Death of Mr. William Brewster—His Career—Remarkable longevity of the
principal men among the Pilgrims—Confederation of the United Colonies
of New England—War between the Narragansetts and Monhiggs—Uncas
permitted by the English to execute Miantinomo: 1643.
I must open this year with an event which brought great sadness and
mourning to them all. About the 18th of April died their reverend
elder, my dear and loving friend, Mr. William Brewster, a man who had
done and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the gospel’s sake, and
had borne his part in weal or woe with this poor persecuted church
for over thirty-five years in England, Holland, and this wilderness,
and had done the Lord and them faithful service in his calling.
Notwithstanding the many troubles and sorrows he passed through, the
Lord upheld him to a great age; he was nearly fourscore years, if not
quite, when he died. He had this blessing added by the Lord to all
the rest; he died in his bed in peace, in the midst of his friends,
who mourned and wept over him, and gave him what help and comfort
they could; and he, too, comforted them whilst he could. His illness
was not long, and until the last day he did not keep his bed. His
speech continued until about the last half day, and then failed him;
and at about 9 or 10 o’clock that evening he died, without any pangs
at all. A few hours before, he drew his breath short, and some few
minutes from the end he drew it long, as a man fallen into a sound
sleep,—without any gaspings,—and so, sweetly departed this life into
a better.
I would ask, was he the worse for any of his former sufferings? What
do I say? Worse? Nay; he was surely the better, for now they were
added to his honour. “It is a manifest token,” says the Apostle (II
Thes. i, 5, 6, 7), “of the righteous judgment of God that ye may
be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer;
seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to
them that trouble you: and to you who are troubled, rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, with His mighty
angels.” And I Pet. iv, 14: “If you be reproached for the name of
Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon
you.” What though he lacked the riches and pleasures of the world in
this life, and pompous monuments at his funeral? Yet “the memorial
of the just shall be blessed, when the name of the wicked shall
rot,”—with their marble monuments (Prov. x, 7).
I should say something of his life, if to say a little were not
worse than to be silent. But I cannot wholly forbear, though perhaps
more may be written at some later time. After he had attained some
learning, viz., the knowledge of the Latin tongue and some insight
into Greek, and had spent some little time at Cambridge,—then being
first seasoned with the seeds of grace and virtue,—he went to court,
and served that religious and godly gentleman, Mr. Davison, for
several years, when he was Secretary of State. His master found
him so discreet and faithful, that he trusted him more than all
the others who were round him, and employed him in all matters of
greatest trust and secrecy. He esteemed him rather as a son than
a servant; and knowing his wisdom and godliness he would converse
with him in private more as a friend and familiar than as a master.
He accompanied him when he was sent as ambassador by the Queen into
the Low Countries, in the Earl of Leicester’s time,—besides other
important affairs of state, to receive possession of the cautionary
towns, in token of which the keys of Flushing were delivered to him
in her majesty’s name. Mr. Davison held them some time, handing them
over to Mr. Brewster, who kept them under his pillow the first night.
On his departure, the Netherlands honoured Mr. Davison with a gold
chain; he gave it into the keeping of Mr. Brewster, and when they
arrived in England commanded him to wear it as they rode through the
country, until they arrived at court. He remained with him through
his troubles, when later, he was dismissed in connection with the
death of the Queen of Scots, and for some good time after, doing him
much faithful service.
Afterwards Mr. Brewster went and lived in the country, much respected
by his friends and the gentlemen of the neighbourhood, especially
the godly and religious. He did much good there, in promoting and
furthering religion, not only by his practice and example and the
encouragement of others, but by procuring good preachers for the
places thereabouts, and persuading others to help and assist in such
work, generally taking most of the expense on himself,—sometimes
beyond his means. Thus he continued for many years, doing the best
he could, and walking according to the light he saw, till the Lord
revealed Himself further to him. In the end, the tyranny of the
bishops against godly preachers and people, in silencing the former
and persecuting the latter, caused him and many more to look further
into things, and to realize the unlawfulness of their episcopal
callings, and to feel the burden of their many anti-Christian
corruptions, which both he and they endeavoured to throw off; in
which they succeeded, as the beginning of this treatise shows.
