north-west winds coming over the land , cause extream cold weather , accompanied with deep snows , and bitter frosts , so that in two or three dayes the rivers will bear man or horse . but these winds seldom blow above three dayes together , after which the weather is more tollerable . and though the cold be sometimes great , yet is there good store of wood for housing and fires , which makes the winter less tedious : and this very cold weather lasts but eight or ten weeks , beginning with december , and ending about the tenth of february . neither doth the piercing colds of winter produce so many ill effects , as the raw winters here with us in england . but these hard winters are commonly the forerunners of a pleasant spring , and fertile summer , being judged also to make much for the health of our english bodies . the summers are hotter than here with us , because of their more southerly latitude , yet are they tollerable , being oft cooled with fresh winds . the summers are commonly hot and dry , there being seldom any rain , yet are the harvests good , the indian corn requiring more heat than wet to ripen it : and for the english corn , the nightly dews refresh it , till it grows up to shade its roots with its own substance from the parching sun. the times of most rain are in april , and about michaelmas . the early spring and long summers make the autumns and winters to be but short . in the springs when the grass begins to put forth , it grows apace , so that , whereas it was black by reason of winters blasts , in a fortnights space there will be grass a foot high . new england being nearer the aequinoctial than old england ; the days and nights be more equally divided . in summer the dayes be two hours shorter , and in winter two hours longer than with us . virginia having no winter to speak of , but extream hot summers , hath dried up much english blood ; and by the pestiferous diseases , hath swept away many lusty persons , changing their complexions , not into swarthiness , but into paleness ; which comes not from any want of food , the soil being fertile , and pleasant , and they having plenty of corn , and cattel , but rather from the climate , which indeed is found to be too hot for our english constitutions , which new england is not . in new england men and women keep their natural complexions , in so much as seamen wonder when they arive in those parts , to see their countrey men look so fresh and ruddy ; neither are they much troubled with inflammations , or such diseases as are increased by too much heat . the two chief messengers of death , are feavours , and callentures ; but they are easily cured if taken in time , and as easily prevented , if men take care of their bodies . as for our common diseases they be strangers in new england . few ever have the small pox , measels , green-sickness , headach , stone , consumption , &c. yea many that have carried coughs and consumptions thither , have been perfectly cured of them . there are as sweet , lusty children born there , as in any other nation , and more double births than with us here : the women likewise recover more speedily , and gather strength after child-birth sooner than in old england . the soil for the general is a warm kind of earth , there being little cold spewing land , no moorish fens , nor quagmires : the lowest grounds be the marshes , which are ovrflown by the spring-tides : they are rich ground , and yield plenty of hay , which feeds their cattel as well as the best upland hay with us : and yet they have plenty of upland hay also , which grows commonly between the marshes and the woods : and in many places where the trees grow thin , they get good hay also . and near the plantations there are many meddows never overflowed , and free from all wood , where they have as much grass as can be turned over with a sithe , and as high as a mans middle , and some higher , so that a good workman will mow three loads in a day . indeed this grass is courser than with us , yet is it not sower , but the cattel eat , and thrive very well with it : and are generally larger , and give more milk than with us , and bring forth young as well , and are freer from diseases than the cattel here . there is so much hay ground in the country , that none need fear want , though their cattel should encrease to thousands , there being some thousands of acres that were yet never medled with ; and the more their grass is mowed , the thicker it grows ; and where cattel use to graze , in the woods , the ground is much improved , growing more grassy , and less full of weeds ; and there is such plenty of grass in the woods , that the beasts need not fodder till december ; at which time men begin to house their milch beasts and calves . in the upland grounds the soil varies , in some places clay , in others gravel , and some are of a red sand , all which are covered with a black mould , usually a foot or little less deep . the english manure their ground with fish , whereof they have such plenty , that they know not how otherwise to dispose of them , yet the indians being too lazy to catch fish , plant corn eight or ten years in one place , without any such help , where they have yet a good crop. such is the rankness of the ground , that it must be planted the first year with indian corn , before it will be fit for english seed . the ground in some places is of a soft mould , in others so tough and hard , that five yoke of oxen can scarce plow it , but after the first breaking up , it is so easie , that one yoak of oxen and an horse may plow it . our english corn prospers well , especially rye , oats , and barly . the ground affords very good kitchin gardens , for turnips , parsnips , carrots , radishes , pumpions , muskmellons , squashes , cucumbers , onions , and all other english roots and hearbs prospers as well there as with us , and usually are larger and fairer . there are store of herbs both for meat and medicine , not only in gardens , but in woods , as sweet marjoram , purslane , sorrel , penniroyal , saxifrage , bayes , &c. also strawberries in abundance , very large , some being two inches about . there be also goosberries , bilberries , rasberries , treackleberries , hurtleberries , currants , which being dried in the sun , are not much inferiour to those we have from zant. there is also hemp and flax , some that grows naturally , and some that is planted by the english , and rape-seed . there is iron , stone , and plenty of other stones both rough and smooth , plenty of slate to cover houses , and clay whereof they make tiles and bricks , and probably other minerals . the country is excellently watered , and there are store of springs which yield sweet water that is fatter than ours , and of a more jetty colour and they that drink it , are as healthy , and lusty as those that drink beer . none hitherto have been constrained to digg deep for this water , or to fetch it far , or to fetch it from several places ; the same water serving for washing , brewing , and all other uses . there be also several spacious ponds in many places , out of which run many pleasant and sweet streams both winter and summer , at which the cattel quench their thirst , and upon which may be built water-mills for necessary uses . there is also great store of wood , not only for fewel , but for the building of ships , houses , and mills . the timber grows strait and tall , some trees being twenty , and others thirty foot high before they spread forth their branches . they are not very thick , yet many of them are are sufficient to make mill-posts ; some being three foot and a half in the diameter . neither do they grow so close , but that in many places a man man may ride a hunting amongst them . there is no underwood but in swamps , and wet low grounds , in which are osiers , hazels , and such like . of these swamps , some are ten , some twenty , some thirty miles . for the indians use to burn the under-wood in other places in november , when the grass and leaves are withered and dry , which otherwise would marr their beloved sport of hunting : but where the indians died of the plague , not many years ago , there is much underwood between wessaguscus , and plimouth , because it hath not thus been burned . the several sorts of timber are thus expressed . trees both on hills and plains in plenty be , the long-liv ' oake , and mournful cypress tree , sky-towring pines , and chesnuts coated rough , the lasting cedar , with the walnut tough ; the rosin-dropping fir for masts in use , the boatmen seek for oars , light , neat grown spruse ; the brittle ash , the ever trembling aspes , the broad spread elme , whose concave harbours wasps ; the watry spungy alder good for nought , small elder by th' indian fletchers sought , the knotty maple , pallid birch , haw thorns , the horn-bound tree that to be cloven scorns ; which from the tender vine oft takes his spouse , who twines imbracing arms abut his boughs ; within this indian orchard fruitr be some , the ruddy cherry and the jetty plumb , snake murthering hasel with sweet saxafrage , whose spouts in beer allayes hot feavers rage , the diars shumack , with more trees there be , that are both good for use , and and rare to see . the chief and common timber for ordinary use is oake , and walnut . of oakes there be three kinds , red , white , and black , whereof one kind is fittest for clap-board , others for sawn-board , others for shipping , and others for houses . they yield also much mast for hoggs , especially every third year , the acron being bigger than our english : the walnut-trees are tougher than ours , and last time out of mind : the hut is smaller than ours , but not inferiour in sweetness and goodness , having no bitter pill . in some places there is a tree that bears a nut as bigg as a small pear . the cedars are not very big , not being above eighteen inches in diameter , neither is it very high , and its fitter for ornament than substance , being of colour white and red like yew , & smells like juniper , they use it commonly for sieling of houses , for making of chests , boxes , and staves . the fir , and pine-trees grow in many places , shooting up exceeding high , especially the pine : they afford good masts , boards , rozin , and turpentine , they grow in some places for ten miles together , close by the rivers sides , where by ships they may easily be transported to any desired ports . their ash is blittle , and therefore good for little , so that the walnut is used for it . the horn-bound tree is exceeding tough , which makes it very difficult to be cleft , yet it s very good for bowls and dishes , not being subject to crack : it grows with broad-spread arms , the vines winding their curling branches about them , which afford great store of grapes , very bigg , both grapes and clusters , sweet and good . they are of two sorts , red and white : there is also a smaller grape growing in the islands , which is sooner ripe , and more delicious ; doubtless as good wine might be made of them as at burdeaux in france , it lying under the same degree : the cherry trees yield great store of cherries , which grow on clusters like grapes ; they are smaller than ours and not so good , if not very ripe : the plumbs are somewhat better , being black and yellow , as big as damasens , and indifferently well tasted . the white thorn yields hawes as big as our cherries , which are pleasant to the tast , better than their cherries . the beasts be as followeth . the kingly lion , and the strong-arm'd bear , the large-limb'd moosis , with the tripping ●ear ; quil-darting porcupines , and rackcames be , castled in the hollow of an aged tree : the skipping squirrel , cony , purblind hare , immured in the self same castle are , lest red-eyed ferrets , wildly foxes should them undermine , if rampir'd but with mould , the grim-fac't ounce , and ravenous howling woolf , whose meager pauch , sucks like a swallowing gulph , black-grittering otters , and rich coated bever , the civet-sented muscat smelling ever . lions there be some , but seen very rarely . bears are common , which be most fierce in strawberry time , when they have young ones ; they will go upright iike a man , climb trees , and swim to the islands : at which time if an indian see him , he will swim after him , and overtaking him , they go to water-cuffs for bloody noses , and scratched sides ; at last the man prevails , gets on his back , and so rides him on those watry plains , till the bear can bear him no longer . in the winter they retire to cliffs of rocks , and thick swamps to shelter them from the cold , where they live by sleeping and sucking their paws , and with that will be as fat as they are in sommer : yet the woolves will devour them : a kennel of them setting upon a single bear , will tear him in pieces . they are good meat , and seldom prey upon the english cattel , or offer to assault any man , except they be vexed with a shot . the moose is somewhat like our red deer as big as an ox , slow of foot , headed like a buck , some being two yards wide in the head ; his flesh is as good as beef , his hide is good for clothing ; they bring forth three young ones at a time ; fourty miles to the north-east of massechusets bay , there be great store of them ; they are oft devoured by the woolves . the fallow dear are much bigger than ours , of a brighter colour , more inclining to red , with spotted bellies ; they keep near to the sea , that that they may swim to the islands when they are chased by the woolves they have commonly three young ones at a time , which they hide a mile from each other , giving them suck by turns , and this they do , that if the woolf should find one , they may save the other ; their horns grow strait , over-hanging their heads , so that they cannot feed on things that grow low , till they have mused their heads . the porcupine is small , not much unlike to an hedghog , only somewhat bigger : he stands upon his guard against man or beast , darting his quills into their leggs or hides , if they approach too near him . the rackoon is a deep furred beast , not much unlike a badger , having a tail like a fox , and is as good meat as a lamb. in the day time they sleep in hollow trees , in the light nights they feed on clams by the sea side , where they are taken with doggs . the squirrels be of three sorts , the great gray squirrel , almost as big as our conies . another almost like our english squirrels ; the third is a flying squirrel , which is not very big , with a great deal of loose skin , which she spreads square when she flies , which with the help of the wind , wafts her batlike body from place to place . the conies are much like ours in england . the hares are some of them white , and a yard long ; both these creatures harbour themselves from the foxes in hollow trees , having a hole at the entrance no bigger than they can creep into . the hurtful creatures are squncks , ferrets , foxes , whereof some be black , and their furrs of great esteem . the ounce , or wild cat is as big as a mungrel . it s by nature fierce and dangerous , fearing neither dogg nor man : he kills deer , which he effects thus : knowing the deers tracts , he lies lurking in long weeds , and the deer passing by , he suddenly leaps upon his back , from thence he gets to his neck , and scratches out his throat . he kills geese also ; for being much of the same colour , he places himself close by the water , holding up his bob tail , which is like a gooses neck , which the geese approaching nigh to visit , with a sudden jerk he apprehends his desired prey . the english kill many of them , and account them good meat . their skins have a deep fur , spotted white and black on the belly . the woolves differ something from those in other countries ; they never yet set upon any man or woman , neither do they hurt horses or cows ; but swine , goats , and red calves ( which they take for deer ) are oft killed by them . in autumn and the spring they most frequent our english plantations , following the deer which at those times come down to those parts : they are made like a mongrel , big-boned , thin paunched , deep breasted , having a thick neck and head , prick ears , and a long snout , with dangerous teeth , long stairing hair , and a great bush tail . many good mastiffs have been spoiled by them . once a fair grayhound , ran at them , and was torn in pieces before he could be rescued ; they have no joynts from the head to the tail. some of them are black , and one of their skins is worth five or six pound . of beasts living in the water . their otters are most of them black , and their skins are almost as good as bevers ; their oyl is of rare use for many things . martins also have a good fur for their bigness . musquashes are almost like beavers , but not so big , the males stones smells as sweet as musk , and being killed in winter or the spring they never loose their sweetness : they are no bigger than cony-skins , and yet are sold for five shillings a piece . one good skin will perfume a whole house full of clothes . the bevers wisdom and understanding makes him come nigh to a reasonable creature . his body is thick and short , with short leggs , feet like a mole before , and behind like a goose , a broad tail like a shoo-sole , very tough and strong : his head is something like an otters , saving that his fore-teeth be like conies , two above and two beneath , sharp and broad , with which he cuts down trees as big as a mans thigh , or bigger , which afterwards he divides into lengths according to the uses they are appointed for . if one beaver be too weak to carry the log , than another helps him : if two be too weak , three or four will assist , being placed three to three , which set their teeth in one anothers tough tails , and laying the load on the hindermost , they draw the logg to the desired place , they tow it in the water , the youngest getting under it , bearing it up that it may swim the lighter . they build their houses of wood and clay , close by a ponds side , and knowing their seasons , they build their houses answerably , three stories high , that when the land floods come they may shift higher , and when the waters fall , they remove lower . these houses are so strong that no creature , save an industrious man with his penetrating tools can pierce them , their ingress and egress being under water . they make very good ponds ; for knowing where a stream runs from between two rising hills , they will pitch down piles of wood placing smaller rubbish before it , with clay and sods , not leaving till by their art and industry they have made a firm and curious dam-head , which may cause admiration in wise men . they keep themselves to their own families , never parting so long as they are able to keep house together . their wisdom secures them from the english , who seldom kill any of them , wanting time and patience to lay a long siege , or to be often deceived by their cunning evasions . so that all our beavers come from the indians , whose time and experience fits them for that imployment . of the birds , and fowls both of land and water . they are expressed in these verses . the princely eagle , and the soaring hawks , within their unknown wayes ther 's none can chawk : the hum-bird for some queens rich cage more fit than in the vacant wilderness to sit . the swift-wing'd swallow sweeping to and fro , as swift as arrow from tartarian bow . when as aurora's infant day new springs , there th' morning mounting lark her sweet layes sings . the harmonious thrush , swift pigeon , turtle dove who to her mate doth ever constant prove . the turkey , pheasant , heathcock , partridge rare , the carrion-tearing crow , and hurtful stare ; the long-liv'd raven , th' ominous screach-owl , who tell ( as old wives say ) disasters foul . the drowsie madge that leaves her day-lov'd nest to fly abroad when day-birds are at rest : the eele murthering hern , and greedy cormorant , that neer the creeks in moorish marshes haunt . the bellowing bittern , with the long legg'd crane . presaging winters hard , and dearth of graine . the silver-swan that tunes her mournful breath to sing the dirg of her approaching death : the tatling oldwives , and the cackling geese , the fearful gull that shuns the murdering piece : the strong wing'd mallard , with the nimble teal , and ill-shap't loon , who his harsh notes doth sweal ; there widgins , shildrakes , and humilitee , snites , dropps , sea-larks in whole millions flee . the eagles be of two sorts , one like ours in england , the other somewhat bigger , with a great white head , and white tail , commonly called gripes , they prey upon ducks , and geese , and such fish as are cast upon the sea-shore ; yet is there a certain black hawk that will beat this eagle , so that he is constrained to soar so high , that his enemy cannot reach him : the hawk is much prized by the indians , who account him a sagamores ransom . there are diverse kinds of hens , partridges , heathcocks , and ducks . the hum-bird is no bigger than an hornet , having spider-like legs , small claws , a very small bill ; in colour she represents the glorious rainbow : as she flies she makes a noise like a humble-bee . the pidgeons are more like turtles than ours , and of the same colour , and have long tailes like a mag pie , their feathers are fewer , but their bodies as big as our house-doves , they come into the country to go home-ward in the beginning of their spring : at which time ( saith my author ) i have seen innumerable ; so that i could neither discern beginning nor ending , the length nor breadth of these millions of millions : neither could the shouting of people , the report of guns , nor the pelting of hail-shot turn them out of their course , but thus they have continued for four or five hours together : and at michaelmas they return southward : yet some there are all the year long , which are often killed . they build some thirty miles northward ; from the english plantation in pine-trees , joyning nest to nest , and tree to tree by their nests , so that the sun never sees the ground in that place , from whence the indians fetch whole loads of them . the turkey is a long fowl , of a black colour , yet is his flesh white , he is much bigger than our english turkey ; he hath long leggs wherewith he can run as fast as a dog , and can fly as fast as a goose : of these are forty , fifty , sixty , and sometimes an hundred in a flock : they feed on acorns , haws , and berries , and some will frequent the english corn. when the ground is covered with snow , they go to the sea-side and feed on shrimps , and fishes : if you watch them where they pearch at night , about ten or eleven a clock at night you may shoot as oft as you will , for they stir not except they be wounded : they continue all the year long , and weigh forty pounds and more apeice . pheasants are rare ; but heath-cocks , and partridges are common , whereof our english kill many . ravens and crows , are much like those in other countries . there are no magpies , jayes , cockcooes , jackdaws , sparrows , &c. the stares are bigger than ours , and are as black as crows , which do much hurt among the young corn , and they are so bold that they fear not guns . owles are of two sorts , the one is small speckled like a partridg with eares : the other is almost as big as an eagle and is very good meat . cormorants are as common as other fowles , they devour much fish. a tame cormorant , and two or three good dogs in the water make excellent sport : cranes are as tall as a man , their bodies not much unlike the turkies , they are rarely fat . also many swans frequent the rivers and ponds , which are very good meat . there be three sorts of geese ; the brant goose like one of our wild geese . a white goose about the bigness of ours : of these there will be sometimes two or three thousand in a flock . the third is a grey goose with a black neck , and a black and white head much bigger than our english : they are killed both flying and sitting . the ducks are very large , and in great abundance ; and so is their teale . their old-wives never leave tatling day nor night , they are somewhat bigger than a duck. the loon is ill-shaped like a cormorant , but he can neither go nor fly ; he makes a noise somestime like a sowgelders horn. the humilites , or simplicites rather , be of two sorts ; the one as big as green plover , the other is less ; they are so simple that one may drive them on heaps , and then shoot at them , and the living will settle themselves on the same place again where the dead are , while you shoot again , so that sometimes above twelve score have been killed at two shoots . of fish . there are great store , and much variety of fishes thus enumerated . the king of the waters , the sea-shouldering whale ; the snuffing grampus , with the oylie seal , the storm-presaging porpus , herring-hogg , line-shearing shark , the cat-fish and the sea-dogg ; the scale-fenc'd sturgeon , wry-mouth'd hollibut ; the flouncing salmon , codfish , greedigut ; cole , haddock , haike , the thornback and scate , whose slimy outside makes him seld in date ; the stately bass , old neptunes fleeting post , that tides it out and in from sea to coast ; consorting herrings , and the bony shad. big-bellied alewives , macrils richly clad with rain-bow colours , the frost-fish and the smelt , as good as ever lady gustus felt . the spotted lamprons , eeles , the lamperies , that seek fresh water-brooks with argu's-eyes . these watry villages , with thousands more do pass and repass neer the verdant shore . shell-fish of all sorts . the luscious lobster with the crabfish raw , the brittish oyster , muscle , periwig and the tortoise sought by the indian squaw ; which to the flats dance many a winters jigg : to dive for cockles , and to dig for clams , whereby her lazy husbands guts she crams . the seal , called also the sea-calf , whose skin is good for divers uses , and his body between fish and flesh , neither delectable to the pallat , nor well agreeing with the stomack . his oyl is used in lamps . the shark is as big as a man , some as big as a horse , with three rows of teeth in his mouth , with which he snaps in two the fishers lines ; he will bite off a mans armor legg at a bit , they are oft taken , and serve for nothing but to manure the ground . there are many sturgious , but the most are caught at cape cod , and in the river of meramack , whence they are brought to england , they are twelve , fourteen , and some eighteen foot long . the salmon is as good as ours , and in great plenty in some places : the hollibut is like our plaice or turbut , some being two yards long , and one broad , and a food thick . thornback and scate is given to the doggs , being so common in many places . the bass is one of the best fishes , being a delicate and fat fish : he hath a bone in his head that contain a saucerful of marrow sweet and good , pleasant and wholesome ; they are three or four foot long , they take them with a hook and line , and in three hours a man may catch a dozen or twenty of them . the herrings are much like ours . alewives are much like herrings , which in the end of april come into the fresh rivers to spawn , in such multitudes as is incredible , pressing up in such shallow waters where they can scarce swim , and they are so eager , that no beating with poles can keep them back till they have spawned . their shads are far bigger than ours : the makarels be of two sorts ; in the beginning of the year the great ones are upon the coast , some 18. inches long : in sommer come the smaller kind , they are taken with hooks and lines baited with a piece of red cloth. there be many eels in the salt water , especially where grass grows , they are caught in weels baited with pieces of lobsters : sometimes a man thus takes a busnel in a night , they are wholesome and pleasant meat . lamprons and lampries are little esteemed . lobsters are in plenty in most places , very large , and some being twenty pound weight , they are taken at low water amongst the rocks ; the smaller are the better ; but because of their plenty they are little esteemed . the oysters be great , in form of a shoo-horn , some of a foot long , they breed in certain banks , which are bare after every spring-tide ; each makes two good mouthfuls . the periwig lies in the oase like a head of hair , which being touched , draws back it self leaving nothing to be seen but a small round hole , muscles are in such plenty that they give them their hoggs . clams are not much unlike to cockles , lying under the sand , every six or seven of them having a round hole at which they take in air and water , they are in great plenty , and help much to feed their swine both winter and sommer ; for the swine being used to them , will constantly repair every ebb to the places , where they root them up and eat them . some are as big as a penny loaf , which the indians count great dainties . a description of the plantations in new-england as they were anno christi , 1633. the outmost plantation to the southward , which by the indians is called wichaguscusset , is but a small village , yet pleasant and healthful , having good ground , store of good timber , and of meddow ground ; there is a spacious harbor for shipping before the town ; they have store of fish of all sorts , and of swine , which they feed with acrons and clams , and an alewife river . three miles to the north is mount wolleston , a fertile soil , very convenient for farmers houses , there being great store of plain ground without trees . near this place are maschusets fields , where the greatest sagamore in the country lived before the plague cleared all : their greatest inconvenience is that there are not so many springs as in other places ; nor can boats come in at low water , nor ships ride near the shore . six miles further to the north lieth dorchester , the greatest town in new-england , well wooded and watered with good arrable and hay ground , fair comfortable fields and pleasant gardens : here are many cattel , as kine , goats , and swine . it hath a good harbor for ships ; there is begun the fishing in the bay , which proved so profitable , that many since have followed them there . a mile from thence lies roxberry , a fair and handsome country town ; the inhabitants are rich : it lies in the mains , and yet is well wooded and watered , having a clear brook running through the town , where are great store of smelts , whence it s called smelt-river . a quarter of a mile on the north of it is another river , called stony river , upon which is built a water mill. here is good store of corn and meddow ground . westward from the town it s somewhat rocky , whence it s called roxberry ; the inhabitants have fair houses , , store of cattel , come-fields paled in , and fruitful gardens . their goods are brought in boats from boston , which is the nearest harbor . boston is two miles north-east from roxberry . it s situation is very pleasant , being a peninsula hemmed on the south with the bay of roxberry . on the north with charles river , the marshes on the back side being not half a quarter of a mile over , so that a little fencing secures their cattel from the wolves . their greatest want is of wood and meddow ground , which they supply from the adjacent islands , both for timber , fire-wood , and hay ; they are not troubled with wolves , rattlesnakes nor musketoes , being bare of wood to shelter them . it s the chief place for shipping and merchandize . this neck of land is about four miles in compass , almost square : having on the south at one corner a great broad hill , whereon is built a fort , which commands all ships in any harbour in the hill bay. on the north side is another hill of the same bigness , whereon stands a windmil . to the north-west is an high mountain , with three little hills on the top , whence it is called tremount . from hence you may see all the islands that lie before the bay , and such ships as are upon the sea coast. here are rich corn fields , and fruitful gardens : the inhabitants grow rich ; they have sweet and pleasant springs ; and for their enlargement , they have taken to themselves farm-houses in a place called muddy river , two miles off , where is good timber , ground , marsh-land , and meddows , and there they keep their swine or other cattel in the summer , and bring them to boston in the winter . on the north side of charles river is charles town , which is another neck of land , on whose northern side runs mistick river . this town may well be paralled with boston , being upon a bare neck , and therefore forced to borrow conveniencies from the main , and to get farmes in the country . here is a ferry-boat to carry passengers over charles river , which is a deep channel , and a quarter of a mile over . here may ride fourty ships at a time . up higher is a broad bay that is two miles over , into which run stony river , and muddy river . in the middle of this bay is an oyster bank . medfod village is scituated towards the north-west of this bay , in a creek : a very fertile and pleasant place : it s a mile and a half from charles town . at the bottom of this bay the river is very narrow . by the side of this river stands new-town , three miles from charles town . it s a neat and well compacted town , having many fair buildings , and at first was intended for a city ; the inhabitants are mostly rich , and have many cattel of all sorts , and many hundred acres of ground paled in . on the other side of the river lies their meddow and marsh ground for hay half a mile thence is water town , nothing inferiour for land , wood , meddows and water : within half a mile of it is a great pond , which is divided between those two towns ; and a mile and a half from this town is a fall of fresh waters , which through charles river fall into the ocean : a little below this fall they have made weires , where they catch great store of shads , and alewives , an hundred thousand of them in two tides . mastick is three miles from charles town ; seated pleasantly by the waters side . at the head of this river are very spacious ponds to which the alewives press to cast their spawn , where multitudes are taken . on the west side of this river the governour hath a farm where he keeps most of his cattel . on the east side is mr. craddocks plantation , who impailed in a park for deer , and some ships have been built there . winnisimet is a very pleasant place for situation , and stands commodiously . it s but a mile from charles town , the river only parting them . it s the lasts town in the bay. the chief islands that secure the harbor from winds and waves , are first deere island , within a flight shot from bullin point . it s so called , because the deer often swim thither to escape the woolves , where sixteen of them have been killed in a day . the next is long island , so called from its length . other islands are nodless isle , round isle ; the governours garden , having in it an orchard , garden , and other conveniencies : also slate island , glass island , bird island , &c. they all abound with wood , water , and meddows : in these they put their cattel for safety , whil'st their corn is on the ground . the towns without the bay are nearer the main , and reap a greater benefit from the sea , in regard of the plenty of fish and fowl , and so live more plentifully than those that are more remoat from the sea in the island plantations . six miles north-east from winnisimet is sagus , is pleasant for situation , seated at the bottom of a bay , which is made on the one side with a surrounding shore , and on the other side with a long sandy beach : it s in the circumference six miles , well woodded with oakes , pines , and cedars ; it s also well watered with fresh springs , and a great pond in the middle , before which is a spacious marsh. one black william an indian duke , out of his generosity , gave this place to the plantation of sagus , so that none else can claim it ; when a storm hath been , or is like to be , there will be a roaring like thunder which may be heard six miles off . on the north side of this bay are two great marshes , divided by a pleasant river that runs between them . the marsh is crossed with divers creeks where are store of geese and ducks , and convenient ponds wherein to make decoys . there are also fruitful meddows , and four great ponds like little lakes wherein is store of fresh fish ; out of which , within a mile of the town runs a curious fresh brook which is rarely frozen by reason of its warmness : and upon it is built a water mill. for wood there is store , as oake , walnut , cedar , elme , and aspe : here was sown much english corn. here the bass continues from the midst of april till michaelmas , and not above half that time in the bay. there is also much rock-cod , and macharil , so that shoals of bass have driven shoals of macharil to the end of the sandy bank , which the inhabitants have gathered up in wheel barrows . here are many muscle banks , and clam-banks , and lobsters amongst the rocks , and grassy holes . four miles from saugus stands salem , on the middle of a neck of land very pleasantly , between two rivers on the north and south . the place is but barren sandy land , yet for seven years together it brought forth excellent corn , being manured with fish every third year : yet there is good ground , and good timber by the sea side , and divers fresh springs . beyond the river is a very good soil , where they have farms . here also they have store of fish , as basses , eels , lobsters , clams , &c. they cross the river in canows made of whole pine trees , two foot and an half wide , and twenty foot long , in which also they go a fowling , sometimes two leagues into the sea. it hath two good harbours , which lie within derbins fort. marvil head lies four miles south from salem , a very good place for a plantation , especially for such as will set up a trade of fishing : there are good harbours for boats , and good riding for ships . agowomen is nine miles to the north from salem near the sea , and another good place for a plantation . it abounds with fish and flesh , of fowls , and beasts , hath great meddows and marshes , and arable grounds , many good rivers and harbours , and no rattle snakes . merrimack lies eight miles beyond that , where is a river navigable for twenty miles , and all along the side of it fresh marshes , in some places three miles broad . in the river is sturgion , salmon , bass , and divers other kinds of fish. three miles beyond this river is the out side of massecusets patent ; wherein these are the towns that were begun in the year , 1633. of the evils , and hurtful things in the plantation . those that bring the greatest prejudice to the planters , are the ravenous woolves , which destroy the weaker cattel , of which we heard before . then the rattle snake which is usually a yard and a half long , as thick in the middle as the small of a mans legg , with a yellow belly : her back is spotted with black , russet , and green , placed like scales . at her taile is a rattle with which she makes a noise when she is molested , or when any come near to her : her neck seems no bigger than a mans thumb , yet can she swallow a squirrel , having a wide mouth with teeth as sharp as needles , wherein her poyson lies , for she hath no sting : when a man is bitten by her , the poyson spreads so suddenly through the veins to the heart that in an hour it causes death , unless he hath the antidote to expel the poyson , which is a root called snake-weed , which must be champed , the spittle swallowed , and the root applyed to the sore ; this is a certain cure . this weed is rank poyson if it be taken by any man that is not bitten , unless it be phisically compounded with other things . he that is bitten by these snakes , his fresh becomes as spotted as a lepers , till he be perfectly cured . she is naturally the most sleepy and unnimble creature that is , never offering to leap at , or bite any man , if he tread not upon her : in hot weather they desire to lie in paths in the sun , where they sleep soundly ; a small switch will easily kill them . if a beast be bitten , they cut his flesh in divers places , and thrust in this weed , which is a sure cure. in many places of the country there be none of them ; as at plimouth , new-town , &c. in some places they live on one side the river , and if they swim over , as soon as they come into the woods , they turn up their yellow bellies and die . other snakes there be , which yet never hurt eitheir man or beast . there be also store of froggs , which in the spring time chirp , and whistle like birds , and in the end of sommer croake like other frogs . there are also toads that will creep to the top of trees , and sit croaking there to the wonderment of strangers . there be also pismires , and spiders , but neither fleshworms , nor moles . there be wild bees or wasps that guard the grapes , making her cobweb nest amongst the leaves : also a great fly , like to our horse flies , which bite and fetch blood from man or beast , and are most troublesome where most cattel be . there is also a gurnipper , which is a fly as small as a flea , and where it bites it causes much itching , and scratching . also the muskito like to our gnats : such as are bitten by them fall a scratching , which makes their hands and faces swell ; but this is only the first year , for they never swell the second year . here also are flies called cantharides , so much used by chirurgions ; and divers sorts of butterflies . of the natives inhabiting those parts of new-england . the country is divided ( as it were ) into shires , every several shire under a several king. on the east , and north-east are the churchers , and tarenteens . in the southern parts are the pequants , and naragansets . on the west are the connectacuts , and mowhacks . those on the north of them are called aberginians , who before the sweeping plague scorned the confrontments of such as now count themselves but the scum of the country , and that would soon root them out , were it not for the english. the churchers are a cruel bloody people , which were wont to come down upon their poor neighbours , bruitishly spoyling their corn , burning their houses , slaying their men , ravishing the women , yea sometimes eating a man , one part after another before his face whil'st he was alive : but they say , they dare not meddle with a white faced man , accompanied with his hotmouthed weapon . they are tall of stature , have long grim visages , slender wasted , and exceeding great arms and thighs , wherein their strength lies ; with a fillip of their finger they will kill a dogg : they live upon fruits , herbs , and roots , but that which they most desire is mans flesh . if they catch a stranger they keep him in as good plight as they can , giving him their best fare , and daily pipe to him , paint him , and dance about him , till at last they begin to eat him piece-meal : they are desperate in wars , securing their bodies with sea-horse skins , and barks of trees made impenitrable , wearing head-pieces of the same : their weapons are tamahauks , which are staves of two foot and a half long , and a knob at the end as big as a foot-ball ; these they carry in their right hand , and in their left a javelin , or short spear headed with a sharp sea-horse tooth ; they are both deadly weapons . the tarenteens are little less savage , only they eat not mans flesh : they are enemies to the indians amongst the english , and kill as many of them as they can meet with . they are the more insolent because they have guns , which they trade for with the french , who will sell his eyes , they say , for beaver . so soon as a boat comes to an anchor , they enquire for sack and strong liquors , which they much affect ever since the english traded it with them , so that they will scarce exchange their beaver for any thing else . these are wise , high spirited , constant in friendship one to another , true in their promises , and more industrious than most others . the pequants are a stately warlike people , just in their dealings ; requiters of courtesies , and affable to the english. the narragansetz are the most numerous people in those parts , the richest and most industrious : they are also the most curious minters of their wampamprag and mowhacks , which they make of the most inmost wreaths of perriwinckles shells ; the northern , eastern , and western indies fetch all their coin from them : as also they make curious pendants and blacelets , and stone pipes which hold a quarter of an ounce of tobacco ; these they make with steel drills , and other instruments , and so ingenuous they are , that they will imitate the english mold so exactly that were it not for matter and colour you , could not distinguish them ; they make these pipes of green or black stone ; they made also pots , wherein they dressed their victuals before they knew the use of our brass : they seek rather to grow rich by industry , than famous by deeds of chivalry . the aberginians are mostly between five and six foot high , straight bodied , strong lim'd , smooth skin'd , merry countenanced , of complexion something more swarthy than a spaniard ; black haired , high foreheaded , black eyed , out-nosed , having broad shoulders , brawny arms , long and slender hands , out-breasts , small wasts , lank bellies , handsome legs , thighs , flat knees , and small feet . it s beyond belief to conceive how such lusty bodies should be supported by such slender foot : their houses are mean , their lodging as homely , their commons scant , their drink water , and nature their best cloathing : you shall never see any monstrous person amongst them , or one whom sickness hath deformed , or casualty made decrepit ; most are fifty years old before a wrinkled brow , or gray hairs bewrayes their age : their smooth skins proceeds from the oft anointing their bodies with oyl of fishes , and fat of eagles , and rackoones , which secures them also against muskitoes : their black hair is natural , but made more jetty by oyling , dying , and daily dressing : sometimes they wear long hair like women , sometimes they tie it up short like a horse tail : their boyes must not wear their hair long , till they be sixteen year old , and then also but by degrees , some leave a foretop , others a long lock on the crown , or one on each side the head , as best pleases their fancy : they will not endure any hair on their chins , but scrub it up by the roots : and if they see one with the appearance of a beard , they say he is an english mans bastard . their cloathing is a piece of cloth of a yard and a half long put between their groyns tied with snake-skins about their middle , with a flap before , and hanging like a tail behind . the more aged in the winter wear leather drawers like irish trowzes ; their shooes are of their own making , cut out of a mooses hide ; have and some skins which they cast about them like irish mantles , being either bear , mooses , or beaver-skins sewed together , &c. and in the winter deep fur'd catskins , which they wear upon that arm that is most exposed to the weather . when they are disposed to trade , they choose a good course blanket , or piece of broad cloth , which they make a coat of by day , and a covering by night : they love not to be imprisoned in cloaths after our mode . though they be poor , yet are they proud , which discovers it self by their affecting ornaments , as pendants in their ears , forms of birds , beasts , and fishes carved out of bones , shels , and stones , with long bracelets of their curiously wrought wampompeag , and mowhacks , which they wear about their loins . many of their better sort bear upon their cheeks the pourtaictures of beasts , and fowls , which they make by rasing of their skin with a small sharp instrument , under which they convey a kind of black unchageable ink which makes them apparent and permanent : others have impressions down the out side of their arms and breasts like stars , which they imprint by searing irons . a sagamore with a hum-bird in his ear for a pendant , a black hawke on his head for a plume , mawhack instead of a gold chain , store of wampompeag about his loins , his bow in his hand , his quiver at his back , and six naked indians for his guard , thinks himself nothing inferiour to the great cham , and will say that he is all one with king charles . of their diet , cookery , meal-times and hospitality . in the winter time they have all sorts of fowls , beasts , and pond-fish , with some roots , indian beans , and clams . in the sommer they have all manner of sea fish , with all sorts of berries . these they roast or boil in great kettles , which they gat by trading with the french , and now of the english : before , they had good earthen pots of their own making ; their spits are cloven sticks sharpned at one end and thrust into the ground , a dozen of them with flesh and fish about a fire , turning them as they see occasion . this they present to their guests , dishing it in a rude manner , and set on the ground , without linnen , trenchers , or knives ; to this they presently fall aboard without bread , salt , or beer , lolling after the turkish fashion , not ceasing till their full bellies leave empty platters . their indian corn they seeth whole , like beans , eating three or four corns with a mouthful of fish or flesh , filling up thinks with their broth. in sommer when their corn is spent isquoterquashes is their best bread , like our young pumpions . when our english invite them to meat , they eat very moderately , though at home without measure . they all meet friends at a kettle , save their wives , who attend at their backs for their bony fragments . they keep no set meals , but when their store is spent , they bite on the bit , till they meet with fresh supplies , their wives trudging to the clam-banks when other provision fails . it s the greatest discourtesie you can shew them , not to eat of their delicates , of which they are as free as emperors , and not to sup of their broth made thick with fish , fowl and beasts , all boiled together . of their dispositions , good qualities , as friendship , constancy , truth , and affability . these indians are of an affable , courteous , and well-disposed nature , ready to communicate the best of their wealth to the mutual good one of another , and the less abundance they have , the more conspicuous is their love , in that they are as willing to part with their mite in poverty , as their treasure in plenty . he that kills a deer sends for his friends and eats it merrily . he that receives but a piece of bread from an english hand , gives part of it to his comrades , and they eat it together lovingly . yea , a friend can command a friends house , and whatsoever is his ( saving his wife ) and have it freely : and nothing sooner disjoyns them than ingratitude , accounting an ungrateful person , a double robber , not only of a mans curtesie , but of his thanks , which he might have from another for the same profered and received kindness . they so love each other , that they cannot endure to see one of their countrymen wronged , but will defend them stiffly , plead for them strongly , and justifie their integrity in any warrantableaction . they are true , and faithful to the english , and have been the disclosers of all such treacheries as have been designed by other indians against them . if any roaving ship be upon the coast , and chance to harbour in any unusual port , they will give the english notice of it , which hath been no small advantage . when the english have travelled far into the couutry , they readily entertain them into their houses , quarter them in their rooms , and provide for them the best victuals they can , and give them kind entertainment , if it be for two or three weeks together . they are also ready to guide them through the unbeaten wildernesses , and if any loose their way , they will not leave them till they have brought them to their desired place . they are very careful to keep good correspondence with our english magistrates , being ready to execute any service which they require of them . if any malefactor withdraw himself from condigne punishment , they will hunt him out , and not rest till they have delivered him up to justice . they are kind and affable , very wary with whom they enter into friendship ; nothing is more hateful to them than a churlish disposition , or dissimulation : they speak seldom , and then utter not many words , and those they do , they deliver very gravely . they never fall out amongst themselves , nor abuse each other in language . yea , though in gaming they lose all their little all , yet is the loser as merry as the winner , and they part good friends . of their hardness . their hardness is to be admired , no ordinary pains causing them so much to alter their countenance : beat them , whip them , pinch them , punch them , if they resolve otherwise , they will not winch for it : and though naturally they fear death , yet the unexpected approach of a mortal wound by sword , bullet , &c. strike no more terrour , causes no more exclamation , no more complaint , than if it were a shot into the trunk of a tree . some have been shot in at the mouth , and out under the ear , others into the breast ; others run through the flanks with darts , others received desperate wounds , and yet , either by their rare skill in simples , or by charms have been cured in a short time . in the night they dare not stir out of their houses , for fear of their abamaco [ the devil ] they will rather lie by an english fire all night , than go a quarter of mile in the dark to their own houses . of their wondering at their first sight of any new invention . they being strangers to arts , are ravished at the first view of any new invention : they took the first ship they saw for a mourning island , the masts to be trees , the sails , white clouds , and the discharging of great guns , to be thunder and lightning : but this moving island being stopped by its anchor , they manned out their canows to go and pick strabones in it ; but by the way , being saluted with a broad side , they cryed out , with much hoggery , so big walk , and so big speak , and by and by kill ; this made them to turn back , and approach no more till they were sent for . they wondred much at the first wind mill which the english erected , for its strange whirking motion , and the sharp teeth , biting the corn so small , and its long arms , neither durst they stay in so tottering a tabernacle . the first plowman they saw was accounted a jugler , the plow tearing up more ground in a day , then their clamshels could scrape up in a moneth . yet are they so ingenious , and dexterous in using the ax or hatchet , that probably they would soon learn any trade , were they not so much wedded to idleness ; so that they had rather starve than work . in brief , they be wise in their carriage , subtile in their trading , true in their promise , just in paying their debts : though their poverty may make them slow , yet are they sure : some having died in the english debt , have by will left beaver for their satisfaction : they be constant in friendship , merrily conceited in discourse , not luxurious , in youth , nor froward in old age. of their kings government , and subjects obedience . their kings inherit , the son alwayes succeeding his father . if there be no son , the queen rules , if no queen , the next of the blood royal ; if any other intrude , he is counted a usurper ; and if his fair carriage win not their love , they will soon unking him . the kings have not many laws to rule by , nor have they any yearly revenews , yet are they so feared , or beloved , that half their subjects estates are at their service , and their persons at his command . though he hath no kingly rules to make him glorious , no guard to secure him , no courtlike attendance , nor sumptuous pallaces , yet they account him their soveraign , and yield chearful subjection to him , going and coming at his beck without questioning a reason , though the matter thwart their wills . such as commit treason , or lay violent hands on their lawful soveraign , die without mercy . once a year he takes his progress , attended with a dozen of his best subjects , to view his countrey , to recreate himself , and to establish good order . when he comes into any house , without any other complements , they desire him to sit down on the ground ( having neither stools nor cushions ) and after a while all that are present sit down by him , one of his seniors making an oration gratulatory to his majesty for his love , and the many good things they enjoy under his government . a king of large dominions hath his vice-royes under him to mannage his state affairs , and to keep his subjects in good decorum . for their laws , as their evil manners come short of other nations , so they need not so many laws , yet some they have , which they inflict upon notorious malefactors , as traytors , murtherers , &c. he that deserves death , being apprehended , is brought before the king ; and some of his wisest men , and if upon trial he be found guilty , the executioner comes in , blindfolds him , and sets him in the publick , and brains him with a club ; they have no other punishment save admonitions , or reproofs for smaller offences . of their marriages . the kings and great pawwoos , or connirers may have two or three wives , yet seldom use it ; others have but one . when a man desires to marry , he first gets the good will of the maid or widdow , then the consent of her friends , then , if the king like , the match is made , her dowry of wamponpeag paid , and so the king joyns their hands never to part till death , unless she prove a whore , for which they may put them away . of their worship , invocations , and conjurations . as its natural to all mortals to worship something , so do these . they acknowledge specially two , ketar , who is their god , to whom they sacrifice when they have a good crop. him they invocate for fair weather , for rain , for recovery of their sick , &c. but if they prevail not , their powwows betake themselves to their conjurations , and charmes , by which they effect very strange things , and many times work great cures . but since the english came amongst them , they are much reformed , and most of them have left these diabolical practices . of their wars . for places of retreat in times of danger they make forts of fourty or fifty foot square , of young timber trees ten or twelve foot high rammed into the ground , the earth being cast up within for their shelter , and with loop holes through which they shoot their arrows . in war their only weapons are bows and arrows , only their captains have long spears , on which , if they return conquerors , they carry the chiefest of their enemies heads ; for they use to cut off their heads , hands , and feet to carry home to their wives and children as trophies of their renowned victories : they also at such times paint their faces with diversities of colours to make them the more terrible to their foes ; they put on also their rich jewels , pendants , wampompeag , &c. to mind them that they fight , not only for their lives , wives and children , but for their goods , lands , and liberties ; they fight without all order , and when they have spent their arrows , they run away . they are trained up to their bows from their childhood , and are excellent marks-men : they run swiftly , and swim almost naturally . of their huntings . they have neither beagles , hounds , nor grayhounds , but supply all themselves : in the season of the year they have hunting houses in the places to which the deer resort , in which they keep their rendesvouze , with their snares , and all the accoutrements for that imployment . when they see a deer moose , or bear , they labour to get the wind of him , and coming neer they shoot him quite through , if the bones hinder not . they hunt also wolves , wild cats , rackoones , otters , beavers , and musquashes , trading both their skins and flesh to the english : they have also other devises wherewith to kill their game . of their fishings . they are very expert in fishing , knowing all kinds of baits fit for each several sorts of fish , and for all seasons of the year . they know also when to fish in the rivers , when at the rocks , when in the bayes , and when at the seas : before the english furnished them with hooks and lines , they made lines of their own hemp , curiously wrought , stronger than ours , and used bone-hooks ; they make also strong nets , wherewith they , catch sturgion ; and in the night they go forth in their canooes with a blazing torch , which they wave up and down , with which the sturgion being delighted , playes about it , turning up her white belly , into which they thrust a bearded dart , her back being impenetrable , and so hale her to the shoar . they look out also for sleeping seals , whose oyl they much esteem , using it for divers things . of their arts and manufactures . they dress all manner of skins , by scraping and rubbing , and curiously paint them with unchangable colours , and sometimes take off the hair , especially if they be not in season . they make handsome bows , which they string with mooses sinews : their arrows they make of young eldern , which they feather with eagles feathers , and head them with brass in shape of a triangle . their cordage is so even , smooth , and soft , that its liker silk than hemp. their canows are either made of pine-trees , which , before they had english tools , they burned hollow scraping them smooth with the shels of clams , and oysters , cutting their out-sides with hatchets of stone : others they make of birch rinds , which are so light that a man may carry one of them on his back . in these tottering boats they will go to sea , scudding over the waves , rowing with a paddle : if a wave turn her over , by swimming they turn her up , and get into her again . of their death , burials , and mournings . though these indians have lusty and healthful bodies , not knowing many diseases incident to others countries , as feavers , plurisies , callentures , agues , obstructions , consumptions , convulsions , apoplexies , dropsies , gout , stone , toothach , pox , meazles , &c. so that some of them live to sixty , seventy , eighty , yea , one hundred years before death summons them hence ; yet when death approaches , and all hope of recovery is past , then to see and hear their heavy sobbs , and deep fetched sighs , their grieved hearts , and brinish tears , and doleful cryes , would fetch tears from an heart of stone . their grief being asswaged , they commit the bodies of their friends to the earth , over whose grave for a long time they weep , groan , and howl , continuing annual mournings , with a stiff black paint on their faces : they mourn without hope , and yet hold the immortality of the soul , that it shall pass to the south-west elysium , a kind of paradise , wherein they shall for ever abide , solacing themselves in odoriferous gardens , fruitful corn-fields , green meddows , bathing in cool streams of pleasant rivers , and shelter themselves from heat and cold in state-pallaces framed by dame nature ; at the portal of this elisium they say there lies a great dogg , whose currish snarlings excludes unworthy intruders : wherefore they bury them with bows and arrows , and store of wampompeag , and mouhak● , either to affright the affronting cerberus , or to purchase greater prerogatives in that in paradise . but evil livers they go to the infernal dwellings of abamacho , there to be tormented . of their women , their dispositions , imployments , vsage by their husbands , their apparel , and modesty . these indians scorn the tutorings of their wives , or to admit them as their equals , though their qualities , and industry may justly claim the preheminence , and command better usage , and more conjugal esteem , their persons and features being every way correspondent , their qualifications more excellent , being more loving , pitiful , and modest , mild , provident , and laborious than their lazy husbands . their imployments are many , for they build their houses in fashion like our garden arbors , but rounder , very strong and handsome , covered with close wrought mats of their own weaving , which deny entrance to a drop of rain , though it be fierce and long , neither can the north winds find a crany whereat to enter ; they be warmer then ours : at the top is a square hole for the smoake to pass out , which is close covered in rainy weather : yet when they have a good fire , they are so smoky , that they are fain to lie down under the smoake . their sommer houses when families are dispersed upon divers occasions , are less : their winter houses are fifty or sixty foot long ; fourty or fifty men lodging in one of them ; and when their husbands require it , the wives are fain to carry their houses on their backs to fishing and hunting places ; or to a planting place , where it abides the longest . the wives also plant their corn , which they keep so clear from weeds , with their clam-shell hooes , as if it were a garden rather than a corn-field ; neither suffering weeds nor worms to hurt it . their corn being ripe , they dry it in the sun , and convey it into their barns , which be great holes digged in the ground like brass pots , lining them with rinds of trees , into which they put their corn , covering it from their gurmundizing husbands , who else would eat up all their allowed portion , and reserved seed if they knew where to find it . but our english hoggs having found a way to open their barn-doors , and to rob their garners ; they are fain to make use of their husbands help to rowl the bodies of trees over them , to secure them against these swine , whose thievery they hate as much as they do to eat their flesh . another of their imployments is , in their sommer processions to get lobsters for their husbands , wherewith they bait their hooks when they go a fishing for bass & codfish . this is their every days walk be the weather cold or hot , the waters rough or calm , they must dive sometimes over head and ears for a lobster , which often shakes them by the hands , with a churlish nip , and so bids them adieu . the tide being spent they trudg home two or three miles with an hundred weight of lobsters on their backs , but if they meet with none , they have a hundred scouls from their churlish hsbands , and an hungry belly for two dayes after . when their husbands have caught any fish they bring it in their canows as far as they can by water , and there they leave it , sending their wives to fetch it home , or they must fast , which done , they must dress it , cook it , dish it , and present it , and see it eaten before their faces , and their loggerships having filled their paunches , their poor wives must scramble for their scraps . in the sommer when lobsters be in their plenty and prime , these indian women dry them to keep for winter , erecting scaffolds in the hot sun , and making fires underneath them , by the smoake whereof the flies are driven away , till the fish remain hard & dry : thus also they dry bass , and other fishes without salt , cutting them very thin that they may dry the sooner before the flies spoil them , or the rain wet them , having a great care to hang them in their smoaky houses in the night , and dankish weather . in sommer also they gather flags , of which they make mats for houses ; also hemp and rushes with dying stuff , of which they make curious baskets with intermingled colours , and pourtraictures of antique imagery . these baskets are of all sizes , from a quart to a quarter , in which they carry their luggage . in winter they are their husbands caterers , trugging to the clam-banks for their belly-timber : they are also their porters to lug home their venison , which their laziness exposeth to the wolves , till their wives impose it upon their shoulders . they also sew thir husbands shooes , and weave turkey feathers for them , besides all their housholds drudgery which daily goes through their hands , and a big belly hinders no business , nor doth their childbirth hinder much time , but the young child being greased and sooted , wrapped up in a beavers skin , bound to his good behaviour , with his feet up to his bum , upon a board two foot long , and one foot broad , his face being exposed to the most nipping weather , this little pappouse travels about with his barefooted mother , to paddle in the icy clamb-banks , being not above three or four dayes old . the womens carriage is very civil , smiles being the greatest grace of their mirth . their musick is lullabies to quiet their children , who yet are generally as quiet as if they had neither spleen nor lungs . to hear one of these indian women unseen , a good ear might easily mistake their untaught voice for the warbling of a well tuned instrument . their modesty suggest them to wear more cloathes than their husbands , having alwayes a short coat of cloth , or skin wrapped like a blanket about their loins reaching to their hams , which they never put off in company . if a husband sels his wives beaver petticote , as sometimes he doth , she will not put it off , till she hath another to put