Curious specimen of Style.

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their geographical accuracy, for they are both defective. The first makes the distance from Ipswich four miles greater than it is. The last states the distance right, but calls the place Merrimack, which is four miles further, while his description much better applies to Parker river, where the settlement had actually commenced the year he made his observations, and on Parker are the most extensive marshes.

The first person born in Newbury was Mary Brown, afterwards, Godfrey. She lived to be eighty two years of age, had a good report as a maid, a wife, and widow, and left a numerous posterity.

Few churches of New England, have sent forth so many branches as this at Newbury. Beside a meeting of friends and half a congregational society, the other half lying in Rowley, there are ten churches within the ancient limits of Newbury.

A curious specimen of style, and that fondness, which the man retains for "the play place of his tender years" is left us by a native of this town.

As long as Plumb island shall faithfully keep the commanded post, notwithstanding all the hectoring words and hard blows of the proud and boisterous ocean; as long as any salmon or sturgeon shall swim in the streams of Merrimack, or any perch or pickerel in Crane Pond; as long as the sea fowl shall know the time of their coming, and not neglect seasonably to visit the places of their acquaintance; as long as any cattle

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shall be fed with the grass growing in the meadows, which do humbly bow down themselves before Turkey Hill; as long as any sheep shall walk upon Old Town hills, and thence pleasantly look down upon the river Parker, and the fruitful marshes lying beneath; as long as any free and harmless doves shall find a white oak or other tree within the township to perch, or feed, or build a a careless nest upon, and shall voluntarily present themselves to perform the office of gleaners after barley harvest; as long as nature shall not grow old and dote, but shall constantly remember to give the rows of Indian corn, their education by pairs; so long shall christains be born here, and being made meet shall hence be translated to be made partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."* So pleasing were his anticipations, and so readily did he find in his native town, all the images of duration to satisfy his taste.

The ministers of this ancient church have been respectable for their talents and purity of character. Their first pastor, the Rev. Thomas Parker, was the only son of the Rev. Robert Parker, who with some other ministers was driven out of England, in the reign of queen Elizabeth, for puritanism. Mr. Thomas Parker was born in 1595. He had been admitted into Magdalen college, in Oxford, before his father's exile; after which he removed to Ireland, were he pursued his studies.

* Description of the New Heaven, by S. Sewall, Fellow of Harvard College, printed 1727.

Life and Character of the Rev. Mr. Parker. 91

under the famous Dr. Usher. Thence he went after his father to Holland, where he enjoyed the assistance of Dr. Ames. His labours were indefatigable, and his progress answerable. Before the age of twenty two he received the degree of Master of Arts. In his diploma it is said, "Illum non sine magna admiratione audiverimus." He soon returned to Newbury, in England, to pursue his theological studies, where he also for a time preached and kept a school. Thence he, with a number of christians from Wiltshire, came over to New England in the year 1634. The next year, with a number of those, who left England with him, and others, he settled at Newbury, where for a long course of years, by the holiness and humility of his life, he gave his people a lively commentary of his doctrine. He was a hard student, and by his incessant application he became blind several years before his death. Under this extreme loss he supported an easy and patient temper, and would, in a pleasant manner, say, "Well, they will be restored shortly in the resurrection." He departed to a world of light, April, 1677, in the eighty second year of his age, and fifty second of his ministry. He was a man of charity, and for some peculiarity of opinions, experienced some difficulties with his neighbours. He was considered one of the first scholars and divines of the age.

Mr. Parker's confidence in the success of New England settlements, may be inferred from the text he selected for a sermon preached at Ipswich, just

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Character of Mr. Noyes.

before he and his people left England. It was Exod. 1. 7 "And the children of Israel were fruit1.7 ful, &c. and the land was filled with them."

Mr. Parker and his colleague, both considered the sabbath as beginning the evening preceding, yet both kept sabbath evening as their people did. Mr. Parker being asked why he adopted a practice different from his opinion, replied, "Because I dare not depart from the footsteps of the flock, for my own private opinion." When he kept a small school he refused any reward, saying, "He liv ed for the church's sake; therefore he was not willing to receive any scholars, but those, who were designed for the ministry. His whole life was employed in prayer, study, preaching, and teaching school. Going from his study one day, he found the young people of the family laughing very freely, he gravely said, "Cousins, I wonder you can be so merry, unless you are sure of salvation."

Mr. James Noyes was born in 1608, at Choulderton, of godly parents; his father being minister of the town. Mr. Noyes was called from college, in Oxford, to assist Mr. Parker in his school at Newbury, in England. In his youth he was admired for his piety; after receiving a call at Watertown, while he was preaching at Medford, he chose to settle with his beloved Parker, and the people, who came over with him, who invited him to Newbury. He was much beloved by his people, and his memory is respected there to the

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present day. A catechism, which he composed for the children of his flock, has lately been reprinted by them. He was their teacher for more than twenty years; and after a long and tedious sickness, which he bore with patience and even cheerfulness, he died Oct. 22, 1656, in the 48th year of his age. He married Sarah Brown, before he left England, by whom he left six sons and two daughters, who all lived to have families. Though Mr. Noyes fled from the church of England, he was not so high a republican, in religious affairs, as his brethren in general. "He no way approved the governing vote of the fraternity, but took their consent in a silential way." He held a profession of faith, and repentance, and subjection to ordinances, to be the rule of admission to church fellowship, but admitted to baptism the children of those, who had been baptized, without requiring the parents to own any covenant or being in church fellowship. Mr. Parker and Noyes kept a private fast together once a month, while Mr. Noyes lived, as they often had done in England, and while on their passage to this country. Mr. Parker continued the practice after the death of Mr. Noyes. They were the most cordial and intimate friends; in England they instructed in the same school; they came over in the same ship; they were ministers in the same church; and as Mr. Parker never married, they lived in the same house; nothing but death could separate them.

Mr. John Woodbridge succeeded Mr. Noyes as

J.