After they had joined themselves together in communion, as was
mentioned earlier, he was a special help and support to them. On
the Lord’s day they generally met at his house, which was a manor
of the bishop’s, and he entertained them with great kindness when
they came, providing for them at heavy expense to himself. He was
the leader of those who were captured at Boston in Lincolnshire,
suffering the greatest loss, and was one of the seven who were kept
longest in prison and afterwards bound over to the assizes. After
he came to Holland he suffered much hardship, having spent most
of his means, with a large family to support, and being from his
breeding and previous mode of life not so fit for such laborious
employment as others were. But he always bore his troubles with
much cheerfulness and content. Towards the latter part of those
twelve years spent in Holland, his circumstances improved, and he
lived well and plentifully; for through his knowledge of Latin he
was able to teach many foreign students English. By his method they
acquired it quickly and with great fluency, for he drew up rules to
learn it by, after the manner of teaching Latin; and many gentlemen,
both Danes and Germans, came to him, some of them being sons of
distinguished men. By the help of some friends he also had means to
set up a printing press, and thus had employment enough, and owing
to many books being forbidden to be printed in England, they might
have had more work than they could do. But on moving to this country
all these things were laid aside again, and a new way of living must
be framed, in which he was in no way unwilling to take his part and
bear his burden with the rest, living often for many months without
corn or bread, with nothing but fish to eat, and often not even that.
He drank nothing but water for many years, indeed until five or six
years before his death; and yet by the blessing of God he lived in
health to a very old age. He laboured in the fields as long as he
was able; yet when the church had no other minister he taught twice
every Sabbath, and that both powerfully and profitably, to the great
edification and comfort of his hearers, many being brought to God by
his ministry. He did more in this way in a single year, than many who
have their hundreds a year do in all their lives.
As for his personal qualities, he was favoured above many; he was
wise and discreet and well-spoken, having a grave and deliberate
utterance, with a very cheerful spirit. He was very sociable and
pleasant among his friends, of an humble and modest mind and a
peaceable disposition, undervaluing himself and his own abilities,
and sometimes overvaluing others. He was innocent in his life and
conversation, which gained him the love of those without, as well
as those within; nevertheless he would tell them plainly of their
faults, both public and privately, but in such a way that it was
usually well taken. He was tender-hearted and compassionate with
those in misery, especially when they were of good birth and rank
and had fallen into want and poverty, either for religion’s sake or
through the oppression of others; he would always say that of all
men such deserved to be most pitied. None displeased him more than
those who would haughtily and proudly exalt themselves, having risen
from nothing, and having little else to commend them than a few fine
clothes, or more means than others. When preaching, he deeply moved
and stirred the affections, and he was very plain and direct in what
he taught, being thereby the more profitable to his hearers. He had a
singularly good gift of prayer, both public and private, in ripping
up the heart and conscience before God, in the humble confession
of sin, and begging the mercies of God in Christ for the pardon of
it. He always thought it better for ministers to pray oftener, and
divide their prayers, than to be long and tedious—except on special
occasions, such as days of humiliation and the like; because he
believed that heart and spirit, especially in the weak, could with
difficulty continue so long to stand bent, as it were, towards
God,—as is meet in prayer,—without flagging and failing. In the
government of the church, which was proper to his office as elder, he
was careful to preserve good order, and purity both in doctrine and
communion, and to suppress any error or contention that might begin
to arise; and accordingly God gave success to his endeavours in this,
all his days, and he was given to see the fruit of his labours. But I
must break off, though I have only touched the heads of a few things.
