Part 2

I was born of Godly Parents, that feared yᵉ Lord greatly, even from their youth, but in an ungodly Place, where yᵉ generality of yᵉ people rather derided than imitated their piety; in a place where, to my knowledge, their children had Learnt wickedness betimes; in a place that was consumed with fire in a great part of it, after God had brought them out of it. These godly parents of mine meeting with opposition and persecution for Religion, because they went from their own Parish church to hear yᵉ word and Receiv yᵉ Lords supper &c, took up resolutions to pluck up their stakes and remove themselves to New England: and accordingly they did so, Leaving dear Relations, friends and acquaintance, their native Land, a new built house, a flourishing Trade, to expose themselves to yᵉ hazzard of yᵉ seas, and to yᵉ Distressing difficulties of a howling wilderness, that they might enjoy Liberty of Conscience and Christ in his ordinances. And the Lord brought them hither and Landed them at Charlstown, after many difficulties and hazzards, and me along with them, being then a child not full seven years old. After about 7 weeks stay at Charlstown, my parents removed again by sea to New Haven in yᵉ month of October. In our passage thither we were in great Danger by a storm which drove us upon a Beach of sand where we lay beating til another Tide fetcht us off; but God carried us to our port in safety. Winter approaching we dwelt in a cellar partly under ground covered with earth the first winter. But I remember that one great rain brake in upon us and drencht me so in my bed, being asleep, that I fell sick upon it; but yᵉ Lord in mercy spar'd my life and restored my health. When yᵉ next summer was come I was sent to school to Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, who at that time taught school in his own house, and under him in a year or two I profited so much through yᵉ blessing of God, that I began to make Latin and to get forward apace. But God who is infinitely wise and absolutely soverain, and gives no account concerning any of his proceedings, was pleased about this time to visit my father with Lameness which grew upon him more and more to his dying Day, though he liv'd under it 13 years. He wanting help was fain to take me off from school to follow other employments for yᵉ space of 3 or 4 years, until I had lost all that I had gained in the Latin Tongue. But when I was now in my fourteenth year, my Father, who I suppose was not wel satisfied in keeping me from Learning whereto I had been designed from my infancy, and not judging me fit for husbandry, sent me to school again, though at that time I had little or no disposition to it, but I was willing to submit to his authority therein and accordingly I went to school under no small disadvantage and discouragement, seing those that were far inferior to me, by my discontinuance now gotten far before me. But in a little time it appeared to be of God, who was pleased to facilitate my work and bless my studies that I soon recovered what I had lost, and gained a great deal more, so that in 2 years and 3 quarters I was judged fit for yᵉ Colledge and thither I was sent far from my parents and acquaintance among strangers. But when father and mother both forsook me then yᵉ Lord took care of me. It was an act of great self denial in my father that notwithstanding his own lameness and great weakness of Body which required yᵉ service and helpfulness of a son, and having but one son to be yᵉ staff of his age and supporter of his weakness, he would yet for my good, be content to deny himself of that comfort and Assistance I might have Lent him. It was also an evident proof of a strong Faith in him, in that he durst adventure to send me to yᵉ Colledge, though his estate was but small and little enough to maintain himself and small family left at home. And God let him Live to see how acceptable to himself this service was in giving up his only son to yᵉ Lord and bringing him up to Learning; especially yᵉ Lively actings of his faith and self denial herein. For first, notwithstanding his great weakness of body, yet he Lived til I was so far brought up as that I was called to be a fellow of yᵉ Colledge and improved in Publick service there, and until I had preached several Times; yea and more than so, he Lived to see and hear what God had done for my soul in turning me from Darkness to light and from yᵉ power of Sathan unto God, which filled his heart full of joy and thankfulness beyond what can be expressed. And for his outward estate, that was so far from being sunk by what he spent from year to year upon my education, that in 6 years time it was plainly doubled, which himself took great notice of, and spake of it to myself and others, to yᵉ praise of God, with Admiration and thankfulness. And after he had lived under great and sore affliction for yᵉ space of 13 years a pattern of faith, patience, humility, and heavenly mindedness, having done his work in my education and receiv'd an answer to his prayers, God took him to his Heavenly Rest, where he is now reaping yᵉ fruits of his Labors. When I came first to yᵉ Colledge, I had indeed enjoyed yᵉ benefit of Religious and strict education, and God in his mercy and pitty kept me from scandalous sins before I came thither and after I came there, but alas I had a naughty vile heart and was acted by corrupt nature, therefore could propound no Right and noble ends, but acted from self and for self. I was indeed studious and strove to outdoe my compeers, but it was for honour and applause and preferment and such poor Beggarly ends. Thus I had my Ends and God had his Ends far differing from mine, yet it pleased him to Bless my studies, and to make me grow in Knowledge both in yᵉ tongues and inferior Arts and also in Divinity. But when I had been there about three years and a half; God in his Love and Pitty to my soul wrought a great change in me, both in heart and Life, and from that time forward I learnt to study with God and for God. And whereas before that, I had thoughts of applying myself to yᵉ study and Practice of Physick, I wholy laid aside those thoughts, and did chuse to serve Christ in yᵉ work of yᵉ ministry if he would please to fit me for it and to accept of my service in that great work.

