An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Now came to my remembrance the time and manner, how and when I last saw and left my Children and Friends. One was severed from me sitting on the Rock at my feet, the other three in the Pinnace: my little Babe (Ah poor Peter) sitting in his Sister Edith's arms, who to the uttermost of her power sheltered him from the waters, my poor William standing close unto them, all three of them looking ruefully on me on the Rock; their very Countenances calling unto me to help them, whom I could not go unto, neither could they come at me, neither ⟨p. 13⟩would the merciless waves afford me space or time to use any means at all, either to help them or my self. Oh I yet see their cheeks, poor silent Lambs, pleading pity and help at my hands. Then on the other side to consider the loss of my dear Friends, with the spoiling and loss of all our Goods and Provisions, my self cast upon an unknown Land, in a Wilderness, I knew not where, nor how to get thence. Then it came to my mind how I had occasioned the Death of my Children, who caused them to leave their native Land, who might have left them there, yea, and might have sent some of them back again and cost me nothing: these and such like thoughts do press down my heavy heart very much. But I must let this pass, and will proceed on in the Relation of Gods goodness unto me in that desolate Island, on which I was cast. I and my Wife were almost naked both of us, and wet and cold even unto death,. I found a Snapsack cast on the shore, in which I had a Steel and Flint and Powder-horn. Going further I found a drowned Goat, then I found a Hat, and my Son William's Coat, both which I put on. My Wife found one of her Petticoats which she put on. I found also two Cheese and some Butter driven ⟨p. 14⟩ashoar. Thus the Lord sent us some clothes to put on, and food to sustain our new lives which we had lately given unto us; and means also to make fire, for in an Horn I had some Gun-powder, which to mine own (and since to other mens) admiration was dry. So taking a piece of my Wives Neckcloth, which I dried in the Sun, I struck fire, and so dried and warmed our wet Bodies, and then skinned the Goat, and having found a small Brass-pot, we boiled some of her. Our Drink was brackish water; Bread we had none.

Now came to my remembrance the time and manner, how and when I last saw and left my Children and Friends. One was severed from me sitting on the Rock at my feet, the other three in the Pinnace: my little Babe (Ah poor Peter) sitting in his Sister Ediths arms, who to the uttermost of her power shelted him from the waters, my poor William standing close unto them, all three of them looking ruefully on me on the Rock; their very Countenances calling unto me to help them, whom I could not go unto, neither could they come at me, neither