"My mother, the second wife [of Josiah Franklin], was Abiah Folger, daughter of Peter Folger, one of the first settlers of New England, of whom honorable mention is made by Cotton Mather in his church history of that country, entitled Magnalia Christi Americana, as 'a godly, learned Englishman,' if I remember the words rightly. I have heard that he wrote sundry small occasional pieces, but only one of them was printed, which I saw now many years since. It was written in 1675, in the home-spun verse of that time and people, and addressed to those then concerned in the government there. It was in favor of liberty of conscience, and in behalf of the Baptists, Quakers, and other sectaries that had been under persecution, ascribing the Indian wars, and other distresses that had befallen the country, to that persecution, as so many judgments of God to punish so heinous an offense, and exhorting a repeal of those uncharitable laws. The whole appeared to me as written with a good deal of decent plainness and manly freedom. The six concluding lines I remember, though I have forgotten the two first of the stanza; but the purport of them was, that his censures proceeded from good-will, and, therefore, he would be known to be the author."
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A Looking-Glass for the Times, or
the Former Spirit of New England revived in this generation. Let all that read these verses know, That I intend something to show About our war, how it hath been And also what is the chief sin, That God doth so with us contend And when these wars are like to end. Read them in love; do not despise What here is set before thine eyes. New England for these many years hath had both rest and peace, But now the case is otherwise; our troubles doth increase. The plague of war is now begun in some great colonies, And many towns are desolate we may see with our eyes. The loss of many goodly men we may lament also, Who in the war have lost their lives, and fallen by our foe. Our women also they have took and children very small, Great cruelty they have used to some, though not to all. The enemy that hath done this, are very foolish men, Yet God doth take of them a rod to punish us for sin. If we then truly turn to God, He will remove his ire, And will forthwith take this his rod, and cast it into fire. Let us then search, what is the sin that God doth punish for; And when found out, cast it away and ever it abhor. Sure 't is not chiefly for those sins, that magistrates do name, And make good laws for to suppress, and execute the same. But 't is for that same crying sin, that rulers will not own, And that whereby much cruelty to brethren hath been shown. The sin of persecution such laws established, By which laws they have gone so far as blood hath touched blood. It is n»w forty years ago, since some of them were made, Which was the ground and rise of all the persecuting trade. Then many worthy persons were banished to the woods, Where they among the natives did, lose their most precious bloods. And since that, many godly men, have been to prison sent, They have been fined, and whipped also, and suffered banishment. The cause of this their suffering was not for any sin, But for the witness that they bare against babe sprinkling. Of later time there hath been some men come into this land, To warn the rulers of their sins as I do understand. They call on all, both great and small, to fear God and repent; And for their testimonies thus they suffer a punishment. Yea some of them they did affirm, that they were sent of God, To testify to great and small that God would send his rod. Against those colonies, because they did make laws not good; And if those laws were not repeal'd the end would be in blood. And though that these were harmless men, and did no hurt to any, But lived well like honest men, as testified by many: Yet did these laws entrap them so, that they were put to death, — And could not have the liberty to speak near their last breath. But these men were, as I have heard, against our College men; And this was, out of doubt to me, that which was most their sin. They did reprove all hirelings, with a most sharp reproof, Because they knew not how to preach till sure of means enough. Now to the sufferings of these men I have but gave a hint; Because that in George Bishop's book you may see all in print. But may we know the counsellors that brought our rulers in To be so guilty ns they are, of the aforesaid sin! They were the tribe of ministers, as they are said to be, Who always to our magistrates must be the eyes to see. These are the men that by their wits have spun so fair a shred, That now themselves and others are of natives in a dread. What need is there of such a fear if we have done no ill! But 't is because that we have been not doing of God's will. When Cain had slain his brother, then began this fear to be, That every man would do to him the same that did him see. The Scripture doth declare the cause why Cain did kill his brother; It was because the deeds of one was good, and not the other. Because that God did favor show to Abel more than he, That was in verity the thing that envy could not see. Then let us all, both great and small, take heed how we do fight Against the spirit of the Lord, which is our highest light. Let Magistrates and ministers consider what they do: Let them repeal those evil laws and break those bauds in two Which have been made as traps and snares to catch the innocents, And whereby it has gone so far to acts of violence. I see you write yourselves in print, the Balm of Gilead; Then do not act as if you were like men that are half mad. If you can heal the land, what is the cause things are so bad? I think instead of that, you make the hearts of people sad. Is this a time for you to press, to draw the blood of those That are your neighbors and your friends? as if you had no foes. Yea, some there are, as I have heard. have lately found out tricks To put the cause of all the war upon the heretics, Or rather on some officers, that now begin to slack The execution of those laws, whose consequence is black. I do affirm to you, if that be really your mind, You must go turn another leaf, before that peace you find. Now, loving friends and countrymen, I wish we may be wise, 'T is now a time for every man to see with his own eyes. 'Tis easy to provoke the Lord to send among us war, 'T is easy to do violence, to envy, and to jar. To show a spirit that is high, to scorn and domineer; To pride it out, as if there were no God to make us fear; To covet what is not our own, to cheat and to oppress, To live a life that might free us from acts of Righteousness; To swear and lie, and to be drunk, to backbite one another; To carry tales that may do hurt and mischief to our brother! To live in such hypocrisy, as men may think us good, Although our hearts within are full of evil and of blood. All these and many evils more are easy for to do: But to repent, and to reform, we have no strength unto. Let us then seek for help from God, and turn to him that smite: Let us take heed that at no time we sin against our light. Let's bear our testimony plain against sin in high and low; And see that we no cowards be, to hide the light we know. When Jonathan is called to court, shall we as standers by, Be still and have no word to speak, but suffer him to die! If that you say you cannot help, things will be as they are; I tell you true, 't is plain and clear, those words may come from fear, That you shall lose some carnal things, if you do speak for God; And here you go the nearest way to taste deep of his rod. |
