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REMARKABLE SEA Deliverances.

pp. 1–10994 passagespart 1 of 3

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.

:11p. 1

REMARKABLE SEA Deliverances.

:12p. 1–2

One Major Gibbons, a man well known in new England, a Gentleman of good education, good parts, and of good Conversation, (as the Author hath been credibly informed by them that knew him) was bound upon a voyage to Sea, himself being Supra Cargo with such commodities as those parts of America doth afford, after going out from Boston several days, by hard weather, and contrary winds, the Ships company were much distressed, and through the Continuance of the contrary winds Provisions now begin to fail them; and O how feeble doth Spirit ⟨p. 2⟩grow, when Bread, the Staff of life faileth! now Hunger becomes more dreadful to them, then the every moment threatening Billows of the devouring Ocean; and they that one while feared drowning, now fears Starving; they are brought to the last meal in the Barrel, and the last oil in the Cruse, and say as she did We will Eat this little that is left, and dye: and now when they thought they had eaten the last, what conflicts must they needs have within themselves? who knew not where to have another morsel to fortify the tired and spent Spirits with the constant toil, and hard labour: how they look one upon another, as men already under a Sentence of death; and by one another's looks, Strike terror to one another's Hearts; They look on every side, Psal. 142. 4, 5. (as David says) I looked on my right hand, but there was no man that would know me; Refuge failed me; or perished from me. They look downward, and see nothing but the Belly of destruction opening for them; they look upward, the only, and last refuge, and remedy, in this deplorable estate was, out of the depths, they cried to the Lord,

ONe Major Gibbons, a man well known in new England, a Gentleman of good education, good parts, and of good Conversation, (as the Author hath been credibly informed by them that knew him) was bound upon a voyage to Sea, himself being Supra Cargo with such commoditys as those parts of America doth afford, after going out from Boston several days, by hard weather, and contrary winds, the Ships company were much distressed, and through the Continuance of the contrary winds Provisions now begin to faile them; and O how feeble doth Spirit

:13p. 2–4

But though they look out of the Ship, as Noah did out of his Ark, upon the waters ⟨p. 3⟩and send forth the Dove of Prayer, that winged Messenger, to Heaven, yet she brings no Olive branch, no Answer; the waters assuage not, the winds calm not, they are like the Prophets Servant, when he bid him 1 Kings 18. 43. go up now; and look to-wards the Sea, and he went up and looked and said, there is nothing; and this strikes them into doleful and dismal Lamentations; out of which Lamentations, at last Springs up a tragical and sorrowful Motion. The Motion is, that which the Mariners, in Jonahs Vessel, put in execution, Come let us cast Lots, &c. only with this difference, they cast Lots to find out the delinquent; and these, which of them should dye first, to be a Sacrifice for ravenous Hunger to feed upon: Concluding, as he in that case, John. 11. 50. It is expedient for us that one man should dye for the People, and that the whole Ships Company perish not. Life being sweet, Skin for Skin, and all a man hath will he give for his life, they at last bring it, through many a sad debate, to a result, they cast the Lott, the disposing of which is of the Lord; one of the Company is arrested by the Lott; here is the Condemned Prisoner: O but where is the Executioner to be found to act his office upon a poor Innocent? is it not ⟨p. 4⟩death to them now, to think who shall act this bloody part in the Tragedy? But before they fall upon their involuntary Execution, Major Gibbons calls them to Prayer, considering, that in the Mount, the Lord is often seen, and that many times our extremity proves Gods opportunity; he also asks the poor man if he was willing to dye; but O what a hard Question is that to Answer! He replies, if it might preserve the rest of the lives, he could be the more willing; to which he hath this Answer: All events are in the hands of God, we must not dispute them, to Prayer they go: and, O sure these Prayers must melt hearts of Adamant! and Behold, while they are at it, God sends a visible commentary upon that Scripture: Isaiah 58. 9. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall Answer; thou shalt Cry, and he shall say here I am: For while they were calling, God was Answering; there leaps a mighty Fish into the Boat; and as it is said of the Whale:

But though they look out of the Ship, as Noah did out of his Ark, upon the waters ⟨p. 3⟩and send forth the Dove of Prayer, that winged Messenger, to Heaven, yet she brings no Olive branch, no Answer; the waters asswage not, the winds calm not, they are like the Prophets Servant, when he bid him 1 Kings 18. 43. go up now; and look to-wards the Sea, and he went up and looked and said, there is nothing; and this strikes them into dolefull and dismall Lamentations; out of which Lamentations, at last Springs up a tragical and sorrowfull Motion. The Motion is, that which the Marriners, in Jonahs Vessel, put in execution, Come let us cast Lots, &c. only with this difference, they cast Lots to find out the dilinquent; and these, which of them should dye first, to be a Sacrifice for ravenous Hunger to feed upon: Concluding, as he in that case, John. 11. 50. It is expedient for us that one man should dye for the People, and that the whole Ships Company perish not. Life being sweet, Skin for Skin, and all a man hath will he give for his life, they at last bring it, through many a sad debate, to a result, they cast the Lott, the disposing of which is of the Lord; one of the Company is arrested by the Lott; here is the Condemned Prisoner: O but where is the Executioner to be found to act his office upon a poor Innocent? is it not ⟨p. 4⟩death to them now, to think who shall act this bloody part in the Tragedy? But before they fall upon their involuntary Execution, Major Gibbons calls them to Prayer, considering, that in the Mount, the Lord is often seen, and that many times our extremity proves Gods opportunity; he also askes the poor man if he was willing to dye; but O what a hard Question is that to Answer! He replys, if it might preserve the rest of the lives, he could be the more willing; to which he hath this Answer: All events are in the hands of God, we must not dispute them, to Prayer they go: and, O sure these Prayers must melt hearts of Adamant! and Behold, while they are at it, God sends a visible commentary upon that Scripture: Esay 58. 9. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall Answer; thou shalt Cry, and he shall say here I am: For while they were calling, God was Answering; there leaps a mighty Fish into the Boat; and as it is said of the Whale:

:14p. 4–6

that swallowed up Jonah, God prepared a Fish, for the Lord here prepared, or provided a Fish, that a poor creature might not be swallowed up: but O what joy was here at such a token for good! not only it at present relieving and refreshing their hunger, which no Question ⟨p. 5⟩made them quick Cooks; but when they looked upon the Finger of God in it, sending it as an answer to prayer, they conclude it an happy Omen of their deliverance, and a pledge of approaching mercy: but alas, it is not long before their hearts grow faint again, their Countenances pale, their Spirits sink now as low as they were lifted up high; and now the poor Sea-men are like their Ship, one while mounted up in the hopes to Heaven, and another while they are sunk down again in despair as low as hell; they know not now of another cake, another Morsel, they are reduced to their former exigency, which brings them to a resolve to steer in this strait their old course; to Lots they go again the Second time, only they have such an honour for the Providence of God, they will not put him into condemnation, that God hath acquitted; the Lott now falls upon another person, and O now they receive the old trouble, and intestine Combats, how they shall find in their Hearts, to punish one, that never had offended any of them; and while one thinks of it, says he, Alas poor man, what hath he done to deserve this sentence? another cries, Will not this blood cleave to my Conscience another day? though I went to this expedition ⟨p. 6⟩a Pressed Soldier? another says, for his part he sees no way but death, therefore he cannot take away life, when he sees not any life can be preserved by it: but they are called again to look upward, before they put the Knife to the Throat of this Sacrifice, and they remember the last encouragement to put life into the almost dead-mens Prayers; they pray now with a pledge in their hands, and are ready to tell God, the last time he gave them a Pawn, an Earnest; and O it is not vain to seek the Lord! for lo•, while they are seeking to him, he is sending to them; as the Prayers fly to Heaven, Mercy is dispatched upon the wing from Heaven.

that swallowed up Jonah, God prepared a Fish, for the Lord here prepared, or provided a Fish, that a poor creature might not be swallowed up: but O what joy was here at such a token for good! not only it at present releiving and refreshing their huuger, which no Queston ⟨p. 5⟩made them quick Cooks; but when they looked upon the Finger of God in it, sending it as an answer to prayer, they conclude it an happy Omen of their deliverance, and a pledg of approaching mercy: but alas, it is not long before their hearts grow faint again, their Countenances pale, their Spirits sink now as low as they were lifted up high; and now the poor Sea-men are like their Ship, one while mounted up in the hopes to Heaven, and another while they are sunk down again in despair as low as hell; they know not now of another cake, another Morsell, they are reduced to their former exigency, which brings them to a resolve to steer in this strait their old course; to Lotts they go again the Second time, only they have such an honour for the Providence of God, they will not put him into condemnation, that God hath acquited; the Lott now falls upon another person, and O now they receive the old trouble, and intestine Combats, how they shall find in their Hearts, to punish one, that never had offended any of them; and while one thinks of it, sayes he, Alas poor man, what hath he done to deserve this sentence? another crys, Will not this blood cleave to my Conscience another day? though I went to this expedition ⟨p. 6⟩a Prest Souldier? another says, for his part he sees no way but death, therefore he cannot take away life, when he sees not any life can be preserved by it: but they are called again to look upward, before they put the Knife to the Throat of this Sacrifice, and they remember the last encouragement to put life into the almost dead-mens Prayers; they pray now with a pledge in their hands, and are ready to tell God, the last time he gave them a Pawn, an Earnest; and O it is not vain to seek the Lord! for lo•, while they are seeking to him, he is sending to them; as the Prayers flye to Heaven, Mercy is dispatched upon the wing from Heaven.

