LINES BY THOMAS HINCKLEY, ON THE DEATH OF
GOVERNOR JOSIAH WINSLOW.

Upon the Death of the Honorable and highly esteemed Josiah Winslow,
Esq., Governor of his Majesty's Colony of New Plymouth in New
England; deceased on the 18th of November [Dec. 18.-PRINCE],
1680, in the fifty-second Year of his Age, and eighth Year of his
Government; and was the first Governor that was born in New
England.

WHAT Heaven's blazing sign so formidable
Means, fully to express I am not able.
Tremendous ire sure doth appear in's brow
By this great breach that's made upon us now;
Which speaks more wrath for us, I fear, behind,
Who unto God so good have been unkind.
O Plymouth Colony! thou art brought low.
By former, and by this last, breaking blow;
Which gives us cause for deep humiliation,
And to take up most bitter lamentation.
Winslow, thy Governor renowned, he dies:
Thy dying state I dread it signifies.
Now he is gone, care less to live do I,
To see such day of great calamity
As is coming. Now none like him is left
'Mongst us. Alas! we sadly are bereft
Of his help, who in dark and cloudy day
Did strengthen, lead, and guide us in our way.
His place was high; his parts were also great;
Yet men of low degree with him might treat:
Large wisdom, love, and friendly courtesy,
Noble and free, eke full of charity.

He justice loved, eke truth and piety;
And to his prince graced with true loyalty;
Both far and near, esteemed in many hearts;
And much endeared by his rare deserts.
He for his country's good did take great care;
To venture's life and health he did not fear.
Here he endured much pain and misery;

But now is gone to true felicity,

Into the bosom of his Saviour dear,

Which on his death-bed he so longed for here.

His gain may comfort his relations dear,
And moderate their hearts'-grief everywhere.
But why do I less useful live this day,
And such as I, when he is ta'en away?
Who was of greater worth in's generation?
Alas! this calls for doleful lamentation.
My burden much increased is thereby:
God grant us better conduct speedily!
Poor I can't stand under this present trust :
Without God's special help, sink down I must.
O courts of justice! do ye now lament;
Your guide is gone, your troubles do augment:
And cry to God, all folk in every place,
For to revive his work, return his face;
Granting successors in this government
May be, as he, with blessings ornament,
Not children nor oppressors for our rulers,
That have not skill nor will to be our healers, -
And give us favor in our sovereign's eyes,
To grant us still our rich immunities,
Both civil and religious, to possess,

That we may more abound in thankfulness.

O Death! why didst thou him strike with thy dart? Sure God sent thee to make's all feel's just smart.

Our loss in such a time of need's most great:

The dreadful aspect of God's angry heat,

Which calls on us now to repent, and turn

From all our sins which make God's anger burn;

And nevermore unto our sins be kind,

Lest that we lose all mercies left behind.

Let's neither slight his hand that hath us stricken,
Nor faint because we are so sorely smitten:
But give we ear to th' shrill voice of his rod,
And more attentive be to voice of's word;
Doing the work of us that yet do live.
The glory which is due to God to give,
He doth require it strictly at our hand:
That glory may dwell yet within our land.

If we his glory do sincerely mind,

He'll after-mercies for us surely find.

When man deems that his hope is past and gone,

And, trembling, thinks that he is quite undone,

Then God appears, a present help at hand,

And causeth his again on feet to stand;

Who's wont, in mount of greatest strait and fear,
Make rich and suitable supplies appear.

It's sure most meet for us to kiss the rod,
And humbly to submit unto our God.

His will is, now the streams from us are took,
That to the fountain full we more may look,
With fervent prayers for his return with speed,
To give us help according to our need;
And all our sins for his Son's sake forgive,

And evermore let's in his favor live.
God out of's treasure give us for our store,
And be our all, both now and evermore!

Time bids me not enlarge my verse,
But follow mourning after th' hearse.
Bereaved and distressed

MUCH HONORED SIR, -One Latin sentence from a Governor justly merits from me many sentences in way of retaliation; and though at present I cannot send so fully as I would (my son being not to return till the morrow), yet duty obliges to give you a hint of what, from uncertain rumors, is this day turned into real certainties by Captain Thomas, whom I even now spake with, and who came

lately from Boston. The king in his letter doth take notice of their not sending messengers; but imputes it not to their disloyalty, yet expressly requires their attending his command in that respect, and will not have his authority slighted. It is taken for granted by Godlywise, that the immediate cause of the diversion of further harshness was an ambassador from the States of Holland, who (as God ordered it, and, as some suppose, was contrived by some religious Protestants of the Council) came in the very instant when great motions were on foot for regulations, or rather subversions, of Massachusetts, and solemnly demands, in the name of the States, that his majesty would forthwith declare whether he were for Protestantism, yea or no. They had waited long to know his resolution in that respect; and could not, would not, tarry any longer for his answer. They had suffered much by delay, and now call for a speedy result: hence it was no time to destroy New England, a place of Protestants. Our Our peace is yet lengthened out, and our pleasant things not taken away. Upon this account, public thanks is given in sundry congregations in the Bay. Mr. Randolph hath complained that violation of the king's laws respecting trade is connived at; and that, when he sues any on that account, he is forced to pay moneys (which is not the custom in such cases in Old England); and that he hath not justice, &c. The king writes on his behalf, that they be careful to do him justice; that he be heard without demanding money of him; that his appeals to Old England be allowed, in case he be not satisfied with any verdict, &c. The Duke of York hath as much acknowledgment in and from Scotland as his heart desires. Papists have great hopes that the king will declare for them. The French king goes on doing mischief.

Old Mr. Ting is dead. The awful hand of God, in permitting scandalous sins to break forth here, I presume is no news to you. Samuel Dunham, a poor old drunkard, —

God gave the church strength to purge him out. The case of George Watson and his wife was before the church last sabbath and last Wednesday: they show some signs of the beginning of repentance; yet we are generally agreed this next sabbath to proceed to censure, and have appointed Feb. 8 for a day of humiliation (the church alone) on the account of such sad outbreakings. Pity, good sir, and pray for this poor church, that upon it may be engraven, "Holiness to the Lord."

Myself and wife present our humble service to you and Mrs. Hinckley, begging to be continually remembered in your prayers.

I rest, sir, your honor's to love and serve,

JOHN COTTON, Senior.

Mr. Saltonstall hath a printed book in vindication of the Protestants, and Captain Thomas hath many printed pieces of news. Could I obtain them, I would soon transmit them to your honor.

Your letter to Mr. Randolph I this day received, and shall send by the first [sic].

GEORGE SHOVE TO THOMAS HINCKLEY.

TAUNTON, Feb. 23, '84.

RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR, -It hath

been my ambition

now for a great while to wait upon you at Barnstable; but Providence hitherto hath given check thereto, and I am not able to say when I shall be favored with an opportunity to perform my respects to your worship in such a way. These are, therefore, to present my service to you and Mrs. Hinckley, and testify my deep sense of obligation, and to bespeak your favorable construction that tidings of your sickness (that I say not death) have not commanded from me a visit.