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Author: |
Eliot, John, 1604-1690. |
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Title: |
A late and further
manifestation of the progress of the gospel amongst |
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A late and further
manifestation of the progress of the gospel |
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Subject terms: |
Indians of North America
-- Massachusetts -- Missions -- Early Massachuset Indians -- Missions -- Early works to 1800. |
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A39229.0001.001 |
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A Late and Further
MANIFESTATION
OF THE
Progress of the GOSPEL
AMONGST THE
INDIANS
IN New-England.
Declaring their constant Love and Zeal to
the Truth: With a readinesse to give
Accompt of their Faith and Hope; as of
their desires in Church Commu-
nion to be Partakers of
the Ordinances of CHRIST.
Being a Narrative of the Examinations of
the Indians, about
their Knowledge in Religion, by the Elders of the Churches.
Related by Mr JOHN ELIOT.
Published by the CORPORATION, established
by
Act of Parliament, for Propagating the Gospel there.
Acts 3. 47.
I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for Salvation unto the Ends of the Earth.
LONDON: Printed by M. S. 1655.
WEE having perused the ensuing
Narration, written by Master
Eliot, doe conceive it fit to be
Printed, That thereby the Servants
of God in England may
be further enlarged in their
Praises to God for his free Grace wonderfully
manifested in beginning and so succesfully carrying
on the hoped for Conversion of the Indians.
And also that they may be much encouraged to
continue their Prayers, and liberall Contributions
for the finishing and perfecting of this
blessed and glorious undertaking, so much conducing
to the Glory of God, the Salvation of
soules, and the Inlargement of the Kingdome of
Christ upon Earth.
May 13. 1655.
To all that pray and wait for the Prosperity of SION, and the increase of the Kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ to the ends of the Earth.
Grace and Peace be multiplied.
Beloved Brethren.
AS, The One thing which ye have desired
of the Lord, and which yee
have sought after, is, that your
selves might dwell in the house of
the Lord all the dayes of your
lives, to behold the beauty of the
Lord, and to enquire in his Temple:
So, I am much assured that the next thing
which yee have desired of the Lord, and which ye
have earnestly sought after, is, that they who have
hitherto been strangers to, might dwell also in the
house of the Lord all the dayes of their lives, to
behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in
his Temple; yea, that they might be a house and
a Temple of the Lord. This being the gratious designe
of your holy breathings unto God, and of
your liberall contributings unto men, ye cannot
but rejoyce to hear of any thing which looketh
like, much more which really is a fruit and return
of such breathings and contributings. Holy prayers
and zealous endeavours are very sweet in their
acts, but they are much more sweet in their effects
and issues. It should mightily encourage the seed
of Jacob to pray, because God hath said, that he
hath not said to the seed of Jacob, Seek yee me in vaine.
But how should it provoke the seed of Jacob
to give thanks, when they find that they have not
sought the Lord in vaine? and that their labours
have not been in vaine in the Lord?
Beloved Brethren, yee may now see and tast the
fruit of those Prophecie, which ye have been helping
to the birth. The Wildernesse and solitary places
are glad, the desert rejoyceth and blossometh as the Rose
it blossometh abundantly, and rejoyceth even with joy
and singing. The glory of Lebanon is given to it, the
excellency of Carmell and Sharon, these see the glory of
the Lord, and the excellency of our God.
This little Book of Observations and Experiences
gives you a brief and faithfull Narrative of the
increasing glory of Christ by the Progresse of the
Gospel in New-England: It tells you how Christ
hath there led captivity captive, and given gifts
for men, yea, for the rebellious, that the Lord God
might dwell among them. Where the strong man
Armed kept the house (for many Ages and Generations,
and all was in peace:) there now (Christ)
A stronger then he, hath come upon him, and hath
(in many examples) overcome him and taken
from him all his Armour wherein he trusted, and
divided his spoyles: Now Christ keeps the house,
which Satan formerly kept; yea, they who were
kept by Satan as his house, are now ready and earnestly
desire to be built up as a house for Christ.
The poor, naked, ignorant Indians, who lately knew
no civill Order, now beg to be brought into Church
Order, to live under the Government, and enjoy
the holy Ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ, in
the purest way of Gospel-worship.