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O turn aside, and see this great sight, while they are praying. Behold a second Answer from above; A great Bird lights and fixes her self upon the Mast, which one in the Company espies, and up he goes and there she stands until he took her with his hand by the wing, & brought her down to the Company; and O what life from the dead is this to them a second time! Sure they will hearken to the voice of the second Sign, if not to the voice of the first; and now that which they hoped by the first Providence (viz) that it was a fore-runner of the complete deliverance; Now they are by this second confirmed ⟨p. 7⟩in the Faith, and now they begin to think (as I can easily imagine) if God will save them out of this distress, O what manner of persons they will become! what manner of lives they will live! what Sacrifices of Thanksgiving will they offer up to God! but while they are thus thinking they have no visible hopes, but that it must be a third Miracle that brings them out of this their miserable condition; they have the same disappointments upon them still, only now they divert their Hunger all they can, by telling of, and remembering the Loaves, (as I may say) their experiences in this extremity of theirs, and comforting themselves, that if they come to a third strait, it would (they hoped) be an outlet from their present misery and calamity: They are reduced the third time to the former course and strait, to cast Lots; and when they were to go to the heart-aching work, to put him to death, upon whom the Lott fell, they go to their Old Friend, in a day of Adversity, (to God) by hearty and humble Prayer; And O now they do, as the Prophets man at the Sea-side, look again and again, but alas Master they cry, there is nothing. Prayer is done, concluded, nothing appears; O but as the Prophets ⟨p. 8⟩Man looked seven times, so says this good man Major Gibbons, look again, as Jonah, I will look again towards his Holy Temple (says he to one of the Company) Go up to the top, and see what you can espy; and at last he makes a Sail, (viz.) espies a Ship; this puts new life into all their spirits; they bear up with the Vessel, they Man their Boat, they desire, in the manner of perishing humble Suppliants, to Board them, which they are Admitted; the Vessel proves a French Vessel, yea, a French Pirate;

O turn aside, and see this great sight, while they are praying. Behold a second Answer from above; A great Bird lights and fixes her self upon the Mast, which one in the Company espies, and up he goes and there she stands until he took her with his hand by the wing, & brought her down to the Company; and O what life from the dead is this to them a second time! Sure they will hearken to the voyce of the second Sign, if not to the voyce of the first; and now that which they hoped by the first Providence (viz) that it was a fore-runner of the compleat deliverance; Now they are by this second confirmed ⟨p. 7⟩in the Faith, and now they begin to think (as I can easily imagin) if God will save them out of this distress, O what manner of persons they will become! what manner of lives they will live! what Sacrifices of Thanksgiving will they offer up to God! but while they are thus thinking they have no visible hopes, but that it must be a third Miracle that brings them out of this their miserable condition; they have the same disappointments upon them still, only now they divert their Hunger all they can, by telling of, and remembring the Loaves, (as I may say) their experiences in this extremity of theirs, and comforting themselves, that if they come to a third strait, it would (they hoped) be an outlet from their present misery and calamity: They are reduced the third time to the former course and strait, to cast Lotts; and when they were to go to the heart-aking work, to put him to death, upon whom the Lott fell, they go to their Old Friend, in a day of Adversity, (to God) by hearty and humble Prayer; And O now they do, as the Prophets man at the Sea-side, look again and again, but alas Master they cry, there is nothing. Prayer is done, concluded, nothing appears; O but as the Prophets ⟨p. 8⟩Man looked seaven times, so says this good man Major Gibbons, look again, as Jonah, I will look again towards his Holy Temple (says he to one of the Company) Go up to the top, and see what you can espy; and at last he makes a Sayl, (viz.) espys a Ship; this puts new life into all their spirits; they bear up with the Vessel, they Man their Boat, they desire, in the manner of perishing humble Suppliants, to Board them, which they are Admitted; the Vessel proves a French Vessel, yea, a French Pyrate;

:16p. 8–9

Major Gibbons Petitions him for a little Bread to sustain their lives, who had been several days wishing for death, but could not find it in their Extremity; and take the Ship and Cargo. So sweet is life, that all that a man hath will he give for his life; and now behold, God draws forth to these Poor Perishing men his best Wine to the last, nay, turns the Water of Affliction into the Wine of Consolation. The Commander of the Vessel knows the Major, and replies readily and cheerfully, Major Gibbons, not one hair of your head shall perish, nor any of your Ships Company, if it lye in my power either to supply you, or preserve you. O the Wisdom of God that hath ways we know not of, to Relieve in the greatest ⟨p. 9⟩straits, and cause himself to be seen in the Mount. The Commander of this French Pirate was one that some years before, Major Gibbons had shown signal Kindness to, when his life was in danger at Boston in New England. Thus the Lord appeared a God, hearing Prayers in Extremities, which appearances are not to be forgotten in succeeding Generations. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the Children of men.

Major Gibbons Petitions him for a little Bread to sustain their lives, who had been several days wishing for death, but could not find it in their Extremity; and take the Ship and Cargo. So sweet is life, that all that a man hath will he give for his life; and now behold, God draws forth to these Poor Perishing men his best Wine to the last, nay, turns the Water of Affliction into the Wine of Consolation. The Commander of the Vessel knows the Major, and replys readily and chearfully, Major Gibbons, not one hair of your head shall perish, nor any of your Ships Company, if it lye in my power either to supply you, or preserve you. O the Wisdom of God that hath ways we know not of, to Relieve in the greatest ⟨p. 9⟩straits, and cause himself to be seen in the Mount. The Commander of this French Pyrat was one that some years before, Major Gibbons had shown signal Kindness to, when his life was in danger at Boston in New England. Thus the Lord appeared a God, hearing Prayers in Extremitys, which appearances are not to be forgotten in succeeding Generations. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the Children of men.

:18p. 9–11

These good men Say••d half the Channel over, about 500. Leagues, where they met with great distress of weather, which broke off the Rudder of their Ship, and occasioned a desperate leak to spring in her, which exposed them to eminent ⟨p. 10⟩danger; but they in this distress endeavour to hang on their Rudder again, but often were they frustrated in their attempt, to a total despair of effecting it. They also laboured with the like unsuccessfulness to find out and stop the leak; this poor Ships Crew had laboured also by pumping, to keep the Ship above water, until all their few hands were feeble, and all their hearts faint; so that as so many despairing persons of life, they cease all endeavours, and yield themselves to death, expecting every moment to be Entombed in the belly of the devouring deeps; during the time of this their great distress, the Ministers kept on their course, as at other times of Worship, (viz) the reading of a Chapter in course, and taking observations from it, with Prayers and Preaching, which they did by turns; at the crisis of this deplorable case, it fell to be the Lott of Mr. Mackleland to perform this Exercise, a man Austere in his life, reserved in his speech, and of great Piety, who was often observed to let fall many remarkable Prophetical Expressions of future events; the Chapter that at that time came to be read in course by him, was the 3• of Exodus, which he had read all along (until he came to the 12th. ⟨p. 11⟩verse.) where he made a full stop; the verses run thus.

These good men Say••d half the Channel over, about 500. Leagues, where they met with great distress of weather, which broke off the Rudder of their Ship, and occasioned a desperate leak to spring in her, which exposed them to eminent ⟨p. 10⟩danger; but they in this distress endeavour to hang on their Rudder again, but often were they frustrated in their attempt, to a total despair of effecting it. They also laboured with the like unsuccessfulness to find out and stop the leak; this poor Ships Crew had laboured also by pumping, to keep the Ship above water, until all their few hands were feeble, and all their hearts faint; so that as so many dispairing persons of life, they cease all endeavours, and yield themselves to death, expecting every moment to be Entombed in the belly of the devouring deeps; during the time of this their great distress, the Ministers kept on their course, as at other times of Worship, (viz) the reading of a Chapter in course, and taking observations from it, with Prayers and Preaching, which they did by turns; at the crisis of this deplorable case, it fell to be the Lott of Mr. Mackleland to perform this Exercise, a man Austeer in his life, reserved in his speech, and of great Piety, who was often observed to let fall many remarkable Prophetical Expressions of future events; the Chapter that at that time came to be read in course by him, was the 3• of Exodus, which he had read all along (until he came to the 12th. ⟨p. 11⟩verse.) where he made a full stop; the verses run thus.

:19p. 11–13

And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy Wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought out of the Land of Egypt with great Power, and a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians say, for mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the Mountains, and to consume them from the face of the Earth? Turn from thy severe Wrath, and repent of this Evil against thy People,—upon the reading of these verses over again he declared to them, the Case which Moses was here interceding for, compared with his Expostulation in the 12 verse, did parallel their case, and considering the happy event of that Argument, which Moses used (mentioned in the 14 verse, which runs thus:) and the Lord Repented of the Evil which he thought to do unto his People—he could not but comfortably hope, that they might have the same Effect: Nay he goes further, and his Spirit raised into a peremptory prediction, that he durst assure them from his great Lord and Master, that not one hair of their heads should fall to the ground; after this he went to Prayer, urging God with the ⟨p. 12⟩same Argument, and then rose up comfortably assuring his steadfastness in believing the same; he advises the Sea-men and the Company in the Ship to refresh themselves by taking some meat, the long fasting and hard labour having much enfeebled them. Then he encouraged them to make another Attempt to fasten the Rudder, without which they could not possible make towards any point for shore. He after advised them to clear the ship, as well as they could, from water by pumping, which they did happily Effect, the Leak being stopped providentially of it self—whether it was some noak of a plank started by the distress of weather which occasioned the Leak, and by the surges of the Sea, clapped into the place again, or what it was else could not be known. But however this looks like life from the dead to these poor men, who had received but a little before a sentence of Death in themselves, that they might trust in him who raiseth the Dead. Soon after this, God who had heard in Heaven great Tears and Prayers, Commands the Wind Tack about to the West, and to blow so strong a gale that they were forced to bear up before it, and it continued so ⟨p. 13⟩long, that it brought them back to the North of Ireland, where they continued some time;

And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy Wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought out of the Land of Egypt with great Power, and a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians say, for mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the Mountains, and to consume them from the face of the Earth? Turn from thy severe Wrath, and repent of this Evil against thy People,—upon the reading of these verses over again he declared to them, the Case which Moses was here interceeding for, compared with his Expostulation in the 12 verse, did parallel their case, and considering the happy event of that Argument, which Moses used (mentioned in the 14 verse, which runs thus:) and the Lord Repented of the Evil which he thought to doe unto his People—he could not but comfortably hope, that they might have the same Effect: Nay he goes further, and his Spirit raised into a peremptory prediction, that he durst assure them from his great Lord and Master, that not one hair of their heads should fall to the ground; after this he went to Prayer, urging God with the ⟨p. 12⟩same Argument, and then rose up comfortably assuring his stedfastness in believing the same; he advises the Sea-men and the Company in the Ship to refresh themselves by taking some meat, the long fasting and hard labour having much infeebled them. Then he encouraged them to make another Attempt to fasten the Rudder, without which they could not possible make towards any point for shore. He after advised them to clear the ship, as well as they could, from water by pumping, which they did happily Effect, the Leak being stopt providentially of it self—whether it was some noak of a plank started by the destress of weather which occasioned the Leak, and by the surges of the Sea, clapt into the place again, or what it was else could not be known. But however this lookes like life from the dead to these poor men, who had received but a little before a sentence of Death in themselves, that they might trust in him who raiseth the Dead. Soon after this, God who had heard in Heaven great Tears and Prayers, Commands the Wind Tack about to the West, and to blow so strong a gale that they were forced to bear up before it, and it continued so ⟨p. 13⟩long, that it brought them back to the North of Ireland, where they continued some time;

