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Title page of Memoria Wilsoniana. Or, Some dues unto the memory of the truly Reverend & renowned…, Boston, 1695Memoria Wilsoniana. Or, Some dues unto the memory of the truly Reverend & renowned…Cotton Mather, 1695

Memoria WILSONIANA. THE LIFE OF Mr. JOHN WILSON.

pp. 1–4553 passagespart 1 of 2

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.

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Memoria WILSONIANA. THE LIFE OF Mr. JOHN WILSON.

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S. 1. SUCH is the Natural Tendency, in Humane Minds to Poetry, That, as tis Observed, the Roman Historian, in the very first Line of his History, fell upon a Verse, Urbem Romam, In Principio Reges habuere;

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So, the Roman Orator, though a very Mean Poet, yet making an Oration for a Good One, could not let his First Sentence pass him, without a perfect Hexameter, In Qua me non Inficior mediocriter Esse.

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If, therefore, I were not of all men the most poetical, my Reader might now Expect an Entertainment altogether in Verse; for I am going to Write the Life of that New-English Divine; who had so nimble a Faculty of putting his Devout thoughts into Verse, that he Signalized himself by the Greatest Frequency, perhaps, that ever Man used, of sending Poems, to All Persons, in All Places, on All Occasions; and upon this, as well as upon Greater Accounts, was a David unto the Flocks of our Lord in the Wilderness: Quicquid tentabat Dicere, Versus erat;

If, therefore, I were not of all men the most ••poetical, my Reader might now Expect an Entertainment altogether in Verse; for I am going to Write the Life of that New-English Divine; who had so nimble a Faculty of putting his Devout thoughts into Verse, that he Signalized himself by the Greatest Frequency, perhaps, that ever Man used, of sending Poems, to All Persons, in All Places, on All Occasions; and upon this, as well as upon Greater Accounts, was a David unto the Flocks of our Lord in the Wilderness: Quicquid tentabat Dicere, Versus erat;

Memoria WILSONIANA. THE LIFE OF Mr. JOHN WILSON.

pp. 1–4553 passagespart 1 of 2

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.

:8p. 1

Memoria WILSONIANA. THE LIFE OF Mr. JOHN WILSON.

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So, the Roman Orator, though a very Mean Poet, yet making an Oration for a Good One, could not let his First Sentence pass him, without a perfect Hexameter, In Qua me non Inficior mediocriter Esse.

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S. 2. Mr. John Wilson, descending from Eminent Ancestors, was Born at Windsor in the Wonderful Year 1588. The Third Son of Dr. William Wilson, a Prebend of St. Pauls, of Rochester and of Windsor, and Rector of Cliff: having for his Mother, a Niece of Dr. Edmund Grindal, the most Worthily Renowned Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. His exact Education under his Parents, which betimes Tinged him with an Aversation to Vice, and above all, to the very shadow of a Lye, fitted him to Undergo the further Education, which he received in Eaton-College, under Udall (and Langely) whom now we may Venture, after Poor Tom Tusser, to call, The Severest of Men. Here he was most Remarkably Twice Delivered from Drowning; but at his Book, he made such Proficiency, that while he was the Least Boy in the School, he was made a Propositor; and when the Duke of Biron Ambassador from the French King Henry IV, to Queen Elizabeth, Visited the School, he made a Latin Oration, for which the Duke bestowed Three Angels upon him. After four years Continuance at Eaton, he was Removed unto Cambridge, between the Fourteenth and Fifteenth year of his Age; and Admitted into Kings College ⟨p. 4⟩in the year 1602. When he came to stand for a Fellowship in that College, his Antipathy to some Horrid Wickednesses, whereto a Detestable Wretch that had been Acquainted with him, would have betrayed him, caused that Malicious Wretch by Devised and Accursed Slanders to ruin so far the Reputation of this Chaste Youth with the other Fellows, that had not the […], who was a Serious and a Reverend Person, interposed for him, he had utterly lost his Privilege; which now by the Major Vote he Obtained. But this Affliction put him upon many Thoughts and Prayers before the Lord.

S. 2. Mr. Iohn Wilson, descending from Eminent Ancestors, was Born at Winsor in the Wonderful Year 1588. The Third Son of Dr. William Wilson, a Prebend of St. Pauls, of Rochester and of Winsor, and Rector of Cliff: having for his Mother, a Neece of Dr. Edmund Grindal, the most Worthily Renowned Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. His exact Education under his Parents, which betimes Tinged him with an Aversation to Vice, and above all, to the very shadow of a Lye, fitted him to Undergoe the further Education, which he received in Eaton-Colledge, under Udal (and Langely) whom now we may Venture, after Poor Tom Tusser, to call, The Severest of Men. Here he was most Remarkably Twice Delivered from Drowning; but at his Book, he made such Proficiency, that while he was the Least Boy in the School, he was made a Propositor; and when the Duke of Biron Embassador from the French King Henry IV, to Queen Elizabeth, Visited the School, he made a Latin Oration, for which the Duke bestowed Three Angels upon him. After four years Continuance at Eaton, he was Removed unto Cambridge, between the Fourteenth and Fifteenth year of his Age; and Admitted into Kings Colledge ⟨p. 4⟩in the year 1602. When he came to stand for a Fellowship in that Colledge, his Antipathy to some Horrid Wickednesses, whereto a Detestable Wretch that had been Acquainted with him, would have betray'd him, caused that Malicious Wretch by Devised and Accursed Slanders to ruin so far the Reputation of this Chast Youth with the other Fellows, that had not the 〈…〉, who was a Serious and a Reverend Person, interposed for him, he had utterly lost his Priviledge; which now by the Major Vote he Obtained. But this Affliction put him upon many Thoughts and Prayers before the Lord.

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S. 3. He had hitherto been, according to his Good Education, very Civilly and Soberly Disposed: but being by the Good Hand of God, Led unto the Ministry of such Holy men as Mr. Bains, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Chaderton, he was by their Sermons Enlightened and Awakened, unto more Solicitous Enquiries after, The One Thing yet Lacking in him. The Serious Dispositions of his Mind, were now such, that besides his pursuance after the Works of Repentance in himself, he took no little pains to pursue it in others; especially the Malefactors in the Prisons, which he Visited with a Devout, Sedulous, and Successful Industry. Nevertheless, being forestalled with Prejudices against the Puritans of those Times, as if they had held, he knew not well what Odd Things, he ⟨p. 5⟩Declined Their Acquaintance; although his Good Conversation had made him to be accounted One of them, Himself. Until going unto a Booksellers Shop to Augment his Well-furnished Library, he Lit upon that Famous Book of Mr. Richard Rogers, called, The Seven Treatises ▪ which, when he had Read, he so Affected, not only the Matter, but also the Author of the Book, that he took a Journey unto Wethersfield, on purpose to hear a Sermon, from that Boanerges. When he had heard the Heavenly Passages that fell from the Lips of that Worthy Man, Privately, as well as Publicly, and compared therewithal the Writings of Greenham, of Dod, and of Dent, especially The Path way to Heaven, Written by the Author last mentioned, he saw that They who were Nicknamed, Puritans, were like to be the Desirablest Companions, for One that intended his own Everlasting Happiness; and pursuant unto the Advice, which he had from Dr. Ames, he associated himself with a Pious Company in the University, who kept their Meetings in Mr. Wilsons Chamber, for Prayer, Fasting, Holy Conference, and the Exercises of true Devotion.

