A58039:91
A token for mariners
A token for mariners containing many famous and wonderful instances of God's providence in sea dangers and deliverances, in mercifully preserving the lives of his poor creatures, when, in humane probability, at the point of perishing by shipwreck, famine, or other accidents. much enlarged, with the addition of many new relations, one whereof happening this present year, and never before printed. Mostly attested by the persons themselves. Also The seaman's preacher, being a sermon on the right improvement of such mercies. And prayers for seamen on all occasions.A token for mariners containing many famous and wonderful instances of God's providence in sea dangers and deliverances, in mercifully preserving the lives of his poor creatures, when, in humane probability, at the point of perishing by shipwrack, famine, or other accidents. much enlarg'd, with the addition of many new relations, one whereof happening this present year, and never before printed. Mostly attested by the persons themselves. Also The seaman's preacher, being a sermon on the right improvement of such mercies. And prayers for seamen on all occasions.
London: printed by Hugh Newman, 1698
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Relation of Dr. William Johnson, concerning a most Remarkable Sea-Deliverance; in his own words.
27. We went aboard from Harwich, on Michaelmas day, Sept. 29. 1648. in the William and John of Ipswich, Daniel Morgan, Master, and having a fair wind, we set Sail; I being Sea-sick, went to bed, but about four a Clock in the Afternoon, the Master of the Ship came into our Cabin with more hast than he was wont, which made me ask him whither all was well, who like a tender-hearted man, who is loth to tell his dying Friend, that he is so nigh his end, replied all is well, yet when I saw him shift himself with such ⟨p. 88⟩hast, I rose from my Bed, and crawled upon the Deck, where I saw a sad spectacle, the Ship having sprung a leak, or rather a plank, was ready to sink, upon which, every man was affrighted, one was at his Prayers, another wringing his Hands, a third his eyes shedding of tears, when he had no need of more salt water; but after this, they fell to work, but were busy in doing nothing: The Masters Mate, who went to search the Leak, told us with a sad countenance, trembling hands, gnashing of Teeth, a quivering Tongue, and words half spoken, That the Leak could not be stopped, and the water came in so fast upon us, that we must perish in this moment. Upon which we presently cast out our Long-boat, and shot off eight or nine Guns to another Ship, who came out with us, to come to our relief, then with some difficulty we all got into the Boat, and God be thanked, came clear of the Ship, whose sails now lay flat upon the Water, and now we were rowing we know not whither, for the other Ship came not to our relief, which made us have hard thoughts of them without cause, for we understood that both the Ship, and all the men perished in the same hour. Now were we ⟨p. 89⟩without all hope, for it blew half a storm, and we were in a small Vessel, many Leagues from the Shore, without Compass, or provision to sustain us, being starved likewise with Cold, as well as for want of Victuals, having nothing in our Boat, but a small Kettle which served to cast out the water, and three bags of pieces of eight of three hundred pound Sterling, which would neither feed us, nor keep us warm;