:20p. 13–14

although but short, they were very instrumental in the Converting of many souls, which seed-plot remains to this day; and soon after they passed into Scotland. This Relation was given by several Ministers of the North of Ireland: also the Reader may take notice, the Author of that Book called the Fulfilling of the Scriptures, pag. 487. mentions this remarkable Providence, though not so largely, with these two additional, but very considerable circumstances; first, That a poor Sea-man was made the instrument to preserve the same Vessel, by fastening the Rudder, whose company they had all shunned, others having given it over. Secondly, Several Passengers being Aboard, who shipped themselves for America, upon only external accounts, expecting a fat soil, and outward advantage in that place, and not as the others upon the account of Conscience, to enjoy the purity of Ordinances; they did all dye upon the Sea save one, being five in number. And who is so blind, as cannot see here the out stretched Arm of an Omnipotent God, commanding deliverance for his poor distressed, persecuted, ⟨p. 14⟩praying, believing Servants, and also for all them that Sailed with them? O who would not Pray at Sea, and trust in him who raises the dead in the saddest of their Extremities and distress! and speaks forth much of the power and goodness of God, calling upon all to trust in him, let the dangers and straits be never so great.

although but short, they were very instrumental in the Converting of many souls, which seed-plot remains to this day; and soon after they passed into Scotland. This Relation was given by several Ministers of the North of Ireland: also the Reader may take notice, the Author of that Book called the Fullfilling of the Scriptures, pag. 487. mentions this remarkable Providence, though not so largely, with these two additional, but very considerable circumstances; first, That a poor Sea-man was made the instrument to preserve the same Vessel, by fastening the Rudder, whose company they had all shun'd, others having given it over. Secondly, Several Passengers being Aboard, who shipt themselves for America, upon only external accounts, expecting a fat soyle, and outward advantage in that place, and not as the others upon the account of Conscience, to enjoy the purity of Ordinances; they did all dye upon the Sea save one, being five in number. And who is so blind, as cannot see here the out stretched Arm of an Omnipotent God, commanding deliverance for his poor distressed, persecuted, ⟨p. 14⟩praying, believing Servants, and also for all them that Sayled with them? O who would not Pray at Sea, and trust in him who raises the dead in the saddest of their Extremities and distress! and speaks forth much of the power and goodness of God, calling upon all to trust in him, let the dangers and straits be never so great.

:21p. 14–16

3. A Vessel of ours about the year 1636. being at New-found Land a Fishing, being somewhat of the latest in the year, until the Ice came in great flakes; and being ready to hoist Sail for the return home, they sent out in the Boat six of the men to weigh their Anchor; but while they were about it, a sad Providence prevents them, a great flake of Ice interposes between them and their ship, and carries them adrift, so that by all means that they and the ship could use, they could not recover their Vessel again, whereby they were exposed to an inevitable ruin, neither having Food, nor any other Accommodation to keep them warm; they having continued thus three days and three nights, they began to be Hunger-starved, and accounting themselves all dead men, they began to consult one with another what course to take; they at last, though with ⟨p. 15⟩great regret and grief, resolve one of them must dye to become Food for the rest; each person begged to have it his Lot to dye first, to be freed from that torment that they languished under; so that they were forced to determine it by Lot: He upon whom the Lot fell, desired to go to one end of the Boat, there to recommend his soul to God by Prayer, before he dyed; the rest being in a deep Agony upon apprehension of shedding the blood of one of their Comrades: But while they were sat together, lamenting and imploring God's favour to prevent such a fact according to that they wished and desired: The person separated by Lot for death, dyed upon the place where he was praying, which in their deplorable Condition occasioned great Joy to the rest, that hereby they were not forced against their wills to take his life; so looking upon this as a good Omen, they proceeded to satisfy their Hungers upon the dead body: the Boat was still A-drift, not frozen up; so that by that time, their Food was spent, they were brought ashore many Leagues to the Norward of New-England, where the five landed alive, where the poor Barbarians did commiserate them, and help them as they could; ⟨p. 16⟩three of them dyed with the distress they had been in, the other two made a shift to get to New-England, and so at last, by a good hand of God upon them, came to their Habitations in the West of England, having both lost their heels with the extremity of the cold in the Boat.

3. A Vessel of ours about the year 1636. being at New-found Land a Fishing, being somewhat of the latest in the year, until the Ice came in great flakes; and being ready to hoise Sayle for the return home, they sent out in the Boat six of the men to weigh their Anchor; but while they were about it, a sad Providence prevents them, a great flake of Ice interposes between them and their ship, and carryes them adrift, so that by all means that they and the ship could use, they could not recover their Vessel again, whereby they were exposed to an inevitable ruine, neither having Food, nor any other Accomodation to keep them warm; they having continued thus three daysand three nights, they began to be Hunger-starv'd, and accounting themselves all dead men, they began to consult one with another what course to take; they at last, though with ⟨p. 15⟩great regret and grief, resolve one of them must dye to become Food for the rest; each person begg'd to have it his Lot to dye first, to be freed from that torment that they languished under; so that they were forced to determine it by Lot: He upon whom the Lot fell, desired to go to one end of the Boat, there to recommend his soul to God by Prayer, before he dyed; the rest being in a deep Agony upon apprehension of shedding the blood of one of their Comerades: But while they were sat together, lamenting and imploring God's favour to prevent such a fact according to that they wished and desired: The person separated by Lot for death, dyed upon the place where he was praying, which in their deplorable Condition occasioned great Joy to the rest, that hereby they were not forced against their wills to take his life; so looking upon this as a good Omen, they proceeded to satisfie their Hungers upon the dead body: the Boat was still A-drift, not frozen up; so that by that time, their Food was spent, they were brought ashore many Leagues to the Norward of New-England, where the five landed alive, where the poor Barbarians did commiserate them, and help them as they could; ⟨p. 16⟩three of them dyed with the distress they had been in, the other two made a shift to get to New-England, and so at last, by a good hand of God upon them, came to their Habitations in the West of England, having both lost their heels with the extremity of the cold in the Boat.

:23p. 16–17

4. A small Vessel, about 45 Tun, the Masters name Phillip Hangar, coming upon the Coast of New-England, they suddenly sprang a leak, and so foundered: There were in this poor miscarrying Vessel 18 Sea-men and Passengers; 12 of the men got into the Long-boat, and as that was suddenly brought to their minds in this surprise, they threw into their Boat also some small matters of Provisions, but they were wholly without fire: These 12 men at that time of the year about Michaelmas, (and as Paul said in his Voyage, Sailing was become dangerous) Sailed five hundred Leagues, and were to a Miracle preserved all that time in this small Boat, five weeks; but it pleased the Lord, who appears in our straits most, to send them ⟨p. 17⟩great relief, by causing some flying Fish to fall into the Boat, which they eat raw, and were unto them more acceptable than the greatest rarities and dainties at another time; God's Providence now proving the Caterer, they catched a Shark, and that Ravenous Fish that uses to prey upon men, now becomes a prey to these poor distressed Creatures; but they were glad of food in the want of fire, and have an heat in their Stomachs, to eat that raw, and digest at this time what would have made them sick at other times; but alas, another want they had, was drink as well as fire, but they were forced to open the belly of this Shark, and suck his blood for drink; at last, that God who hath a desire to the work of his own hands, gives them hopes to release them out of this insupportable misery, by letting them come to a discovery of Land in the West-Indies; but alas, they were so weak, that when they came ashore, one or two of them dyed; but most of them lived to declare the works of the Lord. This the Author had from one of the 12 that were thus miraculously preserved, but since cast away at Sea.

4. A small Vessel, about 45 Tun, the Masters name Phillip Hangare, coming upon the Coast of New-England, they suddenly sprang a leak, and so foundred: There were in this poor miscarrying Vessel 18 Sea-men and Passengers; 12 of the men got into the Long-boat, and as that was suddenly brought to their minds in this surprise, they threw into their Boat also some small matters of Provisions, but they were wholly without fire: These 12 men at that time of the year about Michaelmas, (and as Paul said in his Voyage, Sayling was become dangerous) Sayled five hundred Leagues, and were to a Miracle preserved all that time in this small Boat, five weeks; but it pleased the Lord, who appears in our straits most, to send them ⟨p. 17⟩great relief, by causing some flying Fish to fall into the Boat, which they eat raw, and were unto them more acceptable than the greatest rarities and dainties at another time; God's Providence now proving the Caterer, they catch'd a Shark, and that Ravenous Fish that uses to prey upon men, now becomes a prey to these poor distressed Creatures; but they were glad of food in the want of fire, and have an heat in their Stomacks, to eat that raw, and digest at this time what would have made them sick at other times; but alas, another want they had, was drink as well as fire, but they were forced to open the belly of this Shark, and suck his blood for drink; at last, that God who hath a desire to the work of his own hands, gives them hopes to release them out of this insupportable misery, by letting them come to a discovery of Land in the West-Indies; but alas, they were so weak, that when they came ashore, one or two of them dyed; but most of them lived to declare the works of the Lord. This the Author had from one of the 12 that were thus miraculously preserved, but since cast away at Sea.

:24p. 18–19

5. Captain Jonas Clark, of New-England, going for Virginia, the Vessel was Cast away in a strange amazing manner, about two hours before day, among the Indians where the Ship-wrecked men lay ashore in great fear; but three days after they thought to get their ship off again; to which end the Master, with some others, went into the boat, they came threescore Fathom from the shore, where there arose a great Sea, and broke in upon them; but the second Sea came and turned the boat up; four men under water, all were drowned, but Captain Clark, who was kept under water by one of the men, until his breath was gone, but then God appeared, and set him at liberty from him in a most Miraculous way, and enabled him to swim to the shore; they that were alive now, were in great straits and perplexities, not knowing what to do, but yet some of their eyes were up to God; at last they Unanimously resolve to Travel, and when they had Travelled one night, and part of a day, meeting with many Swamps and thick places, so that all hope failed them of going along, so they stood still as (wayfaring men) astonished, not knowing what course to take; and though before they were afraid of any ⟨p. 19⟩Indians, now they were glad to pray to the Lord for the sight of an Indian, which in this extremity and perplexity, within half an hour the Lord was pleased to grant: The Indian was all alone, which was observable also; when they got to him, they asked the way to the English, and they did persuade him by entreaty to go along with them, but within one hours time, he carried them to a Town of the Indians, which did sadly fright and amaze them; but they still looked up to the Lord to help and save them; and at last they got to the English, and so were preserved.

