THough it may seem very Imperti­nent and Unnecessary to go about to repeat to you the Occasions and Motives that inclined you to abandon the Land of your Nativity, and those comfortable outward Imployments and Accommodations which most of you had there, and to adventure your selves to the Hazards of a long Voyage at Sea, to come to this Remote part of the World; yet lest you should forget those Inducements, as often it happens, that men by a slothful Negligence or Ignorance, after some [Page 5] Tract of Time, fall from their first Love, and blindly hurrey themselves into the very same Mischiefs which they intended to avoid, and build up again what they justly endeavoured to destroy, not fore­seeing the future ill Conveniences of their present (supposed Innocent) Actings; I shall take leave briefly to mention some few of those weighty Causes which I am confi­dent originally sway'd your Spirits to this Transplantation, and those good Ends, for the obtaining of which you chiefly remo­ved hither.

The Motives of our Retreating to these New Habitations, I apprehend (measuring your Sentiments by my own) to have been,

1st. The desires of a Peaceable Life, where we might Worship God and Obey his Law with freedom, according to the Dictates of the divine Principle, unincumbred with the Mouldy Errors and Fierce Invasions of Tradition, Politick Craft, Covetous or Ambitious Cruelty, &c.

2dly. That we might here, as on a Virgin Elysian Shore, commence or improve such an Innocent course of Life, as might unload us of those other outward Cares, Vexations and Turmoils, which before we were al­ways subject unto from the hands of Self-designing and Unreasonable Men.

[Page 6]3dly. That as Lot, by flying to little Zoar, from the Ungodly Company of a more Populous Magnificent Dwelling, we might avoid both being grieved with the sight and Infections, as well as odious Examples of Horrid Swearings, Cursings, Drunkenness, Gluttony, Vncleanness, and all kinds of De­bauchery continually committed with greediness; and also escape the Iudgments threatned to every Land polluted with such Abominations.

4thly. That as Trees are transplanted from one Soyl to another, to render them more Thriving and better Bearers, so we here in Peace and secure Retirement under the bountiful Protection of God, and in the Lap of the least adulterated Nature, might every one the better improve his Ta­lent, and bring forth more plentious Fruits to the Glory of God, and publick Well­fare of the whole Creation.

5thly. And Lastly, That in order here­unto, by our Holy Doctrine, and the Pra­ctical Teachings of our Exemplary Abstemi­ous Lives, transacted in all Humility, So­briety, Plainness, Self-denial, Virtue and Honesty, we might gain upon those Thou­sands of poor dark Souls scattered round about us, (and commonly, in way of Con­tempt and Reproach call'd, Heathens) and [Page 7] bring them not only to a state of Civility, but real Piety; which effected, would turn to a more satisfying Account, than if with the proud Spaniards, we had gain'd the Mines of Potosi, and might make the Ambitious Hero's, whom the World admires, blush for their petty and shameful Victories, which only tend to make their Fellow-Creatures Slaves to those that are already the Devil's Vassals: Whereas hereby we might release Millions from the Chains of Satan, and not only teach them their Rights as Men, and their Happiness when Christians, but bring them from the Power of Darkness, into the Marvellous Light and the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of the most High.

These Thoughts, these Designs, My Friends, were those that brought you hi­ther; and so far only as you pursue and accomplish them, you obtain the end of your Journey. If these be neglected, tho' your Ports and Rivers were full of Trading Ships, your Land never so Populous, and loaden with the most vendable Commodi­ties, yet I would be bold to say, That your Plantation were in a most unthriving Con­dition; that like men in a Feaver, tumbling from one side of the Bed to the other, you have shifted your Dwelling, but not re­covered [Page 8] your Health, nor are one Inch the nearer your proposed Happiness in Ame­rica, than in Europe; and have travelled some Thousands of Miles to as little pur­pose as the Iesuites into Iapan and China, or foolish Pilgrims in their tedious vain Journeys to Compostella, Loretto, or Ieru­salem.

Our business therefore here in this New Land is not so much to build Houses, and establish Factories, and promote Trades and Manufactories, that may enrich our selves, (though all these things in their due place are not to be neglected) as to erect Temples of Holiness and Righteousness, which God may delight in; to lay such lasting Frames and Foundations of Temperance and Virtue as may support the Superstructures of our future Happiness, both in this and the other World.

In order to these Great and Glorious Ends, it will well become, nay, is the In­dispensible Duty of all that are Superiours amongst us, to make Laws and imitate Customs that may tend to Innocency and an Harmless Life, so as to avoid and prevent all Oppression and Violence either to Men or Beasts; by which we shall strengthen the Principle of Well-doing, and qualifie the Fierce, Bitter, Envious, Wrathful Spirit, [Page 9] which (as 'tis said of Fire and Water in their Extreams) is a good Servant, but a bad Master.

Be pleased therefore to give me leave, (or whether you are pleased, and will give leave, or no, I must, because 'tis my Duty, take it) to nominate some Particulars, which in my Opinion will be convenient for us to observe, and may be as so many Pillars to sustain our New-Building, and prevent those Deluges of Evil, that other­wise will in time unavoidably break in upon us.