S. 3. He had hitherto been, according to his Good Education, very Civilly and Soberly Disposed: but being by the Good Hand of God, Led unto the Ministry of such Holy men as Mr. Bains, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Chaderton, he was by their Sermons Enlightned and Awakened, unto more Sollicitous Enquiries after, The One Thing yet Lacking in him. The Serious Dispositions of his Mind, were now such, that besides his pursuance after the Works of Repentance in himself, he took no little pains to pursue it in others; especially the Malefactors in the Prisons, which he Visited with a Devout, Sedulous, and Successful Industry. Nevertheless, being forestalled with Prejudices against the Puritans of those Times, as if they had held, he knew not well what Odd Things, he ⟨p. 5⟩Declined Their Acquaintance; although his Good Conversarion had made him to be accounted One of them, Himself. Until going unto a Booksellers Shop to Augment his Well-furnisht Library, he Lit upon that Famous Book of Mr. Richard Rogers, called, The Seven Treatises ▪ which, when he had Read, he so Affected, not only the Matter, but also the Author of the Book, that he took a Journey unto Wethersfield, on purpose to hear a Sermon, from that Boanerges. When he had heard the Heavenly Passages that fell from the Lips of that Worthy Man, Privately, as well as Publickly, and compared therewithal the Writings of Greenham, of Dod, and of Dent, especially The Path way to Heaven, Written by the Author last mentioned, he saw that They who were Nicknamed, Puritans, were like to be the Desirablest Companions, for One that intended his own Everlasting Happiness; and pursuant unto the Advice, which he had from Dr. Ames, he associated himself with a Pious Company in the University, who kept their Meetings in Mr. Wilsons Chamber, for Prayer, Fasting, Holy Conference, and the Exercises of true Devotion.

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S. 4. But now, perceiving many Good men to Scruple many of the Rites, Practised and Imposed in the Church of England, he furnished himself with all the Books, that he could find Written on the Case of Conformity, both Pro and ⟨p. 6⟩Con, and pondered with a most Conscientious Deliberation, the Arguments on both sides produced. He was hereby so convinced of the Evil in Conformity, that at Length, for his Observable Omission, of certain Uninstituted Ceremonies in the Worship of God, the Bishop of Lincoln, then Visiting the University, pronounced upon him the Sentence of Quindenum, that is, That, besides other Mortifications, he must within Fifteen Days, have been Expelled, if he continued in his Offence. His Father, being hereof Advised, with all Paternal Affection, Wrote unto him to Conform; and at the same Time, interceded with the Bishop, that he might have a Quarter of a year allowed him; in which time, if he could not be Reduced, he should then leave his Fellowship in the College. Hereupon he sent him unto several Doctors of Great Fame, to get his Objections Resolved; but when much Discourse, and much Writing, had passed between them, he was rather the more confirmed in his Principles about Church Reformation. Wherefore his Father, then diverting him from the Designs of the Ministry, disposed him to the Inns of Court; where he fell into Acquaintance with some Young Gentlemen, who associated with him in constant Exercises of Devotion; to which Meetings the Repeated Sermons of Dr. Gouge were a continual Entertainment: and here it was, that he came into the Advantageous Knowledge of the Learned ⟨p. 7⟩Scultetus, Chaplain to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine, then making some stay in England.

S. 4. But now, perceiving many Good men to Scruple many of the Rites, Practised and Imposed in the Church of England, he furnished himself with all the Books, that he could find Written on the Case of Conformity, both Pro and ⟨p. 6⟩Con, and pondered with a most Conscientious Deliberation, the Arguments on both sides produced. He was hereby so convinced of the Evil in Conformity, that at Length, for his Observeable Omission, of certain Uninstituted Ceremonies in the Worship of God, the Bishop of Lincoln, then Visiting the University, pronounced upon him the Sentence of Quindenum, that is, That, besides other Mortifications, he must within Fifteen Dayes, have been Expelled, if he continued in his Offence. His Father, being hereof Advised, with all Paternal Affection, Wrote unto him to Conform; and at the same Time, interceded with the Bishop, that he might have a Quarter of a year allowed him; in which time, if he could not be Reduced, he should then leave his Fellowship in the Colledge. Hereupon he sent him unto several Doctors of Great Fame, to get his Objections Resolved; but when much Discourse, and much Writing, had passed between them, he was rather the more confirmed in his Principles about Church Reformation. Wherefore his Father, then diverting him from the Designs of the Ministry, disposed him to the Inns of Court; where he fell into Acquaintance with some Young Gentlemen, who associated with him in constant Exercises of Devotion; to which Meetings the Repeated Sermons of Dr. Gouge were a continual Entertainment: and here it was, that he came into the Advantageous Knowledge of the Learned ⟨p. 7⟩Scultetus, Chaplain to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine, then making some stay in England.

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S. 5. When he had continued Three years at the Inns of Court, his Father discerning his Disposition to be a Minister of the Gospel, permitted his Proceeding Master of Arts, in the University of Cambridge; but Advised him to Address another College, than that, where he had formerly met with Difficulties. Dr. Cary, who was then Vice Chancellor, understanding his former Circumstances, would not Admit him without Subscription: but he refused to Subscribe. In this Distress he Repaired unto his Father, at whose House there happened then to be present, the Countess of Bedfords Chief Gentleman, […] had Business with the Earl of Northampton, the Chancellor of the University. And this Noble Person upon the Information, which that Gentleman gave him of the matter, presently Wrote a Letter to the Vice Chancellor on the Behalf of our Young Wilson; whereupon he received his Degree, and continued a while after this, in Emanuel-College: from whence he made frequent and useful Visits unto his Friends, in the Counties adjoining, and became further fitted for his Intended Service. But while he was passing under these Changes, he took up a Resolution, which he thus expressed before the Lord; That if the Lord would Grant him a Liberty of Conscience, with Purity of Worship, ⟨p. 8⟩he would be content, yea, thankful, though it were at the furthermost End of the World. A most Prophetical Resolution!

S. 5. When he had continued Three years at the Inns of Court, his Father discerning his Disposition to be a Minister of the Gospel, permitted his Proceeding Master of Arts, in the University of Cambridge; but Advised him to Address another Colledge, than that, where he had formerly met with Difficulties. Dr. Cary, who was then Vice Chancellour, understanding his former Circumstances, would not Admit him without Subscription: but he refused to Subscribe. In this Distress he Repaired unto his Father, at whose House there happened then to be present, the Countess of Bedfords Chief Gentleman, 〈…〉 had Business with the Earl of Northampton, the Chancellour of the University. And this Noble Person upon the Information, which that Gentleman gave him of the matter, presently Wrote a Letter to the Vice Chancellour on the Behalf of our Young Wilson; whereupon he received his Degree, and continued a while after this, in Emanuel-Colledge: from whence he made frequent and useful Visits unto his Friends, in the Counties adjoining, and became further fitted for his Intended Service. But while he was passing under these Changes, he took up a Resolution, which he thus expressed before the Lord; That if the Lord would Grant him a Liberty of Conscience, with Purity of Worship, ⟨p. 8⟩he would be content, yea, thankful, though it were at the furthermost End of the World. A most Prophetical Resolution!

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S. 6. At Length, Preaching his first Sermon at New Port; he set his Hand unto that Plough from whence be never afterwards Looked Back: not very long after which, his Father lying on his Death Bed, he kneeled, in his Turn, before him, for his Blessing, and brought with him for a share in that Blessing, the Virtuous Young Gentlewoman, the Daughter of the Lady Mansfield (Widow of Sir John Mansfield Master of the Minorys and the Queens Surveyor) whom he Designed afterwards to Marry: Whereupon the Old Gentleman said, Ah, John, I have taken much Care about thee, such time as thou wast in the University, because thou wouldest not Conform; I would fain have brought thee to some higher Preferment, then thou hast yet attained unto: I see thy Conscience as very Scrupulous, concerning some things that have been Observed and Imposed in the Church: Nevertheless, I have Rejoiced to see the Grace and Fear of God, in thy Heart; and seeing thou hast kept a Good Conscience hitherto, and walked according to thy Light, So Do still; and Go by he Rules of Gods Holy Word: The Lord Bless thee, and her, whom thou hast chosen to be the Companion of thy Life! Among other Places, where he now Preached, Moreclake was One; where his Non-Conformity exposed him to ⟨p. 9⟩the Rage of Persecution; but by the Friendship of the Justice, namely Sir William Bird, a Kinsman of his Wife, and by a Mistake of the Informers, the Rage of that Storm was moderated.