5. Captain Jonas Clark, of New-England, going for Virginia, the Vessel was Cast away in a strange amazing manner, about two hours before day, among the Indians where the Ship-wrackt men lay ashore in great fear; but three days after they thought to get their ship off again; to which end the Master, with some others, went into the boat, they came threescore Fathom from the shore, where there arose a great Sea, and broke in upon them; but the second Sea came and turned the boat up; four men under water, all were drowned, but Captain Clark, who was kept under water by one of the men, until his breath was gone, but then God appeared, and set him at liberty from him in a most Miraculous way, and inabled him to swim to the shore; they that were alive now, were in great straits and perplexities, not knowing what to do, but yet some of their eyes were up to God; at last they Unanimously resolve to Travel, and when they had Travelled one night, and part of a day, meeting with many Swamps and thick places, so that all hope failed them of going along, so they stood still as (wayfaring men) astonish'd, not knowing what course to take; and though before they were afraid of any ⟨p. 19⟩Indians, now they were glad to pray to the Lord for the sight of an Indian, which in this extremity and perplexity, within half an hour the Lord was pleased to grant: The Indian was all alone, which was observable also; when they got to him, they asked the way to the English, and they did perswade him by entreaty to go along with them, but within one hours time, he carryed them to a Town of the Indians, which did sadly fright and amaze them; but they still looked up to the Lord to help and save them; and at last they got to the English, and so were preserved.

:26p. 19–21

6. The last Providence called to mind a strange and stupendous passage of a Godly Gentlewoman, who in the first breaking forth of the Rebellion in Ireland, was forced to fly for her life, with some other persons in her Company; especially three Children, one of them upon her Breast: But alas, these poor trembling Travellers had not gone long before they were striped Naked by the Irish, who to admiration spared their lives; but passing ⟨p. 20⟩on to the foot of a River, others met them and would have cast them into the River but this Godly Woman not being dismayed, asked a little liberty to Pray, and as she lay on frozen ground Naked, she got a little resolution not to go on her own feet to so unjust a death; upon which having called her, upon her resolution, they dragged her by the heels along the ground, with the rest of the Company; she turns upon them, and on her knees says, You should I am sure be Christians, and men I see you are; in taking away our miserable lives you do us a pleasure; but know, as we never wronged you, nor yours, you must dye also your selves, and one day give an account of this Cruelty to the Judge of Heaven and Earth. Suddenly upon which, an Irish Priest says, Let us not take their lives, but we will put them in this Island of the Lake; a Boat being at the River, all the eight Naked, and without Meat, are turned into that Island, where after four days staying, some of the Company died with Hunger and Cold, but not this Woman, nor any of her Children; a day after, the two Boys found the Hyde of a Beast which had been killed at the root of a Tree, which they and the Mother endeavoured to cast over them; then ⟨p. 21⟩•ying upon the Snow, the next day a little •oat goes by, to whom she calls for God's •ake to take her out, but they refused, •eing Irish; she desired a little Bread, but •hey said they had none; she begs a Coal •f Fire, which she obtained, for they had •ome fuel in the Boat, and thus with •ome fallen Chips, made a fire; and the •oys taking a piece of the Hyde, laid it upon the Coals, and began to gnaw the •eather; but alas, without an extraordinary Divine support, what could this do? Thus they lived ten days without any viable supplies, and that good Woman pro•est it was by Faith and Joy in God she •iv'd;

6. The last Providence called to mind a strange and stupendious passage of a Godly Gentlewoman, who in the first breaking forth of the Rebellion in Ireland, was forced to fly for her life, with some other persons in her Company; especially three Children, one of them upon her Breast: But alas, these poor trembling Travellers had not gone long before they were striped Naked by the Irish, who to admiration spared their lives; but passing ⟨p. 20⟩on to the foot of a River, others met them and would have cast them into the River but this Godly Woman not being dismay'd, ask'd a little liberty to Pray, and as she lay on frozen ground Naked, she got a little resolution not to go on her own feet to so unjust a death; upon which having call'd her, upon her resolution, they drag'd her by the heels along the ground, with the rest of the Company; she turns upon them, and on her knees says, You should I am sure be Christians, and men I see you are; in taking away our miserable lives you do us a pleasure; but know, as we never wrong'd you, nor yours, you must dye also your selves, and one day give an account of this Cruelty to the Judge of Heaven and Earth. Suddenly upon which, an Irish Priest says, Let us not take their lives, but we will put them in this Island of the Lake; a Boat being at the River, all the eight Naked, and without Meat, are turn'd into that Island, where after four days staying, some of the Company dy'd with Hunger and Cold, but not this Woman, nor any of her Children; a day after, the two Boys found the Hyde of a Beast which had been kill'd at the root of a Tree, which they and the Mother endeavoured to cast over them; then ⟨p. 21⟩•ying upon the Snow, the next day a little •oat goes by, to whom she calls for God's •ake to take her out, but they refus'd, •eing Irish; she desir'd a little Bread, but •hey said they had none; she begs a Coal •f Fire, which she obtain'd, for they had •ome fewel in the Boat, and thus with •ome fallen Chips, made a fire; and the •oys taking a piece of the Hyde, lay'd it •pon the Coals, and began to gnaw the •eather; but alas, without an extraordi•ary Divine support, what could this do? Thus they lived ten days without any vible supplies, and that good Woman proest it was by Faith and Joy in God she iv'd;

:27p. 21–22

nor had she any Bread but Ice and •now, nor any Drink but Water, but she thought God put more substance in it, and •ound it as it were clammy. The next •ay a Boat carried her out to the side of •he Band-water, where yet she had been •ost, but that she could not suffer to see her Children dye in her sight; and therefore […] though the two Boys were young, and so •tarv'd, that they had no strength) she •ressed them to go out of her sight, under pretence of seeking some fire; the poor Children had not gone far until they saw •wo or 3 great Dogs eating a man who had •een killed; the Children were not afraid ⟨p. 22⟩of the Dogs, (who needed not fear any thing but to live in such a Condition) and one of them came running, and leaped upon one of the Children, without doing him the least hurt, and would run a little before, and then tarry until the Children come up, and so led them on where an House whence Smoke appeared, which was an Irish mans, Protected by the English in Antrim, by which means they were marvellously pleased, and the Mother sent for, and succoured by a party from Antrum. Although this Providence be not a Sea-deliverance, yet it is a remarkable preservation from danger by Water, and Hunger at Land.

nor had she any Bread but Ice and •now, nor any Drink but Water, but she •hought God put more substance in it, and •ound it as it were clammy. The next •ay a Boat carryed her out to the side of •he Band-water, where yet she had been •ost, but that she could not suffer to see her Children dye in her sight; and therefore 〈…〉 though the two Boys were young, and so •tarv'd, that they had no strength) she •ressed them to go out of her sight, under •retence of seeking some fire; the poor Children had not gone far until they saw •wo or 3 great Dogs eating a man who had •een kill'd; the Children were not afraid ⟨p. 22⟩of the Dogs, (who needed not fear any thing but to live in such a Condition) and one of them came running, and leaped upon one of the Children, without doing him the least hurt, and would run a little before, and then tarry until the Children come up, and so led them on where an House whence Smoke appeared, which was an Irish mans, Protected by the English in Antrum, by which means they were marvellously pleased, and the Mother sent for, and succour'd by a party from Antrum. Although this Providence be not a Sea-deliverance, yet it is a remarkable preservation from danger by Water, and Hunger at Land.

:28p. 22–24

7. In the first settling of the Bohemia Islands off the Cape of Florida, about the year 1642. there were at that present great troubles in the Bermudas, one Captain Sale who had been Governor the year before, comes for London, and here informing some of his Acquaintance and Persons of Worth and Estate, how things then stood, they undertake fo• him, and got him a Ship, and all thing• necessary for the discovery of these Island• which he had informed them of, s• they proceeded to Bermudas, whe•• they took in several Passengers, Captai•• ⟨p. 23⟩Sale being Chief, and Captain Lane and his Family which came from London with him as his Assistant in the management of the Design, so they in pursuit of the Voyage, came to an Island called Cicatra, •he lay down in the Plates, where they could not at present find an Harbour. So they sent out their Shallop upon a discovery, which upon Return informed them of a better place to Ride in.—But sending out the Shallop again upon a discovery, before she Returned, there arose a dreadful Storm that carried her immediately upon the Rocks, and staved her, with very much difficulty most of the People were saved, and some Provisions. Then were they Reduced to very great straits formidable to flesh and blood, a Barren Island, no inhabitants, no likelihood of Relief, little Provisions left; in this great strait most of them resolved to travel up to the wester end of the Island and there to abide. (Captain Lane and his Family, and his Son who was his Lieutenant) they Resolved to seek for some kind of Provisions, and so stayed on the Island. But Captain Sale and one Mr. Bounly who had been Master of the Ship, and some other Sea-men, and one Mr. Shadwel; ⟨image 17⟩⟨image 17⟩⟨p. 22⟩[…] ⟨p. 23⟩[…] ⟨p. 24⟩in all eight, Resolved to go to Virginia, and took what Provisions they could get, which was one Shark; but before they made to the Land they were in very great wants; For from this Island from whence they departed to Virginia, was three hundred Leagues: in their now great Extremity, Providence cared for them, so that they got another Shark, and were glad to eat him Raw. They were a 11 days going to Virginia, and the Boat a very little one, that they could scarcely Steer in her for fear of danger. Yet the Lord in this deep Distress, made his Arm bare for their Salvation, and brought them safe to a place called Nuse mum; to one Mr.

7. In the first setling of the Bohemi• Islands off the Cape of Florida, about the year 1642. there were at that present great troubles in the Burmoudas, one Captaine Sale who had been Governour the year before, comes for London, and here informing some of his Acquaintance and Persons of Worth and Estate, how things then stood, they undertake fo• him, and got him a Ship, and all thing• necessary for the discovery of these Island• which he had inform'd them of, s• they proceeded to Burmoudas, whe•• they took in several Passengers, Captai•• ⟨p. 23⟩Sale being Cheif, and Captain Lane and his Family which came from London with him as his Assistant in the management of the Designe, so they in pursute of the Voyage, came to an Island call'd Cicatra, •he lay down in the Platts, where they could not at present find an Harbour. So they sent out their Shallop upon a discovery, which upon Return inform'd them of a better place to Ride in.—But sending out the Shallop again upon a discovery, before she Return'd, there arose a dreadful Storm that carried her immediately upon the Rocks, and stav'd her, with very much difficulty most of the People were sav'd, and some Provisions. Then were they Reduc'd to very great straits formidable to flesh and blood, a Barren Island, no inhabitants, no likelyhood of Releif, little Provisions left; in this great strait most of them resolv'd to travel up to the wester end of the Island and there to abide. (Captaine Lane and his Family, and his Son who was his Leiutenant) they Resolv'd to seek for some kind of Provisions, and so stay'd on the Island. But Captaine Sale and one Mr. Bounly who had been Master of the Ship, and some other Sea-men, and one Mr. Shadwel; ⟨image 17⟩⟨image 17⟩⟨p. 22⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 23⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 24⟩in all eight, Resolv'd to go to Virginia, and took what Provisions they could get, which was one Shark; but before they made to the Land they were in very great wants; For from this Island from whence they departed to Virginia, was three hundred Leagues: in their now great Extreamity, Providence car'd for them, so that they got another Shark, and were glad to eat him Raw. They were a 11 days going to Virginia, and the Boat a very little one, that they could scarcely Steer in her for fear of danger. Yet the Lord in this deep Distress, made his Arm bare for their Salvation, and brought them safe to a place call'd Nuse mum; to one Mr.