'T is true there are some times, indeed, of silence to the meek; Not ever, for the Lord doth say, there is a time to speak. Be vigilant then for to see the movings of your heart, And you will know right well the time when you shall act your part. I would not have you for to think, tho' I have wrote so much, That I hereby do throw a stone at magistrates, as such. The rulers in the country, I do own them in the Lord; And such as are for government, with them I do accord. But that which I intend hereby, is, that they would keep bounds, And meddle not with God's worship, for which they have no ground. And I am not alone herein, there's many hundreds more, That have for many years ago spake much upon that score. Indeed I really believe, it's not your business To meddle with the Church of Christ in matters more or less. There's work enough to do besides, to judge in mine and thine: To succor poor and fatherless, that is the work in fine. And I do think that now you find enough of that to do; Much more at such a time as this, as there is war also. Indeed I count it very low, for people in these days, To ask the rulers for their leave to serve God in his ways. I count it worse in magistrates to use the iron sword, To do that work which Christ alone will do by his own word. The Church may now go stay at home, there's nothing for to do; Their work is all cut out by law, and almost made up too. Now, reader, least you should mistake, in what I said before Concerning ministers, I think to write a few words more. I would not have you for to think that I am such a fool, To write against learning, as such, or to cry down a school. But 'tis that Popish college way, that I intend hereby, Where men are mew'd up in a cage; fit for all villainy. But I shall leave this puddle stuff to neighbours at the door, That can speak more unto such things, upon a knowing score. And now these men, though ne'er so bad, when they have learn'd their trade, They must come in and bear a part, whatever laws are made. I can't but wonder for to see our magistrates and wise, That they sit still and suffer them to ride on them, not rise. And stir them up to do that work, that Scripture rule there wants, To persecute and persecute those that they judge are saints. There's one thing more that I believe is worse than all the rest, They vilify the Spirit of God, and count school learning best. If that a boy hath learn'd his trade, and can the Spirit disgrace, Then he is lifted up on high, and needs must have a place. But I shall leave this dirty stuff, and give but here a hint, Because that you have Cradock's book, and may see more in print. There are some few, it may be, that are clear of this same trade; And of those men, I only say, these verses are not made. Now for the length of time, how long these wars are like to be, I may speak something unto that, if men will reason see. The Scripture doth point out the time, and 't is as we do choose, For to obey the voice of God, or else for to refuse. The prophet Jeremy doth say, when war was threat'ned sore, That if men do repent and turn God will afflict no more. But such a turning unto God, as is but verbally, When men refuse for to reform, it is not worth a fly. 'T is hard for you, as I do hear, though you be under rod, To say to Israel, Go, you, and serve the Lord your God. Though you do many prayers make, and add fasting thereto, Yet if your hands be full of blood, all this will never do. The end that God doth send his sword, is that we might amend, Then, if that we reform aright, the war will shortly end. New England they are like the Jews, as like as like can be; They made large promises to God, at home and at the sea. They did proclaim free Liberty, they cut the calf in twain, They part between the part thereof, O this was all in vain. For since they came into this land, they floated to and fro, Sometimes, then, brethren may be free, while hence to prison go. According as the times to go, and weather is abroad, So we can serve ourselves sometimes and sometimes serve the Lord. But let us hear what God doth say, to such backsliding men, That can with ease to break their vows, and soon go back again. Jer. 34. He saith he will proclaim for them, a freedom to the sword, Because they would not fear him so, as to obey his word. This liberty unto the sword, he hath proclaimed for us, And we are like to feel it long, if matters do go thus. 'T is better for our magistrates, to shorten time, I say, By breaking of those bands in two that look an evil way. You do profess yourselves to be men that do pray always, Then do not keep such evil laws, as may serve at wet days. If that the peace of God did rule, with power in our heart, Then outward war would flee away, and rest would be our part. If we do love our brethren, and do to them, I say, As we would they should do to us, we should be quiet straightway. But if that we a smiting go, of fellow-servants so, No marvel if our wars increase and things so heavy go. 'T is like that some may think and say our war would not remain, If so be that a thousand more of natives were but slain. Alas! these are but foolish thoughts, God can make more arise, And if that there were none at all, he can make war with flies. It is the presence of the Lord, must make our foes to shake, Or else it's like he will e'er long know how to make us quake. Let us lie low before the Lord, in all humility, And then we shall with Asa see our enemies to fly. But if that we do leave the Lord, and trust in fleshly arm, Then 't is no wonder if that we do hear more news of harm. Let 's have our faith and hope in God, and trust in him alone, And then no doubt this storm of war it quickly will be gone. Thus, reader, I, in love to all, leave these few lines with thee, Hoping that in the substance we shall very well agree. If that you do mistake the verse for its uncomely dress, I tell thee true, I never thought that it would pass the press. If any at the matter kick, it 's like he's galled at heart, And that's the reason why he kicks, because he finds it smart. I am for peace, and not for war, and that 's the reason why I write more plain than some men do, that use to daub and lie. But I shall cease and set my name to what I here insert, Because to be a libeller, I hate it with my heart. From Sherbon town, where now I dwell, my name I do put here, Without offence your real friend, it is PETER FOLGER. April 23, 1676. |
Modified: 7/2/08