on . their mild carriage and obedience to their husbands is very commendable ; notwithstanding all their churlishness , and salvage inhumanity towards them , yet will they not frown , nor offer to word it with their lords , nor presume to proclaim their superiority to the usurping of the least tittle of their husbands charter , but are contentedly quiet with their helpless condition , esteeming it to be the womans portion . since the arrival of the english comparison hath made their yoake more miserable : for seeing the kind usage of the english men towards their wives , they cannot but as much condemn their own husbands unkindness , as they commend the english mens love . but in the mean time , their husbands commend themselves for their wit in keeping their wives in subjection , and to labour as much as they condemn the english husbands for their indulgence and folly in spoiling such good working creatures . these indian women do oft resort to the houses of the english wherewith those of their own sex , they do somewhat ease their misery by complaining of their thraldom , and seldom part without some relief ; and if their husbands come to seek for their spaws ( for so they call all women ) and do begin to bluster for their idleness , the english woman betakes her to her arms , which are the warlike ladle , and the scalding liquor , threatning blistering to the naked runaway , who is soon driven back by such hot comminations . in a word , the love of these women to the english , deserves no small esteem , whom they are ever presenting with something that is rare or desired , as strawberries , hurtleberries , rasberries , gooseberries , cherries , plums , fish , and such other gifts as their poor treasury affords . new englands prospect . of their religion . the natives of new-england conceive of many divine powers : but one whom they call keihtan ( they say ) is the principal , and maker of all the rest , and himself is made by none . he created the heavens , earth , sea , and all creatures contained therein . he also made one man and one woman , of whom oll mankind came . but how they came to be so far dispersed , they know not . at first ( they say ) there was no sachem or king , but keihtan , who dwells above the heavens , whither all good men go when they die to see their friends , and have their fill of all thins . thither bad men go also , and knock at his door , but he bids them walk abroad , for there is no piace for such , so that they wander in restless want , and penury . never man saw this kiehtan ; only old men tell them of him , and bid them tell their children ; yea , to charge them to tell it to their posterities , and to lay the like charge upon them . this power they acknowledge to be good ; and when they would obtain any great matter , they meet together , and cry unto him ; and when they have plenty and victory , &c. they sing , dance , give thanks , and hang up garlands in memory thereof . another power they worship called hobbamock , which is the devil ; him they call upon to cure their wounds , and diseases . and when they are curable , he perswades them that he sends the same for some conceived anger against them ; but upon their calling upon him , he can , and doth help them . but when they are mortal and incurable , he tells them that kiehtan is angry , and sends them , whom none can cure , which makes them doubt whether he be simply good , and therefore in sickness they never call upon him . this hobbamock appears in sundry forms unto them ; as in the shape of a man , a deer , a fawn , an eagle , &c. but most ordinarily like a snake . he appears not to all , but to the chiefest , and most judicious amongst them , though all of them strive to attain that hellish honor . he chiefly appears to three sorts of persons : of the first rank they are few , and they are highly esteemed of , and they think that no weapon can kill them : the second sort are called powahs : and the third priests . the powahs chief office is to call upon the devil , and to cure the sick and wounded . the common people joyn with him in his invocations , by saying amen to what he saith . the powah is eager and free in speech , fierce in countenance , and joyneth many antick and laborious gestures with the same over the party diseased . if the party be wounded , they suck his wounds ; but if they be curable , the snake or eagle sits on his shoulders and licks the same . him none sees but the powah . if the party be otherwise diseased , its sufficient if in any shape he but comes into the house , and it is an undoubted sign of recovery . the powahs in their speech promise to sacrifice many skins of beasts , kettles , hatchets , beads , knives , and the best things they have to the fiend , if he help the diseased party . when women are in desperate and extraordinary hard travel in in child-birth , they send for the powahs to help them . many sacrifices they use , and sometimes kill their children . the nanohiggansets exceed in their blind devotion , and have great spacious houses , into which their priests only come . thither at certain times most of the people resort and sacrifice almost all their riches to their gods , as kettles , skins , hatchets , beads , knives , &c. all which the priest casts into a great fire made in the midst of that house , where they are consumed . to this offering every man brings freely , and he that brings most , is best esteemed . the priests are men of great courage and wisdom , and to these the devil also appears more familiarly than to others , and covenants with them to preserve them from death by wounds of arrows , knives , hatchets , &c. one of these will chase almost an hundred of their enemies : they are highly esteemed of all , and are of the sachems councel , without whom he will neither make war , nor undertake any great matter . in war the sachems for their more safety , go in the midst of them . they are usually men of the greatest stature and strength , and such as will endure most hardness , and yet are discreet , and courteous in their carriages , scorning theft , lying , and base dealing , and stand as much upon their reputation as any men . and to encrease the number of these , they train up the likeliest boyes from their childhood unto great hardness , and cause them to abstain from dainty meat , and to observe divers other rules , to the end that the devil may appear to them when they are of age . they also cause them to drink the juice of centuary , and other bitter herbs , till they vomit it into a platter , which they must drink again , till at length , through extraordinary pressing of nature , it looke like blood : and this the boyes will do at first eagerly , and so continue , till by reason of faintness they can scarce stand on their leggs , and then they must go forth into the cold . also they beat their shins with sticks , and cause them to run through bushes , stumps , and brambles to make them hardy and acceptable to the devil , that so in time he may appear unto them . their sachems are not all kings , but only some few of them , to whom the rest resort for protection , and pay them homage : neither may they make war without their knowledge and approbation . every sachim takes care for the widdows , fatherless , aged , or maimed , if their friends be dead , or not able to provide for them . a sachim will not marry any but such as are equal in birth to him , lest his seed prove ignoble ; and though they have many other wives , yet are they but concubines , or servants , and yield obedience to the queen , who orders the family , and them in it . the other subjects do the same , and will adhere to the first during their lives , but put away the other at their pleasure . their government is successive , not elective . if the sachims child be young when his father dies , he is committed to the protection , and tuition of some one amongst them , who rules for him till he be of age . every sachem knows the bounds and limits of his kingdom , out of which , if any of his men desire land wherein to set their corn , he gives them as much as they can use . in these limits , he that hunts and kills any venison , gives the sachim his fee ; if it be killed on the land , he hath part of the flesh ; if in the water , then the skin only : the great sachems or kings know not their bounds so well . all travellers or strangers usually lie at the sachims house , and when they come , they tell them how long they will stay , and whither they are going ; during which time they are entertained according to their quality . once a year the priests provoke the people to bestow much corn on the sachim , and accordingly at a certain time and place , the people bring many baskets of corn , and make a great stack thereof near to the sachems house . there the priests stands ready to return them thanks in the name of the sachim , who fetches the same , and is no less thankful , bestowing many gifts upon them . when any are visited with sickness , their friends resort to them to comfort them , and oft continue with them till death or recovery ; if they dye they stay to mourn for them , which they perform night and morning for many dayes after their burial : but if they recover , because their sickness was chargeable , they send them corn and other gifts , whereupon they feast , and dance . when they bury their dead , they sew the corps up in a mat , and so bury it . if a sachim dyes , they cover him with many curious mats , and bury all his riches with him , and inclose the grave with a pale . if it be a child , the father will put all his own special jewels , and ornaments into the grave with it : yea , he will cut his hair , and disfigure himself , in token of his great sorrow . if it be the master or dame of the family , they will pull down the mats , and leave the frame of the house standing , and bury them in , or near the same , and either remove their dwelling , or give over house-keeping . the younger sort reverence the elder , and do all mean offices for them when they are together , though they be strangers . boyes and girls may not wear their hair like men and women , but are distinguished thereby . one is not accounted a man , till he doth some notable act , and shews his courage and resolution answerable to his place : the men take much tobacco , but it s counted very odious in a boy so to do . all their names are significant and variable . for when they come to be men and women , they alter them according to their deeds , or dispositions . when a maid is given in marriage , she first cuts her hair , and then wears a covering on her head till her hair is grown again . of their women some are so modest , that they will scarce talk together whilst men are by , and are very chast : others are light , lascivious , and wanton . if a woman hath a bad husband , or affect him not ; if there be war between that and any other people , she will run away from him to the contrary party , where she never wants welcome ; for where there be most women , there is most plenty . when a woman hath her courses , she retires her self from all other company , and lives in a house apart ; after which she washes her self , and all that she hath touched or used , after which she is received into her husbands bed or family . the husband will beat his wife , or put her away for adultery . yet some common strumpets there are , but they are such as either were never married , or are widdows , or that have been put away for adultery : for no man will take such an one to wife . in matters of injustice or dishonest dealing , the sachim examines and punisheth the same . in cases of theft ; for the first offence he is disgracefully rebuked : for the second , he is beaten by the sachim with a cudgle on the naked back : for the third , he is beaten with many stripes , and hath his nose slit , that all men may both know and shun him . if one kill another , he certainly dies for it . the sachim not only sentenceth the malefactor , but executeth the same with his own hands , if the party be present , otherwise he sends his own knife , if he be sentenced to dye by the hands of another that executes the same . but if the offender be to receive any other punishment , he will not receive it but from the sachim himself , before whom being naked , he kneels , and will not offer to run away , though he beat him never so much , it being a greater disparagement for a man to cry when he is corrected , than was his offence and punishment . they are a very witty and ingenious people : they keep account of the time by the moon , or by sommers or winters ; they know divers of the stars by name : they have also many names for the winds : they will guess shrewdly at the wind and weather before hand , by observations in the heavens . their language is very copious and large , and hard to be learned ; and though in an hundred miles distance their languages differ , yet not so much , but they can understand each other . instead of records and chonicles , where any remarkable act is done , in memory of it , either in the very place , or by some path neer adjoyning , they make a round hole in the ground a foot deep , and as much over , which , when others passing by , behold , they enquire the cause and occasion of it , which being once known , they carefully acquaint others with it . and lest such holes should be filled , as men pass by , they will oft renew them . so that if a man travels , and can understand his guide , his journey will be less tedious , by the many historical discourses that will be related to him . you have heard before of the state of new-england in the year 1633. when she was but in her childhood , but being now grown up to more maturity ; take this account of it , which was written by a reverend minister , in january 1668 / 9 , who had lived there 40. years , and therefore hath great reason , and good opportunities to be acquainted with the condition of it . when we came first to new-england in the year 169. there was then but one town in the country , viz. that of new-plimmouth , which had stood alone for nine years . from that time to this year now beginning 1669. is just fourty years ; in which time there has been an increase of fourty churches in this colony ( but many more in the rest . ) and towns in all new-england , 120. which for the most part lie along the sea coast for somewhat more than two hundred miles ; only upon connecticut river , there are thirteen towns lying neer together ; and about the massacusets bay , here are above thirty towns within two , three , four , or five miles asunder . and from the sea , which hath rendred boston a very considerable place , and the metropolis of new-england , all the other towns on the sea coast , and those in the country depending upon it . i have lately heard some merchants that knew old boston , say that this is far bigger , and hath ten times more trade than that , having many ships and catches , and they say no less than an hundred catches went from the country this winter to trade in virginia ; besides many others to the west indies , and to several parts of europe . it was doubted for some years , whether there would be a staple commodity in new-england ; but god and time have shewed many , as furs , fish , masts , pipestaves , and deal-board , and such plenty of corn and cattel , that abundance of provision has been yearly transported for the supply of english plantations , the west-indies , and other parts ; in so much as though many gentlemen of great estates in the first year spent their estates , and some of them that were very brave men of publick spirits , were brought very low , both they and theirs : yet in the latter years , many that have risen out of the dust , by a way of trading and merchandising , have grown unto great estates ; some to ten , others to twenty , yea thirty or fourty thousand pound estate . in the year 1643. began the combination of the united colonies of new-england , which have much encrersed since then ; every one of them having their distinct pattents , except new-haven , which for want of a pattent , was since the coming in of our king , taken into the colony of connecticut ; and though very many of the first commers are now dead and gone , yet there is grown up such a numerous posterity here , that it 's thought there are twenty times more english people now in the country , then ever came into it . and it 's believed by many observing men , that there are many above ten hundred thousand souls . most of the first magistrates are dead , and not above two left in the massacusets ; but one in plymouth , one at connecticut , and not one at new-haven . there came over from england at several times , chiefly before the year 1640. ninety fore ministers , of which twenty seven returned to england again , and there are now dead in the country thirty six ; and as yet living in the country thirty one . the ministers bred up in new-england , are one hundred thirty two , of which two are dead in the country , fourty one have removed to england , most of them from our colledges , besides other schollars that have in england turned to other professions , and eighty one that are now living in the country , employed in the ministery in several places . there have been several synods in new-england ; the first at cambridge , in the year 1637. wherein the antinomian ▪ and familistical errors were confuted and condemned by the word of god. the second at cambridge in the year 1646. wherein the magistrates power and duty in matters of religion , and the nature and power of synods was cleared . the third , in the year 1648. where it was declared , that in point of doctrine , these churches consented to the confession of faith , put forth by the assembly at westminster ; and in point of discipline , the platform of the discipline of these churches , was then published . the fourth was at boston in the year 1662. concerning the subject of baptism , and consociation of churches . it hath pleased the lord to give such a blessing to the gospel among the indians , that in divers places there are not only many civilized , but divers that are truly godly , and shame the english , and are much hated by others of their own country men , though that work has met with many obstructions and remoraes ; chiefly by the death of some of the choicest instruments , and many of the best of the indians ; yet it may be well believed , that there is such a seed of the gospel scattered among them , which will grow unto a further harvest in god's time . the description of the island of barbados : with an account of the trees , plants , herbs , roots , fowls , birds , beasts , fishes , insects , &c. as also of their sugar-canes , ingenio's and manner of making their sugars . the first discovery made of this island was by a ship of sir william curte'us , which returning from pernambock in brasile , being driven by foul weather upon this coast , chanced to fall upon this island , which is not far out of the way , being one of the most windwardly islands of all the carribies ; and anchoring before it , they stayed some time to inform themselves of the nature of of the place , which by tryals in several places , they found to be so over grown with wood , as that there could be no champion ground discovered wheron to plant ; nor found they any beasts , or cattel there , save hoggs , whereof there were abundance . the portugals having long before put some on shore for breed , in case they should at any time by foul weather be driven to , or cast upon on this island , that so they might there find fresh meat to serve them upon such an exigence . and the fruits and roots that grew there , afforeded them so great plenty of food , that now they were multiplied abundantly . in so much as the indians of the leeward islands that were within sight , coming thither in their canoos , and finding such game to hunt as these hoggs were , whose flesh was so sweet , and excellent in tast , they came often thither a hunting , staying sometimes a moneth together before they returned home , leaving behind them certain tokens of their being there , which were pots of several sizes made of clay , so finely tempered , and turned with such art , as the like to them for fineness of mettle , and curiosity of turning , are not made in england , in which they boiled their meat . this discovery being made , and advice thereof sent to their friends in england ; other ships were sent with men , provisions , and working tools , to cut down the woods , and clear the ground wherein to plant provisions for their sustentation , till then , finding food but straglingly in the woods . but when they had cleared some quantity of land , they planted potato's , plantines , and maies , or indian wheat , with some other fruits , which together with the hoggs , which they found there , served only to keep life and soul together . and their supplies from england coming so slow , and so uncertainly , they were oft driven to great extremities : and the tobacco that grew there , was so earthy and worthless , as that it gave them little or no return from england , or other places ; so that for a while they lingered in a doubtful condition . for the woods were so thick , and most of the trees so large and massy , as that they were not to be faln by so few hands : and when they were laid along , the boughs were so thick and and unweldy , as required more help of strong and active men to lop , and remove them off the ground ; which continued so for many years , in somuch as they planted potato's , maies , and bonavists between the boughs as the trees lay on the ground . yet not long after they planted indigo , and ordered it so well , as that it sold in london at very good rates : and their cotten woll , and fustick wood , proved very good and staple commodities : so that having these four sorts of commodities , to traffique with all ; some ships were invited in hope of gain by that trade , to come and visit them , bringing for exchange , such commodities as they wanted , to wit , working-tools , iron , steel , clothes , shirts , drawers , hose and shooes , hats , and more hands . so that beginning to find good by this trade , they set themselves hard to work , and lived in much better condition . but when their sugar-canes had been planted three or four years , they found that to be the principal plant whereby to raise the value of the whole island ; and therefore bent all their endeavours to improve their knowledge and skill in planting them , and making sugar . which knowledg , though they studied hard , was long in learning . this island which we call barbado's lies in thirteen degrees and about thirty minutes of northern latitude : the usual bay into which ships put , is carlile bay , which without exception is the best in the island , and is somewhat more than a league over , and from the points of the land to the bottom of the bay , is twice as much . upon the innermost part of this bay stands a town called the bridge ; for that a long bridge was at first made over a little nook of the sea , which yet indeed is rather a bogg than a sea. this town is ill scituated ; the planters looking more after conveniencie than health . but one house being erected , another was set up by it for neighbourhood , and than a third , and a fourth , till at last it became a town : divers storehouses were also built there wherein , to stow their goods , being so neer and convenient for the harbour . but their great oversight was to build a town in so unhealthfull a place . for the ground being somewhat lower within the land than the sea banks are , the spring-tides flow over , and so remain there , making much of that flat a kind of bog , or marish , which sends out so loathsome a savour , as cannot but breed ill blood , and probably is the occasion of much sickness to those that live there . the ground on either side this bay ( but chiefly that to the eastward ) is much firmer , and lies higher , and therefore with some charge , may be made as convenient as the bridge , and much more healthfnl . three more bayes there be of note in this island . one to the eastward of this , which they call austins bay : the other are to the west of carlile-bay . the first whereof is called mackfields bay ; the other spikes bay ; but neither of these three are environed with land , as carlile bay is ; but being to the leeward of the island , and of good anchorage , they seldome are in danger , unless in the time of the turnado , when the winds turn about to the south ; and then if they be not well moved , the ships are subject to fall foul one upon another , and sometimes are driven a ground . for the leeward part of the island , being rather shelvy than rocky , they are seldom or never cast away . the leng the hot island is twenty eight miles , and the breadth in some places seventeen miles , in others twelve ; so that they make about three hundred nitety two square miles in the whole island . it rises highest in the middle , so that when you come within sight of this happy island , the nearer you come , the more beautiful it appears to the eye . for being in it self exceeding beautiful , it 's best discerned , and best judged of when your eyes become full mistris of the object . there you may see the high , large , and lofty trees with their spreading branches , and flourishing tops , which seem to be beholding to the earth and roots that gave them such plenty of sap for their nourishment , which makes them grow to that perfection of beauty and largeness : whil'st they by way of gratitude return their cool shade to secure and shelter the earth from the suns heat , which otherwise would scorch and dry it up . so that bounty and goodness in the one , and gratefulness in the other , serve to make up this beauty , which alwayes would lie empty and waste . by the commodity of the scituation of this island , which is highest in the midst , the inhabitants within have these advantages . first , a free prospect into the sea ; then a reception of a opure and refreshing air , and breezes that come from thence : the plantations overlooking one another , so as the more in most parts are not debarred , nor restrained of their liberties of the view to the sea by those that dwell between them and it . whil'st the sun is in the aequinoctial , or within ten degrees of either side , there is little change in the length of the dayes , for at six and six the sun rises and sets : but when it s nearer the tropick of capricorn , and in thirty seven degrees from them , then the dayes are something shorter , and this shortning begins about the end of october . eight moneths in the year the weather is very hot , yet not scalding , but that servants , both christians and slaves labour and travel ten hours in a day . for as the sun rises , there rises with it a cool brees of wind ; and the higher , and hotter the sun rises , the stronger and cooler the breeses are , and blow alwaeis from the north-east and by east , except in the time of the turnado : for then it sometimes chops about into the south for an hour or two , and so returns about again to the point where it was . the other four moneths it is not so hot , but is near the temper of the air in england in the midst of may. and though in the hot season the planters sweat much , yet do they not find that faintness which we find in england in the end of july , or in the beginning of august . but with this heat , there is such a moisture as must of necessity cause the air to be unwholsome . the planters there are s●eldom thirsty , unless they over heat their bodies with extraordinary labour , or with drinking strong drink , as our english spririts , or french brandy , or the drink of the island , which is made of the scummings of the coppers that boil the sugar , which they call kill-devil . for though some of these be needful in such hot countries when they are used temperately , yet the immoderate use of them over-heats the bodie , which causeth costiveness , and gripings in the bowels ; which is a disease that is very frequent there , and hardly cured , and of which many die . their blood also is thinner and paler than ours in england : nor is their meat so well relished as it is with us , but flat and insipid ; the hogs-flesh only excepted , which is as good as any in the world. their horses and cattel seldom drink , and when they do , it s but in a little quantity , except they be over heated with working . the moisture of the air causes all their knives , tweeses , keys , needles , swords , &c. to rust , and that in an instant . for if you grind your rusty knife upon a grind-stone , wipe it dry , and put it into your sheath , and pocket , in a little time after draw it again , and you shall find it beginning to rust all over ; which in longer time will eat into the steel and spoil the blade . locks also which are not often used , will rust in the wards and become useless . and clocks and watches will seldom or never go true , and all this is occasioned by the moistness of the air. this great heat and moisture together is certainly the cause that trees and plants , grow to such a vast height , and largeness as they do there . there is nothing so much wanting in this island as springs and rivers of waters ; there being but very few , and those small and inconsiderable . there is but one river , which may yet be termed rather a lake than a river . the springs that run into it are never able to fill it : and out-let to the sea it hath none ; but at spring-tides the sea comes in and fills it , and at neep-tide it cannot run out again , the sea-banks being higher than it . yet some of it issues out through the sand , and leaves a mixture of fresh and salt water behind it . sometimes these spring-tides bring some fishes into it , which will remain there , being more willing to live in this mixt water , then in the salt . sometimes there have been taken in it fishes as big as salmons , which have been over-grown with fat and very sweet and firm . but fish is not often taken in this place , by reason that the whole lake is filled with trees and roots , so that no net can be drawn , nor hook laid , without danger of breaking and losing . the river or lake reaches not within land above twelve score yards , and there is no part of it so broad , but that you may cast a coit over it . the spring-tides about this island seldom rise above four or five foot upright . into these rivolets there come from the sea little lobsters , but wanting the great claws before , they are the sweetest , and fullest of fish that can be eaten . but the water which the people in this island most relie upon , is rain-water , which they keep in ponds , and have descents to them , so that what falls upon other grounds about , may run into them ; the bottom of these ponds are clay . for if the water find any leak to the rocky part , it gets into the clifts and sinks in an instant . about the end of december these ponds are filled , and with the help they have by weekly showers , they mostly continue so , yet sometimes they find a want . this water they use upon all occasions , and to all purposes , as to boil their meat , to make their drink , to wash their linnen , &c. in these ponds are neither fish nor fry , nor any living or moving things , except some flies that fall into them ; but the water is clear and well tasted ; here their cattel drink also . they also save rain water from the houses , by gutters at the eves which carries it down into cisterns . if any tumult or disturbance be in the island , the next neighbour to it discharges a musquet , which gives an allarum to the whole island . for upon the report of that , the next shoots , and so the next , and the next , ill it go through all , and upon hearing of this all make ready . of their bread. bread which is the staff and stay of mans life , is not so good here as in england ; yet do they account it both nourishing and strengthening . it 's made of the root of a small tree or shrub , which is called cussary . this root is large and round , like the body of a small still , and as they gather it , they cut sticks or blanches that grow neerest to it of the same tree , which they put into the ground , and they grow : so that as they gather one , they plant another . this root when its first gathered is an absolute poison , and yet by good ordering it becomes wholesome and nourishing . first , they wash it clean , and lean it against a wheel , whose sole is about a foot broad , covered with latine made rough like a greater . this wheel is turned about with the foot , as cutlers use to turn theirs , and as it grates the root , it falls down into a large trough which is appointed to receive it . this they put into a strong piece of double canvas , or sack-cloth , and press it so hard , that all the juice is squeezed out , and then drying it in the sun , its fit to make bread , which they do after this manner . they have a plate of iron round , about twenty inches in the diameter , a little hollowed in the mid'st , with three feet like a pot , above six inches high , that they may keep fire under . they heat this pone ( as they call it ) so hot as that it may bake but not burn . then the indians ( who are best acquainted with the making of it ) cast the meal upon the pone the whole breadth of it , and put it down with their hands , and it will presently stick together , and when they think that that side is enough , they turn it with a thing like a battle-dore ; and so turn and re-turn it till it be enough , which is presently done . then laying it upon a flat boord , they make others , till they have made enough for the whole family . they make it as thin as a wafer , and yet purely white and crisp . salt they never use in it , though probably it would give it a better relish . they can hardly make py-crust of it ; for as they knead , or roul it , it will crack or chop , so that it will not hold any liquor , neither with , nor without butter or eggs. there is another sort of bread which is mixed , being made of the flower of maise , and cussary : for the maise of its self will make no bread , it is so extream heavy : but these two being mixed , they make it into large cakes two inches thick , which tastes most like to our english bread. yet the negroes use the maise another way . for they tost the ears of it at the fire , and so eat it warm off the fire . the christian servants are fed with this maise , who pound it in a large morter , and boil it in water to the thickness of frumentry , and then put it into a tray and so eat it ; they give it them cold , and scarce afford them salt to it ; this they call lob-lolly . the third sort of bread which they use , is only potatoes , which are the dryest , and largest which they can choose , and this is the most common sort of bread used at the planters tables . of their drink . their drink is of sundry sorts . the first , and that which is most used in the island is mobby ; a drink made of potatoes ; thus , they put the potatoes into a tub of water , and with a broom wash them clean ; then taking them out , they put them into a large brass or iron pot , and put to them so much water as will only cover a third part of them , then covering the pot close with a thick double cloth , that no steam can get out , they stew them over a gentle fire , and when they are enough , take them out , and with their hands squeeze and break them very small in fair water , letting them stand till the water hath drawn all the spirits out of the roots , which will be done in an hour or two . then they put the liquor and roots into a large linnen bag , and let it run through that into a jar , and within two hours it will begin to work : and the next day it's fit to be drunk ; and as they will have it stronger or weaker , they put in a greater or a less quantity of roots . this drink being temperately made , doth not at all fly up into the head , but is sprightly , thirst-cooling drink . if it be put up into runlets , it will last four or five dayes , and drink the quicker . it is much like renish wine on the must. there are two several layers wherein these roots grow ; the one makes the skins of the potatoes white , the other red , and the red roots make the drink red like claret wine , the other white . this is the most general drink used in the island , but it breeds hydropick humours . another drink they have which is much wholsomer , though not altogether so pleasant , which they call perino , much used by the indians , which is made of the cussavy root . this they cause their old toothless women to chaw in their mouthes , and so spit into water , which in three or four hours will work and purge it self of the poisonous quality . this drink will keep a moneth or two , and drink somewhat like our english beer . grippo is a third sort of drink , but few make it well , and it 's rarely used . punch is a fourth sort , which is made of water and sugar mixt together , which in ten dayes standing will be very strong , and fit for labourers . a fifth is made of wild plumbs which they have in great abundance upon very large trees . these they press and strain , and they have a very sharp and fine flavour : but this being troublesome in making is seldom used . but the drink made of the plantane is far beyond all these . these they gather when they are full ripe , and in the heighth of their sweetness , and peeling off the skin , they wash them in water well boiled ; and after they have stood a night , they strain it , and bottle it up , and at a weeks end drink it . it s a very strong and pleasant drink , as strong as sack , and will fly up into the head , and therefore must be used moderately . the seventh sort of drink they make of the skimmings of their sugar , which is exceeding strong , but not very pleasant : this is commonly , and indeed too much used , many being made drunk by it . this they call kill-devil . the eighth sort of drink they call beveridge , made of spring-water , white-sugar , and juice of oringes . and this is not only pleasant , but wholesome . the last and best sort of drink which the world affords , is the incomparable wine of pines . and this is made of the pure juice of the fruit it self without mixture of water , or any thing else , having in it self a natural compound of all the most excellent tasts that the world can yield . i'ts too pure to keep long . it will be fine within three or four dayes . they make it by pressing the fruit , and straining the liquor , and keep it in bottles . three sorts of meat . they have several sorts of meat there , whereof the hoggs-flesh is the most general , and indeed the best which the island affords . for the swine feeding daily upon fruit , the nuts of locust , pompianes , the bodies of the plantanes , bonanas , sugar-canes , and maise , make their flesh to be exceeding sweet . at the first coming of the english thither , they found hoggs of four hundred pound weight , the intrals taken out , and their heads cut off . beef they seldome have any that feeds upon that island , except it die of it self : only such a planter as was sir james drax ( who lived there like a prince ) may now and then kill one . turkies they have large , fat and full of gravy . also our english pullen , and muscovy ducks , which being larded with the fat of their pork , and seasoned with pepper and salt , is an excellent bak'd meat . turtle doves they have of two sorts , and very good meat . there are also pidgeons which come from the lee-ward islands in september , and stay till christmas to feed upon fruits . many of these they kill upon the trees , and they are exceeding fat , and tast excellently . tame rabbets they have , but they tast faintly , more like chickens then rabbets . they have also divers sorts of birds , but none that they use for food . of their fish. now for fish , the island want not plenty about it , yet the planters look so much after their profit on the land , that they will not spare time to catch it , nor to send to the bridge to buy that which is caught to their hands . but when any have a mind to feast themselves with fish , they go to the taverns at the bridge where they have plenty , and well drest . butter they seldom have that will beat thick ; but instead thereof they use vineger , spice , and fry much of their fish in oyl , and eat it hot ; yet some they pickle , and eat it cold . yet collonel humphrey walrond having his plantation near the sea , hath a saine to catch fish withall , which his own servants and slaves put to sea twice or thrice a week , and bring home store of small and great fishes , as snappers red and gray , cavallos , macarel , mullets , cony-fish , and divers other sorts of firm and sweet fish ; and some bigger then salmons , of the rarest colours that can be imagined , being from the back fin which is the middle of the fish , to the end of the tail , of a most pure grass green , as shining as satin : the fins and tail dappled with a most rare hair-colour ; and from the back fin to the head , a pure hair-colour dappled with green . the scales as big as an half crown piece . it is an exccent sweet fish ; only there is one kind of fish here wanting , which are very rife in the adjacent islands , which is the green turtle , which the best meat that the sea affords . in other places they take an infinite number of them by turning them upon their backs with staves , where they lie till they are fetcht away . a large turtle will have in her body half a bushel of eggs. when they are to kill one of them , they lay it on his back upon a table , and when he sees them come with a knife to kill him , he vapours out the most grievous sighs that ever you heard creature make , and sheds as large tears as a stag. he hath a joynt or crevis about an inch within the utmost edge of his shell , into which they put the knife and rip up his belly , which they call his calipee , and take out his bowels , and heart , which had three distinct points , and this being laid in a dish will stir and pant ten hours after the fish is dead : it 's of a delicate taste and very nourishing . of the quelquechoses . the quelquechoses with which they furnish out their tables at a feast are , eggs potcht , and laid upon sippets soaked in butter , and juice of limes and sugar , with plumpt currans strewed upon them , and cloves , mace , cinamon strewed upon that , with a little salt. eggs boiled , rosted , and fried with collops . buttered eggs , and amulet of eggs , with the juice of limes and sugar , a fraize , and a tansie , custards and cheese cakes , puffs , cream boiled to a heighth with yolks of eggs , and seasoned with sugar and spice , jelly which they make of a young pig , caves-feet , and a cock ; cream alone , and some several wayes with the help of limes , lemmons , and oranges ; and into some they put plantanes , gnavers , and bonanoes stew'd , or preserved with sugar , and the same fruit also preserved without cream , and to draw down a cup of wine , they have dried neats tongues , westfalia-bacon , caviare , pickled-herring , botargo , all which are brought to them . from old and new england , virginia , and holland they have beef , and pork ; as al ling , haberdine , cod , poor john , makarels , and herrings pickled , and sturgeon . pickled turtles they have from the lee-ward islands . of these things they have had in these latter years such store , that the negroes are allowed for each man two makarels a week , and every woman one , which are given them saturday-nights , after which they have their allowance of plantanes , which is every one a large bunch or two two little ones to serve them for a weeks provision . and if any cattel die by chance , or by any disease , the christian servants eat the bodies , and the negroes the skins , head , and intrals , which is divided to them by the overseers . if a horse dies , the negroes have the whole bodies , and this they think a high feast , with which poor souls were never better contented : and the drink which the servants have to this diet , is nothing but mobby , and sometimes a little beveridge ; but the negroes have nothing but water . when the chief planters make a feast for their friends , it s either made by such as live within land , or neer the sea side . for this inland plantation , my author instanceth in sir james draxe , at whose table he hath seen these several sorts of meat well dressed : and this feast was alwayes made when he killed a beef , which he fed very fat , by allowing it a dozen acres of bonavist to feed in . first , he mentions beef as the greatest rarity in that island of which he had these dishes ; a rump boiled , a chine rosted , a large piece of the breast rosted , a cheek baked , the tongue and part of the tripes in minced-pies , feasoned with sweet herbs finely minced , suet , spice and corrans . the leggs , pallats , and other ingredients for an oleo podigro , and maribones . the guests having eaten well hereof , the dishes were taken away , and then came in a potato-pudding , a dish of scotch collips , of a legg of pork , fricacy of the same , a dish of boiled chickens , a shoulder of a young goat ; a kid with a pudding in his belly , a young pigg exceeding fat and sweet ; a shoulder of mutton which is there a rare dish : a pastry made of the side of a young goat , and a side of a young porket upon it , well seasoned with pepper , salt , and some nutmegs : a loin of veal , to which they have plenty of oringes , lemons , and limes ; three young turkies in a dish , two capons very large and fat , two hens with eggs in a dish ; four ducklings , eight turtle doves , and three rabbets ; and for cold baked meats , two muscovy ducks larded and seasoned with pepper and salt : and when these are taken from the table , another course is set on , of westphalia bacon , dried neats tongues , botargo , pickled oysters , caviare , anchoves , olives , and mixt amongst these , custards , cream , some alone , some with preserved plantanes , bonanoes , gnavers , and these fruits preserved by themselves ; cheesecakes , puffs , sometimes tansies , fraises , or amulets : and for raw fruit , plantaxes , bonanoes . gnavers , milions , prickled pears , anchove pears , prickled apples , custard apples , water milions , and pines , better then all the rest . and to this they had for drink , mobby , beveridge , brandy , kill-devil , drink of the plantanes , claret , white , and rhenish wine , sherry , canary , red sack , wine of fiall , besides several sorts of spirits that come from england . now for a plantation neer the sea , he instances in collonel walronds , who though he wants sheep , goats , and beef , yet he makes a plentiful supply in sundry sorts of fish , which the other wants . for all other sorts of meat which were at sir james draxe his table , he found at collonel walronds , as also mullets , maquerels , parrat-fish , snappers , red and grey , carallos , terbums , crabs , lobsters , long fish , with divers others for which they have no names . besides he dwelling so neer the haven , hath of all the rarities that are brought into the island from other parts ; as wine of all kinds , oyl , olives , capers , sturgeon , neats-tongues , anchoves , caviare , botago , with all sorts of salt meats , both flesh and fish ; as beef , pork , pease , ling , habberdine , cod , poor john , &c. above one hundred sail of ships come yearly to this island that bring servants and slaves , men and women , horses , beasts , asinegoes , and cammels ; utensils for boiling of sugar ; and all manner of tools for tradesmen , iron , steel , lead , brass , pewter : cloth of all sorts both linen and woollen , stuffs , hats , stockings , shooes , gloves , swords , knives , locks , &c. and many other things . and they carry back indigo , cotten-wool , tobacco , sugar , ginger , and fustick wood . of their several sorts of timber . timber for building they have great choice and plenty : as the locust trees which are so long and big as may serve for beams in a very large room , their bodies are strait , above fifty foot long , the diameter of the body about three foot and a half : the timber hereof is hard , heavy , and firm , not apt to bend , and lasting . the mastick trees not altogether so large as the former , but tougher . the bully tree is somewhat less , but in other qualities goes beyond the former . it 's strong , lasting , yet not heavy , nor so hard for the tools to work upon . the red wood , and yellow prickled wood are good timber , and higher then the locusts . the cedar is the best of all , it works smooth , and looks beautifully ; of it they make wainscot , tables , and stools . they have iron wood , and another sort that will endure wet and dry : of these they make shingles , wherewith they cover their houses , because it will neither warp nor crack . of their stone . they have two sorts of stone for building : the one lies in quarries ; but these are small rough , and somewhat porous : being burnt they make excellent lime , white , and firm , by the help whereof they bind their stones and make them to endure the weather . the other sort of stone they find in rocks , and massy pieces in the ground which are soft , and therefore they saw them to what dimensions they please , and the longer it lies above ground the harder it grows . hangings they use not in their houses , because they would be spoiled by the ants , eaten by the cockroaches , and rats . of their servants and slaves . in the island are three sorts of men , master , servants , and slaves . the slaves and their posterity being subject to their masters for ever , they take more care of them then of their servants , which are theirs but for five years by the law of the island . so that for the time the servants have the worser lives : for they are put to hard labour , ill lodging , and slighted diet . formerly the servants had no bone-meat at all , except a beast died , and then they were feasted as long as that lasted . till they had planted good store of plantans the negroes were fed with bonavisto , and lob-lolly , and some ears of maise tosted ; but now they are well pleased with their plantans , wherein they much delight , and thus they dress it . it 's gathered for them before it's full ripe , by the keeper off the plantan groves , who is an able negro , and laid upon heaps till they fetch them away , which they do every saturday night about five a clock ; for then they give over work sooner then ordinary , partly for this work , and partly because the fire in the furnace is to be put out , and the ingenio to be made clear ; besides they are to wash , shave , and trim themselves against the sabbath . it is a fine sight to see an hundred of these negroes , men and women , every one with a grass-green bunch of plantans on their heads , every bunch twice so big as their heads , all marchin gone after another . having brought it home , they pill off the skin of so much as they will use , and boil it , making it into balls , and so eat it . one bunch a week is a negroes allowance , which they have no bread , nor drink but water , their lodging at night is a boord , with nothing under , nor any thing above upon them . the usage of the christian servants is much as the master is , whether merciful , or cruel . such as are merciful , use their servants well , both in meat , drink , and lodging . but the lives of such servants as have cruel masters , is most miserable . when any ships bring servants thither , the planters buy such of them as they like , and with a guide send them to their plantations , where they must presently build them a cabin , or else lie upon the ground . these cabins are made with sticks , wit hs , and plantane leaves , under some little shade that may keep off the rain . the food is a few potatoes for meat , and water or mobby for drink . at six of the clock in the morning they are rung out to work with a bell , with a rigid overseer to command them , till the bell ring again at eleven of the clock , and then they go to dinner , either with a mess of lob-lolly bonavist , or potatoes . at one of the clock they are rung out again , where they work till six , and then home to a supper of the same . but now their lives are much better ; for most servants lie in hamocks , in warm rooms , and when they come home wet from work , they have shifts of shirts and drawers , which is all the clothes they wear , and are fed with bone-meat twice or thrice in a week . of their great fires . sometimes through carelesness of servants , whole fields of sugar canes , and houses have been burnt down : for if the canes take fire , there is no quenching of them , they burn so furiously , and make a terrible noise ; for each knot of every cane , gives as great a report as a pistol . there is no way to stop it but by cutting down , and removing all the canes before it for the breadth of twenty or thirty foot down the wind ; and there the negroes stand and beat it out as it creeps along ; and some of them are so earnest to stop it , as with their naked feet to tread , and to roll their naked bodies upon it , so little do they regard their own smart in regard of their masters benefit . when negroes are brought to be sold , the planters go to the ship to buy them , where they find them stark naked , and therefore cannot be deceived in any outward infirmity . the strongest , youngest , and most beautiful yield the best prizes ; thirty pound is the price for the best , and about twenty five pound for a woman negro ; children are much cheaper . they are very chast people . for when at sometimes they are altogether naked , they will not so much as cast their eyes upon those parts which ought to be covered . jealous they are of their wives , and , and take it hainously if any make the least courtship to them . and if any woman hath two children at a birth , her husband provides a cord to hang her , concluding that she hath been false to his bed : and if by the authority of his master , he be overawed , yet he never loves her after . the planters allow some of them two or three wives , but no women above one husband . when a wife is brought to bed , the husband removes into another room , leaving his wife upon a boord on which she lies , and calls a neighbour to her , who makes her a little fire near her feet , and that serves for possets , broths , and candles . in a fortnight she is at her work again with her pickaninny ( so they call their children ) at her back , as merry as any other . they have times of suckling their children , and refreshing themselves in the fields ; and good reason , for they carry a burden on their backs , and work too . some of them when their children are three years old , as they stoop in their weeding-work , will set their pickaninnies a stride on their backs , where he will spur his mother with his heels , and crow on her back , clapping his hands as if he meant to fly , which the mother is so well pleased with , that she will continue her painful stooping work longer then she would do , rather then discompose her jovial pickaninny , so glad she is to see him merry . the sabbath dayes they have wholly to their pleasures : in the afternoons they have kettle-drums to make them musick , and they all go to dancing , the men by themselves , and the women by themselves , and sometimes the men wrestle amongst themselves . when any of them die , they make a grave , and bury him in the evening , clapping their hands , and making a doleful sound with their voices . they are cowardly , and therefore bloody , when they have advantages . if you threaten before you punish them , they will hang themselves to avoid the punishment . if they have bruises or strains , they anoint themselves with a kind of oyl that comes out of barbary that cures them . when they are sick , or inwardly distempered , a little kill-devil revives , and comforts them . the young maids have usually large breasts that stand strutting out , hard and firm , but when they are old , and have had children , their breasts hang down below their navels . they are excellent swimmers and divers , both men and women . some indians they have from the neighbouring islands , or from the continent , whose women are better versed in ordering the cussavy , and making bread then the negroes ; as also for making mobby . the men they use for foot-men , and killing of fish. one of them will go out with his bows and arrows , and in a dayes time will kill more fish then will serve a family of a dozen persons whil'st it is good . they are very active and learn any thing sooner then the negroes : their women have small breasts , long black hair : clothes they scorn to wear , especially if they be well shaped , only they wear something before their privities . one of these women being got with child by a christian servant , when the time of her travel came , being loth to be delivered amongst the men , went alone to a wood , where was a pond of water , by which she was delivered , and washing her child in the water , within three hours came home again with her child in her arms , which was a lusty boy . some of the planters feed daily two hundred mouthes , and keep them in such good order , as there is no mutinies amongst them , though they be of several nations . their first work is weeding , which if it be neglected but a little time , all is in danger of being spoiled . after weeding comes planting , especially in may , and november : but canes may be planted at all times , that so one field may be ready after another . commonly one field contains about twelve acres . of their beasts and cattel . some camels they have which are brought to them , and they are very useful for carrying down sugar to the bridge , or bringing from thence hogsheads of wine , beer , or vineger , which horses cannot do , neither can carts pass , the wayes are so rocky and uneven . one of these will carry one thousand six hundred pound weight , and therefore the surest of any beast . some horses they have which are brought from several countries , and they use them either for the ingenio , or for the saddle . some bulls and cows they have from the isle of may , and bonavista . the bulls and oxen they use for labour in the ingenio's , and the cows for the pail . a calf here will bring a calf in fourteen moneths . asinegoes they have which are of excellent use for carrying sugar to the bridge : for they will go where horses cannot , by reason of the gullies , and deep wayes : one of them will carry one hundred and fifty pound weight , and some two hundred . hogs they have in abundance which they keep ininclosures ; and they use to sell them alive for 4 d. a pound , and sometime for 6 d. if they be dear . sheep they have but few , neither do they thrive in that pasture . yet the ews have constantly two lambs , but their flesh doth not eat well . some sheep they have from guinny , and binny , that have hair instead of wooll , and their flesh is more like to mutton then the other . goats they have in great plenty , and they prosper well , and tast like our goats : they live in the woods , and are always inclosed . of their birds and fowls . birds they have , but two sorts worth the mentioning . the biggest is a buzzard , somewhat less then ours , and swifter of wing ; the only good they do , is , that they sometimes kill rats . the other is the larger turtle dove , of which there is great store . it 's handsomer both in shape and colour then ours in england , and is very good meat . there is also a lesser turtle , a far finer bird then she . it 's of the shape of a partridge , her colour grey , and a red brown under the wings . there is also a bird like a thrush , of a melancholly look , and her feathers stand alwayes ruffling ; she hath loud and very sweet notes . another there is much like a ren , but as big as a trush , she alwayes looks very merry and jolly . there are great flocks of blackbirds with white eyes , they have a harsh note like our jayes in england : they are great devourers of corn , and blossoms of trees . they have a kind of stares which walk , but hop not as other birds do . they have other like feldefares with big heads , and therefore they call them councellers , they have a strange tune , consisting of quarter notes , composed of five tones , and every one a quarter note higher then the other . they have sparrows , haysocks , finches , yellow-hammers , titoies , and divers others , for which they have no names : and the humming bird , not much bigger then a humble bee , wheerof i have one . sometimes teals come to their ponds , which they kill with their guns . the like they do with fowls called oxen and kine . there is another that they call a man of war , much bigger then a heron , and flies out to sea to see what ships are coming , and when he returns , they know that ships are neer . there are bats that come abroad in the evening and feed on flies . of snakes and insects . there are some snakes of a yard long ; the harm they do is in dove-houses , into which if they can get , they devour the young ones ; and they will skim the milk-pans when they can get to them . there is no venomous beast in the island . there are scorpions some as big as rats , smooth , and coloured like a snake , their bellies inclining to yellow , very nimble and quick , they hurt none ; the snakes and they will fight long , and in the end the snake prevails , and devours the other . frogs and toads they have none . there would be lizzards but that the cats kill them ; they love much to be where men are , and will gaze in their faces , and hearken to their discourse ; their bodies are about four inches long , and their tails neer as much , headed like a snake in their colour , when they please , a pure grass-green on the back , blewish towards the sides , and yellowish towards the belly , and four nimble legs , and as cold as froggs . they have cock-roaches of the bigness and shape of a beetle , of a pure hair-colour ; they appear in the evening , and they will fly to your bed , and if you be sleeping , he will bite till he fetches blood , and presently begon , that you seldom find them . the muskitoes bites and string worse then gnats . next to these are merriwings , and of so evial a substance , that you can hardly discern them but by the noise of their wings ; when they sting , there arises a little knob which will continue so a whole day . caterpillers sometimes they have in great abundance , which do much harm , devouring the potato-plants to the very roots . flies they have of so many kinds , from two inches long with great horns to the least atome , so that it 's too tedious to speak of them all . they have ants and pismires of a small size , but of a great industry ; they are every where , in hollow ground amongst the root of trees , upon the bodie , branches , leaves , and fruit of all trees ; without houses , within their houses , upon their sides , walls , windows , roofs , tables , cupboords , stools , beds , floors , all within and without are covered with them . when they find a dead cockroch , though he be bigger then a hundred of them , yet they will take hold of him and lift him up , and away they carry him , some going by to assist those that are weary ; some ( like officers ) lead the way to shew the hole into which he must pass , and if his body do lie a cross that it cannot go into the hole , they give notice to the carriers , that presently turn his body endwise before it come to the hole , and that without any stop , and they never pull contrary wayes . the planters which are so curious to prevent their coming upon their tables , cupboards , and beds , have little troughs filled with water for the feet of these to stand in ; yet all will not prevail , for they will get in the scieling , and so fall down upon them . to keep them from the shelves on which their meat stands , they are forced to hang them to the roof with ropes , and to tar those ropes and the roofs over them . when a carpet upon a table is covered over with them , if you kill many , and let them alone but a while , they will carry away all the dead ones . if you set sugar upon a table which you have first freed from them , some in the room will presently smell it , and make towards it as fast as they can , and having found it , return again without medling with it , and gives notice of this booty , and then they come in thousands and ten thousands , and in an instant fetch it all away ; so that there is no place safe from these over-busie creatures . another sort of ants there are far larger , that make their nests as big as bee-hives , of clay against a wall or tree , and sometimes within houses , they make them of several little cels . these the cockrocha , and lizards make their prey upon ; wherefore for their own security , they make several galleries , some of five or six yards long of clay also , through which they pass undiscovered : their avenues go out amongst laaves or moss , that they may not be perceived : by often breaking down their nests , they are now most of them driven into the woods . spiders they have , most beautiful and large , and very curious in their webs , and not venomous . another harmful creature they call chegoes , in shape not much unlike a lowse , no bigger then a mite that breeds in cheese , their colour is blewish ; they get through your stockings into a place of you skin , most commonly under the nailes of your toes , and they lay their off-spring as big as a small tare , which will make you go very lamely , and put you to much smarting pain . the indian women will put in a small needle at the hole , and winding the point about the bag , loosen him from the flesh , and so take him out , but the place will fester and rankle a fortnight after they are gone . some little animals there are in the woods no bigger then crickets , that lie all day in holes , but after sun setting they begin their tunes , having exceeding shrill voices like a pack of small beagles . this musick hath no intermission till morning , and then all is hush't . there are many small crabs that live upon the land , of a reddish colour , they are coming from the sea all the year long ( excepting march ) and hide themselves in holes , and hollow trees , and come into their houses and gardens , where they eat herbs . the negroes will eat them , and count them good meat . in march they come all out of their holes and march to the sea in such multitudes as that they cover the earth : no hedge , wall , or house can stop them , but they will over all . now for trees . amongst the trees , there is none of more use then the physick nut , and yet hath it poison secretly lodged in it , but that poison makes good physick : this tree grows to be eighteen foot high ; there are none like it for beauty , and use in the island . it hath many sprigs upon it of four , five , and six foot long , which they lop off one after another , and of them make stakes of above four long , and stick them in the ground an inch deep , close to one another , and keep them even with a rail on either side , and in a moneths space they will take root , and send forth leaves ; and in another moneth will be rooted so fast , that they take away the the railes . these leaves are large , smooth , and beautifully shaped , of a full green , looking like green sattin hang'd on a line , so even they hang naturally . their stems grow apace , rather in bigness then in heighth , and within a while imbody themselves one into another , and then they become a very strong fence , and so close that a rat cannot pass through them , neither will cattel or vermin willingly come near them . and as it 's a beautiful and useful fence for gardens and orchards , and to keep in conies , turkies , muscovy-ducks , so it excellently fences in their pastures which they would inclose . their fruit also is phisical : five of its kernels eaten in a morning fasting , causes both vomits and stools . this nut is like to a white pear-plumb , and of a yellowish colour , and of yellowish colour , having on it as great a peelp as a plumb , which being taken off , you come to the stone of a blackish colour , and within that is a kernel that will part in the middle , where you shall find a thin film of a faint carnetion colour . take off that film , and you may eat the kernel safely without any operation at all , and it 's as sweet as a jordans almond . the leaves are sharp some like a vine leaf , but thrice as big , and much thicker . the poison tree is very beautiful , almost as large as the locust : her leaves as large and beautiful as the lawrel leaves , and very like them . as they cut down these trees they have cipers over their faces : for if any of their sap flies into their eyes , it makes them blind for a moneth after . of this timber they make most of the vessels wherein they cure their sugar . there is a mantionel tree whose fruit is poison . the fruit is like an apple john , and ( they say ) that the indians invenom their arrows with it . the cussavy is rather a shrub then a tree , the sprigs as big as a broom-staff , crooked and ill shaped ; the leaves grow so thick as to cover them , and they grow in bunches , each of them an inch broad , and six or seven inches long , of a dark green. the growth of the roots , and the use of them is set down before . coloquintida is a very beautiful fruit , as big as an ostrages egg , of an ill taste , the rind smooth , with various greens interlaced with murries , yellows , and faint carnations . cassia fistula is a tree