:29p. 24–26

Richard Brunkets House, where they were courteously Entertained; and after the Relation upon what account they were put to these Hardships and Necessities, Captain Sale had a Vessel provided laden with necessaries, to go for Cicatra, to Relieve those they had left there in such Distress, and they arrived there. And O now what Comfort must this be, after such long wishing and gradual Dying, to see that there was now Hopes of Life brought to them; but several of them were starved to Death before their ⟨p. 25⟩Arrival. Captain Lane is now sent to fetch some Provisions who had been in unspeakable Extremity. He came down in a little Boat, his Son also the Lieutenant and two Servants, but when they had gotten in their Provision, and going home with hopes of a new Life; Behold, the stupendous providence of God, all of a sudden Death creeps in and Arrests them. For in a narrow place where the Tide runs swiftly, the Boat is sunk, all are drowned but one man, who carried the desolate Widow the sad Tydings• what an unwelcome Messenger this was you may easily conjecture; about three months after arrived a Vessel to them (the master of her my Author,) and so Mrs. Lane, her Son and Daughter, Maid Servant and Man Servant, where all brought up about forty miles, where they were entertained by my Author for six weeks, and gave an account of some notable passages of Gods Providence in preserving them. Worthy never to be forgotten! Her Husband and the men went out to see what they could get for […] every Day, and they had for the most part just for the Day, and she told my Author that she as a tender hearted Mother would lay something ⟨p. 26⟩by for her younger Children; but she observed that the next Day they never got any thing.

Richard Brunkets House, where they were curtiously Entertain'd; and after the Relation upon what account they were put to these Hardships and Necessities, Captain Sale had a Vessel provided laden with necessaries, to go for Cicatra, to Relieve those they had left there in such Distress, and they arriv'd there. And O now what Comfort must this be, after such long wishing and gradual Dying, to see that there was now Hopes of Life brought to them; but several of them were starv'd to Death before their ⟨p. 25⟩Arrival. Captain Lane is now sent to fetch some Provisions who had been in unspeakable Extreamity. He came down in a little Boat, his Son also the Lieutenant and two Servants, but when they had gotten in their Provision, and going home with hopes of a new Life; Behold, the stupendious providence of God, all of a sudden Death creeps in and Arrests them. For in a narrow place where the Tyde runs swiftly, the Boat is sunk, all are drowned but one man, who carried the desolate Widdow the sad Tydings• what an unwelcome Messenger this was you may easily conjecture; about three months after arrived a Vessel to them (the master of her my Author,) and so Mrs. Lane, her Son and Daughter, Maid Servant and Man Servant, where all brought up about forty miles, where they were entertain'd by my Author for six weeks, and gave an account of some notable passages of Gods Providence in preserving them. Worthy never to be forgotten! Her Husband and the men went out to see what they could get for 〈…〉 every Day, and they had for the most part just for the Day, and she told my Author that she as a tender hearted Mother would lay something ⟨p. 26⟩by for her younger Children; but she observ'd that the next Day they never got any thing.

:30p. 26–27

And thus Providence trained them up in the School of Faith; but further she gave an account of one Remarkable thing, In the last day of the week, upon a time it proved a very stormy Day, and they being abroad a hunting for some support, could get nothing. The Husband and Son comes home very much troubled, and the men that were gone into the Woods they could get nothing; and they being very much troubled, one took up a Resolution not to come home, knowing their Captain would not suffer them to go and hunt on the Lords Day; on the other hand they thought he would wounder what was become of them, and fear lest evil had befallen them; so they alter their Resolution to come home, but empty of any Relief; this very Evening before the Sabbath in this perplexity of thoughts, there flies over their Heads three grey Geese; a wonder it was for such Geese that were never seen before nor after. O says she to her Husband, that we had some of them against to morrow! observing they lighted in a Bottom, she acquaints her ⟨p. 27⟩Husband, he says they have no shot left. O says she, here is a Porringer, melt it or cut it into pieces, which he did for expedition, and charged his Piece, and at the first shot killed them all,—These things, and many more my Author had from her own Mouth, after her marvellous Preservation. O that men would Praise the Lord, for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men.

And thus Providence train'd them up in the School of Faith; but further she gave an account of one Remarkable thing, In the last day of the week, upon a time it proved a very stormy Day, and they being abroad a hunting for some support, could get nothing. The Husband and Son comes home very much troubled, and the men that were gon into the Woods they could get nothing; and they being very much troubled, one took up a Resolution not to come home, knowing their Captain would not suffer them to go and hunt on the Lords Day; on the other hand they thought he would wounder what was become of them, and fear lest evil had befallen them; so they alter their Resolution to come home, but empty of any Reliefe; this very Evening before the Sabbath in this perplexety of thoughts, there flys over their Heads three gray Geese; a wonder it was for such Geese that were never seen before nor after. O says she to her Husband, that we had some of them against to morrow! observing they lighted in a Bottome, she acquaints her ⟨p. 27⟩Husband, he says they have no shot left. O says she, here is a Porrenger, melt it or cut it into peices, which he did for expedition, and charged his Peice, and at the first shot kill'd them all,—These things, and many more my Author had from her own Mouth, after her marvellous Preservation. O that men would Praise the Lord, for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men.

:31p. 27–29

8. We have a very wonderful Deliverance recorded, an honest poor man in Maulden in Essex, one Gregory Crow, who with his man and boy, was in his Boat going to fetch Fullers-Earth; but by the way meeting with a Storm his Boat was driven upon a bank of sand, and there sunk; The men were glad to hang upon the Mast, but poor Crow seeing his New-Testament in the water, which he prized highly, caught it up, and took it into his Bosom; the tide being gone, they were left upon the sand, at least ten miles from land; now in this great Distress they made their Prayers to the Lord, that he would send some means of Deliverance, For now within half an hour it would be flood, but in this little time before Flood, they found a Chest wherein was five pounds six Shillings ⟨p. 28⟩eight pence, but honest Crow cast it into the Sea again saying, If the Lord will please to save our lives he will provide us a little food; and so they went again up the Mast, where they to Admiration hung by the Arms and Legs for ten hours together, only the Boy was so weary, and beaten with the Waves that he fell off, and was drowned; now their fears increase upon them, and they know not what to do. But Crow advises his man to cut down the Mast and when the F•ood comes again, to fit upon it, and so, says he, it may please God to drive us to some Ship; this Counsel was taken, they commit themselves to God upon this Mast, and thus continued Tuesday Night, Wednesday, and Wednesday Night; in which time the man was so tired out with Hunger, Watching, and Cold, that he dyed; now was Crow left alone in this sad and deplorable Condition, who prayed now the more earnestly for some Succour and Relief, but durst not Sleep, lest the Sea should beat him off the Mast; and when this distressed miserable object was almost spent, his flesh sodden with Sea water, and his eyes almost closed up with the Salt, now in his Extremity the Lord makes it his opportunity, and s••eps in by his Providence, presents a Ship going ⟨p. 29⟩for Antwerp: (observe here the Finger of God:) The Wind not being favourable was driven out of the way, and espying something a far off in the Sea, but supposing it to be some Fisher-boy steered from it. Crow seeing this, held up his Cap and shaked it over his head, whereby at length they were moved to go to him, and so they took him in;

8. We have a very wonderful Deliverance recorded, an honest poor man in Maulden in Essex, one Gregory Crow, who with his man and boy, was in his Boat going to fetch Fullers-Earth; but by the way meeting with a Stom his Boat was driven upon a banck of sand, and there sunk; The men were glad to hang upon the Mast, but poor Crow seeing his New-Testament in the water, which he prized highly, caught it up, and took it into his Bosom; the tyde being gone, they were left upon the sand, at least ten miles from land; now in this great Distresse they made their Prayers to the Lord, that he would send some means of Deliverance, For now within half an hour it would be flood, but in this little time before Flood, they found a Chest wherein was five pounds six Shillings ⟨p. 28⟩eight pence, but honest Crow cast it into the Sea again saying, If the Lord will please to save our lives he will provide us a little food; and so they went again up the Mast, where they to Admiration hung by the Arms and Leggs for ten hours together, only the Boy was so weary, and beaten with the Waves that he fell off, and was drowned; now their fears encrease upon them, and they know not what to do. But Crow advises his man to cut down the Mast and when the F•ood comes again, to fit upon it, and so, sayes he, it may please God to drive us to some Ship; this Councel was taken, they commit themselves to God upon this Mast, and thus continu'd Tuesday Night, Wednesday, and Wednesday Night; in which time the man was so tir'd out with Hunger, Watching, and Cold, that he dyed; now was Crow left alone in this sad and deplorable Condition, who pray'd now the more earnestly for some Succor and Relief, but durst not Sleep, lest the Sea should beat him off the Mast; and when this distress'd miserable object was almost spent, his flesh sodden with Sea water, and his eyes almost closed up with the Salt, now in his Extremity the Lord makes it his opportunity, and s••eps in by his Providence, persents a Ship going ⟨p. 29⟩for Antwerp: (observe here the Finger of God:) The Wind not being favourable was driven out of the way, and espying something a far off in the Sea, but supposeing it to be some Fisher-boy steer'd from it. Crow seeing this, held up his Cap and shaked it over his head, whereby at length they were mov'd to go to him, and so they took him in;

:33p. 29–31

9. A Ship of Holland being driven against her will, came to a Place called Zembla, where the Pole is elevated Seventy Six degrees; they among many delays, and great dangers, scarce reached the Orange Islands; for now they were set fast in a Consolidated body of continued Ice, which threatened them every moment; at last being reduced to their ultimate hope, they resolve to return the same way they came, but now they find the ⟨p. 30⟩Ship quite frozen up, not far from shore, and now they think they should winter in Zembla and wait for a better Season, wherefore taking out Boards and Planks, they built for themselves, and their Stuff, a poor shelter, and by a good Providence, the Tide had thrown up a good quantity of Timber, they not knowing from whence it came, it proved a great advantage to them during their abode; here they had continual fights with Bears, which sometimes were driven away with making great out-cries, other whiles with Shot• they found their flesh unwholesome for food. (For in this place the Maritime wild Beasts, are the food to the wild Beasts of the land) the fat of the Bears they made use of to burn for lights in the night; these poor creatures were at last, after all other Humane Benefits, left by the Sun, in this Barren Country, and left amongst none but wild Beasts: The vast Mountains of Snow, with great difficulty they remove, lest the Habitation should be overwhelmed, and if at any time they went forth, their jaws were so benumbed they could scarce recover their former heat; now the Bears in the dark, being dull of fight did not venture out to disturb them, but multitudes of Foxes, which ⟨p. 31⟩they took in Traps, and made of them both Victuals and Raiment; and yet after all these dangers and difficulties God preserved them, though indeed some of them dyed, they were 12 of them: The chief of them was one Jacob Hamskerk, who returned afterwards to Amsterdam. Gro•ius in his Annals.