I. Since Temperance is the sirmest Esta­blishment of a People, and most fits them for all the Duties of a Civil and Religious Life; since Strong and Heady Drinks are no way necessary to Humane Life, but rather their at first (perhaps) innocent and moderate use, is most apt to degene­rate into Excess, and the Example of those that use them most sparingly, tends to encourage others to partake therein, who have not so much discretion as to use them properly, (which indeed should be only in certain cases, as Physick) as is apparent in our Neighbouring Indians, whose Well­fare we ought, in Christian Charity, to tender as much as our own, and not lay [Page 10] Stumbling-blocks before them, whereby both our Holy Religion becomes scandaliz'd, as well as our future Temporal Safety endan­gered. I would humbly, and I hope may justly, piously and prudentially Advise, That we should either wholly prohibit, or lay very large Impositions on all sorts of Brandy, Rum, distill'd Spirits and Wine, so as to render the common use of them impracticable.

For much better it is, that the Merchants that deal only therein, and the Distillers should lose their Trade, and the Vines for that use be neglected, than that We, and our Posterity and Neighbours should by such a Temptation perish, and commit all kind of Outrages and Uncleanness in the use of them: For what if all such amongst us, either Young or Old, Rich or Poor, that are found to drink of them (unless in case of Sickness, and prescribed as Physick) were punished with Servitude for a certain time, and the Offence not to be bought off with Money; What would the Publick, or any sober Person be the worse for this? Hath not woful Experience taught us the evil Consequences of drinking such Liquors in our own Native Country? Are not such Practises the Leading Cards to all Vitiousness? They precipitate Young Men into all kinds of Fury, Madness and [Page 11] Folly; and besides weakening the already exhausted Natural Heat of the more Ancient, they render Gray Hairs, (which ought to be the Ensigns of Gravity and Wis­dom) ridiculous and contemptible; In Women they destroy and corrupt the very Radix of Nature, and intail a great Num­ber of incurable Diseases on Posterity; add to this, that they not only Spend and impaire the outward Substance most un­necessarily, but at the same time drown the Mind, and debilitate all the Intellectual Faculties, and by extravagant Expences render us uncapable to perform those Of­fices of Charity and Beneficience, which we might otherwise, and ought, render to our poor Neighbours, and the publick benefit of our Country: In a word, these Superfluities and needless things cannot be procured and used without hazard to our Health and Lives, and oppression to the whole Creation, for all such things are dear, and hard to come by; and when they are procured, the use of them proves of more dangerous Consequence than the charge and trouble of getting them, so that when all is done, they only serve to Tickle and please the sensual and depraved Appetite of vain Men, and to force Nature out of her innocent way.

[Page 12]The use of such Superfluities is attended with many other evil Circumstances, as first, it occasions men to let their Farms or Plantations dear, or makes them labour very hard▪ or put their poor Servants upon Ex­cessive Toil, and put their own, both Body and Mind as it were on the Rack, to pro­cure such things as are necessary, and then not content therewith, they must exchange them away for that which stands them in no stead, viz. To sell their most pleasant and fragrant Fruits, Grains and Seeds at a low and poor Rate, that with the procede there­of they may buy Brandy, Rum, Wine and the like at dear Rates, As to give a Bushel of brave Wheat for half a Gallon of Brandy, or a Gallon of Rumbullion; What comparison is there to be made between a Twelve Penny Wheat Loaf and a Pint of Brandy, Rum or Wine? The first is the real Preserver of Nature, a durable sustantial Food, most grateful to Nature: The last serves only for a moments time to please the sensual Appetite; but its evil Operations and Effects stay behind, heats the Blood, makes the Veins glow with an unnatural Heat; destroys the edge of the Appetite, renders the whole Body uneasie, and fills the Mind with an innumerable Troop of wanton and vain Imaginations, which seldom are [Page 13] raised, but (as 'tis said of evil Spirits in Magick) they do some Signal Mischief, both to the Body and Mind. Or (to take notice by the way of other the like Super­fluities) which is most useful and beneficial to humane Nature, one Ounce of Nutmegs, Cloves, Mace, and the like, or 20 or 30 brave New-laid Eggs? (which of all sorts of Food are the compleatest, and being well ordered, afford the best of Nourish­ment) Or which is indeed most service­able. a Pound of good Butter or Cheese, or on the other side, a Pound of Sugar, Cur­rants, Raisins, and the like? Indeed these last are excellent Fruits, but they will not grow in our Country, nor under our Ele­vation; therefore not so proper for our Bodies, every Soil naturally bringing forth, by the merciful Wisdom and Providence of God, such Vegetations as are most agree­able to the Constitutions of the People of that place.

Besides, all forreign Fruits and Commodi­ties are dear, and for the most part serve only to squander away Estates, advance Gluttony and procure Diseases, and the frequent use of them does sow seeds of Oppression, causing mankind to labour for that, which in truth he had much better have been without. Has not this particu­lar [Page 14] evil Inclination unto, & hankering after strong Liquors, and other the like Superflui­ties, destroy'd the Healths and Estates of many Thousands in these Western Indies, (as [...]hey are called) of our Country-men, viz. in Iamaica, Barbadoes and the Leward Islands, where they have and do make it a common practice to sell their excellent Butter, Eggs, Fruits, and fragrant Herbs, their Hens, Turkies, Ducks, &c. to purchase Rum, Brandy, Wine, and putrified stinking salt Flesh and Fish, which have destroy'd their Healths, emptied their Purses, and rendered them in every respect Unhappy?

Moreover, the Disorders hence arising have put out the Eye of their Understan­ding, and debauch'd the Natural Faculty of distinguishing between Good and Evil, Wholesom and Harmful, Pleasant and Nau­seous, and made them Bruitish, Sottish and Ignorant, even like Swine, to take plea­sure in that Mire wherein by Custom they have long wallowed themselves.