S. 6. At Length, Preaching his first Sermon at New Port; he set his Hand unto that Plough from whence be never afterwards Looked Back: not very long after which, his Father lying on his Death Bed, he kneeled, in his Turn, before him, for his Blessing, and brought with him for a share in that Blessing, the Virtuous Young Gentlewoman, the Daughter of the Lady Mansfield (Widow of Sir John Mansfield Master of the Minorys and the Queens Surveyor) whom he Designed afterwards to Marry: Whereupon the Old Gentleman said, Ah, John, I have taken much Care about thee, such time as thou wast in the University, because thou wouldest not Conform; I would fain have brought thee to some higher Preferment, then thou hast yet attained unto: I see thy Conscience as very Scrupulous, concerning some things that have been Observed and Imposed in the Church: Nevertheless, I have Rejoyced to see the Grace and Fear of God, in thy Heart; and seeing thou hast kept a Good C•nscience hitherto, and walked according to thy Light, So Do still; and Go by he Rules of Gods Holy Word: The Lord Bless thee, and her, whom thou hast chosen to be the Companion of thy Life! Among other Places, where he now Preached, Moreclake was One; where his Non-Conformity exposed him to ⟨p. 9⟩the Rage of Persecution; but by the Friendship of the Justice, namely Sir William Bird, a Kinsman of his Wife, and by a Mistake of the Informers, the Rage of that Storm was moderated.

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S. 7. After this, he Lived as a Chaplain Successively in Honourable and Religious Families; and, at last, was Invited unto the House of the most Pious Lady Scudamore. Here Mr. Wilson observing the Discourse of the Gentry at the Table, on the Lords-Day, to be too Disagreeable unto the Devout Frame to be maintained on such a Day, at Length he Zealously stood up at the Table, with Words to this purpose, I will make bold to Speak a Word or Two; This is the Lords Holy Day, and we have been hearing His Word, and after the Word Preached, every One should think, and speak about such Things, as have been Delivered in the Name of God; and not Lavish cut the Time in Discourses about Hawks & Hounds. Whereupon, a Gentleman then present, made this Handsome and Civil Answer, Sir, We Deserve all of us to be thus Reproved by you; This is, indeed, the Sabbath-Day, & we should, surely, have better Discourse; I hope, it will be a Warning to us. Notwithstanding this, the next Lords-Day, the Gentry at the Table were at their Old Notes; which caused Mr. Wilson again to tell them, That the Hawks which they Talked of, were the Birds, that Picked up the seed of the Word; after the Sowing of it; and ⟨p. 10⟩Prayed them, That their Talk might be of such Things, as might Sanctify the Day, and Edify their own Souls; which caused the former Gentleman to Renew his former Thankfulness for the Admonition. But Mr. Leigh the Lady's Husband, was very angry; whereof when the Lady advised Mr. Wilson, wishing him to say something, that might Satisfy him, he Replied, Good Madam, I know not wherein I have given any just Offence; and therefore, I know of no Satisfaction that I owe: Your Ladyship has Invited me to Preach the Good Word of God among you; and so I have endeavoured according to my Ability: Now such Discourse as this, on the Lords Day, is Profane & Disorderly: If your Husband Like we not, I will be gone. When the Lady informed her Husband how Peremptory Mr. Wilson was, in this matter, he mended his Countenance and Carriage; and the Effect of this Reproof was, that unsuitable Discourse, on the Lords Day, was cured among them.

S. 7. After this, he Lived as a Chaplain Successively in Honourable and Religious Families; and, at last, was Invited unto the House of the most Pious Lady Scudamore. Here Mr. Wilson observing the Discourse of the Gentry at the Table, on the Lords-Day, to be too Disagreeable unto the Devout Frame to be mentained on such a Day, at Length he Zealously stood up at the Table, with Words to this purpose, I will make bold to Speak a Word or Two; This is the Lords Holy Day, and we have been hearing His Word, and after the Word Preached, every One should think, and speak about such Things, as have been Delivered in the Name of God; and not Lavish cut the Time in Discourses about Hawks & Hounds. Whereupon, a Gentleman then present, made this Handsome and Civil Answer, Sir, Wee Deserve all of us to be thus Reproved by you; This is, indeed, the Sabbath-Day, & we should, surely, have better Discourse; I hope, it will be a Warning to us. Notwithstanding this, the next Lords-Day, the Gentry at the Table were at their Old Notes; which caused Mr. Wilson again to tell them, That the Hawks which they Talkt of, were the Birds, that Picked up the seed of the Word; after the Sowing of it; and ⟨p. 10⟩Pray'd them, That their Talk might be of such Things, as might Sanctify the Day, and Edify their own Souls; which caused the former Gentleman to Renew his former Thankfulness for the Admonition. But Mr. Leigh the Ladys Husband, was very angry; whereof when the Lady advised Mr. Wilson, wishing him to say something, that might Satisfy him, he Replyed, Good Madam, I know not wherein I have given any just Offence; and therefore, I know of no Satisfaction that I owe: Your Ladyship has Invited me to Preach the Good Word of God among you; and so I have endeavoured according to my Ability: Now such Discourse as this, on the Lords Day, is Profane & Disorderly: If your Husband Like we not, I will be gone. When the Lady informed her Husband how Peremptory Mr. Wilson was, in this matter, he mended his Countenance and Carriage; and the Effect of this Reproof was, that unsuitable Discourse, on the Lords Day, was cured among them.

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S. 9. But if, they that will Live Godlily must Suffer Persecution, a Peculiar share of it must fall upon them, who are Zealous and Useful Instruments to make others Live so. Mr. Wilson had a share of this Persecution; and one A—n, was a ⟨p. 12⟩Principal Author of it. This A—n had formerly been an Apprentice in London, Where the Bishops detained him some years, under an hard Imprisonment, because he Refused the Oath ex Officio, which was pressed upon him to tell, Whether he had never heard his Master Pray against the Bishop? The Charity of Well Disposed People now Supported him, till he got abroad, Recommended by his Hard Sufferings, unto the Good Affections of the Puritans, at whose Meetings he became so Conversant, and thereupon such a forward and zealous Professor, that, at Length he Took upon him, under the Confidence of some Latinity, whereof he was Owner, to be a Sort of a Preacher among them. This man would Reverence Mr. Wilson as his Father, and yet upon the Provocation of seeing Mr. Wilson more highly Valued and Honoured, than himself, he not only became a Conformist himself, but also, as Apostates use to be, a Malignant and Violent Persecutor of those, from whom he had Apostatized. By his means, Mr. Wilson was put unto Trouble in the Bishops Courts; from whence his Deliverance was, at Length Obtained by certain Powerful Mediators. And once by his Tricks the most noted Pursuivant of those Times, was employed for the Seizing of Mr. Wilson; but though he Seized upon many Scores of the People coming from the Lecture, he Dismissed the rest, because he could not meet with Mr. Wilson himself, who by a Special Providence, ⟨p. 13⟩went out of his direct way, to Visit a Worthy Neighbour, and so escaped this Mighty Hunter. Afterwards an Eminent Lady, happening Innocently to make some Comparison between the Preaching of Mr. Wilson, and one Dr. B. of B. the Angry Doctor presently applied himself unto the Bishop of London, who for a while Suspended him. And when that Storm was over; he with several other Worthy Ministers, came to he wholly Silenced, in another, that was Raised upon Complaints made by one Mr. Bird, unto the Bishop of Norwich against them. Concerning this Ill Bird, there happened one passage hereupon, which had in it something Extraordinary. Falling very Sick, he had the help of a Famous and Skilful Physician, One Dr. Duke of Colchester;