I cannot but take occasion here to wonder at the marvellous
providence of God, that, notwithstanding the many changes these
people went through, and the many enemies they had, and the
difficulties they met with, so many of them should live to very
old age. It was not only their reverend elder—for one swallow
makes no summer, as they say—but many more of them, some dying
about and before this time, and some still living, who reached
sixty or sixty-five years of age, others seventy and over, and
some nearly eighty, as he was. It must needs be accounted for by
more than natural reasons, for it is found in experience that
change of air, hunger, unwholesome food, much drinking of water,
sorrows and troubles, etc., are all enemies to health, causing many
diseases, loss of natural vigour and shortness of life. Yet all
those unfavourable conditions were their lot. They went from England
to Holland, where they found both worse air and diet than where
they came from; thence, enduring a long imprisonment, as it were,
aboard ship, they came to New England; and their way of living here
has already been shown, and what crosses, troubles, fears, wants,
and sorrows, they were liable to. In a sense they may say with the
Apostle (II Cor. xi, 26, 27) that they were “in journeyings often,
in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils by their own
nation, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the wilderness, in
perils on the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and
painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings
often, in cold and nakedness.” What was it then that upheld them? It
was God’s visitation that preserved their spirits—(Job x, 12): “Thou
hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved
my spirits.” He that upheld the Apostle upheld them: they were
“persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”—(II
Cor. iv, 9)—“as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we
live; as chastened, and not killed” (II Cor. vi, 9). God, it seems,
would have all men behold and observe such mercies and works of His
providence as towards His people, that they in like cases might be
encouraged to depend upon God in their trials, and also bless His
name when they see His goodness towards others. Man lives not by
bread alone. It is not by good and dainty fare, by peace and rest
and heart’s ease, in enjoying the contentment and good things of
this world only, that health is preserved and life prolonged. God in
such examples would have the world see and behold that He can do it
without them; and if the world will shut its eyes and take no notice
of it, yet He would have his people see and consider it. Daniel was
better off with pulse, than others with the king’s dainties. Jacob,
though he went from his own nation to another people, and passed
through famine, fear, and many afflictions, yet lived till old age,
and died sweetly, and rested in the Lord, as numberless other of
God’s servants have done, and still shall do through God’s goodness,
notwithstanding all the malice of their enemies: “When the branch of
the wicked shall be cut off before his day”—(Job xv, 32)—“and bloody
and deceitful men shall not live out half their days.” (Psa. lv, 23.)
* * * * *
Owing to the plotting of the Narragansetts, ever since the Pequot
war, the Indians had formed a general conspiracy against the English
in all parts, as was partly discovered the year before, and now
confirmed by various discoveries and the free confessions of several
Indians from different places. They therefore sought means to prevent
the trouble and secure themselves, which ultimately resulted in the
formation of closer union and confederation defined by articles from
which the following extracts are taken.
_Articles of Confederation between the Colonies under the
Governments of Massachusetts, New Plymouth, Connecticut, New Haven,
and those in combination therewith._
Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and
the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of Our Lord
Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity
and peace; and whereas in our settling, by a wise providence of
God, we find ourselves further dispersed along the sea-coasts
and rivers than was at first intended, so that we cannot, as
desired, conveniently live under one government and jurisdiction;
and whereas we live surrounded by people of several tribes and
strange languages, who may hereafter prove injurious to us and our
posterity, ... we therefore conceive it our bounden duty without
delay to enter into an immediate consociation among ourselves
for mutual help and strength in our future concerns, so that in
national and religious affairs, as in other respects, we may be
and continue one, according to the tenor and true meaning of the
ensuing articles.
I. Wherefore it is fully agreed and concluded by and between
the parties or jurisdictions above named, and they jointly and
severally by these presents do conclude and agree, that they all
be, and henceforth be called by the name of, the United Colonies of
New England.
2. The said United Colonies, for themselves and their posterity
jointly and severally, hereby enter into a firm and perpetual
league of friendship and amity, for offence and defence, mutual
advice and succour, upon all just occasions, both for preserving
and propagating the truth of the Gospel, and for their own mutual
safety and welfare.