In particular, there is a pernicious sort of Drink in great Reputation and Use amongst them, call'd, PVNCH, which with your leave, I shall give you some Account of, as to both its Nature and Oper­ation, to the end we may expell and pre­vent, even in the bud, the growth of such evil [Page 15] Customs and Habits amongst us. This sort of beloved Liquor is made of Brandy or Run, Sugar, Water, Lime-Iuice, and some­times Ginger or Nutmegs: Now here are four or five Ingredients, all of as different Natures as Light is from Darkness, and all great Extreams in their kind, except only the Water.

1st. Rum and Brandy are terrible hot, fierce, sulpherous Spirits, void of all the good friendly Balsamick Vertues, and mid­dle Quality, which is the Moderator and Qualifier in each Body, whilst it remains unviolated or entire; but whensoever it shall happen that this benigne Property is wounded or destroyed, either by undue Preparations, or other Accidents, then that thing becomes either of a fierce raging domineering wrathful Operation, or else of a stinking rank Nature, according to the Nature Original in each thing, as is plain in all Balsamick Liquors; As Canary for Example, when once this aimable Quality is destroy'd by the common way of Distil­lation, then it becomes fierce, raging and unnatural; and when the same is perisht in Flesh, Herbs or Fruits, they become putrified, rank and stinking; therefore in all sorts of Foods and Drinks there ought to be great care and diligence used, [Page 16] not to destroy this friendly Quality or middle Nature, which is in every thing the Uniter and Preserver (as it were) of Soul and Body, it being that which gives the most fragrant Smell and pleasant Taste to all Drinks and Foods, and is the true Life, Light and Splendor of every thing in the Annimal, Vegetable and Mineral Kingdoms. And in what thing soever, be it Annimal or Vegetable, this friendly Quality is either naturally impotent, or impaired by pernicious Art, or other Cau­salty, thenceforwards that thing is neither good for Food nor Drink, except the Ve­noms of the Martial and Saturnine Proper­ties (which then are altogether predomi­nant) be first corrected; for if it be in Animals, then such Beasts are fierce, cruel, ravenous and unclean; If in Minerals, they are high Poysons; if in Herbs or Fruits, they are rank and fulsom, and also in some degree Poysonous; and all this by their natural Constitution and Quality: And the very same is to be understood when the Essential Virtues of things in themselves, most wholsome and pleasant, come to be hurt or destroy'd; which being done in the Preparation of Rum, Brandy, and all such sulpherous Spirits, 'tis evident how destru­ctive the use thereof must be to Nature.

[Page 17]2dly. Limes are an immature Fruit, wherein the Martial and Saturnine Poysons are so powerful that the Sun and Elements have not had power to awaken the Balsa­mick Vertues, or bring the Properties of Nature into an equal Operation, as it hath in other Fruits. The Iuice of Limes there­fore contain two siery Qualities, viz. a Saturnine churlish Fire, which is of an hard Coagulating Nature in Operation, like the raw cold Saturnine Airs of Winter, which congeals the Water, and hardens all things; 2dly, a sharp keen Martial Pro­perty, of a sower harsh fretting Nature and Operation. And though in that Drink called Punch these Extreams are some-what allay'd or moderated by the friendly In­gredients, viz. Water and Sugar, which do not only render it pleasurable to the Pallate, but also more tollerable to the Stomach. Nevertheless it must be granted that no Extreams can be made altogether Homogeneal by any Artificial Mixtures, or give Nature such ample Satisfaction as those things that are equal in their parts. For the first leave the Stomach and Desire al­ways either Craving and in want, or disor­dered. For when such improper Compo­sitions of Mature and Immature Fruits and Unwholsom Liquors come into the Body, Nature's Limbeck, the Stomach, quickly [Page 14] separates them, as sometimes you may per­ceive after you have eaten or drank such things, by the sower Belehes and keen sharp matter the Stomach sends up into the Mouth; as when any shall eat Pyes, Tarts, or other Food made of unripe Fruits, tho' never so much sweetned to deceive the Pal­late, if one make a Meal of them, he shall find those sower distasteful Belchings, and also that they leave his Stomach unsatisfied. The same may also be said even of Ripe Fruits, when too great a number are jumbl'd together of contrary Natures. There are but few that are truly sensible of the many sore Evils and Dissatisfactions improper Mixtures in Diet brings upon the Body and Mind of Man.

But certainly, My Friends and Country­men, you cannot but be sensible how freely, how bountifully the Creator hath given us all those things that are truly Natural and Necessary to support Life; and are they not familiar, and procured with little Labour and less Hazards, either to the Body or Mind? But on the contrary, are not all these Needless things hard to come by, so that oft-times the Acquest of them tends to the Ruin of the Soul and Body? And yet when all's done, the enjoyment of them gives neither Satisfaction to the one nor Health to the other, but makes our [Page 15] Wants the greater; for presently we shall want Doctors and Physick to repair those Ruins which our own Intemperances have made; such improper Meats and Drinks being the original Causes of those cruel Belly-Akes and griping Pains in the Bowels, Feavers, Fluxes and Dropsical Diseases, both here and in the West, as also in the East-Indies, where our English inhabit, all according to the Nature of each place, and as other Circumstances of Intemperances shall concur.