which grows exceeding fast . a seed of it being set will in one year grow to be eight foot high , and as thick as a walking staff . the leaf is like that of an ash , but much longer , and of a darker colour . the fruit when it 's ripe is of shape like a black puddling , sometimes sixteen inches long , the pulp of it is progatine , and a great cooler of the reins . there is a plant very like a sugar cane : if it be chewed in the mouth , it causes the tongue and throat so to swell , that the party cannot speak for two dayes . there are tammerine trees , and palm trees planted which were brought from the east-india . the palm yields excellent wine , which is thus gathered : they cut off the bark in such a part of the tree , where a bottle may be fitly placed , and the liquor that runs into it , is excellent good for a day , and no longer . it 's a very delicious liquor . the fig-trees are very large , but bear a small and contemptible fruit , neither are the leaves like ours , nor so long by a fifth part . the bodies of the trees are as long as our elms. the cherry tree is not altogether so large , the fruit is useless and insiped ; the colour some resembling our cherries , and the shape not unlike . the citron is a small tree , though she bears a great fruit , which weighs it down to the ground , the stalk of a dark colour , the leaf shaped like that of limon , but of a dark green . the orange trees do not prosper so well , neither is their fruit so kindly as those of bermudas : large they are , and full of juice , but not delicious ; besides ther full of seeds , and their rinds thin and pale . these trees do not last in their prime above seven years . the limon tree is much handsomer and larger ; their fruits is large and full of juice , and of a fragrant smell . the lime tree is like a thick holly-bush in england , and as full of prickles . when they make a hedge of them about their houses , it 's an excellent fence both against the negroes , and cattel . it 's commonly of seven or eight foot high , extreamly thick of leaves , and fruit , and prickles . the leaves and fruit like those of the limon-tree , yet in the tast of rind , and juice it differs exceedingly . it 's very fit for sauce , but eats not well alone . the prickled apple-tree grows on a tree with very thick leaves , large and of a deep green , shaped like our walnut leaves . the fruit is in fashion in heart of an oke , and of that bigness ; green on the outside with many prickles on it . the tast is very like that of a musty limon . the pilchard pear is much purer in tast , and better of shape , not much unlike a greenfield pear , of a faint green , inter mixed with some yellow near the stalk : the body of a mixt red , partly crimson , partly stammel , with prickles of yellow near the top , the end being larger then the middle . the pomgranate is a beautiful tree , the leaves small and green , mixed with an olive colour ; the blossoms large , well shaped , and of a pure scarlet colour . the young trees being set in rows , and kept in with cutting , make a very fine hedge . the fruit is well known amongst us . the papa is but a small tree ; the bark of a faint willow colour , the leaves large , and of colour like the bark ; the branches grow out four , or five of one heighth , and spread almost level from the place where they sprang out ; about two foot higher are such other branches spreading in the same manner . the top is handsomly formed , the fruit as big turnips , growing close to the body of the tree where the branches grow , and of somewhat a fainter willow colour . the tree is soft , with a knife a man may cut down one that is as thick as a mans legg . they boil the the fruit , and eat it for sauce with pork like turnips . the gnaver-tree is bodied and shaped like a cherry-tree , the leaves somewhat larger and stiffer ; the fruit of the bigness of a small limon , and near of the colour , only the upper end is somewhat blunter : it 's soft and of a delicate tast , within is a pulpy substance full of small seeds , like a figg , some are white , and some of a stammel colour . these when they have passed through the body of man or beast , wheresover they are emptied , they grow , and do much hurt in the pastures where cattel go that eat of them : for they over run all , and are hardly rooted out . the fruit differs in tast , some rank , some sweet . the rind preserved is delicate meat . some cocos there are , they are seldom above eighty or ninety foot high . their branches come out in several parts of the trees , leaving spaces between the several heights : the nuts grow where the lower bows break out : the nuts are of several sizes , mostly as big as a foot-ball , having a green skin without ▪ and between that and the shell a pulpy substance , of which when it 's dry they make ropes , being like hemp hurds . the shell is full of a clear and well-tasted liquor , very delicious ; it 's lined within with a substance as thick as itself , of a white colour that tasts better then a walnut : the leaves of this tree in colour are like the olive leaves . the custard apple grows on a tree full of branches , and large leaves : the fruit when ripe , is as big as the largest pomwater , and of the colour of a warden ; they cut a hole in the lesser end , and so eat out the meat with a spoon : it tasts exceeding like to a custard . it hath many smooth seeds in it . the macow-tree is one of the strangest trees in the island , the body and branches being stuck all over with prickles , as black as jet , from one to seven inches long , sharp at point , and taperwise all the way , and waved as some swords are ; they are hard and excellent for tooth-pikes . the tree is of the size of a willow-tree , the leaves of that colour and shape , but very stiff and hard . at the top is a large tuft of fruit , but not to be eaten , being for shape like that which the ciprus-tree bears : the body is straight , the branches comely , and the top round . date-trees are in colour like these , but the leaves longer . the mangrave , though she be not tall , yet is she of large extent . for there drops from her limbs a kind of gum which hangs together till it touch the ground , and then it takes root : so that this tree so multiplies , that a troop of horse may well hide themselves in it . of the bark they make very strong ropes : and the indians spin it into a fine thred as flax make . of it they make hamocks , and divers things which they wear . the calibash-tree bears leaves , of a full and rich green , and in great plenty ; her fruit is as big as that of a coco , but not to be eaten : round as a ball , and green , smooth , and shining : they grow close to the body of the tree , or boughs , without stalks . of this round fruit they make dishes , bowls , and cups , and other utensils . they look very beautiful on the tree . there are bay-trees whose leaves are so aromatick , as three or four of them will amply supply the place of cloves , mace , and cinamon in dressing any dish of meat . it 's in shape and colour like ours in england . the cedar is the most useful timber in the island . it 's strong , lasting , and not very heavy , and therefore good for building . it works smoothly , and hath a fair grain , and therefore is much used for wainscot , chairs , stools , and other utensils ; the leaves are like those of the ash-trees in england , but somewhat bigger . the mastick-tree is very tall , but the body is slender , and therefore to support her , she hath spurs above seven foot from the ground , fixt into the body , and reach from the tree to the roots : so broad that they make round tables of them , above three foot and an half in the diameter . this tree hath commonly a double top , one side being somewhat higher then the other . the fruit is of a stammel colour , and hath neither skin nor stone , and is unwholsome . the leaves of it grow of such an heighth , that the form cannot be discerned till they fall down . some of these trees are about sixty foot high . the bully-tree is somewhat less , but excellent wood to work on : it bears a fruit like our bullies . her body is strait , and well shap't , her branches proportionable ; the timber very lasting . red-wood is an handsome tree of a midling size , the body about two foot and and an half in the diameter : the timber works so well that workmen commend it above all other . prickled yellow wood is as good as the red-wood , strong and lasting : good for building , and all work without doors . iron-wood is so extream hard , that it breaks the axes that fall it . it is so heavy that it is seldom used in buildings . it is good for any use without doors . for neither sun nor rain can soften it . it 's much used for coggs to the rollers . signum vitae , they use for the same purpose . they send much of it to england : where it 's used for bowls , cabinets , drinking cups , &c. the loust-tree is like a tuscane pillar , plain and massie : for the burden it bears being great and ponderous , ought to have a body proportionable thereunto . some of them are four foot in the diameter near the root , and 30. foot high growing taper-wise . the head is neither too heavy , nor too light , the branches large ; the springs , leaves , and nuts so thick , that one may lie upon them . the nuts are 3. inches and a half long , and two inches broad , and an inch thick : the shell somewhat thick , of an hair colour : the leaves bigger then those of our ashes . in every nut are three or four kernels . in times of famine poor people eat them for their sustenance . there is also a bastard locust-tree that looks fair , but will not last . the palmeto hath a body of fourty five or fifty foot high , the diameter , seldom above sixteen inches : the rind , of a poor ash color full of wrinkles ; the leaves about two foot and a half long , in bunches as if twenty long flag-leaves were tied together by the broad ends : with bundles of these they thatch houses very neatly , which is dry , warm , and lasting . the palmeto royal is the stateliest tree that grows on earth , for beauty and largeness not to be parallel'd . when she is about ten or twelve years old , she is about seventeen foot high ; that part which touches the ground is round like 〈◊〉 inkhorn , above which the body of the tree is less , like that part which holds the pen. the body is tawny , and purple , with rings of white and green mixed , that go round about , and stand at six inches distance . about six foot and an half high , grow the bottom of the stalks , thin as parchment , enwrapping one another so close , as to make a continued stem of the same bigness for two foot and an half above the others , every one of those skins bearing a stalk which lessens insensibly from the skin to the point . these branches are of several lengths , the most inward are the highest ; and each stalk is adorned with leaves , and each of these leaves sharp at either end ; the stem is of a pure grass green shining like velom , and all the branches with the leaves of a full grass green , and speading every way , and the highest of them eight foot above the stem . the branches sprout from the middle of tree , one at once , and as it opens it spreads the leaves abroad , at which time the eldest branch withers , and hangs down till the wind blows it off . then comes forth another , and another , and still there is a pike , and a dead leaf , a pike and a dead leaf as the tree growes higher and higher , which is till she be one hundred years old . about thirty or fourty yeas old she begins to bear her fruit , which is of the bigness of large grapes , some green , some yellow , some purple , and then they are ripe when they come to be purple , and fall down ; and then the green turns yellow , and the yellow purple , and so take their turns till the tree gives over bearing . these trees grow till some of them be two hundred , yea three hundred foot high . the top of this tree is of a vast extent , for from the point of the branches on the one side , to the point of the stalk on the other side is seventy eight foot , yet are none of the roots of this tree bigger then a swans quil ; but there are many of them , and they fasten themselves in the rock which makes the tree , though so high , and big , able to stand against all wind and weather . the wood of this tree is so hard and tough , that it breakes the axes of those those that fell it . there are many other sorts of trees , some exceeding large aud beautiful , for which they have no names . of plants . the ginger is a root that brings forth blades like the blades of wheat , but broader , and thicker : they are of a popinary colour , and the blossome of a pure scarlet . when the ginger is ripe , they dig it up , being the root , and scrape off the outward skin to kill the spirits of it , for else it would grow perpetually . others scald it to kill the spirits , and that will be black and hard as wood , whereas the scraped ginger is white , and soft , and hath a cleaner , and quicker tast . red pepper . there are two sorts of red pepper ; the one like coral , of a crimson and scarlet colour mixt : the fruit about three inches long , and shines more then the best polished coral . the other is of the same colour , and glisters as much , but is shaped like a large button of a cloake ; they have both the same quality ; so violently strong , that when they break but the skin , it causes them to cough for a quarter of an hour after the fruit is removed ; but whil'st they are grabling of it , they never give over . it grows on a little shrub no bigger then a goosbberry-bush . they have excellent good cucumbers from the beginning of november , to the end of february , they eat them cold with oyle , vineger , and pepper . but boiled or fried they use them for sauce with mutton , pork , turkies , and muscovy ducks . millions they have likewise for those four moneths : for the most part larger then ours in england , and eat moister . some of them are sixteen inches long . the water million is one of the goodliest fruits that grows : some as big as cloak-bags ; purely green , engravened with straw-colour . no inch of the rind is alike , and they are as smooth as polished glass ; within , they are like an apple for colour , but in tast waterish and wallowish . it 's rarely cooling and excellent against the stone . the seeds are of a pure purple ; they are full of these seeds . grapes they have which are indifferently well tasted , but they are never ripe together : there are alwayes some green , some ripe , and some rotten grapes in a bunch , and therefore they cannot make wine of them . the fruit of the plantane is of great use , and beauty too . in planting them they put a root into the ground six inches deep , and in a very short time there will come out three or four sprouts , whereof one hath the precedence . as this sprout grows , it springs from the intrinsick part of the stem , and the out leaves hang down and rot ; but still new ones come within , and rise up as the palmeto does , like a pike which opens with the sun , and becomes a leaf , and when it 's eight or ten foot high , the pikes and leaves will be of their full bigness , and so continue till the last sprout comes forth , which is the soul of the plant , and will never be a leaf : but is the stem upon which the fruit must grow . when the leaves come to their full bigness , they rot no more , but continue in their first beauty , a rich green with stripes of yellow . these leaves are most of them above six foot long , and two foot broad ; smooth , shining , and stiff as a lawrel leaf , falling from the middle to the end like a feather : and when it comes to the full heighth , the leaves will be fifteen or sixteen foot high , the stem upon which the fruit grows being a foot higher , with a green branch on the top , which branch is very heavy , and then the leaves open and shew the blossome , which is of a pure purple , and like a heart with the point downwards , being of a pound weight ; when this is fallen , the fruit grows . in six moneths space this plant will be grown , and the fruit ripe , which is pleasant , wholesome , and nourishing , yellow when it 's ripe : but the negroes desire it green , for they eat it boiled , and it 's the only food they live upon . when it 's gathered they cut down the plant , and give it to the hoggs , for it will grow no more . in three moneths another sprout will come to bear , and so another , and another for ever . groves they make of these plants of twenty acres of ground so planting them in every room that they can walk dry under the leaves , and be shaded from the sun. the wild plantane grows much as the other doth , but the leaves not so broad , and more upright : the fruit of a scarlet colour , and almost three square , but good for nothing . the bonano differs nothing from the plantane in the body and leaves , but only that the leaves are somewhat less , and the body hath here and there some blackish spots , the blossome no bigger then a large rose bud , of a faint purple and ash colour mixt , the stalk that bears it , is adorned with small blossomes , of several colours : the fruit stands upright like a bunch of puddings , each of them between four and five inches long . the fruit is sweeter then that of the plantane , and therefore the negroes will not meddle with it . it 's near as beautiful a trees as the ●antane . the pine is excellent in the superlative degree , both for beauty and tast . it s a full year before it bring forth ripe fruit , but when it comes to be eaten , nothing of rare tast that can be thought on that is not there . a slip taken from the body of this plant , and set in the ground , will not presently take root , but the crown that grows upon the fruit itself will sooner come to perfection . in a quarter of a year it will be a foot high , and the leaves about seven or eight inches long , appearing like a semicircle : the colour mostly frost upon green , intermixt with cornation , and the edges of the leaves have teeth like sawes . the leaves fall one over another , the points of the lowest touching the ground . in a quarter of a year more , the blossome appears on the top of the stem , as large as a great cornation , the colours , cornation , crimson , and scarlet , in streaks intermixt with yellow , blew , and peach colour-leaves , intermixed again with purple , sky-colour , orange-tauny , gridaline , and gingeline , white , and philamot : so that the flower represents the variety to the sight , which the fruit doth to the tast . when the flowers are fallen , there appears a little bunch of the bigness of a walnut , which hath in it all these colours mixt , which were disper'st in the leaves , and so it grows bigger for two moneths more ; when it 's perfect , it is of an oval form , and at the upper end grows out a crown of leaves much like the former in colour , but more beautiful . some of them six inches long ; the out leaves shorter by degrees . this fruit is inclosed with a rind , which begins with a skrew at the stalk , and so goes round to the top , or crown , gently rising , which screw is about a quarter of an inch broad , and the figures that are imbroidered upon it , near of the like dimension , and divisions between ; which divisions are never one over another in the screw , but are always under the middle of the figures above , which so vary in their colours , as that if you see one hundred pines , they are not like one another ; and every of those figures hath a little tuft , some green , some yellow , some ash-colour , and some carnation . there are two sorts of pines , the king and the queen-pine . the queen is far more delicate , and hath her colours of all greens , which shadows intermixt with faint cornations , but most of all , frost upon green , and sea-greens . the king-pine hath mostly all sorts of yellows shadowed with grass-greens . some of them are fourteen inches long , and six in the diameter : most of them having heavy bodies , and slender stalks , bowed down till they are on the ground . some of them have a dozen little ones round about the prime fruit , which are ripe by turns , and all very good . when it 's ripe it hath an admirable smell , when they come to eat them , they first cut off the crown , and send that to be planted : then they pare off the most beautiful rind , and cut the fruit into slices in a dish , and there issues out a liquor as clear as spring-water about six spoonful , which in tast is in a high degree delicious , and in eating the fruit , the delicate variety of tasts will change and flow so fast upon your pallat , as your fancy can hardly keep way with them , to distinguish the one from other . how they plant their sugar-canes . they dig a small trench of six inches broad , and as deep , in a straight line , the whole length of the ground where they plant them , then they lay two canes one by another along the bottom of the trench , and so continue them the whole lengh of the trenches , then they cover them with earth ; and at two foot distance they do the like , till they have planted all the field . but they plant not too much together , but so that it may ripen successively , that their work may come in in order , that they be not idle : for if they be not cut and used when they are ripe , they will rot . from these canes thus buried , comes forth a sprout at every knot . they begin to appear a moneth after their setting , and in a moneth more they are two foot high at the least , and in the mean time they weed them , and supply where there are any defects . these canes with their tops are about eight foot high , the bodies about an inch in the diameter ; the knots five or six inches distant one from the another . when they are ripe they cut them with little hand bills , six inches above the ground , and divide the tops from the canes ; and then holding the cane by the upper end , they strip off all the blades , which with the tops they give to their horses ; the canes they bind in faggots , and send them home upon asinegoes , each of them carrying three faggots ; two upon crooked sticks on the sides , and one in the middle . and these creatures being used to it , will of themselves go and come without a guide . the place where they unload them , is a little plat of ground near to the mill-house which they call a barbica . being laid in the barbica , they w●●k them out clean , not suffering them to grow stale ; for in two dayes the juice will turn sower , and spoil all ; and in the next place , they grind them with horses under three rollers , whose centers being of brass , steel , turn very easily : but when the canes are between the rollers , it 's a good draught for five oxen or two horses . in a little time then all the juice is pressed out , and then two negro girls take out the canes , and corry them away , laying them on a heap at a distance . under the rollers there is a reciever into which the liquor falls , and from thence by a pipe of lead , is carried into a cistern , which is near the stairs that goes down from the mill to the boyling-house . from thence it passes through a gutter to the clarifying copper : and as it clarifies in the first copper , and the scum rises , it 's conveyed to a second copper , where it 's again scummed , both which scums being very drossy , are thrown away ; but the skimming of the other three coppers are conveyed to the stilling-house , where it stands in cisterns till it be a little sowre . thus the liquor is refined from one copper to another , and the more coppers it passes through , the finer and purer it is . when it comes to the tach it must have much keeling and stirring , and as it boiles , they throw into the four last coppers a liquor made of water and wit hs , which they call temp , without which the sugar would be clammy and never kern . when it 's boiled enough , they poure two spoonfulls of sallet-oyl into the tach , and then it gives over to bubble , then after much keeling they take it out of the tach with ladles , and remove it into the cooling cistern . this work continues from monday morning till saturday night , without any intermission , day and night , with fresh supplies of men , horses , and cattel . the liquor being so cool as that it 's fit to put into pots ; first stopping the sharp end of the pots with plantane leaves , they fill them , and let it stand till it be cold , which will be in two dayes and two nights ; then they remove them into the trying-house , and pulling out the stopples ; the molosses runs out into a gutter that carries it into cisterns again , and that they call peneles , which is a sugar somewhat inferiour to muscovados , which will sweeten pretty well , and is of a reasonable good colour . when it 's well cured , they remove the pots from the curing room into the knocking room , and turning them upside down , they knock them till the sugar falls out , in which there are three sorts . the first is brown , frothy , and light ; the bottom is of a darker colour , gross and heavy , and full of molosses , both which they cut away and boil them again with molosses for peneles . the midle , which is more then two thirds of the whole , is a white colour , dry , and sweet , which they send to their storehouses at the bridge , there to be put in casks and chests to be shipt away . though the muscovado sugars require but a moneths time in making , after it is boiled , yet white sugar requires four moneths , and it s made thus . they take clay and temper it with water to the thickness of frumentry , and pour it on the top of the muscovado-sugar as it stands in the potts , and there let it remain four moneths , and when it comes to be knock't out of the pots , the top and bottom will be like muscovadoes , but the middle perfect white , and excellent lump sugar . the skimmings before spoken of , when they have stood till they are a little soure , they still it ; and the first spirit that comes , is a small liquor , which they call low-wines , which they still over again , and then comes off a very strong spirit , which is very soveraign when they are ill with colds , which the negroes are oft subject to , having nothing to lye upon but aboard , and nothing to cover them . and though the dayes be hot , the nights be cold , and they coming hot , and sweating from their dayes labour , are subject to catch cold ; and when they feel themselves amiss , one dram of these spirits cures them . and the christian servants , when their spirits are exhausted by their hard labour and sweating in the sun ten hours every day , and their stomacks weakened , a dram or two of these spirits is a great comfort and refreshing to them . they make much money also of them by selling them at the bridge , so that they make weekly so long as they work , 30. l. sterling , besides what is drunk by their servants and slaves . wit hs . there is another plant which they call a with , which is exceeding harmful ; for it pulls down all it can reach to , canes and all other plants . if it comes into a garden , it will wind about all hearbs , and plants that have stalks , and pull them down and destroy them . if into an orchard , it will climb up by the bodies of the trees into the branches , and draws them as it were into a purse ( for out of the main stock hundred of sprigs will grow ) and if any other tree be near it will find the way to it , and pull the tops of them together , and hinder the growth of the fruit ; and cut the main stock at bottom in hope to kill it ; the moisture in the branches above will cast down a new root into the ground ; yea , it will reach the highest timber , and so enwrap their branches as to hinder their growth ; and oftentimes it fastens one tree to another , so that one shall hinder the growth of another . if you clear a passage of ten foot broad between a wood where it grows , and your canes over night , and come the next morning , and you shall find the way crossed all over with wit hs , and got near to the canes , and if they once get amongst them , you cannot destroy the one without the other ; for wheresoever they touch ground , they get new roots , and so creep into every place , and as they go pull all down . yet have they some good virtues ; for they serve for all uses where ropes or cords are required ; as for binding their wood and canes into faggots , &c. and without them they were in an ill condition , having no other wood fit for hoops for their hogsheads , barrels , and tubs ; and they can have them of what length and bigness they please ; and for such uses they are very good . there are several kinds of these wit hs , some that bear fruit somewhat bigger then the cod of a bean , which being divided long-wise with a knife you shall perceive the most various and beatiful colours that can be , and so well matched , as to make up a very great beauty . many canes there be in the island , some large enough to hide five hundred men ; the runaway negroes oft shelter themselves in for a long time , and in the nights range abroad , and steal pigs , plantanes , potatoes , and pullen , and feast all day upon what they stole in the night : and the nights being dark , and their bodies black , escape undiscovered . another sort of wit hs they have that are made of the gum of trees , which falls from the boughs drop after drop , one hanging by another till they touch the ground , from whence they receive nourishment and grow larger : and if three or four of them come down so near as to touch one another , and the wind twists them together , they appear like ropes . aloes they have growing there very good , and its a beautiful plant , and the leaves four inches broad , and three quarters of an inch thick , and a foot and half long , with prickles on each side , and the last sprout which rises in the middle , bears yellow flowers , one above another , which are two foot higher then the leaves . these thick leaves they take and cut them through , and out of them issues the aloes , which they set in the sun that rarifies it , and makes it fit to keep : they save the first running , for if it run too long it will be much worse . this plant in england we call semper vivens . of this is there to be be made an admirable medicine for a burn or scald . an ointment foor a burn or scald , thus , take semper vivens , plantane leaves , and the green rind of elder , of each a like quantity , and boil them in sallet oyl , till all the tincture be drawn in boyling . then strain out the oyl well , and put it on the fire again , and put to it a small quantity of the spirits of wine , and so much yellow wax as will bring it to the consistence of a linement to keep it for use . there also the sensible plant , which closes the leaves upon any touch with your hand , or that end of the staff by which you hold , and in a little time will open again . there are few flowers in the island , and none of them sweet . the white lilly , and red lilly are much fairer then ours , and very beautiful , but neither of them sweet . the saint jago flower is very beautiful , but of an unpleasing smell . another flower they have that opens not till sun setting , and is closed all day , and therefore they call it the flower of the moon . it grows in great tufts , the leaves like a heart , the point turning back : the flower is of a most pure purple . after the flower appears the seed , black with an eye of purple , of the shape of a small button , so finely wrought , and tough with all , as it may well trim a suit of apparel . there is purceane so plentifully every where , as makes it disesteemed . herbs , and roots . there are brought from england , rosemary , time , winter-savory , sweet-marjerom , pot-marjerom , parsly , penny-royal , camomil , sage , tansie , lavender , cotton , garlick , onions , coleworts , cabbage , turnips , redishes , marigold , lettice , taragon , southern-wood , &c. all which prosper well . there is a root which was brought thither by the negroes , large , dry and well tasted . it 's good boyled to eat with pork , mixt with butter , vineger , and pepper ; it 's as big as three of our largest turnips . the strength of the island . this island is strong by scituation ; for there cannot be any safe landing , but where the harbours , and bayes are , which lie to the south-west , and those places are so defencible by nature , as with small cost they are strongly fortified . in the year one thousand six hundred and fifty they were able to muster ten thousand foot , as good , and resolute men as any in the world , and a thousand good horse , and since then , they are much increased . their laws and government . their laws are like ours in england , and they are governed by a governour , and ten of his council ; four courts of justice in civil laws which divide the countrey into four circuits . justices of peace , constables , churchwardens , and tithingmen . five sessions in a year were held for trial of criminal causes , and appeals from inferiour courts . when the governour pleases to call an assembly for the last appeals , and making new laws , or abolishing the old ; it consists of the governour , his councel , and two burgesses chosen by every parish . there are in the island eleven parishes : no tithe paid to the minister , but a yearly allowance of a pound of tobacco upon an acre of every mans land , besides church-duties for marriages , baptizings , and burials . their weather . four moneths in the year the weather is colder then in the other eight , and those are november , december , january , and february ; yet are they hotter then with us in may. there is no general fall of the leaf , every tree having a particular time for it self , as if two locust-trees stand but at a stones cast distance , one lets fall her leaves in january , another in march , another in july , another in september . the leaves when fallen under the tree , being most of them large and stiff , when they were growing , and full of veins from the middle stalk to the upper end , when the thin part of the leaf is consumed , those veins appear like skelletons , with the strangest works and beautifullest forms that can be imagined . negroes heads . they also find in the sands things that they call negroes-heads , about two inches long , with a forehead , eyes , nose , mouth , chin , and part of the neck : they are alwayes found loose in the sands , without any root . it is black as jet , but whence it comes they know not . tar . they have no mines , not so much as of coles in the islands . there flows out of the rock an unctious substance , somewhat like tar : it is excellent good to stop a flux being drunk : and for all aches , and bruises , being anointed with it . it is so subtile that being put into the hand and rubbed there , it works through the back of it . pitch , and movntiack . there is another gumming substance that is black and hard as pitch , and is used as pitch ; they call call it mountiack . an excellent remedy against the stone . my author relates this story concerning himself , that during his abode in the barbadoes , he was taken with such a fit of the stone , that for fourteen dayes together he made not one drop of water ; but when he despaired of life ; god sent him such a remedy as the world cannot afford a better . for within ten hours after this taking of it , he found himself not only eased , but cured : it brought away all the stones and gravel that stopped the passage , and his water came as freely from him as ever before , and caried before it such quantities of broken stones , and gravel that the like hath hardly been seen . and afterwards being in the like torment , he used the same remedy , and found the same ease . the medicine was this , take the pizle of a green turtle that lives in the sea , dry it with a moderate heat , pound it in a morter , and take as much of this powder as will lie upon a shilling , in beer , ale , or whitewine , and in a short time it will work the cure . these turtles are frequent in the chariby , and lucayick islands near to the barbadoes , to which many of them are brought . three sorts of turtles . there are 3. sorts of turtles : the loggerhead-turtle , the hawks-bill-turtle , and the green turtle , which is of a less magnitude , but far excelling the other two in wholesomness , and rareness of tast . that part of the island which is the most remote from the bridge , ( the onely place of trading ) by reason of deep and steep gullies interposing the passage , is almost stopt . besides , the land there is not so rich and fit to bear canes as the other : yet it 's very useful for planting , provisions of corn , bonavist , cassavy , potatoes , &c. as also of fruit , as oranges , limons , lymes , plantanes , bonanoes : likewise for breeding of hoggs , sheep , goats , cattel , and poultry to furnish either parts of the island which wants those commodities . the sugar canes are fifteen moneths from the time of their planting , before they come to be fully ripe . from the island of bonavista they have horses brought to them , whose hooves are so hard and tough , that they ride them at the barbadoes down sharp and steep rocks , without shooes : and no goat goes surer on the sides of rocks , or hills then they . finis . ( here place the examples of minerals and stones . ) examples of the wonderful works of god in the creatures . chap. i. of strange stones , earth , and minerals . 