S. 9. But if, they that will Live Godlily must Suffer Persecution, a Peculiar share of it must fall upon them, who are Zealous and Useful Instruments to make others Live so. Mr. Wilson had a share of this Persecution; and one A—n, was a ⟨p. 12⟩Principal Author of it. This A—n had formerly been an Apprentice in London, Where the Bishops deteined him some years, under an hard Imprisonment, because he Refused the Oath ex Officio, which was pressed upon him to tell, Whether he had never heard his Master Pray against the Bishop? The Charity of Well Disposed People now Supported him, till he got abroad, Recommended by his Hard Sufferings, unto the Good Affections of the Puritans, at whose Meetings he became so Conversant, and thereupon such a forward and zealous Professor, that, at Length he Took upon him, under the Confidence of some Latinity, whereof he was Owner, to be a Sort of a Preacher among them. This man would Reverence Mr. Wilson as his Father, and yet upon the Provocation of seeing Mr. Wilson more highly Valued and Honoured, than himself, he not only became a Conformist himself, but also, as Apostates use to be, a Malignant and Violent Persecutor of those, from whom he had Apostatized. By his means, Mr. Wilson was put unto Trouble in the Bishops Courts; from whence his Deliverance was, at Length Obtained by certain Powerful Mediators. And once by his Tricks the most noted Pursevant of those Times, was employed for the Siezing of Mr. Wilson; but though he Siezed upon many Scores of the People coming from the Lecture, he Dismissed the rest, because he could not meet with Mr. Wilson himself, who by a Special Providence, ⟨p. 13⟩went out of his direct way, to Visit a Worthy Neighbour, and so escaped this Mighty Hunter. Afterwards an Eminent Lady, happening Innocently to make some Comparison between the Preaching of Mr. Wilson, and one Dr. B. of B. the Angry Doctor presently applied himself unto the Bishop of London, who for a while Suspended him. And when that Storm was over; he with several other Worthy Ministers, came to he wholly Silenced, in another, that was Raised upon Complaints made by one Mr. Bird, unto the Bishop of Norwich against them. Concerning this Ill Bird, there happened one passage hereupon, which had in it something Extraordinary. Falling very Sick, he had the help of a Famous and Skilful Physician, One Dr. Duke of Colchester;

:22p. 14–15¶10

S. 10. At Last, being Persecuted in One Country, he must Flee into another. The Plantation of a New-English Colony was begun; And Mr. Wilson, with some of his Neighbours, Embarked themselves in the Fleet, which came over thither in the year 1630. Where he applied himself with all the Vigour Imaginable, to Encourage the poor People, under the Difficulties of their New Plantation. This Good People buried near Two Hundred of their Number, within a Quarter of a year after their first Landing; which caused Mr. Wilson particularly to Endeavour their Consolation; by Preaching on Jacobs not being disheartened by the Death of his nearest Friends in the way, when God had called him to Remove. And how Remarkably, perhaps I might say, Excessively, ⟨p. 15⟩Liberal he was in Employing his Estate for the Relief of the Needy, Every such One so beheld him, as to Reckon him, The Father of them all: Yea, the poor Indians themselves also tasted of his Bounty. If it were Celebrated, as the Glory of Bellarmine, that he would Sell his Goods to convert them into Alms for the poor, yea, that, Quadam Die proprium Atramentarium Argenteolum, ut ditaret Inopes, inter pignorat obligavit, our Mr. Wilson, though a greater Disclaimer of Merit, than Bellarmine was, not only in his Writings, but on his Death-bed it self, yet came not behind Bellarmine for the Extension of his Charity. To give Instances of his, even over doing Liberality, would be to do it Injuries; for indeed they were Innumerable; He acted as if the Primitive Agreement of having All Things in Common, had been of all things the most Agreeable unto him. I shall Sum up all in the Lines of an Elegant Elegy, which Mr. Samuel Bach, an Ingenious Merchant made upon him, at his Death;

S. 10. At Last, being Persecuted in One Country, he must Flee into another. The Plantation of a New-English Colony was begun; And Mr. Wilson, with some of his Neighbours, Embarked themselves in the Fleet, which came over thither in the year 1630. Where he applied himself with all the Vigour Imaginable, to Encourage the poor People, under the Difficulties of their New Plantation. This Good People buried near Two Hundred of their Number, within a Quarter of a year after their first Landing; which caused Mr. Wilson particularly to Endeavour their Consolation; by Preaching on Jacobs not being disheartned by the Death of his nearest Friends in the way, when God had called him to Remove. And how Remarkably, perhaps I might say, Excessively, ⟨p. 15⟩Liberal he was in Employing his Estate for the Relief of the Needy, Every such One so beheld him, as to Reckon him, The Father of them all: Yea, the poor Indians themselves also tasted of his Bounty. If it were Celebrated, as the Glory of Bellarmine, that he would Sell his Goods to convert them into Alms for the poor, yea, that, Quadam Die proprium Atramentarium Argenteolum, ut ditaret Inopes, inter pignorat obligavit, our Mr. Wilson, though a greater Disclaimer of Merit, than Bellarmine was, not only in his Writings, but on his Death-bed it self, yet came not behind Bellarmine for the Extension of his Charity. To give Instances of his, even over doing Liberality, would be to do it Injuries; for indeed they were Innumerable; He acted as if the Primitive Agreement of having All Things in Common, had been of all things the most Agreeable unto him. I shall Sum up all in the Lines of an Elegant Elegy, which Mr. Samuel Bache, an Ingenious Merchant made upon him, at his Death;

:25p. 16–18¶11

S. 11. Mr. Wilsons Removal to New-England, was rendered the more Difficult, by the Indisposition of his Dearest Consort thereunto; but he hoping, that according to a Dream, which he had before his coming hither, That he saw here a little Temple, rising out of the Ground, which by Degrees increased into very high and large Dimensions, the Lord had a Temple to build in these Regions; Resolved never to be Discouraged from his Undertaking. Wherefore, having first sent over an Encouraging Account of the Good Order, both Civil and Sacred, which now began to be Established in the Plantation, he did himself Return into England, that he might further pursue the ⟨p. 17⟩Effect thereof; and accordingly he made it his Business, wherever he came, to Draw as many Good men, as he could, into this Country, with him. His Wife remained unpersuadable, till upon Prayer with Fasting before the Almighty Turner of Hearts, he Received an Answer, in her becoming Willing to accompany him over an Ocean into a Wilderness. A very sorrowful Parting they now had from their Old Friends in Sudbury, but a Safe, and a Quick Passage over the Atlantic; and whereas the Church of Boston, observing that he Arrived not, at the Time expected, had set apart a Day, of Humiliation on his Behalf, his Joyful Arrival before the Day, caused them to turn it into a Day of Thanksgiving. But Mrs. Wilson being thus persuaded over, into the Difficulties of an American Desert, I have heard, that her Kinsman, Old Mr. Dod, for her Consolation under those Difficulties, did send her a Present, with an Advice, which had in it, something of Curiosity. He sent her, at the same Time, a Brass Counter, a Silver Crown, and a Gold Jacobus; all of them severally wrapped up: With this Instruction unto the Gentleman who carried it; That he should first of all Deliver only the Counter, and if She Received it with any Show of Discontent he should then take no further Notice of her: but if She gratefully Resented that Small Thing, for the sake of the Hand it came from, he should then go on to deliver the ⟨p. 18⟩Silver, and so the Gold: But withal assure her, That such would be the Dispensations of God unto her, and the other Good People of New-England: If they would be Content, and Thankful, with such Little Things, as God at first bestowed upon them, they should in Time, have Silver and Gold Enough. Mrs.