But besides Diseases, there are many other Mischiefs that do attend all those places and Countries that accustom to give themselves up to Superfluity, and especially to the drinking of strong Liquors; for they deprave both Superiors and Inferiors, and are the Nurses of perpetual Crimes, Con­fusions and Disorders on both sides, ren­dering the first Fierce, Rash, Tyrannical, and unfit for Government; and the latter, Rude, Bold, Surly, Inhumane, and more apt to Contemn all Authority than Obey ▪

Nor is this Prohibition more fit and requisit in respect of our selves, than in regard of our Neighbours; so that if once we admit the common drinking of such Heady Intoxicating Liquors, we may justly expect the same Inconveniences to befall us as have done New-England. For the [Page 16] Venom of such Liquors, by our fatal Ex­ample, will quickly spread it self amongst the Indians, and so instead of making them better, or more humane and tractable, by our Christian Vertues and Abstemious Conversation, we shall make them Tenfold worse, and teach them the grand Sin of Drunkenness, which is the In let, Parent and Nurse of the most Monstrous Enormities, as Vncleanness, Murders, &c. For all People who have not the true Knowledge of God, and his divine Principle, and the Understanding of the hidden Natures of things, are terrible greedy and desirous after such fierce wrathful Liquors, as also after Food wherein the Blood is, it being the Original of every Life, which is the forbidden Fruit, that man ought not to have eaten, nor awakened, there being scarce a more evident Token of his depraved state, and that the fierce wrathful Spirit does bear sway and carry the upper Dominion in mens hearts, than their violent Inclina­tions after Blood, and fierce strong Liquors, which two things have a simile to, and with each other, and the Devilish Nature and Wrath is nourished by the use of them; which is further manifested by all the Savages of the Desert, as the contrary ap­pears in Sheep, and all tame humane and tractable Creatures, which therefore we call Clean Beasts.

[Page 17]II. Another thing, my Friends and Country men, which I desire you to con­sider, is, the innumerable Evils and cruel Miseries man draws upon himself, and the whole Creation, is the common use of war like destructive murthering Weapons, and their Appurtenances, viz. Guns, Swords, Powder, Bullets, Shot, Drums, and the like Devilish Instruments; I may properly so call them, for no doubt the invention and use of them all did originally proceed from, and is still fomented by the fierce Wrath; for as they have been always used for Destruction, so indeed they can have no other use, but onlv to awaken and en­courage Wrath and Blood-shed; There­fore let not our Streets (the Temples of Peace, and Tabernacles of Love and In­nocence) be encumbred with such mischie­vous Tools; let not our pure Air be di­sturbed with their ungrateful Noises, Clashings, Ratlings and Bouncings, nor po­luted with the Sulpherous Steams they send forth, as if so many Devils had marcht through the Skey, and left the stench of the Infernal Regions behind them.

Wherefore should we give wild Indians, that do not know the use of these Messengers of Death, such a bad and fatal Example, [...] [Page 16] [...] [Page 17] [Page 18] as to shew a new Method how to kill one another, which no doubt in process of time they will improve so far as to make War upon us, and kill us with our own Wea­pons, witness the Evils that by this very means have attended our Neighbours, and the like, we or our Posterity may justly ex­pect. Besides, tell me, I pray, what Af­finity there is or can be imagined between a Christian, and Guns, Swords, Powder, Shot, Drums, and the frightful noise of Armed Troops marching on to Man-slaughter, Desolation and Spoil? does such Imployment of Wrath and Blood, look any thing like the pure, peaceable, meek, in­nocent Christian-Life, which teaches to do unto all as we would be done unto; and to love not only our Friends and our Neighbours, but also our Enemies; which assures us, that those that use the Sword shall perish by the Sword, that commands us, if we are smote on the Left Cheek, to turn the Right, &c. Can any thing be more Oppo­site to all this, than swaggering in Buff and Armour, and boasting how many Men we have kill'd in a day?

And though many of you do not use, nor perhaps intend these Martial Instruments for Man-slaughter, but only to kill and destroy other inferiour Creatures, and In­habitants of the Elements; yet I pray con­sider, [Page 19] why will you arm your selves, & pro­vide thus to kill those innocent Creatures? Does not bounteous Mother Earth furnish us with all sorts of Food necessary for Life? Wherefore then will you trouble your selves to kill those Creatures who have a have a Title by Nature's Charter to their Lives as well as you? Shall not the groaning of those Creatures call for Ven­geance? And must not there be a Retali­ation? Can you think the Noble Race of Man was made to be a Tyrant over, and a Scourge unto the inferior Inhabitants of the World? No sure, he was to treat and govern them in Love and Friendliness. But instead thereof, he is now become their deadly Enemy. Therefore though you will not sight with, and kill those of your own Species, yet I must be bold to tell you, That these lesser Violences (as you may call them) do proceed from the same Root of Wrath and Bitterness, as the greater do▪ there being but one grand Fountain from whence all kinds of Evil, Violence, Oppression and Cruelty do proceed, whe­ther it be towards our Brother, Man, or any other of our Fellow-Creatures. And though Custom hath made the killing and oppressing of Beasts, Birds, &c. to be fami­liar, and consequently easie, and done with­out [Page 20] any Remorse or Bowels of Pity, yet it is still from the dark Root. 'Tis true, we read in Scripture frequently of the Killing both Men and Beasts; and 'tis true, the Lord did give the Nations liberty to kill and eat the Flesh of Inferior Creatures; But note, That this was not done until Mankind had departed out of his holy Law, and goverment of his divine Principle, into his fierce Wrath, out of which wrath­ful Principle he permitted the killing and eating of Flesh; so the Scripture saith, The Wickedness of Man had corrupted the Earth, and then the Lord said, My Spirit shall no longer strive with Man, Threescore and ten years shall be the term of his Life, &c. That is, Man would not submit unto and be governed by his holy friendly Principle of Love and Light; therefore the Lord in his fierce Wrath (which man had rather chosen to precipitate himself into) short­ned mans Life, and gave him Flesh to eat; which sort of Food had the nearest Affinity to that Wrathful Spirit that had then gotten the Government in Man. But in Paradise, that is, whilst man continued under the sweet Conduct of the divine Principle, his Bill of Fare, allowed by his Creator in love, was only, Every Herb bearing Seed, and every Tree in which is the Fruit of a Tree [Page 21] yielding Seed, to you it shall be for Meat, Gen. 1.29. Thus far the Children of Israel in the Wilderness, as long as they were Obedient, God provided and fed them with Angels Food, pure and delicious Manna; but when they grew Disobedient, and Murmured, and nothing would serve them but Flesh, God gave them Flesh in his Wrath, and Quails in his Displeasure, which fitted them for Destruction.