9. A Ship of Holland being driven against her will, came to a Place call'd Zembla, where the Pole is elevated Seventy Six degrees; they among many delays, and great dangers, scarce reach'd the Aurange Islands; for now they were set fast in a Consolidated body of continu'd Ice, which threatn'd them every moment; at last being reduc'd to their ultimate hope, they resolve to return the same way they came, but now they find the ⟨p. 30⟩Ship quite frozen up, not far from shore, and now they think they should winter in Zembla and waite for a better Season, wherefore taking out Boards and Plancks, they built for themselves, and their Stuffe, a poor shelter, and by a good Providence, the Tide had thrown up a good quantity of Timber, they not knowing from whence it came, it proved a great advantage to them during their abode; here they had continual fights with Bears, which sometimes were driven away with making great out-crys, other whiles with Shot• they found their flesh unwholesome for food. (For in this place the Maritine wild Beasts, are the food to the wild Beasts of the land) the fat of the Bears they made use of to burn for lights in the night; these poor creatures were at last, after all other Humane Benefits, left by the Sun, in this Barren Country, and left amongst none but wild Beasts: The vast Mountains of Snow, with great difficulty they remove, lest the Habitation should be overwhelm'd, and if at any time they went forth, their jawes were so benum'd they could scarce recover their former heat; now the Bears in the dark, being dull of fight did not venture out to disturbe them, but multitudes of Foxes, which ⟨p. 31⟩they took in Traps, and made of them both Victuals and Rayment; and yet after all these dangers and difficultys God preserved them, though indeed some of them dyed, they were 12 of them: The chief of them was one Jacob Hamskerk, who returned afterwards to Amsterdam. Gro•ius in his Annalls.

:34p. 31–33

10. In the year 1616 a fleming named Pickman, well known in England and Holland, for the art he had in getting out of the Sea, the great Guns of that Spanish Fleet, that was forced upon the Coast of Ireland and Scotland, in the year 1588. coming from Dronthem in Norway, laden with Boards, was overtaken by a Calm, during which, the current of the Sea carried him on a Rock or a little Island towards the extremity of Scotland, where he was in some danger of being cast away; to avoid a wrack, he commanded some of his men to go into the shallop, and to tow off the Ship: these having done so, would needs go upon a certain Rock to seek for eggs, but as soon as they were got up into it, they espied a man, whence they imagine there were others lay there about, and that he had made an Escape thither to avoid some Pirates which might Surprise their Ship, so that they made all ⟨p. 32⟩the hast they could to the Shallop, and returned to the Ship; but the Calm continuing, and the current of the Sea driving the Vessel against the Island, they were forced to get into the Long-boat and Tow her off again; the man they saw before, was in the mean time come to the brink of the Island, and made signs to them with his hands, entreating them to come nearer; and falling on his Knees, and joining his Hands together, he begged Relief from them; at last coming near the Island, they saw something more like a Ghost than a living Person, a body stark Naked, black, hairy, of a meagre and deformed Countenance, hollow and distorted Eyes, which raised such Compassion in them, that they proffered to take him into their Boat; at last with some difficulty they took him in; they found upon the Island no Grass nor Trees, nothing for Food, nor any shelter, but the ruins of a boat, wherewith he had made himself an Hut, under which he might be covered from Rain and injuries of the Weather; when they came to ask him who he was, and how he came into that un-inhabited place, he replied to them he was an English Man, and that a year before he was to go from England ⟨p. 33⟩to Dublin in Ireland in the Passage-Boat, and that they were taken by a French-Pirate, who by a Storm that immediately arose, was forced to let go the Passage-Boat, left us to the mercy of the Waves, which carried us between Ireland and Scotland, into the main Sea, expecting to be cast away every minute, as at last we were:

10. In the year 1616 a flemming named Pickman, well known in England and Holland, for the art he had in getting out of the Sea, the great Guns of that Spanish Fleet, that was forced upon the Coast of Ireland and Scotland, in the year 1588. coming from Dronthem in Norway, laden with Boards, was overtaken by a Calm, during which, the current of the Sea carryed him on a Rock or a little Island towards the extremity of Scotland, where he was in some danger of being cast away; to avoide a wrack, he commanded some of his men to go into the shallop, and to tow off the Ship: these having done so, would needs go upon a certain Rock to seek for eggs, but as soon as they were got up into it, they espy'd a man, whence they imagine there were others lay there about, and that he had made an Escape thither to avoid some Pirats which might Surprize their Ship, so that they made all ⟨p. 32⟩the hast they could to the Shallop, and return'd to the Ship; but the Calme continuing, and the current of the Sea driving the Vessel against the Island, they were forc'd to get into the Long-boat and Tow her off again; the man they saw before, was in the mean time come to the brink of the Island, and made signes to them with his hands, entreating them to come nearer; and falling on his Knees, and joyning his Hands together, he beg'd Relief from them; at last coming near the Island, they saw something more like a Ghost than a living Person, a body stark Naked, black, hairy, of a meager and deform'd Countenance, hollow and distorted Eyes, which raised such Compassion in them, that they proffer'd to take him into their Boat; at last with some difficulty they took him in; they found upon the Island no Grass nor Trees, nothing for Food, nor any shelter, but the ruins of a boat, wherewith he had made himself an Hut, under which he might be cover'd from Rain and injuries of the Weather; when they came to ask him who he was, and how he came into that un-inhabited place, he reply'd to them he was an English Man, and that a year before he was to go from England ⟨p. 33⟩to Dublin in Ireland in the Passage-Boat, and that they were taken by a French-Pyrate, who by a Storm that immediately arose, was forc'd to let go the Passage-Boat, left us to the mercy of the Waves, which carryed us between Ireland and Scotland, into the main Sea, expecting to be cast away every minute, as at last we were:

:35p. 33–34

For the Bark being split against the Rock, where you took me in, I escaped with one of my Comrades into the Island, in a more wretched condition than if swallowed up by the Sea; who then had been delivered out of the Extremities we were in for want of meat and drink; of some of the boards of our Boat we made the Hut you saw, and we took some Seamews which we set a drying in the Wind and Sun, and so eat them raw; we found also in the crevices of the Rock, by the Sea-side, some Eggs: Thus were we kept from starving; but what we thought most insupportable, was Thirst; for there was no Water, but what fell from Heaven; we lived thus six weeks, comforting one another, and finding some ease in our common misfortune, till that being left alone, it began to grow insupportable to me; for one day, awaking in the morning, and missing my Comrade, I fell into ⟨p. 34⟩such a Despair, that I had some though• of casting my self head-long, and so put a final period to that Affliction, whereof I had but endured the one half while I had a Friend suffering with me: I know not what became of him, but I am of that opinion that he fell into the Sea, seeking for Eggs; I left with him my Knife, with which we killed the Sea-Dogs, and the Mews, upon which we lived; so I was forced to get out of my Hut a great Nail, which I made a shift to sharpen upon the Rock, that it served me for a Knife: I was also forced to lade a little stick, with a little Sea-dog fat, and put it out of a crevice of my Hut, and so got some Mews to keep me from starving: I lived in this condition and solitude Eleven Months, and was resolved to end my days in it, when God sent you to deliver me out of the greatest misery that ever man was in, and this Sea-man after this misery and miraculous preservation, lived to return to England. Ambassadors Travels.

For the Bark being split against the Rock, where you took me in, I escaped with one of my Comrades into the Island, in a more wretched condition than if swallow'd up by the Sea; who then had been deliver'd out of the Extremities we were in for want of meat and drink; of some of the boards of our Boat we made the Hutt you saw, and we took some Seamews which we set a drying in the Wind and Sun, and so eat them raw; we found also in the crevices of the Rock, by the Sea-side, some Eggs: Thus were we kept from starving; but what we thought most insupportable, was Thirst; for there was no Water, but what fell from Heaven; we liv'd thus six weeks, comforting one another, and finding some ease in our common misfortune, till that being left alone, it began to grow insupportable to me; for one day, awaking in the morning, and missing my Comrade, I fell into ⟨p. 34⟩such a Despair, that I had some though• of casting my self head-long, and so put a final period to that Affliction, whereof I had but endur'd the one half while I had a Friend suffering with me: I know not what became of him, but I am of that opinion that he fell into the Sea, seeking for Eggs; I left with him my Knife, with which we kill'd the Sea-Doggs, and the Mews, upon which we lived; so I was forc'd to get out of my Hut a great Nail, which I made a shift to sharpen upon the Rock, that it serv'd me for a Knife: I was also forc'd to lade a little stick, with a little Sea-dogg fat, and put it out of a crevice of my Hut, and so got some Mews to keep me from starving: I liv'd in this condition and solitude Eleven Months, and was resolv'd to end my days in it, when God sent you to deliver me out of the greatest misery that ever man was in, and this Sea-man after this misery and miraculous preservation, liv'd to return to England. Ambasadors Travels.