NOTE.—In the foregoing Autobiography the original spelling is retained. In the following poems the spelling is modernized. The use of the acute accent (´) to indicate the former pronunciation of the final _ed_ as a separate syllable will be obvious; in other exceptional cases the old apostrophe is retained. In a few instances the termination _tion_ is divided by a hyphen, to indicate its pronunciation as two syllables (_she-on_). The modern double commas are also used to mark quotations.

W. H. B.

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.

Reader, I am a fool, And have adventuréd To play the fool this once for Christ, The more his fame to spread. If this my foolishness Help thee to be more wise, I have attainéd what I seek, And what I only prize.

Thou wonderest, perhaps, That I in Print appear, Who to the Pulpit dwell so nigh, Yet come so seldom there. The God of Heaven knows What grief to me it is, To be withheld from serving Christ; No sorrow like to this.

This is the sorest pain That I have felt or feel; Yet have I stood some shocks that might Make stronger men to reel. I find more true delight In serving of the Lord, Than all the good things upon Earth, Without it, can afford.

And could my strength endure That work I count so dear, Not all the Riches of Peru Should hire me to forbear. But I'm a Prisoner, Under a heavy Chain; Almighty God's afflicting hand Doth me by force restrain.

Yet some (_I know_) do judge Mine inability To come abroad and do Christ's work, To be Melancholly; And that I'm not so weak As I myself conceit: But who in other things have found Me so conceited yet?

Or who of all my Friends That have my trials seen, Can tell the time in sevén years When I have dumpish been? Some think my voice is strong, Most times when I do Preach; But ten days after, what I feel And suffer few can reach.

My prison'd thoughts break forth, When open'd is the door, With greater force and violence, And strain my voice the more. But vainly do they tell That I am growing stronger, Who hear me speak in half an hour, Till I can speak no longer.

Some for because they see not My cheerfulness to fail, Nor that I am disconsolate, Do think I nothing ail. If they had borne my griefs, Their courage might have fail'd them, And all the Town (perhaps) have known (Once and again) what ail'd them.

But why should I complain That have so good a God, That doth mine heart with comfort fill Ev'n whilst I feel his Rod? In God I have been strong, But wearied and worn out, And joy'd in him, when twenty woes Assail'd me round about.

Nor speak I this to boast, But make Apology For mine own self, and answer those That fail in Charity. I am, alas! as frail, Impatiént a creature, As most that tread upon the ground, And have as bad a nature.

Let God be magnified, Whose everlasting strength Upholds me under sufferings Of more than ten years' length; Through whose Almighty pow'r Although I am surrounded With sorrows more than can be told, Yet am I not confounded.

For his dear sake have I This service undertaken, For I am bound to honor him Who hath not me forsaken. I am a Debtor too, Unto the sons of Men, Whom, wanting other means, I would Advantage with my Pen.

I would, but ah! my strength, When triéd, proves so small, That to the ground without effect My wishes often fall. Weak heads, and hands, and states, Great things cannot produce; And therefore I this little Piece Have publish'd for thine use.

Although the thing be small, Yet my good will therein, Is nothing less than if it had A larger Volume been. Accept it then in love, And read it for thy good; There's nothing in't can do thee hurt, If rightly understood.

The God of Heaven grant These Lines so well to speed, That thou the things of thine own peace Through them may'st better heed; And may'st be stirréd up To stand upon thy guard, That Death and Judgment may not come And find thee unprepar'd.