Furthermore, though you will not kill those of your own kind, yet your Children seeing and learning these Preparations of Oppression and Violence, they may come to be of different Opinions, and by de­grees kill one another with their Fathers Guns and Swords; for we know not what sort of People will come after us, nor what Spirit they may be of: Therefore it will be highly convenient for us to prevent the Growth of all Fierceness, Wrath and Vi­olence, even in the bud, by our Laws and wholsome Customs; for there is no way or means that can or will so powerfully disarm the Rage of Men and other Crea­turs, as Clemency and Well-doing. Has not the Lord by his divine Hand of Providence brought us into a pleasant and fruitful Country, that flows (as one may say) with Milk and Honey, that is, all things necessary [Page 22] for sustaining Life and rendering it de­lightful, as far as Nature desires, or Inno­cency will admit; why then should we by our Intemperance make it flow with Blood, Oppression and Violence? Will not a little Labour cause the Earth to bring forth a great number of brave fragrant Herbs, Fruits and Grains, which will readily sup­ply us with both dry and moist Nourish­ment, and preserve our Health and Strength without the use of Guns, Swords, Powder, Shot, or the like Engines and Utensils of War, which have their Original from the fierce Wrath of God in Nature, and let men pretend what they will of Ne­cessity, cannot be used, but only by the same Spirit.

Wherefore should we Christians, whose Laws and the Doctrines of our Saviour en­gage us to live in love & unity, that we may be rendred capable to understand and enjoy that glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, which the whole Creation groans to be deli­ver'd into; why, I say, should we with wrath­ful Weapons, and breathing Death and De­struction, terrifie, amaze and alarm not only one another, but also all the Inhabitants of the four Elements, meerly to gratifie our extravagant Desires and wanton Appetites, or furious Passions, and all the while to [Page 23] suffer the friendly Law and good Principle of Gods eternal Love to languish, sigh and groan under the burthens of those intoller­able Evils; in which state Man often finds himself in great Trouble and Discontent, and wonders very much what may be the occasion thereof; not considering the true cause, viz. That their Hearts and Souls do move in the fierce Wrath, and that they do not do unto all as they would be done unto, nor live in Innocency and Concord with all Creatures, which is the true Chri­stian Doctrine. Therefore to prevent all these Troubles, Dangers and Annixities, it will become us to be wise and Innocent in our Laws and Customs, that our Youth­ful Settlements may be a means to preserve us and our Posterity, and then our Chil­drens Children will bless our Souls, and we shall as naturally attract the sweet In­fluences of the Coelestials, and also the benovelent Aspects of all Creatues, as the Load-stone doth Iron; for every Like draws to its self its Likeness; for therein consists its highest Ioy.

III. A Third thing I would offer to your Consideration, is, That you will not suffer it to become a Custom, or to be lawful for any amongst you to wear any sort of Gar­ments [Page 24] or Clothing, save only such, both Woolen and Linnen, as our own Country does or may produce; nor of any other Colours, but such as the Woods, Seeds, Earths and Minerals of our own Land affords; By which we shall encourage, not only all Ingenious People, but also our own Commodities, and altogether dis­courage Forreigners. Also, let it be a Custom amongst us for all our Superiors or Magistrates to wear White Garments made of Wool, which is not only more serviceable, but natural, whereby they will be good Examples to the lower sort, who in such things always take their mea­sures from those above them. Besides, such Clothings are easier procured, and Custom has stronger Chains to hold the Multitude than the most severest Laws; And why should Christians so much desire those Martial and Saturnine Colours? whereas White is truly natural, the emblem of In­nocence and Temperance, which God and Nature gives us without labour or trouble, it being convenient for us who have in some degree seperated our selves from the Va­nities of this World to chuse all such things as have the nearest Affinity to Sim­plicity, as well in Cloathing, as in Meats, Drinks and Exercises, by which we shall [Page 25] not only free our selves from unnecessary Bonds, needless Changes, vain Fashions, burthensome Inconveniences we have many Years laboured under, but also teach our Posterity this important Truth, That the fewer things we need, the Happier we are, and the more quiet we shall lead our Lives; Super­fluity and Extravagant Desires being the Mother of all Need, Labour, Pain, Trouble and Diseases.