S. 11. Mr. Wilsons Removal to New-England, was rendred the more Difficult, by the Indisposition of his Dearest Consort thereunto; but he hoping, that according to a Dream, which he had before his coming hither, That he saw here a little Temple, rising out of the Ground, which by Degrees increased into very high and large Dimensions, the Lord had a Temple to build in these Regions; Resolved never to be Discouraged from his Undertaking. Wherefore, having first sent over an Encouraging Account of the Good Order, both Civil and Sacred, which now began to be Established in the Plantation, he did himself Return into England, that he might further pursue the ⟨p. 17⟩Effect thereof; and accordingly he made it his Business, wherever he came, to Draw as many Good men, as he could, into this Country, with him. His Wife remained unperswadeable, till upon Prayer with Fasting before the Almighty Turner of Hearts, he Received an Answer, in her becoming Willing to accompany him over an Ocean into a Wilderness. A very sorrowful Parting they now had from their Old Friends in Sudbury, but a Safe, and a Quick Passage over the Atlantic; and whereas the Church of Boston, observing that he Arrived not, at the Time expected, had set apart a Day, of Humiliation on his Behalf, his Joyful Arrival before the Day, caused them to turn it into a Day of Thanksgiving. But Mrs. Wilson being thus perswaded over, into the Difficulties of an American Desart, I have heard, that her Kinsman, Old Mr. Dod, for her Consolation under those Difficulties, did send her a Present, with an Advice, which had in it, something of Curiosity. He sent her, at the same Time, a Brass Counter, a Silver Crown, and a Gold Jacobus; all of them severally wrapped up: With this Instruction unto the Gentleman who carried it; That he should first of all Deliver only the Counter, and if She Received it with any Show of Discontent he should then take no further Notice of her: but if She gratefully Resented that Small Thing, for the sake of the Hand it came from, he should then go on to deliver the ⟨p. 18⟩Silver, and so the Gold: But withal assure her, That such would be the Dispensations of God unto her, and the other Good People of New-England: If they would be Content, and Thankful, with such Little Things, as God at first bestow'd upon them, they should in Time, have Silver and Gold Enough. Mrs.

:27p. 18–19¶12

S. 12. It was not long before Mr. Wilsons Return to England once more, was obliged by the Death of his Brother, whose Will, because it be queathed a Legacy of a Thousand Pounds unto New England, gave Satisfaction unto our Mr. Wilson, though it was otherwise Injurious unto himself. A Tedious and Winter Voyage he now had; being Twice forced into Ireland, where first at Galloway. then at Kingsale, afterwards at Bandon Bridge, he Occasionally, but Vigorously and Successfully Served the Kingdom of God. At last, he got safe among his Old Friends, at Sudbury; according to the Prediction, which he had let Fall in his Former Farewell unto them, It may be John Wilson may come and see Sudbury once again. From whence, Visiting Mr. Nathanael Rogers at Assington, where he Arrived before ⟨p. 19⟩their Morning-Prayers, Mr. Rogers asked him, to say something upon the Chapter that was Read, which happened then to be the first Chapter, in the first Book of Chronicles: and from a Paragraph of mere Proper Names, that seemed altogether Barren of any Edifying matter, he Raised so many Fruitful and Useful Notes, that a Pious Person then present, amazed thereat, could have no Rest, without going over into America after him. Having dispatched his Affairs in England, he again Embarked for New-England, in Company with Four Ministers, and near Two Hundred Passengers, whereof some were Persons of Considerable Quality; but they had all been lost by a Large Leak sprang in the Ship, if God had not, on a Day of Solemn Fasting and Prayer, kept on board for that purpose, mercifully Discovered this Dangerous Leak unto them.

S. 12. It was not long before Mr. Wilsons Return to England once more, was obliged by the Death of his Brother, whose Will, because it be queathed a Legacy of a Thousand Pounds unto New England, gave Satisfaction unto our Mr. Wilson, though it was otherwise Injurious unto himself. A Tedious and Winter Voyage he now had; being Twice forced into Ireland, where first at Galloway. then at Kingsale, afterwards at Bandon Bridge, he Occasionally, but Vigorously and Successfully Served the Kingdom of God. At last, he got safe among his Old Friends, at Sudbury; according to the Prediction, which he had let Fall in his Former Farewel unto them, It may be John Wilson may come and see Sudbury once again. From whence, Visiting Mr. Nathanael Rogers at Assington, where he Arrived before ⟨p. 19⟩their Morning-Prayers, Mr. Rogers asked him, to say something upon the Chapter that was Read, which happened then to be the first Chapter, in the first Book of Chronicles: and from a Paragraph of meer Proper Names, that seemed altogether Barren of any Edifying matter, he Raised so many Fruitful and Useful Notes, that a Pious Person then present, amazed thereat, could have no Rest, without going over into America after him. Having dispatched his Affairs in England, he again Embarked for New-England, in Company with Four Ministers, and near Two Hundred Passengers, whereof some were Persons of Considerable Quality; but they had all been lost by a Large Leak sprang in the Ship, if God had not, on a Day of Solemn Fasting and Prayer, kept on board for that purpose, mercifully Discovered this Dangerous Leak unto them.

:28p. 19–20¶13

S. 13. That Phoenix of his Age, Dr. Ames, would say, That if he might have his Option of the best Condition, that he could Propound unto himself, on this side Heaven, it would be, that he might be the Teacher of a Congregational Church, whereof Mr. Wilson, should be the Pastor. This Happiness, this Privilege, now had Mr. Cotton in the Church of Boston. But Satan Envious at the Prosperity of that Flourishing Church, raised a Storm of Antinomian and Familistical Errors, which had like to have thrown all into an Irrecoverable ⟨p. 20⟩Confusion, if the Good God had not Remarkably Blessed the Endeavours of a Synod; and Mr. Wilson, for a while, met with hard measure for his Early Opposition to those Errors, until by the Help of that Synod, the Storm was Weathered out. At the Beginning of that Assembly, after much Discourse against the Unscriptural Enthusiasms and Revelations, then by some contended for, Mr. Wilson proposed, You that are against these Things, and that are for the Spirit and the Word together, hold up your Nands! And the Multitude of Hands then held up, was a Comfortable and Encouraging Introduction unto the other Proceedings. At the Conclusion of that Assembly, a Catalogue of the Errors to be Condemned, was produced; Whereof, when One asked, What shall be done with them? The wonted Zeal of Mr. Wilson made this Blunt Answer, Let them Go to the Devil of Hell, from whence they came! In the midst of these Temptations also, he was by a Lot, chosen to Accompany the Forces, then sent forth upon an Expedition against the Pequod Indians; which he did with so much Faith and Joy, that he professed himself as fully Satisfied, that God would give the English a Victory over those Enemies, as if he had seen the Victory already obtained. And the whole Country Quickly shared with him in the Consolations of that Remarkable Victory!

S. 13. That Phoenix of his Age, Dr. Ames, would say, That if he might have his Option of the best Condition, that he could Propound unto himself, on this side Heaven, it would be, that he might be the Teacher of a Congregational Church, whereof Mr. Wilson, should be the Pastor. This Happiness, this Priviledge, now had Mr. Cotton in the Church of Boston. But Satan Envious at the Prosperity of that Flourishing Church, raised a Storm of Antinomian and Familistical Errors, which had like to have thrown all into an Irrecoverable ⟨p. 20⟩Confusion, if the Good God had not Remarkably Blessed the Endeavours of a Synod; and Mr. Wilson, for a while, met with hard measure for his Early Opposition to those Errors, until by the Help of that Synod, the Storm was Weathered out. At the Beginning of that Assembly, after much Discourse against the Unscriptural Enthusiasms and Revelations, then by some contended for, Mr. Wilson proposed, You that are against these Things, and that are for the Spirit and the Word together, hold up your Nands! And the Multitude of Hands then held up, was a Comfortable and Encouraging Introduction unto the other Proceedings. At the Conclusion of that Assembly, a Catalogue of the Errors to be Condemned, was produced; Whereof, when One asked, What shall be done with them? The wonted Zeal of Mr. Wilson made this Blunt Answer, Let them Go to the Devil of Hell, from whence they came! In the midst of these Temptations also, he was by a Lot, chosen to Accompany the Forces, then sent forth upon an Expedition against the Pequod Indians; which he did with so much Faith and Joy, that he professed himself as fully Satisfied, that God would give the English a Victory over those Enemies, as if he had seen the Victory already obtained. And the whole Country Quickly shared with him in the Consolations of that Remarkable Victory!