3. It is further agreed that the colonies which at present are,
or hereafter shall be begun, within the limits of Massachusetts
shall be forever under Massachusetts, and shall have separate
jurisdiction among themselves in all cases as a complete body; and
that New Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven shall each of them
similarly have separate jurisdiction and government within their
limits....
4. It is by these confederates agreed that the expense of all
just wars, whether offensive or defensive, upon what party or
member of this confederation soever they fall, shall, both in men,
provisions, and all other disbursements be borne by all the parties
of this confederation, in different proportions, according to their
different abilities, ... according to the different numbers which
from time to time shall be found in each jurisdiction upon a true
and just count, ... and that according to the different expenses
of each jurisdiction and colony, the whole advantage of the war—if
it please God to bless their endeavours—whether in lands, goods,
or persons, shall be proportionately divided amongst the said
confederates.
5. It is further agreed that if these jurisdictions, or any
colony under or in combination with them, be invaded by any enemy
whatsoever, upon notice and request of any three magistrates of
the jurisdiction so invaded, the rest of the confederates without
any further meeting or expostulation shall forthwith send aid to
the confederate in danger, but in different proportions; viz.,
Massachusetts a hundred men sufficiently armed and provided, and
each of the rest 45 so armed and provided,—or any lesser number if
less be required, according to this proportion; ... but none of
the jurisdictions to exceed these numbers till by a meeting of the
commissioners for this confederation further aid appear necessary;
and this proportion to continue till upon knowledge of greater
numbers in each jurisdiction, which shall be brought before the
next meeting, some other proportion be ordered....
6. It is also agreed that for the management of all affairs
concerning the whole confederation, two commissioners shall be
chosen by and out of each of these four jurisdictions; namely, two
for Massachusetts, two for New Plymouth, two for Connecticut, and
two for New Haven, being all in church fellowship with us, who
shall bring full power from their General Courts, respectively
to hear, examine, weigh, and determine all affairs of war or
peace, leagues, aids, expenses, etc., ... not intermeddling
with the government of any of the jurisdictions, which by the
third article is reserved entirely to themselves. But if these
eight commissioners when they meet shall not all agree, any six
of the eight agreeing shall have power to settle and determine
the business in question. But if six do not agree, then such
propositions, with their reasons, so far as they have been debated,
shall be referred to the four General Courts, viz.: Massachusetts,
New Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven; and if at all the said
General Courts the business so referred be concluded, then it
shall be prosecuted by the confederates and all their members. It
is further agreed that these eight commissioners shall meet once
every year, besides special meetings, to consider and conclude all
affairs belonging to this confederation, which meeting shall always
be on the first Thursday in September; and that the next meeting
after the date of these presents, which shall be accounted the
second meeting, shall be at Boston in Massachusetts, the third at
Hartford, the fourth at New Haven, the fifth at New Plymouth, and
so on, successively,—if in the meantime some central place be not
agreed upon as more convenient for all the jurisdictions.
7. It is further agreed that at each meeting of these eight
commissioners, whether ordinary or extraordinary, six of them
agreeing may choose a president from among themselves, whose duty
shall be to direct the proceedings of that particular meeting; but
he shall be invested with no such power or respect as might hinder
the propounding or progress of any business, or in any way turn the
scales, otherwise than in the preceding article is agreed.
8. It is also agreed that the commissioners for this confederation
hereafter at their meetings, whether ordinary or extraordinary, as
they may have commission or opportunity, shall endeavour to frame
agreements in cases of a civil nature, in which all the colonies
are interested, for the preservation of peace among themselves, and
preventing as much as possible all causes of war or dispute with
others....
9. And since the justest wars may have dangerous consequences,
especially for the smaller settlements in these United Colonies, it
is agreed that neither Massachusetts, New Plymouth, Connecticut,
nor New Haven, nor any member of any of them, shall at any
time hereafter begin, undertake, or engage themselves, or this
confederation or any part thereof, in any way whatsoever (sudden
exigencies excepted), without the consent and agreement of six of
the forementioned eight commissioners....
