H. M.
November 1885.



THE HISTORY OF THOMAS ELLWOOD--WRITTEN BY HIMSELF



Although my station, not being so eminent either in the church of
Christ or in the world as others who have moved in higher orbs, may
not afford such considerable remarks as theirs, yet inasmuch as in
the course of my travels through this vale of tears I have passed
through various and some uncommon exercises, which the Lord hath
been graciously pleased to support me under and conduct me through,
I hold it a matter excusable at least, if not commendable, to give
the world some little account of my life, that in recounting the
many deliverances and preservations which the Lord hath vouchsafed
to work for me, both I, by a grateful acknowledgment thereof and
return of thanksgivings unto him therefor, may in some measure set
forth His abundant goodness to me, and others, whose lot it may be
to tread the same path and fall into the same or like exercises, may
be encouraged to persevere in the way of holiness, and with full
assurance of mind to trust in the Lord, whatsoever trials may befall
them.

To begin therefore with mine own beginning, I was born in the year
of our Lord 1639, about the beginning of the eighth month, so far as
I have been able to inform myself, for the parish register, which
relates to the time not of birth but of baptism, as they call it, is