1. in cornwal , near unto a place called pensans , is that famous stone called main-amber : which is a great rock advanced upon some other of meaner size , with so equal a counterpoize , that a man may stir it with the push of his finger , but to remove it quite out of his place , a great number of men are not able . camb. brit. p. 188. the like is in the country of stratherne in scotland . 2. in summerset-shire , near unto cainsham are found in stone-quarries , stones resembling serpents , winding round in manner of a wreath , the head bearing up in the circumference , and the end of the tail , taking up the centre within : but most of them are headless . camb. brit. p. 236. 3. in gloucestershire upon the hills near alderly are found certain stones , resembling cockles , periwinckles , and oisters , which seem to be the gaimsome works of nature , or such shells turned into stone . camb. brit. p. 363. 4. in yorkshire , about whitby are found certain stones fashioned like serpents , foulded and wraped round , as in a wreath , so that a man would verily think that they had been somtimes serpents turned into stone . camb. brit. p. 718. 5. also in the same country at huntly nabb , there lye scattering here and there amongst the rocks , stones of divers bigness , so artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a globe , that one would take them to be big bullets made by the turners hand , for shot to be discharged out of great ordnance ; in which , if you break them , are found stony serpents , enwrapped round like a wreath : but most of them are headlesse . camb. brit. p. 721. 6. in the county of cornwal near unto st. neots , there are a number of good great rocks heaped up together , and under them one stone of lesser size , fashioned naturally in the form of a cheese lying in presse , whereupon it s named wring-cheese . camb. brit. p. 192. 7. in richmondshire amongst the ragged rocks , are found stones like unto periwinckles , cockles , and other shell fish . camb. brit. p. 727. 8. in the county of hereford , a hill which they call marcley-hill , in the year 1571. ( as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep ) roused it self up , and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self ( as mighty , and huge an heape as it was ) with roaring noise in a fearful sort , and overturning all things that stood in the way , advanced it self forward , to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders . camb. brit. p. 630. 9. in glamorganshire in a rock or cliffe , by the sea side , there appeareth a very little chink , unto which , if you lay your ear , you shall hear a noise as if it were of smiths at work , one while the blowing of the bellows , another while the striking of the sledge , and hammer ; sometimes the sound of the grindstone , and iron tools rubbing against it , the hissing sparks also of steel-gads within holes as they are beaten , and the puffing noise of the fire burning in the furnace . camb. brit. page 643. this is called merlins cave . 10. at aspley gowick in bedfordshire , near unto woburn , there is a kind of earth that turns wood into stone : for proof whereof there was a wooden ladder in the monastry of woburn , that having lien a good while covered in that earth , was digged forth again all stone . camb. brit. p. 401. i have a peece of wood turned into stone by that earth . 11. in kile in scotland , there is a rock about twelve foot high , and as much in breadth , called the deaf-craig : for though a man call never so loud , or shoot off a gun on the one side , yet his fellow on the other side cannot hear the noise . description of scotland . 12. in argile there is a stone found in diverse places , which being laid under straw , or stubble , doth set it on fire , by reason of the great heat that it gathereth there . idem . 13. it is most strange , yet true , that the armes of the duke of rohan in france , which are fusils , or lozenges , are to be seen in the wood , and stones , through all his country : so that if you break a stone in the middest , or lopp a bough of a tree , you shall behold the the grain thereof ( by some secret cause in nature ) diamonded , or streaked in the fashion of a lozeng . camb. brit. 14. in warwick-shire , the armes of the shugburies , which are starres , are found in the stones in their own manner of shugbury ; so that break the stone where you will , and there is the exact fashion of a star in the end of it . idem , i have some of these stones . 15. in the kingdom of fesse in affrica there is a mountain called beniguazeval , in the top whereof there is a cave that casteth out fire perpetually . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 807. 16. in prussia there is great store of amber , which groweth like coral in a mountain of the north-sea , which is clean covered with water : by the violence of the waves beating against this rock , the amber is oft broken off , and cast up by the sea into their havens . 17. about bever castle in lincoln-shire , are found the stones called astroites , which resemble little stars joyned one with another , wherein are to be seen at every corner , five beams , or rayes , & in the middest of every ray is to be seen a small hollownesse . camb. brit. 18. we have corral , amber , emralds , calcedony , pearl , onix , sardonix , sardis , bezar , hemathist , and the turquoise from arabia , indostan , and persia. pearls , berils , saphires , and adamants , from zeilan . jasper , cornelion , agate , heliotrope , jacinth , and chrysolite , from malabar , narsinga , and cochin-china . diamonds from borneo , and gulkunda . gold , silver , rubies , saphires , granats , topaz , emeralds , smaradg , espinels , cats-eyes , and porcellane , from pegu , siam , bengala , sumatra , japan , and china . chap. ii. examples of the rare works of god in the creatures . of trees , hearbs , plants , and gums . 1. of date-trees some are males , and other females : the male brings forth flowers onely ; the female fruit , but the flowers of the female will not open unlesse the boughs , and flowers of the male be joyned unto them : and if they be not thus coupled , the dates will prove stark naught , and have great stones in them , pur. pil. v. 2. p. 823. 2. neer unto the grand-cairo in egypt , is a garden environed with a strong wall ; in the garden is a large fountain , and in the middest of it groweth the only balm-tree bearing true balm , that is in the world : it hath a short stock or body , and beareth leaves like unto vine-leaves , but not altogether so long . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 838. 3. in the country of indostan they have a pleasant clear liquor which they call taddy , issuing from a spongy tree that grows straight , and tall , without boughs to the top , and there spreads out into branches , somwhat like to an english colewort , where they make incisions , under which they hang earthen pots to preserve the influence : that which distils forth in the night , is as pleasing to the taste , as any white wine , if drunk betimes in the morning ; and of a peircing , and medicinable quallity , excellent against the stone . but in the heat of the day the sun alters it , so that it becomes heady , ill-relished , and unwholesome . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1469. 4. for cotton wooll , they plant seeds , which grow up into shrubs like unto our rose-bushes : it blows first into a yellow blossome , which falling off , there remains a cod about the bignesse of a mans thumb , in which the substance is moist , and yellow , but as it ripens , it swells bigger , till it break the cod , and in short time becomes as white as snow , and then they gather it . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1470. 5. the cynamon tree is a small tree , and low , having leaves like to our bay-tree : in the month of march , or april , when the sap goeth up to the top of the tree , they cut the bark off the tree round about in length ; from knot to knot , or from joynt to joynt , above , and below , and then easily with their hands they take it away , laying it in the sun to dry , and yet for all this the tree dyes not , but against the next year it will have a new bark , and that which is gathered every year is the best cynamon : that which grows longer is great , and not so good . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1709. 6. in india is a tree called arbore de ray's or the tree of roots , it groweth first up like other trees , and spreadeth the branches , out of which there come strings , which seem a far off to be cords of hemp , which growing longer till they reach the ground , there take root again : so that in the end one tree will cover a great peece of ground , one root crossing within another like a maze , each of these young trees will in time grow so big , that it cannot be discerned which is the principal trunk , or body of the tree . 6. there is also a tree called arbore-triste , or the sorrowful-tree , so called , because it never beareth blossoms but in the night-time , and so it doth , and continueth all the year long : so soon as the sun sets , there is not one blossom seen upon the tree , but presently within half an hour after , there are as many blossoms as the tree can bear , pleasant to behold , and smelling very sweet ; and as soon as the day comes , and the sun is rising , they all presently fall off , and not one is to be seen on the tree , which seems as though it were dead , till evening comes again , and then it begins to blossom as it did before : it s as big as a plumb-tree : it groweth up quickly , and if you break but a branch of the tree , and set it into the earth , it presently takes root , and grows , and within a few days after it beareth blossoms , which are like orange-tree-blossoms , the flower white , and in the bottom somewhat yellow , and redish . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1780. 8. there is also an herb in india , called by the portugals , herba sentida , or feeling herb , which if a man touch , or throw sand , or any other thing upon it , presently it becomes as though it were withered , closing the leaves together , and it comes not to it self a gain , as long as the man standeth by it , but presently after he is gone , it openeth the leaves again , which become stiffe , and fair , as though they were newly grown : and touching it again , it shuts , and becomes withered as before , so that its a pleasure to behold the strange nature of it p. pil. v. 2. p. 1781. 9. pepper is planted at the root of some other tree , and runs up it like ivie : the leaves are like the orange-leaves , but somewhat smaller , green , and sharpe at ends : the pepper groweth in bunches like grapes , but lesse , and thinner ; they are always green till they begin to drye , and ripen , which is in december , and january , at which time it turns black , and is gathered . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 1782. 10. the best ginger grows in malabar ; it groweth like thin , and young netherland reeds , two or three spans high , the root whereof is the ginger , which is gathered in december , and january . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1782. 11. the clove-trees are like bay-trees , the blossoms at the first white , then green , and at last red , and hard , which are the cloves ; these cloves grow very thick together , and in great numbers : in the place where these trees grow , there is neither grass , nor green herbs , but is wholly drye , for that those trees draw all the moisture unto them . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1783. 12. the nutmeg-tree is like a pear-tree , but that its lesse , and with round leaves , the fruit is like great round peaches , the inward part whereof is the nutmeg ; this hath about it an hard shell like wood , and the shell is covered over with nutmeg-flowers , which is the mace , and over it is the fruit , which without , is like the fruit of a peach . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1783. 13. gumme-lac comes most from pegu : where are certain very great pismires with wings , which fly up the trees like plumb-trees , out of which trees comes a certain gumme which the pismires suck up , and then they make the lac round about the branches of the trees , as bees make wax ; and when it is full , the owners come , and breaking off the branches , lay them to dry ; and being dry , the branches shrink out , and the lac remains . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1783. 14. amber-greese , is usually cast upon the sea-shore , which as some suppose , is the dung of the whale ; or as others , the sperme , or seed of the whale consolidated by lying in the sea. p. pil. v. 2. p. 772. 15 the herb addad is bitter , and the root of it so venemous , that one drop of the juice will kill a man within the space of one hour . p. pil. v. 2. p. 850. 16 of palm-trees , which they keep with watering , and cutting every year , they make velvets , satins , taffaties , damasks , sarcenets , and such like , all which are spun out of the leaves cleansed , and drawn into long threads . p. pil. v. 2. p. 985. 17. frankincense grows in arabia , and is the gumme that issueth out of trees . idem . p. 1781. 18. in mozambique , manna is procreated of the dew of heaven , falling on a certain tree , on which it hardens like sugar , sticking to the wood like rozen , whence it s gathered , and put into jars , and is used much for purging in india . idem . p. 1554. 19. mastick-trees grow only in the island of sio : the trees are low shrubs , with little crooked boughs , and leaves : in the end of august they begin their mastick-harvest , men cutting the bark of the tree with iron instruments ; out of which the gum distills uncessantly for almost three months together . idem . p. 1812. 20. spunges are gathered from the sides of rocks , fifteen fathom under water , about the bottom of the streights of gibralter , the people that get them , being trained up in diving from their child-hood , so that they can indure to stay very long under water , as if it were their habitable element . 21. in manica , is a tree called the resurrection-tree , which for the greatest part of the year is without leaf , or greenness : but if one cut off a bough , and put it into the water , in the space of ten houres , it springs , and flourisheth with green leaves ; but draw it out of the water , as soon as it is dry , it remaineth as it was before . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 1537. 22. there is in the island of teneriff ( which is one of the canaries ) a tree as big as an oke of a middle size , the bark white like hornbeam , six , or seven yards high , with ragged boughs , the leaf like the bay-leaf . it beareth neither fruit , nor flower ; it stands on the side of an hill , in the day its withered , and drops all night ( a cloud hanging thereon ) so that it yeelds water sufficient for the whole island , wherein are eight thousand souls , and about an hundred thousand cammels , mules , goats , &c. the water falls from it into a pond made of brick , paved with stone ; from whence it s conveyed into several ponds , thorough the whole island . they also water therewith their corn-ground , for they have no other water in the island , except rain-water . the pond holds twenty thousand tun of water , and is filled in one night . many of our english that have been there have attested the truth hereof . idem . p. 1369. concerning which tree , sylvester the poet made these verses : in th' i le of iron ( one of those same seven whereto our elders happy name have given ) the savage people never drink the streams of wells , and rivers , as in other realms . their drink is in the air ! their gushing spring , a weeping tree out of it self doth wring . a tree , whose tender-bearded-root being spread in dryest sand , his sweating-leaf doth shed a most sweet liquor ; and ( like as the vine untimely cut , weeps ( at her wound ) the wine in pearled tears ) incessantly distils a royal stream , which all their cisterns fills throughout the island : for all hither hie , and all their vessels cannot draw it drye ! 23. aloes growes in the island of socotera , which is nothing but semper vivum , it is so full of a rosin-like juice , that the leaves are ready to break with it : which leaves they cut in small peeces , and cast them into a clean pit made in the ground , and paved : there it lies to ferment in the heat of the sun , whereby the juice floweth forth , which they put in skins , and hang them up in the wind to drye , whereby it hardens . p. pil. v. 1. p. 419. 24. indico groweth in the moguls country , having a small leaf like that of sena : the branches are of a wooddy substance like broom : it grows not above a yard high , the stalk about the bignesse of a mans thumb : the seed is included in a small round cod of an inch long . this once sowed lasteth three years : that of the first year makes a weighty reddish indico , that sinks in water , being not yet come to its perfection : that of the second year is rich , very light , and of a perfect violet-colour , swiming on the water : that of the third year is weighty , blackish , and the worst of the three . this herb , when it s cut , is put into a cistern , and pressed down with stones , then covered over with water , where it remains till the substance of the herb is gone into the water : then it s drawn forth into another cistern , and laboured with staves till it be like batter , then they let it seeth , and so scum off the water two or three times , till nothing but a thick substance remains , which taking forth , they spread on a cloath , dry it in the sun , then make it into balls , dry it on the sand , which causes the sandy foot : that is best , which is of a pure grain ; violet-colour , is glossie , dry , and light . idem . p. 430. 25. sir james lancaster in his east-indy voyage , in the isle of sombrero found on the sea-sands , a young twig growing up to a tree , and offering to pluck up the same , it shrank down into the ground , and when it was by strength pulled up , a great worm was the root of it , and as the tree groweth in greatnesse , the worm diminisheth : this tree plucked up , the leaves and pill stripped off , by that time its dryed , is turned into a hard stone ; so that this worm was twice transformed into different natures , after a wondrous manner : of these he brought home many . p. pil. v. 1. p. 152. 26. about saffron walden in essex , there grows great store of saffron , which was first brought into england , in the reign of king edward the third . this in the month of july every third year , being plucked up , and after twenty dayes , having the root split , and set again in the earth , about the end of september it putteth forth a whitish-blew flower ; out of the midst where of there come three chives , which are gathered in the morning before sun-rising , and being plucked out of the flower , are dried by a soft fire ; and so great is the increase that commeth thereof , that out of every acre of ground , there are made fourscore , or an hundred pound weight of saffron , whilst it is moist , which being dryed , yeeld some twenty pound weight . and the ground which three years together hath brought saffron , is so enriched thereby , that it will bear very good barley , many yeares together without dung , or manuring . camb. brit. p. 453. 27. all along the shores of the red-sea are abundance of palm-trees of a very strange nature : they grow in couples , male and female : both thrust forth cods full of seed : but the female is only fruitful , and that not except growing by the male , and having her seed mixed with his . the pith of these trees is an excellent sallet , better than an artechoke : of the branches are made bedsteads , lattices , &c. of the leaves , baskets , mats , fans , &c. of the outward husk of the cod , cordage ; of the inward , brushes . the fruit it beareth is like a fig , and finally it is said to yeild whatsoever is necessary for the life of man. it is the nature of this tree , that if never so great a weight be laid upon it , it will lift & raise up it self the more ; for which it was given to conquerors in token of victory . herb. trav. 28. in italy there grows an herb called balilisco , which hath this innate property ; that if it be laid under a stone in some moist place , in two days space it produceth a scorpion : raimunds mercu. ital. 29. the assa-faetida tree is like our bryer in height , the leaves resemble fig-leaves , the root is like our radish : though the smell be so bace , yet the taste is so pleasing , that no meat , no sauce , on vessel is pleasing to the gusarat● pallats where it grows , except it rellish of it . herb. trav. 30 benjamin is either pure , cleer , and white , or yellow , and streaked : this gum issues from an high tree , small , and furnished with fruitlesse branches ; the leaves are not unlike to those of the olive : pegu and siam yeild the best . 31. the coco tree is very rife in the east-indies . in the whole world there is not a tree more profitable than this is , neither do men reap more benefit of any other tree than of this . the heart of the tree makes good timber , planks , and masts for ships : with the leaves thereof they make sails , with the rind of it they make cordage : a gum that grows out of it caulks the ship : the fruit of it is a kind of nut , which being full of kernel , and a sweet liquor , serves for meat and drink : much wine also it yeilds , & of the wine they make sugar , and placetto . the wine they gather in the spring of the year out of the middle of the tree , from whence there runs continually a white thin liquor , at which time they put a vessel under it , and take it away full every morning , and evening , and then distilling it , they make a very strong liquor of it . of the nuts also they make great store of oil : out of the tree they make bows , bedsteads : of the leaves also they make very fine mats , which whilest green , are full of an excellent sweet liquor , with which if a man be thirsty , he may satisfie himself : with the bark they make spoons , dishes , and platters for meat . the first rind of the nut they stamp , and make thereof perfect ockam : and the store of these nuts serve for merchandise . so that out of this one tree , they build and rig ships , furnish them with meat , drink , utensils , and merchandise , without the least help of any other whatsoever . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 1466. and 1704. 32. mr. herbert in his travels thus describes it . the tree that bears the coco , is strait , & lofty , without any branches , save at the very top , where it spreads its beautiful plumes , and nuts like pearles , or pendants adorning them . it is good timber for canoes , masts , anchors : the leaves for tents or thatching : the rind for sailes , matteresses , cables , and linnen : the shels for furniture : the meat for victualling . the nut is covered with a thick rind equal in bignesse to a cabbage . the shell is like the skull of a man , or rather a deaths-head , the eyes , nose , and mouth , being easily discerned : within it is contained a quart of sweet and excellent liquor , like new white-wine , but far more aromatick tasted : the meat or kernel , is better relished than our phelberds , and is enough to satisfy the appetite of two reasonable men . — the indian nut alone is cloathing , meat , and trencher , drink , and can. boat , cable , sail , mast , needle , all in one . herb. and sylvester hath set them forth to the life in these verses . the indian isles most admirable be , in those rare fruits call'd coquos commonly ; the which alone far richer wonder yeilds , then all our groves , meads , gardens , orchards , fields . what wouldst thou drink ? the wounded leaves drop wine . lackst thou fine linnen ? dresse the tender rine . dresse it like flax , spin it , then weave it well , it shall thy camrick , and thy lawn excell . longst thou for butter , bite the poulpous part , for never better came to any mart . do'st need good oyle ? then boult it to , and fro , and passing oyl it soon becometh so . or vinegar ? to whet thine appetite ; why , sun it well ; and it will sharply bite . or want's thou sugar ? steep the same a stownd , and sweeter sugar is not to be found . 't is what you will ; or will be what you would : should midas touch it , sure it would be gold . and god , all-good , to crown our life with bayes , the earth with plenty , and his name with praise , had done enough , if he had made no more but this one plant , so full of choicest store ; save that the world ( where , one thing breeds satiety ) could not be fair , without so great variety . 32. the plantan tree is of a reasonable height ; the body about the bigness of a mans thigh , compacted of many leaves , wrapped one upon another , adorned with leaves in stead of boughs from the very ground , which are for the most part about two ells long , and an ell broad , having a large rib in the middle thereof . the fruit is a bunch of ten , or twelve plantans , each a span long , and as big almost as a mans wrist ; the rind being stripped off , the fruit is yellowish , and of a pleasant taste . pur. pil. p. 416. 33. the cedars of mount libanus grow higher than pines , and so big , that four or five men with their armes can but fathom them ; the boughs rise not upward , but stretch out a cross , largely spread , and thickly enfolded one in another , as if done by art , so that men may sit , and lie along upon the boughs : the leaves are thick , narrow , hard , prickly , and alwayes green ; the wood is hard , incorruptible , and sweet smelling ; the fruit like the cones of cypress , gummy , and marvellous fragrant . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 1500. 34. in africa are many palmeta trees , whence they draw a sweet , and wholsome wine , by cutting , or boring holes into the body of the tree , into which a cane is put that receives the sap , and conveys it into gourds : it tastes like white wine , but it will not last above four and twenty hours . idem . 35. in new-spain there are many trees which they call manguey : it hath great , and large leaves , at the end whereof is a strong , and sharp point , which they use for pins , and needles , and out of the leaf they draw a kind of thred which they use much to few with . the body of the tree is big , which when it is tender , they cut , and out of the hole proceeds a liquor which they drink like water , being fresh , and sweet . this liquor being sodden , becomes wine , which being kept till it be sower , makes good vinegar : boil it it a litle more than for wine , and it makes a fine syrup ; and boil it till it be thick , and it makes hony. idem . v. 3. p. 957. 36. there is a certain tree in new-spain called tunalls , in whose leaves breed certain small worms , which are covered with a fine web , compassing them in daintily . this in the season they gather , and let it drye , and this is that cochenille , so famous , and dear , wherewith they dye in grain . idem . 37. the jack , or giack is an high tree , and uneasy to be ascended ; the jack for shew and bigness resembles a pumpeon : without , it is of a gold yellow , mixt with veins ; within , its soft , and tender , full of golden coloured cloves , each full of kernels , not unlike a great french bean , but more round , each of them hath an hard stone within it , the fruit is somewhat unpleasant at the first taste ; t is glutinous , and clammy in the mouth , but very restorative , and good for the back . 38. the ananas is not inferiour to the jack in bulk , and roundnesse : it ariseth from no seed , or sowing , but from a root like an artichok : when they are ripe they shew themselves , and are not above two foot high : without , it is covered with a drie rind , hard , and skaley ; within , its wholesome and pleasant , and though a little of it seems to satiate the appetite , yet the stomach likes it well , and its easie of digestion . 39. the duroyen is somewhat like the jack , in shape round , the inward vertue , is far greater than the outward beauty : at first opening it hath an unpleasant smell : the meat is whitish , and divided into a dozen cells , or partitions , filled with stones as big as chesnuts , white and cordial . it s a fruit nutritive , and dainty , and may well be called an epitome of all the best , and rarest fruits in the the orient . 40. the arec-tree is almost as high as a cedar , but more like the palmeto : i'ts of a fuzzie , hollow substance , adorned at every top with plumes , wherein the fruit hangs in clusters ; it s in shape and bigness like a wallnut ; white and hard within ; hath neither taste , nor smell : they never eat it alone , but wrap it in a leaf of bettle , and are frequently chawing of it : some adde to it a kinde of lime made of oister-shels , it cures the chollick , removes melancholly , kills worms , provokes lust , purges the maw , and prevents hunger . it s much used in the east-indies . 41. the palmeto-tree is long , strait , round , and soft , without leaf , bough , or branch , save at the top , and those are few , green , and sedgie : under which branches there appear certain codded seeds : both the male , and female bear blossoms , but the female only beares fruit , and yet not that , unlesse a flowring branch of the male tree be yearly inoculated : the leaves serve for many uses . at the top of this tree there is a soft pith , in which consists the life of it : for that being cut out , the tree dyes . this pith is in bignesse like small cabbage , in taste like a nut kernel , and being boiled it eats like a colly-flower . but of more value is the palmeta wine , which is sweet , pleasant , and nourishing in colour , and taste not unlike muskadine : it purges , cures obstructions , and kills the worms . if it stand two dayes in the sun it makes good vinegar . the wine is thus gotten . they cut a small hole in two or three trees that grow together , which in a short time are filled with the sap that issues in them , which with a cane , or quill , they draw forth . pur. pil. 42. in summersetshire , near unto glastenbury , in wiral park was that famous hawthorn tree , which used upon christmas day to sprout forth as fresh as in may ; but now it s cut down . camb. brit. p. 227. 43. in the marishes of egypt grow those sedgie reeds , called papyri , whereof formerly they made paper , and from whence ours that is made of rags assumed that name . they divide it into thin flakes , whereinto it naturally parteth : then laying them on a table , and moistening them with the glutinous water of nilus , they press them together , dry them in the sun , and then they are fitted for use . pur. pil. v. 2 p. 898. chap. iii. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fountains , rivers , and waters . 1. in the bishoprick of durham in derlington field , there are 3 pits of a wonderful depth , called by the vulgar hell-kettles , in which the water by an antiperistasis , or reverberation of the cold air , striking thereupon , waxeth hot ; which pits have passage under ground , into the river teese , as archbishop guthbert tonstal observed , by finding that goose in the river which he had marked , and let down into these pits . camb. brit. p. 737. 2. in yorkshire , neer unto knasburow castle is a well , in which the waters spring not up out of the veins of the earth , but distil , and trickle down , dropping from the rocks hanging over it , whence it s called dropping-well : into which , what wood soever is put , it will in a short space be turned into stone . camb. brit. p. 700. 3. in caermardenshire , neer unto careg castle , there is a fountain that twice in four and twenty hours ebbeth , and twice floweth , resembling the unstable motions of the main sea. camb. brit. p. 650. 4. in westmerland , hard by shape , there is a well , or fountain , which after the manner of euripus ebbeth , and floweth many times in a day . camb. brit. p. 762. 5. in ireland is a fountain , whose water killeth all those beasts that drink thereof , but hurteth not the people , though they usually drink of it . ortelius . 