:29p. 21–22¶14

S. 14. In the Wilderness, he met with his Difficulties; For besides the Loss of Houses, Diverse Times by Fire, which yet he bore with such a Cheerful Submission, that Once One that met him on the Road, informing of him, Sir, I have sad News for you; while you have been abroad, your House is burnt! His first Answer was, Blessed be God: He has burnt this House, because He intends to Give me a Better! (which accordingly came to pass;) he was also put upon Complying with the Inclinations of his Eldest Son to Travel; who accordingly Travelled, first into Holland, then into Italy, where he proceeded a Doctor of Physic, and so Returned into England, Excellently well Adorned with all the Accomplishments of a most Pious and Useful Gentleman. But this Worthy Person Dyed, about the year 1658. And this hastened the Death of His Mother, ere the year came about; which more than Doubled the Grief of his Father. And these Afflictions were yet further Embittered by the Death of his Eldest Daughter, Mrs. Rogers, in Child-bed with her first Child; at whose Interment, though he could not but Express a deal of Sorrow, yet he did it with so much Patience, that, In Token, he said, of his Grounded & Joyful Hopes, to meet her again in the Morning of the Resurrectin, and of his Willingness to Resign her into the Hands of Him, who would make all Things work together for Good, he himself took ⟨p. 22⟩the Spade, and threw in the First Shovelful of Earth upon her. And not long after, he buried Three or Four of his Grand-Children by another Daughter Mrs. Danforth (yet Living with her Worthy Son-in-Law Edward Bromfield Esq. in Boston) Whereof One Lying by the Walls, on a Day of Public Thanksgiving, this Holy man then Preached a most Savoury Sermon, on Job 1.21. The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord. The next Child, although so Weakly, that all Despaired of it's Life, his Prophetical Grand-Father, said, Call him, John, I Believe in God, he shall Live, and be a Prophet too, and do God Service in his Generation! Which is, at this Day, fulfilled in Mr. John Danforth, the present Pastor to the Church of Dorchester. Encountering with such, and many other Exercises, his years Rolled away, till he had Served New-England, Three years before Mr. Cottons Coming over, Twenty years with him; Ten years with Mr. Norton, and Four years after him.

S. 14. In the Wilderness, he met with his Difficulties; For besides the Loss of Houses, Diverse Times by Fire, which yet he bore with such a Cheerful Submission, that Once One that met him on the Road, informing of him, Sir, I have sad News for you; while you have been abroad, your House is burnt! His first Answer was, Blessed be God: He has burnt this House, because He intends to Give me a Better! (which accordingly came to pass;) he was also put upon Complying with the Inclinations of his Eldest Son to Travel; who accordingly Travelled, first into Holland, then into Italy, where he proceeded a Doctor of Physick, and so Returned into England, Excellently well Adorned with all the Accomplishments of a most Pious and Useful Gentleman. But this Worthy Person Dyed, about the year 1658. And this hastned the Death of His Mother, e're the year came about; which more than Doubled the Grief of his Father. And these Afflictions were yet further Embittered by the Death of his Eldest Daughter, Mrs. Rogers, in Child-bed with her first Child; at whose Interment, though he could not but Express a deal of Sorrow, yet he did it with so much Patience, that, In Token, he said, of his Grounded & Joyful Hopes, to meet her again in the Morning of the Resurrectin, and of his Willingness to Resign her into the Hands of Him, who would make all Things work together for Good, he himself took ⟨p. 22⟩the Spade, and threw in the First Shovelful of Earth upon her. And not long after, he buried Three or Four of his Grand-Children by another Daughter Mrs. Danforth (yet Living with her Worthy Son-in-Law Edward Bromfield Esq. in Boston) Whereof One Lying by the Walls, on a Day of Publick Thanksgiving, this Holy man then Preached a most Savoury Sermon, on Job 1.21. The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord. The next Child, although so Weakly, that all Despaired of it's Life, his Prophetical Grand-Father, said, Call him, John, I Believe in God, he shall Live, and be a Prophet too, and do God Service in his Generation! Which is, at this Day, fullfilled in Mr. John Danforth, the present Pastor to the Church of Dorchester. Encountring with such, and many other Exercises, his years Rolled away, till he had Served New-England, Three years before Mr. Cottons Coming over, Twenty years with him; Ten years with Mr. Norton, and Four years after him.

:30p. 22–24¶15

S. 15. In his Younger Time, he had been used Unto a more Methodical way of Preaching, and was therefore Admired above many, by no Less Auditors than Dr. Goodwin, Mr. Burroughs, and Mr. Bridge, when they Travelled from Cambridge into Essex, on purpose to observe the Ministers in that County; but after he became a Pastor, joined with such Illuminating Teachers, he gave ⟨p. 23⟩himself a Liberty, to Preach more after the Primitive Manner; without any Distinct Propositions, but Chiefly in Exhortations and Admonitions, and Good wholesome Councils, tending to Excite Good Motions, in the Minds of his Hearers; (but upon the same Texts that were Doctrinally handled by his Colleague instantly before:) and yet sometimes his Pastoral Discourses had such a Spirit in them, that Mr. Shepard would say, Methinks I hear an Apostle, when I hear this Man! Yea, even One of his Ex Tempore Sermons, has been since his Death, counted worthy to be Published unto the World. The Great Lecture of Boston, being disappointed of him, that should have Preached it, Mr. Wilson Preached that Lecture, on a Text occurring in the Chapter that had been read that Morning in his Family; Jer. 29.8.—Neither hearken to you• Dreams, which you cause to be Dreamed; from whence he gave a Seasonable Warning, unto the People against the Dreams, wherewith sundry Sorts of Opinionists, had been Endeavouring to Seduce them. It was the Last Boston Lecture that ever he Preached (Nov. 16. 1665.) and one, who writ after him, in Short hand, about a Dozen years after Published it. But his Last Sermon he Preached at Roxbury Lecture, for his most Worthy Son in Law, Mr. Danforth; and after he had read his Text, which was in the Beginnings and Conclusions of sundry of the Last Psalms, with a ⟨p. 24⟩Seraphical Voice, he added, If I were sure this were the Last Sermon that ever I should Preach, and these the Last Words that ever I should Speak, yet I would still say, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord! Thus he Ended his Ministry on Earth, thus he Began his Possession of Heaven, with Hallelujahs.

:31p. 24–25¶16

S. 16. Indeed, if the Picture of this Good, and therein Great Man, were to be exactly given, Great Zeal, with Great Love, would be the Two Principal Strokes, that joined with Orthodoxy, should make up his Portraiture. He had the Zeal of a Phinehas, I had almost said, of a Seraphim, in Testifying against every Thing that he thought Offensive unto God. The Opinionists, which attempted at any Time, to Debase the Scripture, Confound the Order, embraced in our Churches, underwent the most pungent Animadversions of this his Devout Zeal; whence, when a certain Assembly of People, which he approved not, had set in Boston, he charged all his Family, that they should never Dare, so much as Once to enter into that Assembly; I charge you, said he, That you do not Once Go to Hear them; for whatsoever they may pretend, they will Rob you of Ordinances, Rob you of your Souls, Rob you of your God. But though he were thus, like John, a Son of Thunder, against Seducers, yet he was like that Blessed, and Beloved Apostle also, ⟨p. 25⟩all made up of Love. He was full of Affection, and ready to help and; Relieve, and Comfort the Distressed; His House was Renowned for Hospitality, and his Purse was continually emptying it self into the hands of the Needy: From which Disposition of Love in him, there once happened this Passage; When he was Beholding a Great Muster of Soldiers, a Gentleman, then present, said unto him, Sir, I'll tell you a Great Thing; here's a mighty body, of People, and there is not SEVEN of them all, but what Loves Mr. Wilson; but that Gracious man presently and pleasantly replied, Sir, I'll tell you as Good a Thing as that, here's a mighty Body of People, and there is not so much as ONE of them all, but Mr. Wilson Loves him. Thus he did, by his own Example, notably Preach that Lenon, which a Gentleman found in the Anagram of his Name, Wish no One Ill: And thus did he Continue, to, Do Every One Good until his Death gave the same Gentleman Occasion thus to Elegize upon him: Now may Celestial Spirits Sing yet Higher, Since one more's added to their Sacred Quire; WILSON the Holy, whose Good Name doth still, In Language Sweet, bid us [Wish no one Ill.]

