An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

At length past hopes of Life, and wearied in body and spirits, I even gave over to nature, and being ready to receive in the waters of Death, I lifted up both my heart and hands to the God of Heaven. For note, I had my senses remaining perfect with me all the time that I was under and in water, who at that instant lifted my head above the top of the water, that so I might breathe without any hindrance by the waters. I stood bolt upright as if I had stood upon my feet, but I felt no bottom, nor had any footing for to stand upon, but ⟨p. 11⟩the waters. While I was thus above the water, I saw by me a piece of the Mast, as I suppose about three foot long, which I laboured to catch into my arms. But suddenly I was overwhelmed with water, and driven to and fro again, and at last I felt the ground with my right foot. When immediately whilst I was thus grovelling on my face, I presently recovering my feet, was in the water up to my Breast, and through Gods great mercy had my face unto the shore, and not to the Sea. I made hast to get out, but was thrown down on my hands with the waves, and so with safety crept to the dry shore. Where blessing God, I turned about to look for my Children and Friends, but saw neither, nor any part of the Pinnace, where I left them as I supposed. But I saw my Wife about a Butt length from me getting her self forth from amongst the Timber of the broken Barque: but before I could get unto her, she was gotten to the shore: I was in the water after I was washed from the Rock, before I came to the shore a quarter of an hour at least. When we were come each to other, we went and sat under the Bank. But fear of the Seas roaring and our coldness would not suffer us there to remain. But we went up into ⟨p. 12⟩the Land and sat us down under a Cedar Tree which the wind had thrown down, where we sat about an hour almost dead with cold. But now the Storm was broken up, and the wind was calm, but the Sea remained rough and fearful to us. My Legs were much bruised, and so was my head, other hurt had I none, neither had I taken in much quantity of water: but my heart would not let me sit still any longer, but I would go to see if any more were gotten to the Land in safety, especially hoping to have met with some of my own poor Children, but I could find none, neither dead nor yet living. You condole with me my miseries, who now began to consider of my losses.

At length past hopes of Life, and wearied in body and spirits, I even gave over to nature, and being ready to receive in the waters of Death, I lifted up both my heart and hands to the God of Heaven. For note, I had my senses remaining perfect with me all the time that I was under and in water, who at that instant lifted my head above the top of the water, that so I might breathe without any hindrance by the waters. I stood bolt upright as if I had stood upon my feet, but I felt no bottom, nor had any footing for to stand upon, but