Oh get a part in Christ, And make the Judge thy Friend; So shalt thou be assuréd of A happy, glorious end. Thus prays thy real Friend And Servant for Christ's sake, Who, had he strength, would not refuse More pains for thee to take.

MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH.

ON THE FOLLOWING WORK AND ITS AUTHOR.

A verse may find him who a sermon flies, Saith Herbert well. Great truths to dress in Meter, Becomes a Preacher, who men's Souls doth prize, That Truth in Sugar roll'd may taste the sweeter. No cost too great, no care too curious is To set forth Truth and win men's Souls to bliss.

In costly Verse, and most laborious Rhymes, Are dish'd up here Truths worthy most regard: No Toys, nor Fables (Poets' wonted crimes) Here be, but things of worth, with wit prepar'd. Reader, fall to, and if thy taste be good, Thou'lt praise the Cook, and say, 'Tis choicest Food.

David's affliction bred us many a Psalm, From Caves, from mouth of Graves that Singer sweet Oft tun'd his Soul-felt notes: for not in 's calm, But storms, to write most Psalms God made him meet. Affliction turn'd his Pen to Poetry, Whose serious strains do here before thee lie.

This man with many griefs afflicted sore, Shut up from speaking much in sickly Cave, Thence painful seizure hath to write the more, And send thee Counsels from the mouth o' th' Grave. One foot i' th' other world long time hath been, Read, and thou'lt say, His heart is all therein.

Oh, happy Cave, that's to mount Nebo turn'd! Oh, happy prisoner that's at liberty To walk through th' other World! the Bonds are burn'd, (But nothing else) in Furnace fiéry. Such fires unfetter Saints, and set more free Their unscorch'd Souls for Christ's sweet company.

Cheer on, sweet Soul, although in briny tears Steept is thy seed; though dying every day; Thy sheaves shall joyful be when Christ appears, To change our death and pain to life for aye. The weepers now shall laugh; the jovial laughter Of vain ones here shall turn to tears hereafter.

Judge right, and his restraint is our Reproof. The Sins of Hearers Preachers' Lips do close, And make their Tongue to cleave unto its roof, Which else would check and cheer full freely those That need. But from this Eater comes some Meat. And sweetness good from this affliction great.

In those vast Woods a Christian Poet sings (Where whilom Heathen wild were only found) Of things to come, the last and greatest things Which in our Ears aloud should ever sound. Of Judgment dread, Hell, Heaven, Eternity, Reader, think oft, and help thy thoughts thereby.

J. MITCHEL.

A PRAYER UNTO CHRIST THE JUDGE OF THE WORLD.

_O Dearest, Dread, most glorious King! I'll of thy justest Judgments sing: Do thou my head and heart inspire, To Sing aright, as I desire. Thee, thee alone I'll invocate, For I do much abominate To call the Muses to mine aid: Which is th' Unchristian use and trade Of some that Christians would be thought, And yet they worship worse than naught. Oh! what a deal of Blasphemy, And Heathenish Impiety, In Christian Poets may be found, Where Heathen gods with praise are crown'd! They make Jehovah to stand by Till Juno, Venus, Mercury, With frowning Mars, and thund'ring Jove, Rule Earth below, and Heav'n above. But I have learn'd to pray to none, Save unto God in Christ alone. Nor will I laud, no, not in jest, That which I know God doth detest. I reckon it a damning evil, To give God's Praises to the Devil. Thou, Christ, art he to whom I pray; Thy Glory fain I would display. Oh! guide me by thy sacred Sprite, So to indite, and so to write, That I thine holy Name may praise, And teach the Sons of Men thy ways._

THE DAY OF DOOM.

I.

[Sidenote: The security of the World before Christ's coming to judgment. Luke 12:19.]

Still was the night, serene and bright, when all Men sleeping lay; Calm was the season, and carnal reason thought so 'twould last for aye. "Soul, take thine ease, let sorrow cease; much good thou hast in store:" This was their Song, their Cups among, the evening before.

II.

[Sidenote: Mat. 25:5.]

Wallowing in all kind of Sin, vile Wretches lay secure; The best of men had scarcely then their Lamps kept in good ure. Virgins unwise, who through disguise amongst the best were number'd, Had clos'd their eyes; yea, and the Wise through sloth and frailty slumber'd.

III.

[Sidenote: Mat. 24:37, 38.]