S. 16. Indeed, if the Picture of this Good, and therein Great Man, were to be exactly given, Great Zeal, with Great Love, would be the Two Principal Strokes, that joined with Orthodoxy, should make up his Pourtraiture. He had the Zeal of a Phineas, I had almost said, of a Seraphim, in Testifying against every Thing that he thought Offensive unto God. The Opinionists, which attempted at any Time, to Debase the Scripture, Confound the Order, embraced in our Churches, underwent the most pungent Animadversions of this his Devout Zeal; whence, when a certain Assembly of People, which he approved not, had set in Boston, he charged all his Family, that they should never Dare, so much as Once to enter into that Assembly; I charge you, said he, That you do not Once Go to Hear them; for whatsoever they may pretend, they will Rob you of Ordinances, Rob you of your Souls, Rob you of your God. But though he were thus, like John, a Son of Thunder, against Seducers, yet he was like that Blessed, and Beloved Apostle also, ⟨p. 25⟩all made up of Love. He was full of Affection, and ready to help and; Relieve, and Comfort the Distressed; His House was Renowned for Hospitality, and his Purse was continually emptying it self into the hands of the Needy: From which Disposition of Love in him, there once happened this Passage; When he was Beholding a Great Muster of Souldiers, a Gentleman, then present, said unto him, Sir, I'l tell you a Great Thing; here's a mighty body, of People, and there is not SEVEN of them all, but what Loves Mr. Wilson; but that Gracious man presently and pleasantly replyed, Sir, I'l tell you as Good a Thing as that, here's a mighty Body of People, and there is not so much as ONE of them all, but Mr. Wilson Loves him. Thus he did, by his own Exemple, notably Preach that Lenon, which a Gentleman found in the Anagram of his Name, Wish no One Ill: And thus did he Continue, to, Do Every One Good until his Death gave the same Gentleman Occasion thus to Elegize upon him: Now may Celestial Spirits Sing yet Higher, Since one more's added to their Sacred Quire; WILSON the Holy, whose Good Name doth still, In Language Sweet, bid us [Wish no one Ill.]

:32p. 25–27¶17

S. 17. He was One, that Consulting not only his own Edification, but the Encouragement of the Ministry, and of Religion, with an Indefatigable ⟨p. 26⟩Diligence Visited the Congregations of the Neighbouring Towns, at their Weekly Lectures, until the Weaknesses of Old Age rendered him Uncapable. And it was a delightful Thing, then to see upon every Recurring Opportunity a large Company of Christians, and even Magistrates and Ministers among them, and Mr. Wilson in the Head of them, Visiting the Lectures in all the Vicinage, with such Heavenly Discourses on the Road, as caused the Hearts of the Disciples, to Burn within them: and indeed it was Remarked, That though the Christians Then Spent Less Time, in the Shop, or Field, than they do Now, yet they did in Both prosper more. But for Mr. Wilson, I am saying, That a Lecture was a Treasure unto him; he Prized it, he Sought it, until Old Age at Length brought with it a Sickness, which a Long while confined him. In this Illness, he took a Solemn Farewell of the Ministers, who had their Weekly Meetings, at his Hospitable House, and were now come together from all parts, at the Anniversary Election for the Government of the Colony. They asked him, to declare Solemnly, what he thought might be the Sins, which provoked the Displeasure of God against the Country. Whereto his Answer was, I have long feared several Sins; Whereof, One, he said, was Corahism; That is, when People rise up as Corah against their Ministers, as if they took too much upon them, when indeed they do but ⟨p. 27⟩Rule for Christ, and according to Christ; yet it is nothing for a Brother to stand up and Oppose, without Scripture, or Reason, the Word of an Elder, saying [I am not Satisfied!] And hence, if he do not like the Administration (be it Baptism or the Like) he will turn his back upon God and His Ordinances, and Go away. And for our Neglect of Baptising the Children of the Church, those that some call Grand-children, I think God is provoked by it. Another Sin (said he) I take, to be the making Light of, and not Subjecting to the Authority of Synods, without which the Churches cannot long Subsist.

S. 17. He was One, that Consulting not only his own Edification, but the Encouragement of the Ministry, and of Religion, with an Indefatigable ⟨p. 26⟩Diligence Visited the Congregations of the Neighbouring Towns, at their Weekly Lectures, until the Weaknesses of Old Age rendered him Uncapable. And it was a delightful Thing, then to see upon every Recurring Opportunity a large Company of Christians, and even Magistrates and Ministers among them, and Mr. Wilson in the Head of them, Visiting the Lectures in all the Vicinage, with such Heavenly Discourses on the Road, as caused the Hearts of the Disciples, to Burn within them: and indeed it was Remark'd, That though the Christians Then Spent Less Time, in the Shop, or Field, than they do Now, yet they did in Both prosper more. But for Mr. Wilson, I am saying, That a Lecture was a Treasure unto him; he Priz'd it, he Sought it, until Old Age at Length brought with it a Sickness, which a Long while confined him. In this Illness, he took a Solemn Farewel of the Ministers, who had their Weekly Meetings, at his Hospitable House, and were now come together from all parts, at the Anniversary Election for the Government of the Colony. They asked him, to declare Solemnly, what he thought might be the Sins, which provoked the Displeasure of God against the Country. Whereto his Answer was, I have long feared several Sins; Whereof, One, he said, was Corahism; That is, when People rise up as Corah against their Ministers, as if they took too much upon them, when indeed they do but ⟨p. 27⟩Rule for Christ, and according to Christ; yet it is nothing for a Brother to stand up and Oppose, without Scripture, or Reason, the Word of an Elder, saying [I am not Satisfied!] And hence, if he do not like the Administration (be it Baptism or the Like) he will turn his back upon God and His Ordinances, and Go away. And for our Neglect of Baptising the Children of the Church, those that some call Grand-children, I think God is provoked by it. Another Sin (said he) I take, to be the making Light of, and not Subjecting to the Authority of Synods, without which the Churches cannot long Subsist.

:33p. 27–28¶18

S. 18. Afterwards, having Solemnly with Prayer, and Particularly and very Prophetically Blessed his Relations and Attendants, he now thus comforted himself, I shall ere Long be with my Old Friends, Dr. Preston, Dr. Sibs, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Gouge, Dr. Ames, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Norton, my Inns of Court Friends, and my Consort, Children, Grand children in the Kingdom of God. And when some then present, magnified God, for making him a Man of such Use, and Lamented themselves, in their own Loss of him, he replied, Alas, Alas; Use no such Words concerning me; for I have been an Unprofitable Servant, not worthy to be called a Servant of the Lord: but I must say, The Lord be merciful to me a Sinner, and I must say, Let Thy ⟨p. 28⟩Tender Mercies come unto me, O Lord, Even Thy Salvation according to Thy Word. The Evening before he Dyed, his Daughter asking him, Sir, How do you Do? he held up his Hand, and said, Vanishing Things! Vanishing Things! But he then made a most affectionate Prayer, with and for his Friends; and so Quietly Fell Asleep on August 7. 1667. in the Seventy ninth year of his Age. Thus Expired that Reverend Old man: of whom, when he left England, an Eminent Personage said, New-England, shall Flourish, free from all General Desolations, as long as that Good man Liveth in it! Which was Comfortably accomplished. He was Interred with more than Ordinary Solemnity; and his Neighbour, Mr. Richard Mather of Dorchester, thereat Lamented the Public Loss in his Departure, with a Sermon upon Zech. 1.5. Your Fathers where are they and the Prophets, do they Live for ever?