IV. We ought by all means to discoun­tenance all Babylonical Letter-learn'd Physi­tians, both for the Soul or Body; and on the contrary to direct nnd teach every one to hearken unto their own Genius and the Voice of Wisdom in themselves, which being minded, will teach every one the right Cure far better than their Mercinary Prescriptions. It will be also very conve­nient that our Superiors should accustom themselves to an higher degree of Temper­ance and Self-Denial, which will have greater Influence on the meaner sort; and let them be diligent in Labour and In­dustry; By which wholsom Laws and Customs it will become a shame either to be idle, or addicted to Superfluities; There­fore let their Meats, Drinks, Exercises and Clothing be according to their Age, and [Page 26] the necessities of Nature, and no more; whereby the young and simple Ones will be kept from despising the Children of the Poor, and the Poor from admiring and envying the Rich; which will put a per­petual stop to the Carrier of Pride and Covetousness, since then all will enjoy the Goods of the Creatures, as it were, in equal Portions. Wherefore then should any strive, and sweat, and bustle so furious­ly to arrive at great Riches, seeing that as they cannot be procured without such great Care, Labour, Violence, Oppres­sion, not only to a mans own Body and Soul, but also to the whole Creation; so the Enjoyment of them contributes no­thing to our real Happiness, but rather leads us into more Snares and Dangers than the Hazards and Turmoils of getting them did.

The chief end men seem now to propose to themselves in the Acquisition of vast Riches, is, That they may eat of the best Lambs, Fowls, Fishes, &c. and drink Wine and strong Drink to Superfluity, and to live in Idleness, and be clothed with soft and costly Rayment; That they may be admired by the Multitude, and dwell in sumptuous Houses, cramb'd with Rich and glittering Furniture, and such like Vanities; [Page 27] All which puff up the Rich with a swelling Conceit of their own Worth, and causeth them in most Nations to despise, and count the Poor but as Dogs in comparison of themselves: And on the other side, makes the Poor secretly Hate and Curse the Rich; And hence usually proceed Tumults, Insur­rections, and most of the publick Miseries and Desolations which happen amongst the Sons of Men: And what can be more fit and prudential, more necessary for the publick Repose, as well as the Happiness and Content of all Individuals, than that we should not only by our Laws, but also in our Examples and Customs, cut off these Roots of so many Evils, by grubbing up all Temptations to such Superfluity and Intemperance, and by so well cultivating our Plantation, as to remove all the Mat­ter whence these Mischiefs are generated. And then we and our Children shall be free from those Disquietudes which chiefly render mans Life uncomfortable; free from wasting Laborious Days and Restless Nights in a greedy pursuit after Noxious Vanities, and half killing our selves with cruel Carking Cares & Excessive Drudgeries; free from Sharking Policies, Vnmanly Frauds and Lewd Endeavours to supplant or cir­cumvent our Neighbours; all which pro­ceed [Page 28] for the most part from an insatiate Desire, either to gratifie a Luxurious Paunch or please a vain glorious Itch, which will never be contented; but makes it enjoy­ment of the greatest Abundance, only a Step to Mount it self towards the grasping as some, yet higher Extravagancies; and if it could become Master of all the No­velties the four Worlds afford, would yet with childish Alexander be ready to sit down and cry for more Bawbles and New Play-Things.

V. Let it be a Law and Custom amongst us, not only to abandon the use of all Weapons of War, but also to avoid all Attempts and Beginnings of Violence, as not to suffer any to use Cruelty unto, or to Hurrey and Oppress any of the Inferiour Creatures. This may seem a small and light things, but really the Consequences of it are very great; for this will disarm the Rage of our Young People, and give their greener Years a settled Tincture or Habit of Love, Compassion and Concord. Have you not often seen in our own Coun­try, little Children, almost as soon as they are able to take up a Stone or any other Weapon into their Hands, fling it at some Bird, or other innocent Creature, and [Page 29] to take delight in hanging, drowning or tormenting young Cats or Dogs, or any thing else that they can master; which evil Inclinations to Violence proceed partly from their Birth, as being begot from Wrathful Essences, and the like bad Qua­lities predominating in their Parents, and partly from Imitation; for the daily Pra­ctice and Examples they behold of Cruelty and Violence offered to all Creatures by their Fathers, stirs them up to do the like as far as their Power▪ will reach to do Mischief. For this cause most Boys whilst they are in tender years do delight in Drums Swords, and all Weapons of Violence, be­cause they see their Fathers and the Elder sort of their Sex do the same. But on the contrary, Female Children delight them­selves in sewing of Linnen, Needle-work, playing with Babies, making of Banquets, imitating Christenings, (as they call them) and the like, in Imitation of their Mothers, whom they see much concerned in such Affairs. Since therefore whatsoever you do, your Youth will certainly endeavour to imitate; and for that there is as well a Possibility of awakening, strengthening and encouraging Innocence, Compassion, Patience, Concord, good Will and harmless Inclinations in all Youth, by the Practise and [Page 30] Custom of Well-doing, as there is of breeding and encouraging Wrath and Vio­lence by evil Practices and Conversations: Therefore it will be good to season your Children's first Years with Customs tend­ing to Virtue and Innocence; in order to which, nothing will be more Prevalent than good Examples.

VI. Let it not be lawful for any amongst us to use Scoffing, Iesting or Idle Discourses, but let our Conversation always relish of Wisdom, humane or divine, and help to instruct each other in the true knowledge of God, Nature, and our selves; and let Tale-bearers (the Fire-brands of Society, and Nurses of Strife and Dissention) be punished with Servitude; nor let Riches, chance of Birth, gay Clothes, nor any other thing be counted Honourable amongst us, but only the true knowledge of God, Na­ture, and our selves, and acting pursuant thereunto.