Like as of old, when men grew bold, God's threat'nings to contemn, Who stopt their Ear, and would not hear when Mercy warnéd them, But took their course, without remorse, till God began to pour Destructi-on the World upon, in a tempestuous show'r;

IV.

[Sidenote: 1 Thes. 5:3.]

Who put away the evil day, and drown'd their cares and fears, Till drown'd were they, and swept away by vengeance unawares; So at the last, whilst men sleep fast in their security, Surpris'd they are in such a snare As cometh suddenly.

V.

[Sidenote: The suddenness, Majesty, and Terror of Christ's appearing. Mat. 25:6. 2 Pet. 3:10.]

For at midnight breaks forth a light, which turns the night to day, And speedily an hideous cry doth all the World dismay. Sinners awake, their hearts do ache, trembling their loins surpriseth; Amaz'd with fear, by what they hear, each one of them ariseth.

VI.

[Sidenote: Mat. 24:29, 30.]

They rush from beds with giddy heads, and to their windows run, Viewing this light, which shines more bright than doth the noon-day Sun. Straightway appears (they see't with tears) the Son of God most dread, Who with his Train comes on amain to judge both Quick and Dead.

VII.

[Sidenote: 2 Pet. 3:10.]

Before his face the Heav'ns give place, and Skies are rent asunder, With mighty voice and hideous noise, more terrible than Thunder. His Brightness damps Heav'n's glorious Lamps and makes them hide their heads; As if afraid and quite dismay'd, they quit their wonted steads.

VIII.

Ye sons of men that durst contemn the Threat'nings of God's Word, How cheer you now? Your hearts, I trow, are thrill'd as with a sword. Now Atheist blind, whose brutish mind a God could never see, Dost thou perceive, dost now believe that Christ thy Judge shall be?

IX.

Stout Courages, (whose hardiness could Death and Hell outface,) Are you as bold, now you behold your Judge draw near apace? They cry, "No, no, Alas! and woe! our courage all is gone: Our hardiness (fool hardiness) hath us undone, undone!"

X.

[Sidenote: Rev. 6:15.]

No heart so bold, but now grows cold, and almost dead with fear; No eye so dry but now can cry, and pour out many a tear. Earth's Potentates and pow'rful States, Captains and Men of Might, Are quite abasht, their courage dasht, at this most dreadful sight.

XI.

[Sidenote: Mat. 24:30.]

Mean men lament, great men do rent their Robes, and tear their hair; They do not spare their flesh to tear through horrible despair. All kindreds wail; all hearts do fail; Horror the World doth fill With weeping eyes and loud out-cries, yet knows not how to kill.

XII.

[Sidenote: Rev. 6:15, 16.]

Some hide themselves in Caves and Delves, in places under ground: Some rashly leap into the Deep, to 'scape by being drown'd: Some to the Rocks (0 senseless blocks!) and woody Mountains run, That there they might this fearful sight, and dreaded Presence shun.

XIII.

In vain do they to Mountains say, "Fall on us and us hide From Judge's ire, more hot than Fire, for who may it abide?" No hiding place can from his Face sinners at all conceal, Whose flaming Eye hid things doth spy, and darkest things reveal.

XIV.

[Sidenote: Mat. 25:21.]

The Judge draws nigh, exalted high upon a lofty Throne, Amidst the throng of Angels strong, lo, Israel's Holy One! The excellence of whose Presence and awful Majesty, Amazeth Nature, and every Creature doth more than terrify.

XV.

[Sidenote: Rev. 6:14.]

The Mountains smoke, the Hills are shook, the Earth is rent and torn, As if she should be clear dissolv'd or from her center borne. The Sea doth roar, forsakes the shore, and shrinks away for fear; The wild beasts flee into the sea, so soon as he draws near,

XVI.

[Sidenote: Thes. 4:16.]

Whose Glory bright, whose wond'rous Might, whose Power Imperial, So far surpass whatever was in Realms Terrestrial, That tongues of men (nor Angel's pen) Cannot the same express; And therefore I must pass it by, lest speaking should transgress.

XVII.

[Sidenote: Resurrection of the Dead. John 5:28, 29.]

Before his Throne a Trump is blown, proclaiming th' Day of Doom; Forthwith he cries, "_Ye Dead arise and unto Judgment come._" No sooner said, but 'tis obey'd; Sepulchers open'd are; Dead bodies all rise at his call, and's mighty Power declare.