S. 18. Afterwards, having Solemnly with Prayer, and Particularly and very Prophetically Blessed his Relations and Attendants, he now thus comforted himself, I shall e're Long be with my Old Friends, Dr. Preston, Dr. Sibs, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Gouge, Dr. Ames, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Norton, my Inns of Court Friends, and my Consort, Children, Grand children in the Kingdom of God. And when some then present, magnified God, for making him a Man of such Use, and Lamented themselves, in their own Loss of him, he replied, Alas, Alas; Use no such Words concerning me; for I have been an Unprofitable Servant, not worthy to be called a Servant of the Lord: but I must say, The Lord be merciful to me a Sinner, and I must say, Let Thy ⟨p. 28⟩Tender Mercies come unto me, O Lord, Even Thy Salvation according to Thy Word. The Evening before he Dyed, his Daughter asking him, Sir, How do you Do? he held up his Hand, and said, Vanishing Things! Vanishing Things! But he then made a most affectionate Prayer, with and for his Friends; and so Quietly Fell Asleep on August 7. 1667. in the Seventy ninth year of his Age. Thus Expired that Reverend Old man: of whom, when he left England, an Eminent Personage said, New-England, shall Flourish, free from all General Desolations, as long as that Good man Liveth in it! Which was Comfortably accomplished. He was Interr'd with more than Ordinary Solemnity; and his Neighbour, Mr. Richard Mather of Dorchester, thereat Lamented the Publick Loss in his Departure, with a Sermon upon Zech. 1.5. Your Fathers where are they and the Prophets, do they Live for ever?

:41p. 31–32

A Company of People in this Country, were mighty not upon a Project of Removing to Providence, an Island in the West Indies; and a Venerable Assembly of the Chief Magistrates, and Ministers in the Colony, was addressed for their Counsel about this undertaking; which Assembly hid before the Company very weighty Reasons to Dissuade them from it. A Prime Ringleader in that Business, was One Venner a Cooper of Salem, the Mad Blade, that afterwards perished in a Nonsensical Uproar, which he, with a Crew of Bedlamites, possessed like himself, made in London. This Venner, with some others, now stood up, and said, That notwithstanding, what had been Offered, they were clear in their Call to Remove: Whereupon, Mr. Wilson stood up and answered, Ay, Do ⟨p. 32⟩you c•me to Ask Counsel in so weighty a matter as this, and to have Help from an Ordinance of God in it? and are you aforehand Resolved, that you will Go on? Well, you may Go, if you will; but you shall not prosper. What? Do you make a Mock of Gods Ordinance? And it came to pass accordingly; The Enterprise was, not long after, dashed in pieces; and Venner's precipitating Impulses, afterwards carried him to a miserable End.

A Company of People in this Country, were mighty not upon a Project of Removing to Providence, an Island in the West Indies; and a Venerable Assembly of the Chief Magistrates, and Ministers in the Colony, was addressed for their Counsil about this undertaking; which Assembly hid before the Company very weighty Reasons to Disswade them from it. A Prime Ringleader in that Business, was One Venner a Cooper of Salem, the Mad Blade, that afterwards perished in a Nonsensical Uproar, which he, with a Crue of Bedlamites, possessed like himself, made in London. This Venner, with some others, now stood up, and said, That notwithstanding, what had been Offered, they were clear in their Call to Remove: Whereupon, Mr. Wilson stood up and answered, Ay, Do ⟨p. 32⟩you c•me to Ask Counsel in so weighty a matter as this, and to have Help from an Ordinance of God in it? and are you aforehand Resolved, that you will Go on? Well, you may Go, if you will; but you shall not prosper. What? Do you make a Mock of Gods Ordinance? And it came to pass accordingly; The Enterprize was, not long after, dashed in pieces; and Venners precipitating Impulses, afterwards carried him to a miserable End.

:45p. 33–34

His Eldest Son, Edmund, while Travelling into the Countries, which the Bloody Popish Inquisition, has made a Clime too Torrid for a Protestant, was Extremely Exposed: but the Prayers of the Young Gentleman's continually Distressed Father, for him, were answered, with Signal Preservations. When he was under Examination by the Inquisitors, a Friend of the Chief among them, suddenly arrived; and the Inquisitor not having •een this Friend for many years before, was ⟨p. 34⟩hereby so diverted and mollified, that he carried the Young Mr. Wilson to Dinner with him; and, though he had passed hitherto Unknown by his True Name, yet this Inquisitor could now call him, to his great Surprise, by the Name, of Mr. Wilson, and report unto him the Character of his Father, and his Fathers Industry in Serving the Heretics of New-England. But, that which I here most of all design, is an Account of a thing yet more Memorable and Unaccountable. For, at another Time, his Father Dreamt himself Transported into Italy, where he saw a Beautiful Person in the Sons Chamber, Endeavouring, with a thousand Enchantments to debauch him; whereupon the Old Gentleman made, and was by his Bed-fellow overheard making, first, Prayers to God full of Agony, and then Warnings unto his Tempted Son, to Beware of Defiling himself with the Daughter of a Strange God. Now, some Considerable while after this, the Young Gentleman Writes to his Father, that on such a Night, (which was upon Enquiry found the very same Night,) a Gentlewoman had caressed him, thus and so (just according to the Vision,) and that his Chastity had been Conquered, if he had not been Strongly Possessed with a Sense of his Fathers Prayers over him, and Warnings unto him, for his Escape from the Pits, whereinto do fall the Abhorred of the Lord.

His Eldest Son, Edmund, while Travelling into the Countries, which the Bloody Popish Inquisition, has made a Clime too Torrid for a Protestant, was Extreamly Exposed: but the Prayers of the Young Gentlemans continually Distressed Father, for him, were answered, with Signal Preservations. When he was under Examination by the Inquisitors, a Friend of the Chief among them, suddenly arrived; and the Inquisitor not having •een this Friend for many years before, was ⟨p. 34⟩hereby so diverted and mollified, that he carried the Young Mr. Wilson to Dinner with him; and, though he had passed hitherto Unknown by his True Name, yet this Inquisitor could now call him, to his great Surpize, by the Name, of Mr. Wilson, and report unto him the Character of his Father, and his Fathers Industry in Serving the Hereticks of New-England. But, that which I here most of all design, is an Account of a thing yet more Memorable and Unaccountable. For, at another Time, his Father Dream't himself Transported into Italy, where he saw a Beautiful Person in the Sons Chamber, Endeavouring, with a thousand Enchantments to debauch him; whereupon the Old Gentleman made, and was by his Bed-fellow overheard making, first, Prayers to God full of Agony, and then Warnings unto his Tempted Son, to Beware of Defiling himself with the Daughter of a Strange God. Now, some Considerable while after this, the Young Gentleman Writes to his Father, that on such a Night, (which was upon Enquiry found the very same Night,) a Gentlewoman had caressed him, thus and so (just according to the Vision,) and that his Chastity had been Conquered, if he had not been Strongly Possessed with a Sense of his Fathers Prayers over him, and Warnings unto him, for his Escape from the Pits, whereinto do fall the Abhorred of the Lord.

Memoria WILSONIANA. THE LIFE OF Mr. JOHN WILSON.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Memoria WILSONIANA. THE LIFE OF Mr. JOHN WILSON.