An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Again he Relates that Mr. Jonas Clark of New-England going for Virginia, the Vessel was cast ashoar in the night. They hoped to get their Ship off again; to which end the Master with some others going in the Boat, when they were about sixty Fathom from the Shore, there arose a great Sea which broke in upon them, and at last turned the Boat over. Four Men were drowned. Mr. Clark was held under water till his Breath was gone, yet (through the good hand of a gracious God) he was set at liberty, and was enabled to swim to the shore, where the providence of God did so over-rule the hearts of Barbarians, as that they did them no hurt, until at last they were brought safe unto the English Plantations. These things have (as was said) been related by Mr. Janeway. I proceed therefore to mention some other Sea-Deliverances. And that notable preservation deserves to be here Inserted and Recorded; Wherein Mr. John Grafton and some others of his Ships Company were concerned; who as they were bound in a Voyage from Salem in New-England, for the West-Indies, in a Ketch called the Providence; (on September 16. 1669.) ⟨p. 21⟩their Vessel suddenly struck upon a Rock; at the which they were amazed, it being then a dark and rainy night; the force of the wind and Sea broke their Vessel in a moment. Their Company was ten Men in number, whereof six were drowned. The Master, and the Mate were left upon the Rock. As they sa• there, the Sea came up to their wastes. There did they embrace each other, looking for Death every moment; and if the Tide had risen higher it would have carried them off. By the same Rock was one of the Seamen, being much wounded and grievously groaning. In the Morning they saw an Island about half a mile off from them. The Rocks were so sharp and cragged that they could not tread upon them with their bare feet nor had they Shoes or Stockings. But they found a piece of Tarpaulin, which they wrapped about their feet, making it fast with Rope-yarns; so getting each of them a stick, they sometimes went on their feet, and sometimes crept, until at last they came to the Island, where they found another of their Company ashoar, being carried thither by a piece of the Vessel. Upon the Island they continued eight days, four of which they had no fire. Their Provision was salt Fish and Rain Water, which they found in the ⟨p. 22⟩holes of the Rocks.