10. That on special occasions, when meetings are summoned by three
magistrates of any jurisdiction, if any of the commissioners do not
come, due notice having been given or sent, it is agreed that four
of the commissioners shall have power to direct a war which cannot
be delayed, and to send for due proportions of men out of each
jurisdiction; but not less than six shall determine the justice of
the war, or allow the demands or bills of expenses, or cause any
levies to be made for it.
11. It is further agreed, that if any of the confederates shall
hereafter break any of these articles of agreement, or in any way
injure any one of the other jurisdictions, such breach of agreement
or injury shall be duly considered by the commissioners for the
other jurisdictions; that both peace and this present confederation
may be entirely preserved without violation.
12. Lastly, this perpetual confederation and its several articles,
being read and seriously considered both by the General Court
of Massachusetts and by the commissioners for New Plymouth,
Connecticut, and New Haven, is fully allowed and confirmed by three
of the afore-named confederates, viz., Massachusetts, Connecticut,
and New Haven; the commissioners for New Plymouth having no
commission to conclude, request time to advise with their General
Court....
* * * * *
At a meeting of the commissioners for the confederation held at
Boston on the 7th of September, it appearing that the General
Court of New Plymouth, and the several townships thereof, have
read, considered, and approved these articles of confederation,
as appears by commission from their General Court bearing date
the 29th of August, 1643, to Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr. William
Collier, to ratify and confirm the same on their behalfs; we
therefore the commissioners for Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New
Haven, do also, for our several governments subscribe to them.
JOHN WINTHROP, Gov. of Mass. GEORGE FENWICK
THOMAS DUDLEY EDWARD HOPKINS
THEOPH. EATON THOMAS GREGSON
At their first meeting held at Boston on the above mentioned
date, amongst other things they had the following matter of great
importance to consider. The Narragansetts, after subduing the
Pequots, thought they were going to rule over all the Indians
round them; but the English, especially those of Connecticut, were
friendly with Uncas, sachem of the Monhigg tribe, which lived near
them, as the Narragansetts did near those of Massachusetts. Uncas
had been faithful to them in the Pequot war, and they had agreed to
support him in his just liberties, and were willing that such of the
surviving Pequots as had submitted to him, should remain with him and
live quietly under his protection. This greatly increased his power
and importance, and the Narragansetts could not endure to see it.
So Miantinomo, their chief sachem, an ambitious man, tried secretly
and by treachery according to the Indian way, to make away with him,
hiring some one to kill him. They tried to poison him; that not
succeeding, they planned to knock him on the head in the night in
his house, or to shoot him,—and such like devices. But none of these
plots taking effect, Miantinomo made open war upon Uncas, though it
was contrary to his agreements with the English and the Monhiggs.
He suddenly came upon him with 900 or 1000 men, without proclaiming
war. Uncas at that time had not half so many; but it pleased God to
give him the victory, and he slew many of the Narragansetts, and
wounded many more; but most important of all, he took Miantinomo
prisoner. But as he was a great man, and the Narragansetts a powerful
people who would be sure to seek revenge, he did nothing until he
had taken the advice of the English; so by the help and direction of
those of Connecticut, he kept him prisoner until this meeting of the
confederation. The commissioners weighed the cause between Uncas and
Miantinomo, and the evidence being duly considered, the commissioners
saw that Uncas would not be safe while Miantinomo lived. So they
concluded that he might justly put such a false and blood-thirsty
enemy to death; but in his own jurisdiction, not on English ground.
They advised that in his execution all mercy and toleration should
be shown, contrary to the practise of the Indians who use tortures
and all kinds of cruelty. Furthermore, as Uncas had hitherto shown
himself a friend to the English, and had consulted them in this, if
the Narragansett Indians, or others, unjustly attacked Uncas for this
execution, the commissioners promised that the English would assist
and protect him as far as they could against violence, upon notice
and request.
Uncas followed this advice, and accordingly executed Miantinomo, in
a fair manner, with due respect for the honour of his position. But
what followed on the Narragansetts’ part will appear later.