An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

On the 25. of August, in the year 1676. the said Skipper How with his two eldest Sons set sail from New-Haven for Boston in a small ⟨p. 59⟩Ketch, Burden 17 Tun or thereabout: After the Dispatch of their Business there, they set Sail from thence for New-Haven again, on the 10th of September following: but contrary Winds forced them back to Boston, where the said How was taken ill with a violent flux, which Distemper continued near a Month, many being at that time sick of the same Disease, which proved mortal to some. The merciful Providence of God having spared his life, and restored him to some measure of health; he again set Sail from Boston, October 10. By a fair Wind they went forward so as to make Cape Cod; but suddenly the Weather became very Tempestuous, so as that they could not seize the Cape, but were forced off to Sea; where they were endangered in a small Vessel by very fearful Storms and outrageous Winds and Seas. Also, his Eldest Son fell sick and died in about eleven days after they set out to Sea. He was no sooner dead, but his other Son fell sick and died too. This was a bitter Cup to the good Father. It is noted in I Chron.7.22. that when the Sons of Ephraim were dead, Ephraim their Father mourned many days, and his Brethren came to comfort him. This Ephraim when his Sons were Dead his Friends on Shore knew it not, nor could they come to comfort him. ⟨p. 60⟩But when his Friends and Relations could not, the Lord himself did: for they died after so sweet, gracious and comfortable a manner, as that their Father professed he had joy in parting with them. Yet now their outward distress and danger was become greater, since the Skipper's two Sons were the only help he had in working the Vessel. Not long after, another of the Company, viz. Cale• Jones (Son to Mr. William Jones one of the Worthy Magistrates in New-Haven) fell sick and died also, leaving the World with comfortable manifestations of true Repentance towards God, and Faith in Jesus Christ. Thus the one half of their Company was taken away, none remaining but the Skipper himself, one Mr. Augur, and a Boy. He himself was still sickly, and in a very weak estate, yet was fain to stand at the Helm 36 hours, and 24 hours at a time; in the mean time the boisterous Sea overwhelming the Vessel, so as that if he had not been lashed fast, he had certainly been washed over-board.