:37p. 34–36

11. In the year 68. a Ketch Sailed from Salem in New-England for the Barbados; ⟨p. 35⟩and when they came into the Latitude of 35. it began to look like foul weather, so they took in their Top-sail, and because it was towards night, they struck down the Main sail, and Reefed it; and all this time there was but a little wind (which was remarkable, if the ensuing story be observed) but still it looked like bad weather; so they sent up one to Tallow tho Mast, and made no great hast to set Sail; the man at the Top thinks he sees some black thing float upon the Sea, and looking upon it very fixedly, he conceives it to be a Boat, and so calls to the men below, so they hastened to hoist Sail and make towards it; and when they came to them, there was a Long-boat with a 11 or 13 men, (my Author could not absolutely remember the just number) which poor distressed Creatures, had been bound for Virginia; and the ship in which they were, proved very Leaky, and so exceedingly increased, that in a very little time, she was ready to sink; so all hands hastened to get out the boat, but the Master stepped into the Cabin to fetch a Compass, and took some Canvas, a Sail-needle and twine which he thought might be useful to them in their Need and Extremity, but while •his poor industrious man was endeavouring ⟨p. 36⟩to be useful to some other mens lives, he was in danger to lose his own; for the boat was put off, and the ship sinking, so he cries to them in this distress, if they would leave him, and let him there Perish; so they came back, and took him in; they had in their boat a Capstone-bar, which they made use of for a Mast, and the piece of Canvas for a Sail, and so Sailed afore the wind, and had no kind of Food; and now comes dreadful and inexpressible distress upon them, making them wish for death it self to give them a deliverance, now all hopes of Relief failed them; thus they continued five days, some grew Lame, others Feeble, and all much disheartened by despair of Life; and now upon the 6th. day, they had concluded to cast Lots for their lives, who should dye to preserve others; and they put their Resolution into Execution, and that poor Creature, upon whom the Lott fell, begs for time; but alas, what will a Reprieve be in this case, where there is no hope of Relief; but O what difficult work is it to dye? what a strait was here? Live he could not, and Dye he could not;

11. In the year 68. a Ketch Sailed from Salom in New-England for the Barbadoes; ⟨p. 35⟩and when they came into the Latitude of 35. it began to look like foul weather, so they took in their Top-sail, and because it was towards night, they struck down the Main sail, and Rafed it; and all this time there was but a little wind (which was remarkable, if the ensuing story be observ'd) but still it looked like bad weather; so they sent up one to Tallow tho Mast, and made no great hast to set Sayll; the man at the Top thinks he sees some black thing float upon the Sea, and looking upon it very fixtly, he conceives it to be a Boat, and so calls to the men below, so they hasten'd to hoise Sayl and make towards it; and when they came to them, there was a Long-boat with a 11 or 13 men, (my Author could not absolutely remember the just number) which poor distressed Creatures, had been bound for Virginia; and the ship in which they were, prov'd very Leaky, and so exceedingly encreas'd, that in a very little time, she was ready to sink; so all hands hasten'd to get out the boat, but the Master stept into the Cabbin to fetch a Compass, and took some Canvas, a Sayl-needle and twine which he thought might be useful to them in their Need and Extremity, but while •his poor industrious man was endeavouring ⟨p. 36⟩to be useful to some other mens lives, he was in danger to lose his own; for the boat was put off, and the ship sinking, so he crys to them in this distress, if they would leave him, and let him there Perish; so they came back, and took him in; they had in their boat a Capstone-bar, which they made use of for a Mast, and the piece of Canvas for a Sayl, and so Sayled afore the wind, and had no kind of Food; and now comes dreadful and inexpressible distress upon them, making them wish for death it self to give them a deliverance, now all hopes of Relief fail'd them; thus they continu'd five days, some grew Lame, others Feeble, and all much dishearten'd by despair of Life; and now upon the 6th. day, they had concluded to cast Lotts for their lives, who should dye to preserve others; and they put their Resolution into Execution, and that poor Creature, upon whom the Lott fell, begs for time; but alas, what will a Reprieve be in this case, where there is no hope of Relief; but O what difficult work is it to dye? what a strait was here? Live he could not, and Dye he could not;

:40p. 37–39

12. In the year 1606. in the Wars betwixt the Netherlands and the Spaniards, upon the Spanish Ocean, fell out this observable and remarkable action, taken notice of by Grotius, in his Annals of the Low-Country Wars. Admiral Hauteen being sent to intercept the Spanish Fleet, coming from America and the Indies, he had with him four and twenty Vessels; but of these, six were beaten back by Tempests; soon after Frasciardo, with eight great Galleons, having a prosperous Gale, fell upon them unprovided, ⟨p. 38⟩and ere they were aware; but the Galleys that were with him, not being driven by the Wind, kept by the shore; but one of them being grappled with a ship of Zealand, that was next the Admiral, so affrighted the rest, that as soon as they saw it, they in the very beginning of the Night, Retreated with all hast. Hauteen thus left by his Companions, being a man of an Undaunted spirit, for two whole days did not leave off the Fight, though most of his men were in that time lost; but with his torn ship, casting off all fear of danger, protracted the Victory; but after he saw no hopes of Relief, and that the Waves poured in upon him, that none of them might come alive into the Enemies hands, at once they Unanimously agreed upon a Resolute and Terrible action: For kneeling down upon their Knees, they like dying, but desperate men, beg of God, that he would please to pardon in that they sought to shun the Mockeries and Cruelties of the Spaniards, by that sad and lamentable death; so they set fire to the Gun powder, by which blow threescore men were killed, two half dead lived a little while, being taken by the Spaniards with wonder, beholding their dreadful Countenances, and their words, ⟨p. 39⟩with their strange Resolution and Obstinacy in Death.

12. In the year 1606. in the Wars betwixt the Netherlands and the Spaniards, upon the Spanish Ocean, fell out this observable and remarkable action, taken notice of by Grotius, in his Annals of the Low-Country Wars. Admiral Hauteen being sent to intercept the Spanish Fleet, coming from America and the Indies, he had with him four and twenty Vessels; but of these, six were beaten back by Tempests; soon after Frasciardo, with eight great Gallions, having a prosperous Gale, fell upon them unprovided, ⟨p. 38⟩and e're they were aware; but the Galleys that were with him, not being driven by the Wind, kept by the shore; but one of them being grappl'd with a ship of Zealand, that was next the Admiral, so affrighted the rest, that as soon as they saw it, they in the very beginning of the Night, Retreated with all hast. Hauteen thus left by his Companions, being a man of an Undaunted spirit, for two whole days did not leave off the Fight, though most of his men were in that time lost; but with his torne ship, casting off all fear of danger, protracted the Victory; but after he saw no hopes of Relief, and that the Waves pour'd in upon him, that none of them might come alive into the Enemies hands, at once they Unanimously agreed upon a Resolute and Terrible action: For kneeling down upon their Knees, they like dying, but desperate men, beg of God, that he would please to pardon in that they sought to shun the Mockeries and Cruelties of the Spaniards, by that sad and lamentable death; so they set fire to the Gun powder, by which blow threescore men were kill'd, two half dead lived a little while, being taken by the Spaniards with wonder, beholding their dreadful Countenances, and their words, ⟨p. 39⟩with their strange Resolution and Obstinacy in Death.

:41p. 39

13. In the year 1607. about the time when the Plantations of Virginia began to be a little settled by King James, some Britons went to Guyana, but a dangerous Sedition arose in the Voyage, and the Ship being lost, part of the Company remained in the Island, where continually vexing the Barbarians with their unkind usage, they, at last, were set upon by War as Enemies; by force of which, and the want of Victuals, they committed themselves to the Sea in a Boat made only of an Hollow Tree; there these poor distressed Creatures were tossed with continual Tempests, betwixt Despair and Hope of Life; but at last they were driven upon the Rocks, after great misery endured by them in their little Boat for Ten days together; and now their danger was lessened, for here they must fall into the hands of the Spaniard, who pardoned them, in regard they came not to those Parts of their own accord, but by the stress of Weather. Thus were these poor distressed Men saved and preserved, when all hope of being saved was taken away.

13. In the year 1607. about the time when the Plantations of Virginia began to be a little settled by King James, some Britains went to Guyana, but a dangerous Sedition arose in the Voyage, and the Ship being lost, part of the Company remained in the Island, where continually vexing the Barbarians with their unkind usage, they, at last, were set upon by War as Enemies; by force of which, and the want of Victuals, they committed themselves to the Sea in a Boat made only of an Hollow Tree; there these poor distressed Creatures were tossed with continual Tempests, betwixt Despair and Hope of Life; but at last they were driven upon the Rocks, after great misery endured by them in their little Boat for Ten days together; and now their danger was leslessen'd, for here they must fall into the hands of the Spaniard, who pardon'd them, in regard they came not to those Parts of their own accord, but by the stress of Weather. Thus were these poor distressed Men saved and preserved, when all hope of being saved was taken away.

:42p. 40–41

14. The Phoenix Frigate, in the time when Captain Wheston Commanded her, and Mr. May was Master, being Commanded to carry some Persons of Quality from Rye to Deep in France; the Captain and several of the Gentlemen that belonged to the Frigate was Ashore; the Captain sends the Long-boat Aboard, and Ordered the Frigate to weigh and come to sail, and stand too and fro off in the Bay, and he would come out in his Pinnis; and the Gentlemen that was with him, were namely Sunebank Giles his Chirurgeon, Mr. Goodwin his Chaplain, Mr. Perkins his Barber and Gentleman, Mr. Richards, and some three more Gentlemen Reformadoes, Abraham Car Coxswain, and about 12 Seamen for his Crew, that set out of Rye, and crossed the Bay to meet the Frigate under Sail; and when they came near, being a good way a-head, waved to the Frigate to keep her way, and not to come a playse for her, which she did with a fresh Top-sail Gail of Wind, till she came up with the Pinnis, and then the Coxen would a-laid her Aboard of the Larboard-side; but the Captain supposing himself far enough a-head, Commanded him to shout a-head of her, and lay her aboard of the Starboard-side, which he assuming ⟨p. 41⟩to do, the Ship giving a saw, and having fresh way, the Pinnis was not past, but the Cutwater of the Ship cut the Pinnis in the middle, and run right over, that she lay in a moment of time in 100 pieces, and all the Men floating for their lives; in the interim of which time, with a Cry, they gave a leap, in which leap, the Captain catched hold o• the Rails of the Head, Mr. Richards on the Captain's heels, Mr. Giles the Chirurgeon on Richard's heels, Mr. Goodwin on Giles's heels, and some other person on his; so that with that spring, or leap, no less than 4 or 5 providentially catched about one the others heels or middle, as Boys when at playing Truss; and in hoisting in the Captain, they preserved 4 or 5 more with him; the Coxen sunk down, and brought some of the Tallow of the Lower part of the ship on his clothes, and came up again at the Stern, where he was taken up by the Seamen; some by swimming, others by the assistance of the Oar, and pieces of the Boat, by God's blessing kept them from drowning, till the Long-boat took them all up, except the Captain's Barber Mr. Perkins, whom it seems had sunk, its thought his last time;

