49 rably plunged, except a few, that were therefore the scorne of mankind; and but few of those few, that had not naturall and superstitious follies, that were in some kind iustly ridiculous and contemptible. It was a remarkable providence of God in his life, that must not be past over without speciall notice, that he gave him these two yeares Ieizure, and a heart so to employ it, before the noyse of warre and tumult came upon him. Y ett about the yeare 1639 the thunder was heard afarre of ratling in the troubled ayre, and even the most obscured woods were penetrated with some flashes, the forerunners of the dreadful! storme which the next yeare was more apparent; but Mr. Hutchinson was not yett awak'ned till it pleased God to deliver him from a danger into which he had runne himselfe, had not mercy prevented him. His wife having allready two sons; and being againe with child, consider'd that it would be necessary to seeke an augmentation of revenue, or retire into a cheaper country; and more enclining to the first, then to leave att once her mother, and all the rest of her deare relations, had propounded to him to buy an office, which he was not of himselfe very inclinable to, but, to give her and her mother satisfaction, he hearkened to a motion that was made him in that kind. Sr. vVilliam Pennieman, who had married his cousin-german, a Ycry worthy gentleman, who had greate respect both for and fi·om his father, had purchas'd the chiefe office in the starre chamber; the gentleman who held the nex t to him was carelesse and debosht, and thereby a greate hinderance of Sr. 'William's profitts, who appre- · hendcd if he could gett an honest man into that place, that they might mutually much advantage each other; whereupon he perswaded Mr. Hutchinson to buy the place, and offer'd him any termes, to goe any share with him, or any way he could desire. J\fr. Hutchinson treated with the gentleman, came to a conclusion, went downe into the country, provided the money, and came up againc, thinking presently to enter into the office; but the gentle- · man that should have sold it, being of an uncerteine humor,
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