VII. Let us resolve to relinquish that mis­chievous Custom of Marrying for Wealth; & therefore let it be prohibited for any to give Portions or Dowries with his Daugh­ters; by this we shall discourage the Spirit of Covetousness and Idleness in our Young [Page 31] Men, and prevent their making use of base depraved counterfeit Kindnesses, which are but meer Complements, to bring their greedy Desires to pass: Nor ought the dis­eased and deformed, who are not sit for Generation, or to answer the end for which Marriage was instituted, be desirous to press into that state: Also, all unequal Matches, as Young with the Old, and Old with the Young (which commonly proceed from Lust in one of the Parties, and Cove­tousness in the other) ought to be discou­raged, and all such unnatural Marriages branded with a Note of Infamy, and those Persons to be accounted most miserable who commit such Intemperances.

IX. For the preventing of Theft, let it be ordained, that if any Person Steal, he shall make four-fold satisfaction to the party injur'd, either by Money or Servitude. And if any wilfully commit Man-slaughter, then let such perish by the same Sword or Weapon. And let all the Fellons that give themselves to stealing be compelled, during all their time of Servitude to wear a dif­ferent Garment from others during their whole Lives, that all may know what they have done. And to hinder such bad Practices in the Root, let none be exempted [Page 32] from Working, but only Magistrates and Tutors.

X. It ought to be considered, understood and taught amongst us, That the fragrant Herbs, Fruits and Grains were not only ordained by the Lord for Food in the be­ginning, but also that the same are still much to be preferred for their natural Excel­lency, before and above the Stock and Radix thereof. For is not the Corn to be preferred before the Stalk it grows on for Food? And are not all sorts of Fruits far more acceptable than the Trees whence they proceed? The very same is to be under­stood of all Animals; Is not the Milk of Cows and Sheep more pleasant to behold, and better Food, being varied by the House-wives Art, than the Blood and Flesh of such Cattel? There being as great a difference between the one and the other as there is between Fire and Light; the Fire being of a consuming fierce Nature, but the Light thereof is of a most delightful aimable Principle or Quality, and yet if there were no Fire there could be no Light, the Fire being the Radix of all Light and Loveliness. Every particular Creature and Fruit, be it ever so mean and simple, is an Image of, and does contain the true Nature and Pro­perty [Page 33] of the whole. The Fruits and Grains of all Vegetables, as also the Fruits of Animals, send forth a pleasant Odour, and are delightful to the Sight and Pallate, easie of Concoction, affording Nourishment of a clean firm substance; but the Stock or Stalk, which is the Father of the Fruit, is of an astringent harsh sower bitter Taste, and an unpleasant Smell, not fit for Food; even so it is in Animals. For this cause it will be highly convenient for us to put away from us all Intemperance and Super­fluity, and to prefer the eating of Fruits, Grains and Seeds, for fear we should be pre­cipitated into the Wrath before we are sensible of it, as many Thousands are; for mens strong Inclinations to Flesh and Blood and to all Beastiality, do too clearly manifest that they live in the Power and Operation of the fierce Wrath and savage Nature of the wild Beasts of the Desert.

XI. The usual time of our Labour need not exceed Six Hours in a natural day; for if every one performs that duely according to the Obligation which the Lord hath laid upon men in general, without exception, & content themselves with innocent Fruits, Grains and Seeds, and observe the Rules of Moderation and Temperance, you may [Page 34] assure your selves, that six hours Labour in a day will plentifully supply us with all things necessary for Life, Health or Pleasure; Not that the rest of our time should be spent in Idleness, much less wasted in vain Gaming or Riot, but imployed in medita­ting on the Works of God and Nature, innocent and useful Conference, reading profitable Books, refreshing our Spirits with the sweet Airs of Musick, practising curious and beneficial Arts, as Planting, In­oculating, Grafting, studying the Science of Numbers, the Use of the Globes, the Theory of Navigation, and all the parts of the Ma­thamaticks, for those whose Genius leads them thereunto; Others to gain skill by Experience in the Knowledge of Herbs, Plants, and other Vegetations, to distinguish them by their Names, Shape and Virtues, take notice of their Agreement with, or Antipathy to each other; and particularly to observe the Signature of each; for on every thing God has engraven certain Mystick real Characters, fully expressing its true Nature and Vertues to such as can obtain the skill to read that Essential Alpha­bet; also reading of true and select Histories, wherein by taking notice of the Revolutions, Confusions, Slaughters and Miseries men in all Ages have brought upon themselves, by [Page 35] their Lusts and Pride, we may both learn to detest their Ways which lead to those Confusions, and be excited to a greater gratitude to God for his Mercies to us, in planting us under more happy Circumstances.