14. The Phoenix Frigot, in the time when Captain Wheston Commanded her, and Mr. May was Master, being Commanded to carry some Persons of Quality from Rye to Deep in France; the Captain and several of the Gentlemen that belonged to the Frigot was Ashore; the Captain sends the Long-boat Aboard, and Order'd the Frigot to weigh and come to sayl, and stand too and fro off in the Bay, and he would come out in his Pinnis; and the Gentlemen that was with him, were namely Sunebank Giles his Chyrurgion, Mr. Goodwin his Chaplain, Mr. Perkins his Barbar and Gentleman, Mr. Richards, and some three more Gentlemen Reformadoes, Abraham Car Coxswain, and about 12 Seamen for his Crew, that set out of Rye, and crossed the Bay to meet the Frigot under Sayl; and when they came near, being a good way a-head, waved to the Frigot to keep her way, and not to come a playse for her, which she did with a fresh Top-sail Gail of Wind, till she came up with the Pinnis, and then the Coxen would a-laid her Aboard of the Larboard-side; but the Captain supposing himself far enough a-head, Commanded him to shout a-head of her, and lay her aboard of the Starboard-side, which he assuming ⟨p. 41⟩to do, the Ship giving a saw, and having fresh way, the Pinnis was not past, but the Cotwater of the Ship cut the Pinnis in the middle, and run right over, that she lay in a moment of time in 100 pieces, and all the Men floating for their lives; in the interim of which time, with a Cry, they gave a leap, in which leap, the Captain catcht hold o• the Railes of the Head, Mr. Richards on the Captain's heels, Mr. Giles the Chyrurgion on Richard's heels, Mr. Goodwin on Giles's heels, and some other person on his; so that with that spring, or leap, no less than 4 or 5 providentially catcht about one the others heels or middle, as Boys when at playing Truss; and in hoysting in the Captain, they preserved 4 or 5 more with him; the Coxen sunk down, and brought some of the Tallow of the Lower part of the ship on his cloaths, and came up again at the Stern, where he was taken up by the Seamen; some by swiming, others by the assistance of the Oar, and pieces of the Boat, by God's blessing kept them from drowning, till the Long-boat took them all up, except the Captain's Barber Mr. Perkins, whom it seems had sunk, its thought his last time;

:43p. 41–43

but Providence so ordered it, that the Man in the main ⟨p. 42⟩Channel having the hand Lead, there fell a chrockle in the dipsey-Line, and in that very interim, the Lead fell in the very place where the Barber was sunk, and the chinckle of the Line fell about the Barbers Fingers, hitched about his Ring, and so providentially fastened it self, so that as the Man in the Sceanes haling up his Lead, found it to come heavier than it used to do; admiring, at last up comes the Barber fastened in the chinkle by his Ring, which the Spectators amazed at, immediately took hold of him, and pulled him into the Frigate, with his Eyes fixed, and Teeth set, and little appearance of Life; but by the blessing of God on the immediate means used, and care of him, he soon came to himself, and recovered; so that notwithstanding this shrewd disaster, which might have proved fatal to all, or most of them, yet there was not one Man of them all miscarried, but was recovered to their health again, as Monuments of God's Mercy. For truth of this, many of the Men are alive at this day; the Chirurgeon now living in Greys-Inn-Lane; and at the very interim of time I was then aboard the said Frigate, and was not only an Eye-spectator, but an Instrument to help in preserving of some ⟨p. 43⟩of them, and therefore may Aver it to be Truth. Ezekiel Fog.

but Providence so order'd it, that the Man in the main ⟨p. 42⟩Channel having the hand Lead, there fell a chrockle in the dipsey-Line, and in that very interim, the Lead fell in the very place where the Barber was sunk, and the chinckle of the Line fell about the Barbers Fingers, hitcht about his Ring, and so providentially fasten'd it self, so that as the Man in the Sceanes haling up his Lead, found it to come heavier than it used to do; admiring, at last up comes the Barber fastned in the chinkle by his Ring, which the Spectators amazed at, immediately took hold of him, and pulled him into the Frigot, with his Eyes fixed, and Teeth set, and little appearance of Life; but by the blessing of God on the immediate means used, and care of him, he soon came to himself, and recovered; so that notwithstanding this shrewd disaster, which might have proved fatal to all, or most of them, yet there was not one Man of them all miscarry'd, but was recover'd to their health again, as Monuments of God's Mercy. For truth of this, many of the Men are alive at this day; the Chyr•rgion now living in Grays-Inn-Lane; and at the very interim of time I was then aboard the said Frigot, and was not only an Eye-spectator, but an Instrument to help in preserving of some ⟨p. 43⟩of them, and therefore may Aver it to be Truth. Ezekiel Fog.

:46p. 44–46

17. In the Year 1671, I being at Boston in New-England, I oft went to see an Acquaintance of mine, one Abraham Darby, a sober honest Man, a Master of a Vessel, who relates the following Story, which he attesteth to be Truth. That some few years ago, he the said Darby being Master of a small Ketch, was bound from Barbados to Virginia, he having an Irish Woman, a Servant, on• Board, to be delivered in Virginia, but ⟨p. 45⟩she was a vile Person, and having often offended, at last was punished, for which she said they should not carry her to Virginia, tho the Wind was very fair, and carried them in sounding of the Caps of Virginia: That they had bent one Cable to the Anchor, thinking soon to get in; but she still said they should not: then the Wind sprang up of a sudden, in a mere fret, which forced them many days off, and their Provisions near spent (it being, if I mistake not, in Mar•h) then the Wind came fair again, a fresh Gail, and they before it, in hopes to gain their passage; but on a sudden there came a Great Sea that cast the Vessel on her side (she having but little beside Ballast in her) that her Goods and things in hold shifteth. But it pleased God they clapped the Helm a weather, and she wore, and all hands as could in the Hold brought her to rights, and the Wind continued fair till they came near the place that it took them short before, and then took them as before, that they were forced off again for many days, having then but two or three pieces of Beef, and no Bread, nor (I think) above a Gallon of fresh Water: But after some time the Wind came fair, they making Sail to ⟨p. 46⟩get back, it being fine weather, there came a great Sea and laid her down again, and carried her Mast away, and a part of the Partners that hold the Mast, that as she lay on one side, the Sea rushed into her;

17. In the Year 1671, I being at Boston in New-England, I oft went to see an Acquaintance of mine, one Abraham Darby, a sober honest Man, a Master of a Vessel, who relates the following Story, which he attesteth to be Truth. That some few years ago, he the said Darby being Master of a small Ketch, was bound from Barbadoes to Virginia, he having an Irish Woman, a Servant, on• Board, to be deliver'd in Virginia, but ⟨p. 45⟩she was a vile Person, and having often offended, at last was punish'd, for which she said they should not carry her to Virginia, tho the Wind was very fair, and carried them in sounding of the Capps of Virginia: That they had bent one Cable to the Anckor, thinking soon to get in; but she still said they should not: then the Wind sprang up of a sudden, in a meer fret, which forced them many days off, and their Provisions near spent (it being, if I mistake not, in Mar•h) then the Wind came fair again, a fresh Gaile, and they before it, in hopes to gain their passage; but on a sudden there came a Great Sea that cast the Vessel on her side (she having but little beside Ballast in her) that her Goods and things in hold shifteth. But it pleased God they clapt the Helm a weather, and she wore, and all hands as could in the Hold brought her to rights, and the Wind continued fair till they came near the place that it took them short before, and then took them as before, that they were forc'd off again for many days, having then but two or three pieces of Beefe, and no Bread, nor (I think) above a Gallon of fresh Water: But after some time the Wind came fair, they making Sail to ⟨p. 46⟩get back, it being fine weather, there came a great Sea and laid her down again, and carried her Mast away, and a part of the Partners that hould the Mast, that as she lay on one side, the Sea rush'd into her;

:47p. 46–47

but the Master with his Bed and Rug stopped the force, till it pleased God they had shifted the things in the hold and brought her to rights again, (now these poor Souls were left as a Wrack in the Ocean, and neither Victuals nor Drink, but strong Water and Sugar, to help them) but finding a Spar or Oars, in the hold, made shift to get out a small Sail (I had like to have omitted, that whilst they had any Food, they would have given this wicked Woman a part, but she would not Eat any thing) then it pleased God to send a fine Gale, and they got on the Cost of New-England, and sounding, round about forty Fathom Water, and very calm; then they chopped to an Anchor there, and that Night got two or three Fish, wherewith they Refreshed themselves (but the Woman would not Eat) but could get no more: and finding a fine Gale, weighed Anchor, and thought to have got within Cape-Cod, not being far of; but the Wind came fresh against them, and drove ⟨p. 47⟩them off again to Sea, and then 'twas •alm; and about that time the Woman •ad fasted about 21 Days, and yet could Curse and Damn, and say, She should not go Ashore; but that Night the Master and some others being on the Deck, spied a Great Black Thing Rise out of the Sea, to their thinking, much bigger than the Ketch, the Sea being Light all about, and the Woman in the Hold made a Great Noise; and when she had given a Great Screech or Groan, this Great Black Thing Vanished, the Water seeming like Fire all round, and made a Great Sea and Noise: And when the Men came to them selves, they looking for the Woman, found her Dead; and after they had ••ung her over-Board, they had a brave Wind and Weather, and got safe to Plymouth in New-England.

but the Master with his Bed and Rug stopt the force, till it pleased God they had shifted the things in the hould and brought her to rights again, (now these poor Souls were left as a Wrack in the Ocean, and neither Victuals nor Drink, but strong Water and Sugar, to help them) but finding a Spar or Oars, in the hould, made shift to get out a smal Sail (I had like to have omitted, that whilst they had any Food, they would have given this wicked Woman a part, but she would not Eat any thing) then it pleased God to send a fine Gale, and they got on the Cost of New-England, and sounding, round about forty Fathom Water, and very calme; then they chopt to an Anckor there, and that Night got two or three Fish, wherewith they Refreshed themselves (but the Woman would not Eat) but could get no more: and finding a fine Gale, weighed Anckor, and thought to have got within Cape-Cod, not being far of; but the Wind came fresh against them, and drove ⟨p. 47⟩them off again to Sea, and then 'twas •alm; and about that time the Woman •ad fasted about 21 Days, and yet could Curse and Damn, and say, She should not go Ashore; but that Night the Master and some others being on the Deck, spied a Great Black Thing Rise out of the Sea, to their thinking, much bigger than the Ketch, the Sea being Light all about, and the Woman in the Hold made a Great Noyse; and when she had given a Great Screach or Groan, this Great Black Thing Vanish'd, the Water seeming like Fire all round, and made a Great Sea and Noise: And when the Men came to them selves, they looking for the Woman, found her Dead; and after they had ••ung her over-Board, they had a brave Wind and Weather, and got safe to Plimouth in New-England.

REMARKABLE SEA Deliverances.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

REMARKABLE SEA Deliverances.

A Remarkable Providence of God in wonderfully preserving of Eleven or Thirteen poor distressed mens lives.