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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 preaches about the importance of worshiping God alone and not mixing praises to Him with praises to false gods or idols. He emphasizes the need to pray only to God in Christ and to avoid any form of blasphemy or impurity in our worship. Wigglesworth urges believers to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit in praising God's holy name and teaching others His ways.
A Prayer Unto Christ
The Judge Of The World O Dearest Dread, most glorious King, I'le of thy justest Judgements sing: So thou my head and heart inspire, To Sing aright, as I desire. Thee, thee alone I'le invocate, For I do much abominate To call the Muses to mine aid: Which is th' Unchristian use, and trade Of some that Christians would be thought, And yet they worship worse then nought. Oh! what a deal of Blasphemy, And Heathenish Impiety, In Christian Poets may be found, Where Heathen gods with praise are Crown'd, They make Jehovah to stand by, Till Juno, Venus, Mercury, With frowning Mars, and thundering Jove Rule Earth below, and Heaven above. But I have learnt to pray to none, Save unto God in Christ alone. Nor will I laud, no, not in jest, That which I know God doth detest. I reckon it a damning evil To give Gods Praises to the Devil. Thou, Christ, art he to whom I pray, Thy Glory fain I would display. Oh! guide me by thy sacred Sprite So to indite, and so to write, That I thine holy Name may praise, And teach the Sons of men thy wayes.
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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.