XII. Let Sugar, Spanish Fruits, and all sorts of Spices be sold only at one place in a Town, and be used wholly in Medicines, and not to mix with any sort of common Food or Drink; for they are not only Superfluous, but prejudicial to Health so to be used. Also, let our times of eating be about Nine in the Morning and Five in the After-noon, for you will find that much more agreeable than a Meal at Mid-day, as commonly in use; for the central Heat or Eye of the World being then in the Meri­dian, hath great power to awaken the Na­tural Heat, and also to evaporate it, and therefore at that time, most People, espe­cially in hot Weather, do feel themselves more hot and indisposed than either in the Morning or Afternoon; besides, all that would preserve their Health, ought to fast a proper time between Meals, that so the Stomach and Natural Heat may the better concoct, and make a perfect seperation, whence is generated good Blood, and brisk lively Spirits; besides, a long Mor­nings-work [Page 36] or exercise, dulls and wastes the pure Spirits, which renders Nature not so capable to digest a full Meal of Meat and Drinks; And let this be a general Rule amongst us, That Nature be alwayes stronger than the Meats and Drinks, and not your Food stronger than Nature; and then you will find your selves after such Meals refreshed, and not dulled. And by observing these Rules and practising Tem­perance, you will prevent abundance of Diseases, so that I need speak the less touch­ing Physick; Only shall recommend to your notice and publick use the following Poultice, for the speedy and certatn Cure of Burns, Scalded Limbs, Byles, Fellons, or any the like Sores, viz. Wheat-Flower, Water and Milk simpered over the sire till it be thick, and then add some Sugar and make it sweet, & apply this to the part grieved 9 or 10 times a day, the oftner the better, and then anoint it with fresh Butter to keep it subtle; for all these Ingredients do cast a friendly Aspect to each other, and are of a Balsamick Nature, and therefore do soon raise up the dismay'd Oyl or wounded Spi­rits, by meliorating, and asswaging the awakned Poysons in such Hurts. Perhaps some good Houswife will be apt to contra­dict me, and say, that Bread may do better [Page 37] than Flower: But give me leave to tell her, that Bread has passed through a strong fiery Preparation, which has, as it were, broken the very heart of it; besides, it does more or less retain those sulpherous Vapours it received in the Oven, which are very in­jurious; also Salt being generally mixed with it, makes it so much the worse, Salt being of a sharp fretting Nature, apt to incorporate with the Venoms in such Sores, and so advance and encrease them.

What is said of Bread is clearly manifest­ed by this, viz. Put what quantity you will of Bread into Water or Milk, and it will not thicken nor become of so strong a sub­stance as it will do with a small quantity of Flower. For this cause Milk and Water thickned with Flower, (provided it be not thicker than Milk-Pottage, and do but just boyl up) is one of the healthiest Foods in the World for all Ages, but especially for Children and Old People; for it does not only administer wholsom Nourishment, but naturally opens the Passage of the Stomach, and powerfully carries the Windy matter downward, and causeth it to break away with ease. This sort of Food is good for all Women, but more particularly those that are troubled with Fumes and Windy Vapours flying into the Head; nor doth it [Page 38] bind the Body, as some ignorantly imagine, though sometimes it does prove beneficial in Looseness and Fluxes, but that does not proceed from its binding Quality, but from its sweet friendly Nature, by moderating those sharp keen Poysons that are by some Intemperance or Accident awakened in the Bowels.

There are several other particulars which might be recommended to your Ob­servation and Use; but if you duely follow these, and continue to walk in the strait Paths of Nature, your Eyes will be daily more and more enlightned, and you will come to see and discern in all things what is good, wholsom, safe, proper and natural, and the contrary, so as to chuse the one and refuse the other.

There only remains now one Objection to what I first proposed touching avoiding the use of Weapons, viz. That if we shall do so, we shall presently become a Prey, and be over-run by Forreigners.

To which I Answer; This Objection is some-what like that of the Iews of old, con­sulting whether or no they should put to death Innocent Iesus; If we let this Man alone, cry'd they, the Romans will come upon us, and take away our Place and Nation. Whereas on the quite contrary, for their [Page 39] Wickedness in slaying the Lord of Life, God in his just Judgment brought upon them the Romans indeed, who destroy'd them with a Desolation, such as no Age can parallel; so there is just Reason to judge, that the di­rect contrary to your Apprehensions will happen in this case; for Innocence is a better Bullwark than Force, and will more surely protests you than great Guns and Munition of War. And indeed what Security is there in those things, since there is no Na­tion, though never so well furnisht with or skill'd in the use of them, but one time or other is subdued and over-run by the grea­ter Violence of others? Whereas your Harmless, Innocent, just Course of Living will disarm the Rage of your Neighbour Princes; for nothing does so powerfully fortifie a Nation or People as Virtue and Well-doing. For all Wars are set on foot either for Cove­tousness to make themselves Masters of great Treasure and Spoil, or for Ambition and vain Glory, to boast of their Victories, or for Revenge of past Injuries. Now none of all these will have any place in Relation to you. For first, you contenting your selves with what is necessary, will give no temptation to their Covetousness; nor can they derive any Honour by vanquishing those that make no Resistance; nor pretend a Quarrel for [Page 40] Injuries received when you live at Peace wih all the Creation: Which last, by a se­cret, yet powerful Magnetism will again draw all things to a friendliness towards you. Whence come Wars and Fightings, (saith the Apostle) Is it not from your Lusts? Root out the latter, and you will be in no danger from the former: Having once subdued our Inward or Home Enemies there will be no fear of forreign Forces, ☞ but all things shall work together for our good. Besides, good and virtuous Examples will work far more upon our Neighbour Indians than Lip-preaching or external Rites of Religious Worship; for the first doth reach to the Root, and touch the inwards of a man, the latter affect only the Eye or Ear; so that nothing can effectually overcome the fierce Wrath, both in man and without him, but only living in the Power and O­peration of the pure innocent and friendly Principle of God's Love, whence all Com­passion and Well-doing proceed, that being the true Protector and Defendor of our Faith, and in which alone is perfect Peace, wherein we shall find rest to our Souls. But on the other side, Intemperance and Super­fluity do enthral Mankind, makes that their Masters which was ordained to be their Ser­vants, and exposes them to continual Dan­gers, [Page 41] Troubles, Turmoils, Vexations and Miseries.

Thus in true Love to the Wellfare of this our New Plantation, and to you all, My Friends and Country-men, I have laid before you those things which I conceive tend to your Peace, Prosperity and Happiness: And may the good Spirit of Light, Love and Innocence illuminate you to pursue and vigorously endeavour what may conduce to these most Safe, Honourable and Desirable Ends.