XVIII.

Both Sea and Land at his command, their Dead at once surrender; The Fire and Air constrainéd are also their dead to tender. The mighty Word of this great Lord links Body and Soul together, Both of the Just and the unjust, to part no more for ever.

XIX.

[Sidenote: The living changed. Luke 20:36. 1 Cor. 15:52.]

The same translates from Mortal states to Immortality, All that survive and be alive, in th' twinkling of an eye; That so they may abide for aye, to endless weal or woe: Both the Renate and Reprobate are made to die no moe.

XX.

[Sidenote: All brought to Judgment. Mat. 24:31.]

His wingéd Hosts fly through all coasts, together gathering Both good and bad, both Quick and Dead, and all to Judgment bring. Out of their holes those creeping Moles, that hid themselves for fear, By force they take, and quickly make before the Judge appear.

XXI.

[Sidenote: 2 Cor. 5:10. The Sheep separated from the Goats. Mat. 25:32.]

Thus every one before the Throne of Christ the Judge is brought, Both rightéous and impious, that good or ill hath wrought. A separation and diff'ring station by Christ appointed is (To sinners sad) 'twixt good and bad, 'twixt Heirs of woe and bliss.

XXII.

[Sidenote: Who are Christ's Sheep. Mat. 5:10, 11.]

At Christ's right hand the Sheep do stand, his holy Martyrs, who For his dear Name suffering shame, calamity and woe, Like Champions stood and with their Blood their Testimony sealéd; Whose innocence without offence to Christ their Judge appealéd.

XXIII.

[Sidenote: Heb. 12:5, 6, 7.]

Next unto whom there find a room all Christ's afflicted ones, Who being chastis'd, neither despis'd nor sank amidst their groans; Who by the Rod were turn'd to God, and lovéd him the more, Not murmuring nor quarrelling when they were chast'ned sore.

XXIV.

[Sidenote: Luke 7:41, 47.]

Moreover, such as lovéd much, that had not such a trial, As might constrain to so great pain, and such deep self-denial, Yet ready were the Cross to bear, when Christ them call'd thereto, And did rejoice to hear his voice,— they're counted Sheep also.

XXV.

[Sidenote: John 21:15. Mat. 19:14. John 3:3.]

Christ's flock of Lambs there also stands, whose Faith was weak, yet true, All sound Believers (Gospel receivers) whose Grace was small, but grew; And them among an Infant throng of Babes, for whom Christ died; Whom for his own, by ways unknown to Men, he sanctified.

XXVI.

[Sidenote: Rev. 6:11. Phil. 3:21.]

All stand before their Savi-or, in long white Robes yclad, Their countenance full of pleasance, appearing wond'rous glad. O glorious sight! Behold how bright dust-heaps are made to shine, Conforméd so their Lord unto, whose Glory is Divine.

XXVII.

[Sidenote: The Goats described, or the several sorts of Reprobates on the left hand. Mat. 24:51.]

At Christ's left hand the Goats do stand, all whining Hypocrites Who for self-ends did seem Christ's friends, but foster'd guileful sprites; Who Sheep resembled, but they dissembled, (their hearts were not sincere,) Who once did throng Christ's Lambs among, but now must not come near.

XXVIII.

[Sidenote: Luke 11:24, 26. Heb. 6:4, 5, 6. Heb. 10:29.]

Apostates base and run-aways, such as have Christ forsaken, Of whom the Devil, with seven more evil, hath fresh possession taken; Sinners ingrain, reserv'd to pain, and torments most severe, Because 'gainst light they sinn'd with spite, are also placéd there.

XXIX.

[Sidenote: Luke 12:47. Prov. 1:24, 26. Job 8:19.]

There also stand a num'rous band, that no profession made Of Godliness, nor to redress their ways at all essay'd; Who better knew, but (sinful Crew) Gospel and Law despiséd, Who all Christ's knocks withstood like blocks, and would not be adviséd.

XXX.

[Sidenote: Gal. 3:10. 1 Cor. 6:9. Rev. 21:8.]

Moreover, there with them appear a number, numberless, Of great and small, vile wretches all, that did God's Law transgress; Idolaters, false worshippers, Profaners of God's Name, Who not at all thereon did call, or took in vain the same.

XXXI.

[Sidenote: Exod. 20:7, 8. 2 Thes. 1:6, 8, 9.]