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Michael Wigglesworth
Michael Wigglesworth (1631–1705) was an English-born American preacher, Puritan minister, physician, and poet whose work profoundly influenced early New England religious life. Born on October 18, 1631, likely in Yorkshire, England, to Edward Wigglesworth and Ester Middlebrook, he emigrated with his family to New England in 1638, settling first in Charlestown, Massachusetts, then in New Haven, Connecticut. His father’s illness forced him to leave school at age 10 to work on the family farm, but he later attended Harvard College, graduating in 1651. He served as a tutor there from 1652 to 1654 and was ordained in 1656, becoming pastor of the First Parish in Malden, Massachusetts, where he ministered until his death, despite frequent health challenges. Wigglesworth’s preaching career was marked by his role as a Puritan pastor, delivering sermons that reflected the era’s strict Calvinistic theology, emphasizing sin, judgment, and redemption. His most famous work, The Day of Doom (1662), a long poem depicting the Last Judgment, became a colonial bestseller, selling 1,800 copies in its first year and shaping Puritan thought with its vivid imagery. He also practiced medicine to support his ministry and wrote additional works like God’s Controversy with New England and Meat out of the Eater. Married three times—first to Mary Reyner in 1655, then to Martha Mudge in 1679 after being widowed, and finally to Sybil Avery Sparhawk in 1691—he fathered multiple children. Wigglesworth died on June 10, 1705, in Malden, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose writings and sermons encapsulated Puritan fears and faith.
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Michael Wigglesworth shares his struggles of being withheld from serving Christ due to physical limitations, yet finding true delight in serving the Lord. Despite feeling weak and imprisoned, he acknowledges God's comfort and strength sustaining him through over ten years of suffering. Wigglesworth expresses his desire to honor God and benefit others through his writings, even though his strength often fails him. He encourages readers to prepare for Death and Judgment by seeking a relationship with Christ, their true Friend and Savior.
To the Christian Reader
Reader, I am a fool; And have adventured To play the fool this once for Christ, The more his fame to spread. If this my foolishness Help thee to be more wise, I have attained what I seek, And what I onely prize. Thou wonderest perhaps, That I in Print appear, Who to the Pulpit dwell so nigh, Yet come so seldome there. The God of Heaven knows What grief to me it is, To be with-held from Serving Christ: No sorrow like to this. This is the sorest pain That I have felt of feel: Yet have I stood some shocks that might Make stonger Men to reel. I find more true delight In serving of my Lord, Tan all the good things upon Earth, Without it, can afford. And could my strength endure, That work I count so dear; Not all the Riches of Peru Should hire me to forbear; But I'm a Prisoner, Under a heavy Chain: Almighty God's afflicting hand, Doth me perforce restrain. Yet some (I know) do judge, Mine inability, To come abroad and do Christ's Work, To be Melancholly; And that I'm not so weak, As I my self conceit, But who, in other things have found Me so conceited yet? Or who of all my friends, That have my tryals seen, Can tell the time in seven years, When I have dumpish been? Some think my voice is strong, Most times when I do Preach: But ten days after what I feel And suffer, few can reach. My prisoned thoughts break forth, When open'd is the door, With greater force and violence, And strain my voice the more. But vainly do they tell, That I am growing stronger, Who hear me speak in half an hour, Till I can speak no longer. Some for, because they see not My chearfulness to fail, Nor that I am disconsolate, Do think I nothing ail. If they had born my griefs, Their courage might have fail'd them, And all the Town (perhaps) have known (Once and again) what ail'd them. But why should I complain That have so good a God, That doth mine heart with comfort fill, Ev'n whilst I feel his Rod? In God I have been strong, When wearied and worn out; And joy'd in him, when twenty woes Assail'd me round about. Nor speak I this to boast; But make Apology For mine own self, and answer those That fail in Charity. I am (alas) as frail, Impatient a Creature, As most that tread upon the ground, And have as bad a nature. Let God be magnify'd, Whose everlasting strength Upholds me under sufferings Of more than ten years length. Through whose Almighty pow'r Although I am surrounded With sorrows more than can be told, Yet am I not confounded. For his dear sake have I This service undertaken, For I am bound to honour Him, Who hath not me forsaken. I am a Debtor too, Unto the sons of Men; Whom wanting other means, I would Advantage with my Pen. I would, But (ah!) my strength, When tried, proves so small, That to the ground without effect, My wishes often fall. Weak heads, and hands, and states, Great things cannot produce: And therefore I this little Piece Have publish'd for thine use. Although the thing be small, Yet my good will therein, Is nothing less then if it had A larger Volumn been. Accept it then in Love, And read it for thy good: There's nothing in't can do thee hurt, If rightly understood. The God of Heaven grant These Lines so well to speed, That thou the things of thine own peace, Through them may'st better heed, And may'st be stirred up To stand upon thy guard, That Death and Judgment may not come, And find thee unprepar'd. Oh get a part in Christ, And make the Judge thy Friend: So shalt thou be assured of A happy, glorious end. Thus prayes thy real Friend, And Servant for Christ's Sake, Who had he strength would not refuse, More pains for thee to take.
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Michael Wigglesworth (1631–1705) was an English-born American preacher, Puritan minister, physician, and poet whose work profoundly influenced early New England religious life. Born on October 18, 1631, likely in Yorkshire, England, to Edward Wigglesworth and Ester Middlebrook, he emigrated with his family to New England in 1638, settling first in Charlestown, Massachusetts, then in New Haven, Connecticut. His father’s illness forced him to leave school at age 10 to work on the family farm, but he later attended Harvard College, graduating in 1651. He served as a tutor there from 1652 to 1654 and was ordained in 1656, becoming pastor of the First Parish in Malden, Massachusetts, where he ministered until his death, despite frequent health challenges. Wigglesworth’s preaching career was marked by his role as a Puritan pastor, delivering sermons that reflected the era’s strict Calvinistic theology, emphasizing sin, judgment, and redemption. His most famous work, The Day of Doom (1662), a long poem depicting the Last Judgment, became a colonial bestseller, selling 1,800 copies in its first year and shaping Puritan thought with its vivid imagery. He also practiced medicine to support his ministry and wrote additional works like God’s Controversy with New England and Meat out of the Eater. Married three times—first to Mary Reyner in 1655, then to Martha Mudge in 1679 after being widowed, and finally to Sybil Avery Sparhawk in 1691—he fathered multiple children. Wigglesworth died on June 10, 1705, in Malden, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose writings and sermons encapsulated Puritan fears and faith.