6. near unto lutterworth in leicester-shire , there is a spring of water so cold , that in a short time it turneth straws , and sticks , into stone . camb. brit. p. 518. 7. in derbyshire in the peak-forrest not far from buxtone , is a well which in a wonderful manner doth ordinarily ebb , and flow , four times in the space of one hour , or thereabouts , keeping his just tides . camb. brit. p. 558. 8. also in the same country at the spring head of wie there rise , and walm up , nine fountains of hot waters , commonly called buxton wells , very sovereign for the stomach , sinews , and whole body . camb. brit. p. 557. 9. in scotland on the bank of ratra neer unto stang's castle , there is a cave , wherein the water distilling naturally by drops from the head of the vault , is presently turned into pyramidal stones ; and were not the said hole or cave , otherwiles rid , and cleansed , the whole space as far as up to the vault , would in a short time be filled therewith . camb. brit. scotl. p. 48. 10 in scotland in the countrey of murray , there is a river called naes , the water whereof is almost always warm , and at no time so cold that it freezeth , yea , in the most cold time of winter , broken ice falling into it , is dissolved with the heat thereof . defcrip . of scotl. 11. also in galloway , the loch called loch-merton , is of such a strang nature , that the one half of it doth never freeze in the coldest winter . descrip. of scotl. 12. in lenox is a great loch or meer , called loch-lowmond , in length twenty four miles , and eight in breadth , wherein are three strang things : first , excellent good fish without any sins : secondly , a floating island whereon many kine feed : and thirdly , tempestuous waves rageing without winds , yea , in the greatest calms . desc. of scotl. 13. there is a certain island called lounda in the kingdom of congo , wherein is no fresh water ( being a very sandy ground ) but if you dig but the depth of two or three hand breadths , you shall find sweet water , the best in all those countryes : and ( which is most strang ) when the ocean ebbeth , this water grows brackish , but when it flows to the top , it is most sweet . p. pil. v. 2. p. 989. 14. not far from casbine , the regal city in persia is a fountain of a strang , and wonderful nature , out of which there continually springeth , and issueth a marvellous quantity of black oil , which serveth in all parts of persia to burn in their houses , and is usually carried all over the countrey upon kine , and asses , whereof you may often meet three or four hundred in company . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1431. 15. about three days journey from old balylon , is a town called ait , and neer unto that is a valley of pitch very marvellous to behold , wherein are many springs , throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance , like unto tar , and pitch , which serveth all the country thereabout to staunch their barques and boats with : every one of which springs makes a noise like to a smith's forge in puffing and blowing out the matter , which never ceaseth day nor night , and the noise is hard a mile off : the moors call it hell-mouth . p. pil. v. p. 1437. 16. clitumnus is a river in italy , which makes all the oxen that drink of it , white . fulk . meteor . lib. 4. 17. the river melas in boeotia makes all the sheep that drink of it , black . plin. 18. the fountain of jupiter hammon , is cold in the day time , and hot at midnight . 19. the fountain of the sun hath its water extream cold , and sweet at noon ; and boiling hot , and bitter at midnight . plin. lib. 2. c. 103. augustine . 20. there is a river in palestine called the sabbatical river , which runs with a violent and swift stream all the week ; but every sabbath it remains dry , joseph . de bel. jud. l. 7. c. 24. some question the truth of this . 21. in idumae● is a fountain called the fountain of job , which for one quarter of the year is troubled and muddy ; the next quarter bloody , the third green , and the fourth clear . isiod . 22. the river astaces in the isle of pontus uses sometimes to overflow the fields , after which whatsoever sheep , or milch-cattle feed thereon give black milk . plin. l. 2. c. 103. 23. furius camillus being censor in rome , the lake albanus being environed with mountains on every side , in the time of autumn when other lakes and rivers were almost dry , the waters of this lake after a wondrous manner began to swell , and rise upwards , till at last they were equall with the tops of the mountains , and after a while they brake thorow one of those mountains , overflowing and bearing all down before them till they emptied themselves into the sea. plut. 24. the river d ee in merionneth-shire in wales , though it run through pimble-meer , yet it remaineth intire , and mingles not its streams with the waters of the lake . cam. brit. 25. ana a river in spain , burieth it self in the earth , and runneth under ground fifteen miles together , whereupon the spaniards brag that they have a bridg whereon ten thousand catle feed dayly . 26. pliny tells us of a fountain called dodon , which always decreaseth from midnight till noon , and encreaseth from noon till midnight . 27. he also tells us of certain fountains in an island neer italy , which always increase and decrease according to the ebbing , and flowing of the sea. 28. aristotle writeth of a well in sicilie , whose water is so sharp , that the inhabitants use it instead of vinegar . 29. in bohemia neer to the city of bilen is a well of such excellent water , that the inhabitants use to drink of it in a morning instead of burnt wine . dr. fulk . 30. in paphlagonia is a well , which hath the taste of wine , and it makes men drunk which drink of it ; whence du-bartas , salonian fountain , and thou andrian spring , out of what cellars do you daily bring the oyl , and wine that you abound with so ? o earth , do these within thine entrals grow ? &c. 31. aelian mentioneth a fountain in boeotia neer to thebes , which makes horses run mad if they drink of it . 32. pliny mentioneth a water in sclavonia which is extream cold , and yet if a man throw his cloath cloak upon it , it is presently set on fire . 33. other waters there are which discolour the fleeces of the sheep which drink of them : whence du-bartas , cerona , xanth , and cephisus do make , the thirsty flocks that of their waters take , black , red , and white : and neer the crimson deep , th' arabian fountain maketh crimson sheep . 34. and again . what should i of th' illyrian fountain tell ? what shall i say of the dodonean well ? whereof the first sets any cloathes on fire ; th' other doth quench ( who but will this admire ) a burning torch : and when the same is quenched , lights it again , if it again be drenched . 35. in the province of dara in lybia , there is a certain river , which sometimes so overfloweth the banks that it is like a sea , yet in the summer it is so shallow , that any one may passe over it on foot . if it overflow about the beginning of aprill , it brings great plenty to the whole region ; if not , there follows great scarcity of corn. pur. pil. v. 2. p. 823. 36. in the kingdom of tunis neer unto the city el-hamma , is a hot river , which by diverse channels is carried through the city , the water of it being so hot that few can endure to go into it , yet having set it to cool a whole day , the people drink of it . idem . p. 821. 37. in africa , there is a river called margania , and by it a salt spring which turns all the wood is thrown into it , into hard stone . idem . p. 1547. 38. the river meander is famous for its six hundred windings , and turnings , in and out : whence that of the poet , quique recurvatis ludit maeander in undis . maeander plays his watry pranks , within his crooked winding banks . 39. groenland in the hyperborean sea , was discovered anno christi 1380. it hath in it the monastery of st. thomas situate in the north-east part thereof at the foot of a mountain , where there is a river so hot , that they use to boil their meat in it , and it serves for other such purposes as fire doth with us , isac . chron. p , 275. 40 the river hypanis in scythia every day brings forth little bladders , out of which come certain flies which are thus , bred in the morning , are fledge at noon , and dye at night . fit emblems of the vain , and short life of man. 41 the famous river of nilus in egypt useth once in the year to overflow her banks , whereby the whole country is watered . it usually beginneth to overflow upon the seventeenth of june , and increaseth daily , sometimes two , sometimes three fingers , and sometimes half a cubit high on a day . the increase of it is known by a pillar erected in a cistern , whereinto the water is conveyed by a sluce ; which pillar is divided into eighteen parts , each a cubit higher than the other . if the water reach no higher than to the fifteenth cubit , they expect a fruitful year : if it stay between the twelfth , and fifteenth cubit , the increase of that year will be but mean. if it reach not to the twelfth , it s a sign of scarcity . if it rise to the eighteenth , the scarcity will be greater , in regard of too much moisture . this river continueth forty dayes increasing , and forty dayes decreasing . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 838. 42. another thing is wonderful , which is this : in the grand cairo ( which is the metropolis of egypt ) the plague useth many times to be very violent , till the river begins to overflow its banks , at which time it doth instantly cease . so that whereas five hundred a day dyed the day before , not one doth die the day following . idem . p. 897. 43. in the county of devon , not far from the town of lidford , at a bridg , the river lid is gathered into a strait , and pent in between rocks , whereon it runneth down a main , and the ground daily waxing deeper , and deeper under it , his water is not seen , only a roaring noise is heard , to the great wonder of those that pass by . camb. brit. p. 199. 44. in warwickshire , at nevenham regis , three fountains arise out of the ground , strained through an allom mine : the water whereof carrieth the colour , and tast of milk , which cureth ulcers in the bladder , or kidneys caused by the stone , and provoketh urine abundantly ; green wounds it cleanseth , closeth up , and quickly healeth ; being drunk with salt it looseth , and with sugar it bindeth the belly . about fifty years ago these wells were famous , and in great request , many resorting to them , and the water by others was sent for far and near . idem . p. 562. 45. in herefordshire , a little beneath richards castle , nature , who never disports her self more in shewing wonders , than in waters , hath brought forth a pretty well , which is alwayes full of little fish bones , although they be drawn out from time , to time , whence it s commonly called bone-well . idem . p. 619. 46. in yorkshire , upon the sea-shore by sken-grave , when the winds are laid , and the weather is most calm upon the sea : the water lying level and plain without any noise : there is heard here many times on a sudden , a great way off , as it were , an horrible , and fearful groaning , which affrights the fishermen at those times , so that they dare not launce forth into the sea. idem . p. 720. 47. pliny tells us of the fountain chymaera , that is set on fire with water , and put out with earth , or hey . plin. nat . hist. lib. 2. c. 106 , 107. 48. the same author also tells us , that in the hot deserts of india grows a certain kind of flax that lives in the fire , and consumes not : we have seen ( saith he ) table-cloathes made of it , burning in fires at feasts , by which they have been cleansed from their stains , and spots , and made whiter by the fire than they could be by water . 49. at belgrad in hungary , where danubius , and sava ( two great rivers ) meet , their waters mingle no more than water and oil : not that either flote above other , but joyn unmixed ; so that near the middle of the river i have gone in a boat ( saith sir henry blunt in his voyage into the levant ) and tasted of the danow , as clear , and pure as a well ; then putting mine hand an inch further , i have taken of the sava , as troubled as a street-channel , tasting the gravel in my teeth . thus they ran sixty miles together , and for a dayes journey i have been an eye-witness of it . chap. iv. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fishes . 1 anno christi 1204. at oreford in suffolk , a fish was taken by the fishermen at sea , in shape resembling a wild man , and by them was presented to sir bartholomew de glanvil , keeper of oreford castle . in all his limbs and members he resembled a man , had hair in all the usual parts of his body , only his head was bald . the knight caused meat to be set before him , which he greedily devoured , and did eat fish raw , or sod : that which was raw he pressed with his hand , till he had squeezed out all the moisture : he uttered not any speech , though to try him , they hung him up by the heels , and grievously tormented him . he would get him to his couch at the setting of the sun , and rise again at the sun-rising . one day they brought him to the haven , and let him go into the sea , but to prevent his escape , they set three rows of very strong nets before him to catch him again at their pleasure : but he , straitwayes diving to the bottom , crept under all their nets , and shewed himself again to them , and so often diving , he still came up , and looked upon them that stood on the shore , as it were mocking of them . at length after he had sported himself a great while in the water , and there was no hope of his return , he came back to them of his own accord , and remained with them two months after . but finally , when he was negligently looked to , he went to the sea , and was never after seen , or heard of . fabians chron. 2. anno christi 1404. some women of edam in the low-countries , as they were going in their barks to their cattel in purmer-meer , they often saw at the ebbing of the water , a sea-women playing up and down , whereat at the first they were afraid , but after a while , incouraging one another , they made with their boats towards her , and the water by this time being not deep enough for her to dive in , they took her by force , and drew her into the boat , and so carried her to edam , where in time she grew familiar , and fed of ordinary meats : and being sent from thence to herlem , she lived about fifteen years , but never spake , seeking often to get away into the water . belg. common-wealth . p. 102. 3. in the seas , near unto sofala are many women-fishes ; which from the belly to the neck are very like a woman ▪ the females have breasts like womens , with which also they nourish their young . from the belly downward they have thick , and long tails , with fins like a dolphin : the skin on the belly is white ; on the back rougher , than a dolphins . they have arms , which from the elbows end in fins , and so have no hands : the face is plain , round , and bigger than a mans , deformed , and without humane semblance : they have wide mouths , thick hanging lips like a hound ; four teeth hanging out almost a span long like the tusk of a boar : and their nostrils are like a calves . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 1546. 4. upon the coasts of brasile are often found meer-men , which are like unto men of a good stature , but that their eyes are very hollow . 5. captain richard whitburn in his description of newfound-land , writes that anno christi 1610. early in a morning as he was standing by the water side , in the harbour of st johns , he espied a strong creature swimming very swiftly towards him like a women , looking chearfully upon him : her face , eyes , nose , mouth , chin , ears , neck , and forehead were like a womans . it was very beautiful , and in those parts well proportioned , having hair hanging down round about the head : he seeing it come within a pikes length of him , stepped back , whereupon it dived under water , swimming to another place , whereby he beheld the shoulders , and back down to the middle , which was as square , white , and smooth as the back of a man ; from the middle to the hinder part it pointed in proportion like a broad-hooked arrow : afterwards it came to a boat wherein some of his men were , attempting to come in to them , till one of them struck it a full blow upon the head : others of them saw it afterwards also . 6. about brasile are many meer-men , and meer-women , that have long hair , and are very beautiful . they often catch the indians as they are swimming , imbracing them , and kissing them ; and clasp them so hard , that they crush them to death , and when they perceive that they are dead , they give some sighs , as if they were sorry pur. pil. v. 4. p. 1315. 7. there are also another sort of them , that resemble children , and are no bigger , that are no ways hurtful . idem . 8. the torpedo is a strange kind of fish , which a man holding in his hand , if it stir not , it produceth no effect ; but if it move it self never so little , it so torments the body of him that holds it , that his arteries , joints , sinews , & all his members feel exceeding great pain , with a certain numness , and as soon as he layeth it out of his hand , all that pain , and numness , is gone also . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1183. see more of it afterwards . 9. in sofala are many river-horses , as big as two of our horses , with thick , and short hinder legs , having five clawes on each fore-foot , and four on the hinder ; the mouth is wide , and full of teeth , four of which are above two spans long a peece ; the two lower stand upright ; the two upper are turned like a boars tush ; they live in the water , but feed on the land upon grass : they have teats wherewith they nourish their young ones : their hides are thicker than an oxes ; they are all of an ash-colour gray , with white strakes on their faces , or white stars in their foreheads . idem . p. 1544. 10. in the mouth of the river of goa , there was taken a fish of the bigness of a cur-dog , with a snout like an hog , small eyes , no ears , but two holes in-stead thereof : it had four feet like an elephant : the tail was flat , but at the end round , and somewhat sharp : it snorted like a hog ; the body , head , tail , and legs , were covered with broad scals as hard as iron , so that no weapon could peirce them : when he was beaten , he would rowle himself round like an urchin , and could by no strength be opened , till he opened of his own accord . idem . p. 1774. 11. there are also toad-fishes of about a span long , painted , having fair eyes : when they are taken out of the water , they snort , and swell much : their poison lies only in the skin , and that being flaid off , the indians eat them . idem . p. 1314. 12. the cuttle-fish hath a hood alwayes full of black water , like ink , which when she is pursued by other fishes that would devour her , she casts it forth , which so darkens and foileth the water , that she thereby escapeth . idem . 13. there are a sort of fishes , whose wonderful making magnifieth their creator , who for their safety hath given them fins , which serve in-stead of wings : they are of such a delicate skin interlaced with fine bones as may cause admiration in the beholder : these fishes are like to pilcherds , only a little rounder , and bigger : they flye best with a side wind , but longer than their wings are wet , they cannot flye ; so that their longest flight is about a quarter of a mile . the dolphins , and bonitos do continually hunt after them , to prey upon them : whereupon for safety they take the air : but then there is a fowle called an alcatrace , much like a hern , which hovers in the air to seize upon them . incidit in scyllam qui vult vitare caribdim . out of the frying pan into the fire , as our proverb hath it . 14. there is often a strang fight in the sea between the whale and his enemies , viz. the swordfish , and the thresher . the swordfish is not great , but strongly made , and between his neck and shoulders he hath a bone like a sword , of about five inches broad , and above three foot long , full of prickles on either side . the thresher is a bigger fish , whose tail is broad , and thick , and very weighty . the fight is in this manner ; the swordfish placeth himself under the belly of the whale , and the thresher above with his tail thresheth upon the head of the whale , till he forceth him to give way , which the swordfish perceiving , wounds him in the belly with the sword , and so forceth him to rise up again . in this manner they torment him , that the fight is sometimes heard above three leagues off , the whales roaring being heard much further , his onely remedy in this case is to get to the shore , which he laboureth to do as soon as he sees his enemies : for then there can fight but one with him , and for either of them hand to hand he is too good . pur. pil. v. 4. p. 1377. 15. mr. herbert in his east-indy voyage , relates of a shark taken by one of their men , that was nine foot and an half in length , and they found in her paunch fifty and five young ones , each of them a foot in length , all which go out and in at their pleasures : she is armed with a double row of venemous teeth : and is guided to her prey by a little musculus , or pilot-fish that scuds to and fro to bring intelligence , the shark for his kindnesse suffering it to suck when it pleaseth . 16. the sea tortoise is not much differing from those at land , only her shell is flatter : by overturning them they are easily taken , being hereby dis-enabled either to sink , or help themselves : they taste waterish , and cause fluxes : they superabound in eggs , one of them having in her neer two thousand , which eggs are pale , and round , and will never be made hard with boiling . herberts travels . p. 26. 17. in the indian sea is an eagle-fish , whose eyes are five quarters asunder , from the end of one fin to the end of the other are above four yards : its mouth and teeth resemble a portcullis : it hath a long small tail , and it is rather to be wondered at then to be eaten . 18. in le-maires voyage about the world , a certain fish , or sea monster , with an horn , struck against the ship with such violence , that shook it , whereupon the master looking overboard , saw the sea all bloody , but knew not what should be the cause , till coming into port-desire , where they cleansed and trimmed their ship , they found seven foot under water , a horn sticking in the ship , for bignesse , and fashion like an elephants tooth : yet not hollow , but all solid of hard bone , which had pierced through three double planks , and was entred into a rib of the ship , it stuck about half a foot deep in the ship , and by great force was broken off , which caused that great monster to bleed so much as discoloured the water . pur. pil. v. 1. p. 90. 19. the mannaty is a strange fish resembling a cow : her face is like a buffalo's , her eyes small and round , having hard gums instead of teeth : they feed much on the shore , which makes them taste like flesh of veal : their intrails differ little from a cows : their bodies are commonly three yards long , and one broad , they swim slowly wanting fins , in the place whereof they have two things like paps , which are their stilts when they creep on the shore to graze , where they sleep long , sucking in the cool aire : they cannot keep under water above half an hour . the stone generated in their head is most esteemed , being soveraign against choller adust , the stone collick ; and dissenteryes , if beaten small infused in wine , and drunk fasting . herb. trav. p. 26. see more afterwards . 20. the carvel comes of the foam of the sea , every where floating upon the surface of the ocean , of a round form , throwing abroad her strings like so many lines , which she can spread at pleasure , therewith angling for small fishes , which she catches at leasure : you may call her a sea-spider : for when she sees her web too weak , she can blow an infectious breath foaming death , or such a sting as if she had borrowed it from a scorpion . idem . 21. in the east-indies is a trade wind , which they call a briese , or monson , which blows west all april , may , june , july , august , and part of september , and east the rest of the year : only on the east of sumatra , it blows five months east , and five months west , and the other two variable . this is well known to our east-indy merchants . 22. the torpedo is a fish like a bream , but somwhat thicker : some marriners having one of them in a net , went to take it forth , but one of them presently cryed out that he had lost the use of his hands , and armes : another that was bare-legged putting his foot to it , lost the sence of his leg : but after a while their feeling returned again : whereupon calling their cook , they bade him to take and dresse it , who laying both his hands thereon , made grievous moan that he felt not his hands : but when its dead it produceth no such effect , but is good meat . pur. pil. p. 1568. 23. about jamica in the west-indies , is a fish called a manati which is of a strange shape , and nature : it brings forth her young ones alive , and nourisheth them with milk from her teats , feeding upon grass in the fields , but lives for the most part in the water : the hinder-parts of it are like unto a cow , and it eats like veal . idem . v. 3. p. 930. 24. in brasile are oxe-fishes , which are very good meat : for head , hair , skin , cheeks , and tongue , they are like oxen : their eyes small with lids to open and shut ; which no other fish hath : it breatheth , and therefore cannot be long under water : instead of fore-feet , it hath two arms of a cubit long , with two round hands , and on them five fingers close together , with nails like a mans ; under these arms the female hath paps wherewith she nourisheth her young , she brings forth but one at once . it hath no fins but the tail , which is also round and close : their bones are all maffie , and white like ivory : of this fish they make great store of sweet oil : they feed most upon the land . idem . v. 4. p. 1313. 25. in sir fran. drakes voyage about the world , when they came to the island of celebes , which is wholly overgrown with wood : amongst the trees night by night , they saw infinite swarms of fiery worms flying in the air , their bodies no bigger than of our english flyes , which made such a shew , and gave such a light , as if every twig or tree had been a burning candle . in which place also were great store of bats , as big as large hens . pur. pil. v. 1. p. 56. 26. in captain saris his voyage to bantam , about mid-night , they fell into the strangest , and fearfullest water that ever any of them had seen , the water giving such a glaring light about the ship , that they they could discern letters in a book thereby , whereas a little before it was so dark , that they could discern nothing . this made them fear that it had been the breach of sunken ground : but finding that they had failed half an hour in it , and saw no alteration , they perceived at length , that it was a multitude of cuttle-fish that made this fearful shew . pur. pil. p. 352. chap. v. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fowls , and birds . 1. in one of the scottish islands there is a rare kind of fowl unknown to other countrys , called colca , little lesse than a goose : they come thither every year in the spring , hatch , and nourish their young ones : about which time they cast all their feathers , and become stark naked all their bodies over , and then they get themselves to the sea , and are no more seen till the next spring : their feathers have no quill , as other feathers have , but are all like unto down , wherein is no hardnesse . descr. of scot. 2. in the north seas of scotland are great loggs of timber found , in which are ingendred after a marvellous manner , a sort of geese , called claik-geese : and they do hang by the beak till they are grown to perfection , and then they receive life and fall off : they are many times found , & kept in admiration for their rare manner of generation : they are very fat , and delicious to be eaten . idem . some question the truth hereof . 3. storks are so careful of their parents ? that when they grow old , and so are unable to help themselves , the young ones feed them : and when in passing the sea their wings fail them , the young ones will take them on their backs , and carry them over . and this is remarkable about them . 4. the town of delph in the low-countries is so seated for the breeding , and feeding of those birds , that it is hard to see an house wherein they do not build . in this town upon the third of may , anno christi 1536. a great fire happened when the young storks were grown pretty big : the old ones perceiving the fire to approach to their nests , attempted to carry away their young ones , but could not , they were so weighty , which they perceiving , never ceased with their spread wings to cover them , till they all perished in the flames together . belg. common wealth . p. 63. 5. in america there are certain small birds called viemalim , with small and long bills , that live upon the dew , and of the juice of flowers , and roses , like bees : their feathers are of very curious colours : they dye , or sleep every year in october , sitting upon the bough of a tree in a warm place , and in aprill following , when the flowers are sprung , they awake again . i have one of them . 6. in the arabian deserts there are great store of ostriches , that go in flocks , and often affright passengers that are strangers , with their fearful schr●eches , appearing a farr off like a troop of horsmen . their bodies are too heavy to be born up by their wings , which , though uselesse for flight , yet serve them to run with greater speed , so that a swift horse can scarce overtake them : whatsoever they finde , be it stones or iron , they greedily swallow it down , and concoct it : when they have laid their eggs , ( which are as big as a culverin bullet ) they forget where they left them , and so return no more to them : but they are hatched by the heat of the sun in the warm sands : hence those expressions , lam. 4. 3. the daughter of my people is become cruel , like the ostriches in the wildernesse : whereupon she is made the embleme of folly , job 39. 14. &c. she leaveth her eggs in the earth , and warmeth them in the dust , and forgets that the foot may crush them , &c. 7. in brasile there is a little bird , which they call the risen , or awaken bird , because it sleeps six months , and awakes the other six . it hath a cap on its head of no one colour , but on what side soever you look , it sheweth red , green , black , and other colours , all very fine , and shining : the breast also shews great variety of colours , especially yellow , more fine then gold ; the body is grey , and it hath a very long small bill , and yet the tongue is twice as long as the bill : it flyes very swiftly , and makes a humming like a bee. it always feeds flying . pur. pil. 8. in socotera there are bats , whose bodies are almost as big as a conies , their heads are like foxes with an hairy furr upon them : in other things they are like our bats . one of them being killed by some english , his wings when they were extended , were an ell in length . their cry is shril and loud . idem . 9. in italy are the flies cantharides , which by day are of a green shining colour , but in the night they shine in the air , like flying glow-worms , with fire in their tailes . raimunds mercu. ital. 10. in china there is a fowl of a prodigious shape , and bignesse : it is three foot high : the body being exceeding great , more than a man can fathom : their feathers are all white like a swans , their feet broad like fowls that swim : their neck half a fathom long , and their beak half an ell , the upper part of it being crooked . from the nether part of the beak there hangs a very great and capable bag of a yellow golden colour , resembling parchment . with these fowls the natives use to fish , as we do in england with cormorants . they will catch fish with great dexterity , and when they have filled their great bag , which will hold divers fishes of two foot long a peece , they will bring them to their masters . pur. pil. v. 2. 1643. 11. in the african desarts is a certain fowle called a nesir , some call it a vultur . it s bigger than a crane . in flying it mounts very high , yet at the sight of a dead carkass , it descends immediatly . she lives long , and in extream old age looseth her feathers , and then returning to her nest , is there fed by the young ones of the same kind . idem . 12. near unto the streights of magellane , there is an island called penguin island , wherein are abundance of fowls called penguins that go upright , their wings , in stead of feathers , are only covered with down , which hang down like sleeves faced with white . they flye not , but walk in paths of their own making , and keep their divisions and quarters orderly . they are a strange fowle , or rather , a miscellaneous creature , of beast , bird , and fish : but most of bird. pur. pil. v. 1. p. 536. 13. in the isle of man , there is a sort of sea-fowles called puffins , they are of a very unctious constitution , and breed in cony-holes ( the conies leaving their burrows for that time ) they are never seen with their young , but very early in the morning , and late in the evening : they nourish their young ( as it is conceived ) with oil drawn from their own bodyes , and dropped into their mouths ; for that being opened , there is found in their crops no other sustenance , save a single sorrel-leaf , which the old give their young ( as is conjectured ) for digestions-sake ; the flesh of them , whilst raw , not savoury , but powdered , it may be ranked with anchoves , and caviare ; profitable they are in their feathers , and oil , which they use much about their wooll . 14. the isle of mauritius is a fowle called a dodo ; her body is round , and extream fat , which makes her pace slow : few of them weigh less than fifty pound : her wings are so small , that they cannot lift her above the ground : her head is variously dressed , the one half-hooded with downy black feathers ; the other wholly naked , of a whitish colour , as if a transparent lawn had covered it : her bill is very hooked , bending downwards , the breathing place being in the midst of it , from which part to the end , the colour is light green , mixt with a pale yellow : her eyes are round , and small , and bright as diamonds : her cloathing is of the finest down ; her train is of three or four short-feathers , her legs thick , and black ; her tallons sharp ; her stomach so hot , that she digests stones , or iron , as doth the ostrich . 