While a tutor, he prepared himself for the ministry, and before his father’s death he had preached several times. He was invited, probably in the autumn of 1654, to settle at Malden, as the successor of Rev. Marmaduke Matthews, but owing to long-continued sickness was not ordained there till 1656. The precise date of his ordination is not known, but it must have been subsequent to August 25, 1656, for his letter of dismission from the church at Cambridge bears that date. This letter, addressing the “Church of Christ at Maldon,” states that “the good hand of Divine Providence hath so disposed that our beloved and highly esteemed brother, Mr. Wigglesworth, hath his residence and is employed in the good work of ye Lord amongst you, and hath cause to desire of us Letters Dismissive to your church, in order to his joining as a member with you.” The ill health which had delayed his ordination at Malden returned soon after his settlement there, and interrupted his ministry several years. He took a voyage to Bermuda, sailing Sept. 23, 1663, and being absent about seven months and a half. But the tedious and stormy voyage seems to have impaired his health so much that the change of climate afforded him little relief, and he returned much discouraged. He met with a very cordial welcome from his friends and parishioners. While he was thus withheld from his ministry, he employed his time in literary labors. His _Day of Doom_ was published about 1662, the year before his voyage to Bermuda. The first edition consisting of 1,800 copies, was sold, with some profit to the author, within a year, which considering the population and wealth of New England at that time, shows almost as remarkable a popularity as that of _Uncle Tom’s Cabin_. While absent on his voyage in search of health, Dec. 9, 1663, Rev. Benjamin Bunker was ordained pastor of the church at Malden. It seems that a distinction was observed at this time in New England between pastor and teacher. Wigglesworth calls Bunker “pastor” in some verses composed on his death, while on the title-page of this, work he calls himself “teacher.” After Wigglesworth became sole minister, he was probably considered the pastor. Bunker held this office over six years, till his death, Feb. 3, 1669-70; In the elegy on the death of his colleague, Wigglesworth highly extols Bunker’s piety and usefulness. The next colleague of our author was Bev. Benjamin Blackman, settled about 1674. He supplied the desk four years and upward. and left in the year 1679. His next colleague was Rev. Thomas Cheever, son of his early teacher, the celebrated New England schoolmaster, Ezekiel Cheever, author of _Latin Accidence_. These three ministers were all educated at Harvard College, Bunker having graduated in 1658, Blackman in 1663, and Cheever in 1677. Mr. Cheever began to preach at Maiden Feb. 14, 1679-80, was ordained July 27, 1681, and was dismissed May 20, 1686.