Salutem in Xto nostro.
Reverend and dear friend,
I was yesterday convented before the bishop, I mean to his court, and am
adjourned to the next term. I see such giants turn their backs, that I
dare not trust my own weak heart. I expect measure hard enough and must
furnish apace with proportionable armour. I lacke a friend to help
buckle it on. I know none but Christ himself in all our coast fitt to
help me, and my acquaintance with him is hardly enough to hope for that
assistance my weak spirit will want, and the assaults of tentation call
for. I pray therefore forget me not and believe for me also if there be
such a piece of neighbourhood among Christians. And so blessing God with
my whole heart for my knowledge of you and immerited interest in you,
and thanking you entirely for that faithful love I have found from you
in many expressions of the best nature, I commit you to the unchangeable
love of God our Father in his son Jesus Christ, in whom I hope to rest
for ever.
Your's in all truth of heart
NATH'^L. WARDE.
Stondon Mercy,
Dec. 13. 1631.
[Extracts from Johnson's Wonder-Working Providence, printed in London,
1658.]
"_Of the Ninth Church of Christ gathered at =Ipswitch=._
"This year [1634] came over a farther supply of Eminent instruments for
furthering this admirable Worke of his, amongst whom the Reverend and
judicious servant of Christ Mr. _Nathaniel Ward_, who tooke up his
station at the Towne of _Ipswich_," "scituated on a faire and
delightfull River," "in the _Saggamooreship_, or Earldom of _Aggawam_."
"The peopling of this Towne is by men of good ranke and quality, many of
them having the yearly Revenue of large Lands in _England_ before they
came to this Wildernesse, but their Estates being imployed for Christ,
and left in banke as you have formerly heard, they are well content till
Christ shall be pleased to restore it againe to them or theirs.
"Their meeting-house is a very good prospect to a great part of the
Towne, and beautifully built, the Church of Christ here consists of
about one hundred and sixty soules, being exact in their conversation,
and free from the Epidemicall Disease of all Reforming Churches, which
under Christ is procured by their pious Learned and Orthodox Ministery,
as in due place (God willing) shall be declared, in the meane time, look
on the following Meeters concerning that Souldier of Christ Master
_Nathaniel Ward_.
_Thou ancient Sage, come =Ward= among
Christs folfe,[5] take part in this great worke of his,
Why do'st thou stand and gaze about so long;
Do'st war in jest, why, Christ in earnest is,
And hath thee arm'd with weapons for that end,
To wound and heale his enemies submitting,
Not carnally, then to this worke attend;
Thou hast prevail'd the hearts of many hitting.
Although the Presbytery unpleasant jar,
And errors daily in their braines new coyne:
Despayer not, Christs truth they shall not mar;
But with his helpe such drosse from Gold refine.
What Man do'st meane to lay thy Trumpet downe?
Because thy son like Warrier is become,
Hold out or sure lesse bright will be thy crowne,
Till death Christs servants labour is not done._"
[5] _folke._