15. in lincolnshire there is a bird called a dotterel , so named of his doltish foolishness : it s a bird of an apish kinde , ready to imitate what it sees done : they are caught by candle-light by the fowlers gestures ; for if he put forth and arm , they stretch forth a wing : if he sets forward a leg , or hold up his head , they likewise do the same : in brief , whatsoever the fowler doth , the same also doth this foolish bird , until it be caught within the net . camb. brit. p. 543. 16. there is an island called bas , bordering upon lathaien in scotland , unto which there resort a multitude of sea fowls , especially of soland geese , which bring with them such abundance of fish , that , as it is reported , an hundred souldiers that lay there in garrison for defence of the place , fed upon no other meat , but the fish that was thus brought to them : and the said fowls also bring such a number of sticks , and twigs , wherewith to build their nests , that thereby the inhabitants are also abundantly provided of fewel for the fire : and such a mighty gain is made of their feathers , and oil , that no man would scarcely beleeve it , but he that hath seen it . camb. brit. of scotland . p. 12 , 13. 17. in magallanes voyage about the world , the king of the island of bacchian sent the king of spain two dead birds of a strange shape : they were as big as turtle-doves , with little heads , and long bills , long small legs , and no wings , but in-stead thereof certain long feathers of divers colours , and tails like turtle-doves : all their other feathers were of a tawny colour ; they flye not , but when the wind blows ; and they call them birds of god. pur. pil v. 1. p. 44. 18. in sofala in the east-indies is a kinde of bird called minga , green , and yellow , very fair , about the bigness of a pigeon , which never treads on the ground , their feet being so short , that they can scarce be discerned : they settle on trees , of the fruit whereof they live : when they drink , they flye on the tops of the water ; and if they fall on the ground , they cannot rise again ; their flesh is fat and savoury . idem . p. 1546. chap. vi. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange beasts , and serpents . 1. whilst sir thomas row , our english ambassador , was at the great moguls court , he saw many stately elephants brought before the emperour : some of which being lord-elephants ( as they called them ) had their chain bells , and furniture of gold , and silver , each of them having eight , or ten other elephants waiting on him : they were some twelve companies in all , and as they passed by , they all bowed down before the king very handsomely . pur. pil. v. 1. p. 550. 2. though these elephants be the largest of all beasts , yet are they very tractable , unless at such times when they are mad through lust : some of them are thirteen , and some fifteen foot high ; their colour is usually black , their skins thick , and smooth without hair ; they delight much to bathe themselves in water , and are excellent swimmers , their pace is about three miles an hour ; of all beasts they are most sure of foot , so that they never stumble , or fall to indanger their rider : they lye down , and rise again at pleasure , as other beasts do ; they are most docible creatures , doing almost whatsoever their keeper commands them . if he bid one of them affright a man , he will make towards him , as he would tread him in pieces ; and yet when he comes at him , do him no hurt : if he bid him abuse , or disgrace a man , he will take dirt , or kennel-water in his trunk , and dash it in his face , &c. their trunks are long , grissely snouts hanging down betwixt their teeth , which ( as a hand ) they make use of upon all occasions . some elephants the great mogul keeps for execution of malefactors ; who being brought to suffer death by that mighty beast , if the keeper bid him dispatch the offender presently , he will immediately with his foot pash him in peeces : if he bid him torture him slowly , he will break his joynts by degrees one after another , as men are broken upon the wheel . 2. an english merchant of good credit being at adsmeer ( a city where the great mogul then was ) saw a great elephant daily brought through the market-place , where an hearb-woman used to give him an handful of hearbs as he passed by . this elephant afterwards being mad ; brake his chains , and took his way through the market-place ; the people being affrighted , hasted to secure themselves , amongst whom was this hearb-woman , who through fear , and haste , forgat her little childe . the elephant comming to the place where she usually sate , stopt , and seeing a child lye about her hearbs , took it up gently with his trunk , and without harm , laid it upon a stall hard by , and then proceeded in his furious course . idem . p. 1472. the males testicles lie about his forehead : the females teates are betwixt her fore-legs ; they carry their young two years in their wombs : conceive but once in seven years : they are thirty years before they come to their full growth , and fulfil the accustomed age of a man before they die . 3. as pyrrus king of epyrus was assaulting the city of argos , one of his elephants called nicon . i. e. conquering , being entred the city , perceiving that his governour was stricken down to the ground from his back with terrible blows ; ran upon them that came back upon him , overthrowing friends , and foes , one in anothers neck , till at length , having found the body of his slain master , he lift him up from the ground with his trunk , and carrying him upon his two tushes ; returned back with great fury , treading all under feet whom he found in his way . plut. in vita pyrri . 4. the lion hath the jackall for his usher , which is a litle black , shag-haired beast , of the bigness of a spaniel , which when the evening comes , hunts for his prey , and comming on the foot , follows the scent with open crye : to which the lion as chief hunt gives diligent ear , following for his advantage : if the jackall set up his chase before the lion comes in , he howles out mainly , and then the lion seizeth on it , making a grumbling noise , whilst his servant stands by barking , and when the lyon hath done , the jackal feeds on the relicks idem . p. 1575. see more afterwards , example seventeen . 5. the panther hath a very sweet smell , so that other beasts are much taken therewith , but they are terrified with the ugly deformity of his face ; and therefore as he goes he hides that part between his legs , and will not look towards them till he hath gotten them within his compasse , which when he hath done , he devours them without mercy : so deals the devil with wicked men , strewing their way to hell with variety of worldly delights , and profits ( the thorns of affliction must not touch their flesh , nor hells terrors come within their thoughts ) till he hath made them past feeling , then he devours them . plin. nat . hist. l. 8 c. 17. 6. the rhynoceros is so called because of the horn in his nose : he is a large beast , as big as our fairest oxe in england : his skin lyeth plated , and as it were in wrinkles upon his back : their horn , teeth , claws , yea flesh , and blood , are good against poyson , which , as is conceived , proceeds from the herbs which they feed on in bengala , where are most store of them . 7. the camelopardalus is the highest of beasts , so that a man on horseback may ride upright under his belly , his neck is long , so that he usually feedeth upon the leaves of trees : his colour is white and speckled , his hinder legs are shorter than his former , so that he cannot graze but with difficulty . p. pil. p. 1381. he is also called a jaraff . 8. in india is a certain beast called a buffelo , which is very large , hath a thick and smooth skin , but without hair : she gives good milk , and her flesh is like beefe . idem . p. 1469. 9. in the same country also are certain wild goats , whose horns are good against poison , pur. pil. p. 472. 10. in the country of indostan in the east-indies , are large white apes , as big as our grey-hounds , which will eat young birds , whereupon nature hath taught their dams this subtilty : they build their nests on the utmost bowes at the end of slender twigs : where they hang them like purse-nets to which the apes cannot possibly come : yet many times with their hands they will shake those boughs till the nests break , and fall down , and then they will devour them . pur. pilgrimage p. 1475. 11. the camelion is of the shape , and bigness of a lizzard , it is a deformed lean , and crooked creature , having a long and slender tail , like a mouse , and is of a slow pace . it lives only upon flys . it changeth colours according to the variety of places where it comes . it is a great enemy to venemous serpents ; for when it sees any lie sleeping under a tree , it gets upon a bough just over the serpents head , & voideth out of its mouth , as it were a long thred of spittle , with around drop hanging at the end , which falling on the serpents head , immediately kills him p. pil. p. 848. 12. there was lately found in catalunia , in the mountains of cerdania , a certain monster , that had humane shape as far as the waste , and downwards it was like a satyre : he had many heads , arms , & eyes , and a mouth of extraordinary bigness , wherewith he made a noise like a bull : his picture was sent by don john of austria ( now governour of the low countrys ) to the king of spain , and afterwards many coppies thereof were drawn , and sent abroad by ambassadors , and other persons to several princes , and states in europe . hist. of this iron age . 13. in brasile is a certain beast called a tamandua or ant-bear of the bignesse of a great dog , more round than long , and the tail above twice so long as the body , and so full of hair that under it he shelters himself from rain , heat , cold , and wind . his head is small ; and hath a thin snout : his mouth round , with a tongue three quarters of a yard long : he is diligent in seeking ant-hills , which he teareth with his claws , and then thrusts in his long tongue , upon which the ants run , and when it is full , he licks them in ; and this is all his food . pur. pil. v. 4. p. 1301. 14. the armadillo is of the bignesse of a pig , and of a white colour : it hath a long snout , and the body is covered with shels like plates , wherewith they are armed : for they are so hard that no arrow will pierce them except in the flanks , where they are softer : their flesh is good to eat , they dig holes in the ground with their snouts , in which they lye . idem . 15. the porcupine hath bristles , or quils , white and black , of a span and an half long , which they can cast : and they have this quality , that where one of these bristles enters into the flesh , if it be not pulled out presently , it will work it selfe quite through ; they are of a good flesh , and taste . 16. the civet-cat exceeds the castor for bignesse , her head is little , her eyes clear ; hath a long muzzle ; sharp , and offensive teeth . her hair is parti-coloured , harsh , and bristley , yellow above , and whiter downwards ; the pocket wherein the civet is bred is neer the genitory , which is taken forth with a spoon or stick ; but when she is wild , she casts it forth of her own accord , and by the scent it is found by the passengers . 17. the lyons in affrick , are more fierce than in colder countryes ; here was one of their skins brought into england , which from the snout to the top of the tail , contained one and twenty foot in length . they engender backwards as do camels , elephants , rhinoceroses , ounces , and tygers . they spare such men as prostrate themselves to them , and prey rather upon men than women , and not at all on infants , except compelled by hunger . his tail is his scepter , by which he expresses his passion . he shrinks not at danger , except some covert of woods hides him from witnesses , and then he will take the benefit of flight , which otherwise he seems to disdain . 18. the hyaena hath no joints in her neck , and therefore stirs not her neck , but with the bending of her whole body . she hath one continued tooth through her whole mouth . 19. in africk are many wild asses , whereof one male hath many females , and he is so jealous , that he bites off the stones of the young males , if the suspicious female prevent him not by bringing forth in a close place . 20. the dabuh is a simple creature , like to a wolf , but that his legs and feet are like to a mans , they which know his haunt , with a taber , & singing , will bring him out of his den , and captivate his ears with their musick , whilst another captivateth his legs with a rope . 21. the zebra is a very beautiful creature , resembling a curiously shaped horse , but not all out so swift , all over-laid with party coloured laces , and guards , from head to tail . 22. in sofala there is a certain creature called inhazaras as big as a hog , & somewhat like , with thin black hair , having on his hinder feet five fingers like unto a mans , and four on his forefeet ; they live meerly upon ants , by thursting their tongues which are two spans and an half long into an ant-hil , whereon the ants running , they pull them into their mouths , and so eat them : some call them ant-bears . pur. pil. 23. there is in affrica a certain monster called pongo , in the whole proportion like unto a man , but that it is bigger . it hath a mans face , hollow eyes , long hair upon the brows , his face and ears being without hair : but his body is all hairy of a dunish colour , &c. he differs from a man only in his legs , which have no calves : he goes alwayes upright upon his legs , and he carries his hands clasped in the nape of his neck , when he walkes upon the ground : they use to sleep in trees , and live upon fruits and nuts . idem . v. 2. p. 982. 24. in congo there is a strange creature as big as a ram , that hath wings like a dragon , a long tail , and great chaps , with diverse rows of teeth : they feed upon raw flesh . idem . p. 1003. 25. in affrica there is a beast called a dabuk , in bignesse and shape , resembling a wolf , saving that his legs & feet are like a mans . he useth to take dead men out of their graves , and eat them . idem . p. 847. 26. in the kingom of mexico there are kine , with bunches on their backs , about the bigness of our bulls , having little horns , and more hair on their foreparts than behind , which is like wooll : on the back-bone they have maines like horses , and long hair from their knees downward , with much long hair on their throats : they are meat , drink , shooes , houses , fire , vessels , and their masters whole substance . 27. other creatures there are as big as horses , which the spaniards for their fine wooll call sheep : one of their horns usually weigheth fifty pounds . p. pil. v. 4. p. 1561. 28. in virginia is a beast called a possown , the female whereof hath a bag under her belly , from whence she letteth forth her young ones , and taketh them in again at her pleasure . idem . p. 1772. 29. in socotera are sheep , whose tails weigh twenty eight pounds a peece , which therefore are usually cut off from the ewes , least they should hinder their breeding . 30. in the great mogols countrey there are asses with horns , whereof they make diverse sorts of drinking cups , of excellent vertue . some judging them to be the right unicorns horn . idem . p. 436. 31. most certain it is , that the irish cows will not give down their milk , unless their own calves be set by their sides , either alive , or else the skin of the dead calf must be stuffed with straw , and set by them . camb. brit. of ireland . p. 1145. 32. in the island of orknay the ewes are of such fecundity , that they bring forth constantly two , and many times three lambs a peece ; there be neither ravenous nor venemous creatures there ; nor if transported thither , will they live in that island . description of scotl. 33. there are three sorts of camels : the first sort are gross , and tall of stature : these will usually carry one thousand pound weight a peece ; when they are to be loaden , being beaten on the knees , and neck with a cudgel , they will kneel down ; and when they feel their load sufficient , they will rise up again of themselves . the second sort of them have two bunches on their backs , and are fit either for burthen , or to ride on . the third sort are of a slender , and low stature , called dromedaries , unfit for burthens , but they excel in swiftness , so that in the space of one day they will travel one hundred miles , and will so continue for eight , or ten dayes together , with very little provender ; and they will abstain from drink , eight , ten , and sometimes fifteen dayes together , without any inconvenience , as they travel through the deserts . 34. musk is taken from a little reddish beast , that they beat with many blows in one place , that so the blood may gather into it : and when the skin is by this means swoln , and full of blood , they bind it strait , that the blood may not issue forth , and being put into one , or more bladders , its dryed on the beasts back , till the bladder fall off of it self ; and so that blood after a month becomes excellent musk . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 1500. 35. amongst the blackmoors , there is a strange beast called a carbuncle , which is seen only by night , having a stone in his forehead that shineth incredibly , and giving him light whereby to feed : but when he hears the lest noise , he presently lets fall over it a skin , which he hath as a natural covering , least his splendor should betray him . pur. pil. v. 1. p. 416. 36. in abassia are kine with horns like unto harts-horns : others there be that have but one horn in the midst of their foreheads of about a span and an half long , turning upward . pur. pil. v. 2. p. 1495. 37. there is in the country of mexico a kinde of sheep , which all things considered , is a beast of the greatest profit , and least charge that is : for from them they draw meat and cloathing : they use them also to carry all their burthens , having need neither of shooes nor saddles , nor yet of oats , so that they serve their masters for nought , feeding only on grass which they find in the fields : there are two kinds of these creatures , the one bearing wooll , the other are bare , which are the better for burthen ; they are bigger than great sheep , and less than calves ; they have long necks like a cammel . they are of divers colours , some white , some black , and others grey , or spotted ; their flesh is good meat , but that of their lambs is best : of their wooll the indians make cloath some courser , other finer like half-silk ; they also make carpets , and coverings , and other exquisite works of it , which last long , and have a very good gloss ; they die it into sundry colours : upon these the spaniards carry their bars of silver ; one of these sheep carrying about an hundred and fifty pound weight . 37. in the stomach , or belly of this beast , is found the bezar's stone ; sometimes one alone , sometimes two , three , or foure : they are different in form , greatness , and colour ; some like filbeards , others like walnuts : some as big as pigeons eggs , some as big as hens eggs : in form some are round , some oval , and of other formes . for their colour , some are black , some white , some grey , dark green , and some as if they had been gilded : they are all made of divers filmes , and skins one upon another . p. pil. v. 3. p. 969. 38. there is in italy the tarantula ( a kind of serpent ) the venome whereof hath such an operation , that whosoever is stung with it , falleth a dancing , and capering , and nothing can allay it but musick . raimunds mercu. ital. examples of dogs love to their masters . 39. when the athenians quit their city , and betook themselves to sea , upon xerxes his invasion of greece , xantippus the father of pericles had a dog , which for sorrow that his master had left him behind him , cast himself after him into the sea , swimming still by the gallies side wherein his master was , till he came to the isle of salamina , where so soon as the poor cur landed , his breath failed him , and he dyed presently . plut in vita themist . chap. vii . admirable works done by the art of man. 1. protogenes the rhodian , an exquisite painter , bestowed seven years in drawing a most curious picture , which when apelles beheld , he stood amazed at the excellency of the workmanship , so that for a while he could not speak , but afterwards he said , this is an admirable work , and of huge labour , yet he wants an orator to extol his workmanship to the skies . when king demetrius besiedged the city of rhodes , he took the suburbs , and in them this picture , whereupon the citizens sent to him , requesting him not to deface it ; to whom he answered , that he would sooner burn the picture of his father , than hurt a peece of such admirable workmanship . diod. sic. plut. glasses malleable . 2. anno christi 1610. amongst other rare presents sent from the sophy of persia , to the king of spain , were six drinking glasses so exquisitely tempered , that they could not be broken . turk . hist. p. 1273. stone-henge described . 3. about six miles from salisbury , upon the plains , is to be seen a huge , and monstrous peece of work , such as cicero calleth insanam substructionem . for within the circuit of a ditch , there are erected in the manner of a crown , in three ranks , or courses , one whithin another , certain mighty , and unwrought stones , whereof some are twenty eight foot high , and seven broad ; upon the heads of which , others like overtwhart peeces do bear , and rest cross-wise with tenents , and mortesses , so as the whole frame seemeth to hang , whereof it s commonly called stone-henge . camb. brit. 4. in westmerland hard by shape , there be hung stones in form of pyramids , some of them nine foot high , and fourteen foot thick , ranged directly as it were in a row for a mile in length , with equal distance almost between them . camb. brit. p. 762. mausolus his tombe described . 5. artimesia queen of halicarnassus , when her husband mausolus dyed , built him a stately tomb , accounted for the rare workmanship , and costly magnificence one of the worlds wonders . it was five and twenty cubits high , and supported with six and thirty curious pillars , of which martial thus writeth : are nam vacuo pendentia mausolaea , laudibus immodicis cares ad astra ferunt . the mausolaea hanging in the skie , the men of caria's praises deifie . 6. when sir thomas row was ambassador there , the great mogul built a stately monument for his father : it was about twenty years in building , and three thousand men working daily at it : it was built square , three quarters of a mile in compass : it was made with seven heights one above another , and each narrower than other , till you come to the top where the herse is : at the outward gate is a most stately palace , and gardens walled about , at least three miles in compass ; all built at a vast charge . pur. pil. p. 226. 7. mr. herbert , who saw it afterwards , thus describes it . it consists ( saith he ) of four large squares , each about three hundred paces long , the matter is freestone polished , having at each angle , a small tower of party coloured marble . ten foot higher is another tarras , on each side beautified with three such towers . the third gallery hath two towers , on each side . the fourth , one . the fifth , half , and a small square gallery mounting to a royal pyree , within which is the mummy of ecbar ; bedded in a coffin of pure gold. the whole structure is built in the midst of a spacious and curious garden , surrounded with a wall of red stone , and planted with beautiful and odoriferous flowers . porsennah's tomb described . porsenna king of hetruria● , not far from the city of clusium , built for himself a monument of square stone , each side of it was three hundred foot broad , and fifty foot high ; within which square basis , there was an inextricable labyrinth , into which whosoever adventured without a clue , could find no passage out . upon this square he erected five pyramids , four in the corners , and one in the midst ; in the bottom they were seventy five foot broad , and each of them one hundred and fifty foot high , on the top was one brass circle , and covering for them all , from which there hung bells fastened with chains , which being moved with the winde , gave a sound a far off : upon this brazen circle stood other four pyramids , each of them one hundred foot high ; and upon them ( being covered with another plain ) were again erected five other pyramids , the height whereof my author was ashamed to name : so foolishly did he waste the wealth of his kingdom , that in the end the commendation of the artificer should be the greatest . pliny out of varro ; and greaves out of him . 8. in the great moguls country , from agra to lahar ( which are the two chief cities in this empire ) is about four hundred english miles : the country in all that distant , being even without mountains or hills : and the high-way betwixt them , is planted on both sides with trees , like unto a delicate walk . p. pil. v. 2. p. 1468. the trees are mulberry-trees . and in all this way , ever and anon , are inns built by several kings , and great men , for the entertainment of strangers : in which you may have a chamber for your self , room for your hourse , and horse-meat , but little for your servant : when a man hath taken up his lodging , no other may dispossess him . in the morning about break a day , all make ready to depart , at which time the gates are opened , and none suffered to depart sooner for fear of theeves . p. 520. the first invention of printing . 9. laurence jans , a rich citizen of harlem in the low-countries , walking forth one day into the neighbouring woods for recreation , began to cut in pieces of wood the letters of his name , printing them on the back of his hand ; which pleasing him well , he cut three or four lines which he beat with ink , and printed them upon paper , wherewith he much joyed , and determined to find out another kind of ink more fastening , and holding , and so with his kinsman thomas peterse , found out another way to print whole sheets , but of one side only , which are yet to be seen in the said town : afterwards he changed his letters of wood into lead , and after that into tin , and so by degrees this famous art of printing grew to perfection . belg. common-wealth . p. 57. 11. some say that john guttenburg of strasburg , was the first inventer of it , anno christi 1440. in which city he first practised it , and removing from thence to mentz , there perfected it . they say that tullies offices was the first book that ever was printed . p. ramus schol. math. l. 2. 12. it doth with wonderful celerity convey learning from one country , and age , to another . imprimit ille die , quantum vix scribitur anno . the most famous printers were . 13. aldus manutius , and after him paulus his son in venice . in france , crispinus , henry stevens , father to charles ; and charles to robert ; robert to henry , and henry to paul , all printers . 14. christopher plantine of antwerp , was a most famous and learned printer . 15. frobenius , that was erasmus his faithful printer . 16. daniel bombergus , an excellent printer of the hebrew bible , and many other hebrew books , &c. the first invention of guns . 17. a german fryer of the order of st. francis , called bertholdus swart , being very studious of chymistry , as he was one evening ( for the finding out of some experiment ) very busie in tempering brimstone , sulphureous powder of dryed earth , and certain other ingredients in a morter , which he covered with a stone : when it grew dark , he took his tinder-box to light him a candle , a sparke whereof by chance flying into the mortar , caught hold of the brimstone , and salt-peter , and firing , with a sudden flash blew up the stone . the cunning chymist gues●ng what it was which wrought this effect , never left till he found out the certainty , and then taking an iron pipe , he crammed it full of the same ingredient , together with some stones , and so putting fire to it , he saw that with great fury , and noise it discharged it self : soon after which , he communicated this his invention to the venetians , who , having been often vanquished by the genowayes , did by the help of these bombards , or guns , give them a notable discomfiture . anno christi 1380. bucholtz . 18. at middleburg in zealand , in the steeple of the abby-church , there is a bell of eighteen thousand weight to strike the hours on , and twenty four small ones which serve for the chymes . belg. common-wealth . p. 162. a description of the situation of utrecht in the low-countries . utrecht in the low-countries , is so situated , that one may go to what town he please of fifty , that lye round about it in one day . and in a summers day , if one go early from utrecht , he may dine at any one of twenty six towns , where he pleaseth , and return to his own house to supper . idem . p. 200. trajan built a bridge over the river ister , or danow , containing twenty arches , each arch being one hundred and fifty foot high , sixty thick , and one hundred and seventy foot distant one from another : so that the whole length of it was four thousand seven hundred and seventy foot , which was almost a mile long . the river was very deep , and swift , and the bottom not firm ground , neither could the stream be diverted any other way ; all which made the work far more difficult , and admirable . ancus martius , the fourth king of rome , built a wooden bridge over the river tybur , yet without nails , or pins , so that in times of war it might be taken down : afterwards aemilius the consul built it of stone : and lastly antoninus pius the emperour built it of marble . finis . soli deo gloria . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a33345-e190 trees , fowles beasts fishes plants , fruits , and herbs , virginia's situation . their summers and winters . the natives described . their apparel . habitations and houses . their lodging and beds . their child-birth and children . women laborious and men idle . their several diets . their bows and arrows . their weapons in war. the fishing boats , and furniture . their huntings . their wars . their musick . their trading . their religion . their sepulchers , and burials . their mournings : the priests attire . their civil government . the kings women and attendants . their goverment by customs . of the plantation of the english. elks fruitfulness of the deer . their beasts and fowles ▪ their fish. their fruits . the qualities of the natives . their priests . their government . the countrey described . strange beasts . their hawks and other fowl. birds and fish. bermudas city . powhatans daughter converted baptized and married . she comes into england . her death . vrginia divided . how governed : persons sent over . commodities , their iron , pot , and sope ashes pitch and tar. timber . silk . vines . salt. gifts to the plantation . persons sent over . gifts to promote the plantation . notes for div a33345-e4680 the nature of its soil . the temperature of the air . it s fertility . their summers , and winters . no venomous creature there . fish fowl trees and plants . tortoises or turtles described . the prickl pear . fowls and birds . plants . things offensive . their number & bigness . whale-fight . strange birds . rat-plague palm trees . shel-fish . other fish birds . more planters sent over . of governours . notes for div a33345-e6130 the good god , how they increase the priests . their government . they maintain their kings . their charity . their burials , and mournings their behaviour . their names of their marriages , their women . their modesty . their justice punishments . their integrity . their language . their chonicles . notes for div a33345-e13150 barbadoes first discovered . hoggs found there . hunted by the indians . fine pots . the first painters . indico planted . cotton , and fustick . sugar canes planted . the scituation of the island . the chief towns unhealthful . the baies . the bigness of the island . ils beauty the length of the days the temperature . diseases , the moistness of the air . a want of water . the only river or lake . excellent lobsters . their ponds . speedy warning of dangers bread of c●ssury . how it s made . bread of maise , and cussary together . lob-lolly potatoes used for bread. their drink mobby , how made . perino how made . grippo . punch . plantane drink . kill-devil . beveridge pine-drink the best of all . hogs flesh . beef . turkies . pullin , and muscovy ducks . turtle doves . pidgeons . rabbets . several sorts of fish . the green turtle . quasquechoses . flesh and fish. the negroes alowance . an inland feast . a feast near the sea. merchandize imported and exported . timber trees . locusts . mastick trees . bully trees . red wood yellow wood . cedars iron-wood . stone for buildings . of their servants and slaves . how their servants are used . dreadful fire . how quenched . of the negroes . their chastiy . their jealousie . of their easie travel dancing . the funerals , and physick . negro . maids and wives . indians . camels . horses . bulls and cows . asinegoes . hoggs . sheep . goats . birds and fowls . buzzards . turtle doves . thrush . blackbirds stares . counsellers . the humming bird. teals , oxen , kine : a man of wyr . snakes . scorpious lizzards . cochoaches . the muskitoes . merriwings . caterpillars . other flies . ants and pismires . ants. spiders . negroes . crickets . crabs . the physick nut. the poison tree . a mantionel tree . cussavy . coloquintida . cassia fistula . a strange tamarine trees . palm-trees figg trees . cherry-trees . citron trees . orange trees . limon trees . lime-trees prickled apple trees . prickled pear-trees . pomgranate trees papa-trees gnaver trees . coco-trees custard-apple trees mucow trees . date trees , mungrave trees . calibash trees . bay-trees . cedar mastick trees . bully trees , red-wood trees . prickled yellow wood . iron wood. lignum vitae . locust trees , bastard locust trees . palmeto trees . palms to royal trees . plantanes . wild plantanes . tanes . bonanoes . sugar . canes . old wit hs . aloes .