Preface to the Reader Part 2

Edited by Maria Bassett

But it is not my business to dilate1 on these things, but only in few words introductively to preface to the following script, which is a Narrative of the wonderfully awfull, wise, holy, powerfull, and gracious providence of God, towards that worthy and precious Gentlewoman, the dear Consort of2 the said Reverend Mr. Rowlandson, and her Children with her, as in casting of her into such a waterless pit,3 so in preserving, supporting, and carrying thorow so many such extream hazards, unspeakable difficulties and disconsolateness, and at last delivering her out of them all, and her surviving Children also. It was a strange and amazing dispensation, that the Lord should so afflict his precious Servant, and Hand maid: It was as strange, if not more, that he should so bear up the spirits of his Servant under such bereavements and of his handmaid under such captivity, travels and hardships (much too hard for flesh and blood) as he did, and at length deliver and restore. But he was their Saviour, who hath said, When thou passest through the Waters, I will be with thee, and thorough the Rivers, they shall not over, flow thee: When thou walkesst through the Pire; thou shall not be burnt, nor shall the flame kindle upon thee,4 Isa. 43. ver. 2. and again, He woundeth and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea in in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In Famine he shall redeem thee from Death, and in War from the power of the sword.5 Job 5.18, 19, 20. Methinks this dispensation doth bear some resemblance6 to those of Joseph,7 David8 and Daniel;9 yea, and of the three Children too,10the Stories whereof do represent us with the excellent textures of divine Providence, curious pieces of divine work: and truly so doth this, and therefore not to be forgotten, but worthy to be exhibited to, and viewed, and pondered by all, that disdain not to counsider the operation of his hands.

The works of the Lord (not only of Creation, but of Province11 also, especially those that do more peculiarly concern12 his dear ones, that are as the Apple of his Eye,13 as the Signet upon His Hand, the Delight of his Eyes, and the Object of his tenderest Care) and great, sought out of all those that have pleasure therein. And of these verily this is none of the least.14

This Narrative was penned by the Gentlewoman her self,15 to be to her a memorandum of Gods dealing with her, that she might never forget, but remember the same, & the severall circumstances thereof, all the dayes of her life. A pious scope which deserves both commendation and imitation: Some friends having obtained a sight of it, could not but be so much affected with the many passages of working providence discovered therein, as to judge it worthy of publick view, and altogether unmeet that such works of God should be hid from present and Future Generations: And therefore though this Gentlewomans modesty would not thrust it into the Press, yet her gratitude unto God made her not hardly perswadible to let it pass, that God might have his due glory, and others benefit by it as well as her self. I hope by this time none will cast any reflection upon this Gentlewoman, on the score of this publication of her affliction and deliverance. If any should, doubtless they may be reckoned with the nine lepers, of whom it is said, Were there not ten cleansed, where are the nine? but one returning to give God thanks.16 Let such further know that this was a dispensation of publick note, and of universall concernment, and so much the more, by how much the nearer this Gentlewoman stood related to that faithfull Servant of God, whose capacity and employment was publick in the house of God, and his name on that account of a very sweet savour in the Churches of Christ, who is there of a true Christian spirit, that did not look upon himself much concerned in this bereavment, this Captivity in the time thereof, and in his deliverance when it came, yea more then in many others; and how many are there, to whom so concerned, it will doubtless be a very acceptable thing, to see the way of God with this Gentlewoman in the aforesaid dispensation, thus laid out and pourtrayed before their eyes.

Thanks to the University of Michigan’s Early American Imprint Digital Collection for providing the digitized version of this text free of charge.
Without their generosity, this project would not be possible.

  1. Symbols from the University of Michigan’s Early American Imprint Digital Collection edition of the text (in this case: dil•te) have been omitted for readability. It has been replaced with text from here and here. Spelling from the aforesaid edition has been preserved. ↩

  2. Text gaps from the University of Michigan’s Early American Imprint Digital Collection edition of the text have been replaced for cohesion. ↩

  3. Reference to Zechariah 9:11: ” . . . I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.” New International Version. This is perceived to be a metaphor for Babylonian captivity. ↩

  4. Direct quote from Isaiah 43:2. God tells the Jewish people that he will always be with them, support them, and guide them through the challenges (Waters, Rivers, Pire) they face. Additionally, there is caution of a “disastrous separation from God,” in which these same challenges will afflict the individual. ↩

  5. Direct quote from Job 5:18-20. It is a reminder that through even the greatest hardships (in this case Famine and War), God is there for his believers and good will come for them. ↩

  6. There are multiple comparisons to Rowlandson’s story and those of the Bible, particularly of the figures who were held captive in some way, stayed true to God, and then returned. ↩

  7. Joseph is a figure from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. In the story, his brothers sell Joseph into slavery, and he is taken to Egypt. While there, he stays true to his faith in God, overcomes many hardships and hurdles, and is eventually reunited with his family. Read more here. ↩

  8. David is a figure from the Books of Samuel and Chronicles. ↩

  9. Daniel is a figure from the Book of Daniel. He is taken into captivity, and stays faithful to God while captured. ↩

  10. The Three Children is a reference to a passage in the Bible in the Book of Daniel (3). The three children challenge the King of Babylon, asserting their faith in God, even through many hardships. ↩

  11. Providence. ↩

  12. Page break omitted. ↩

  13. Reference to Psalm 17:8, Proverbs 7:2, Zechariah 2:8. Denotes a fondness. ↩

  14. Interestingly, this edition of the text omits this paragraph, leaving a gap in the narrative. ↩

  15. It was uncommon for women to write at this time in history; in fact Rowlandson was one of the first in America. ↩

  16. Reference to Luke 17:11-19. Jesus heals ten lepers, while only one thanks him. Jesus notes that his faith is what healed him. To be reckoned with the nine lepers is to be condemned. ↩