May we not now (Beloved) make mention of
Rahab and Babylon to them that know Christ? Behold
Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia, this man was
borne there; and of Sion (in New-England) it may
be said, this and that man (of the wild, rude, and barbarous
Indians) was borne there. Read this short
discourse, and it will tell you that the Lord hath
blessed the labours of the Messengers of Sion in New-England,
with the Conversion of some (I may say,
of a considerable number) of the Indians, to be a
kind of first fruits of his (new) Creatures there.
O let old England rejoyce in this, that our brethren
who with extream difficulties and expences have
Planted themselves in the Indian Wildernesses, have
also laboured night and day with prayers and tears
and Exhortations to Plant the Indians as a spirituall
Garden, into which Christ might come and eat his
pleasant fruits. Let the gaining of any of their souls
to Christ, and their turning to God from Idols to
serve the living and true God, be more pretious in
our eyes then the greatest gaine or return of Gold
and Silver. This gaine of soules is a Merchandize
worth the glorying in upon all the Exchanges, or rather
in all the Churches throughout the world. This
Merchandize is Holinesse to the Lord: And of this the
ensuing Discourse presents you with a Bill of many
particulars, from your spirituall Factory in New England,
as the improvement of your former adventures
thether, for the promoting of that heavenly Trade;
as also for an encouragement not only to all those
who have freely done it already, to adventure yet
more, but also for the quickning of those who hitherto
have not done it, now to underwrite themselves
Adventurers for the advancement of so holy
and hopefull a designe. I shall adde only this one
word, That, Whosoever shall thus Adventer for Christ,
shall have Christ for his Insurer. To his Grace and
Blessing I recommend both you and this Blessed
Work, who am
Dearly Beloved,
A
hearty well-wisher to the Propagation
of the Gospel; and your Servant for
Christs sake.
JOSEPH CARYL.
[ 1 ]
A BRIEF NARRATION OF
THE INDIANS PROCEEDINGS
In respect of Church-Estate, AND How the Case standeth
at the present with us.
AFTER I had spent my poor labours among
the Indians for the space of neer four years,
it pleased God to stir up in them a great desire
of partaking in the Ordinance of Baptism,
and other Ecclesiasticall Ordinances in way
of Church Communion. But I declared unto
them how necessary it was, that they should
first be Civilized, by being brought from their scattered and
wild course of life, unto civill Co-habitation and Government,
[ 2 ]
before they could, according to the will of God revealed in the
Scriptures, be fit to be betrusted with the sacred Ordinances of
Jesus Christ, in Church-Communion. And therefore I propoun-
ded unto them, that they should look out some fit place to be-
gin a Towne, unto which they might resort, and there dwell to-
gether, enjoy Government, and be made ready and prepared to
be a People among whom the Lord might delight to dwell and
Rule.
When they understood the mind of God in this matter, they
were desirous to set upon the work: The reallity of which de-
sires, the living have actually expressed, by their performance
thereof (in some poor measure) and some of them dying, left
their earnest affections and desires with the rest, to set upon that
work; especially Wampocas, a godly man, of whose death and
exhortations that way, I have made some mention in some for-
mer Letters.
We accordingly attended thereunto, to search for a fit place,
and finally, after sundry journeyes and travells to severall pla-
ces, the Lord did by his speciall providence, and answer of pray-
ers, pitch us upon the place where we are at Natick. Unto
which place my purpose at first was to have brought all the
Praying Indians to Co-habit together: But it so fell out (by the
guidance of God, as it now appeareth) that because the Cohan-
net Indians desired a place which they had reserved for them-
selves, and I finding that I could not at that time pitch there
without opposition from some English, I refused that place, and
pitched at Natick, where I found no opposition at present.
This choyce of mine did move in the Cohannet Indians a jealousie
that I had more affection unto those other Indians, then unto
them. By which occasion (together with some other Provi-
dences of God, as the death of Cutshamoquin, and the coming
of Iasias, to succeed in the Sachemship in that place) their minds
were quite alienated from the place of Natick, though not from
the work, for they desire to make a Towne in that fore-mentio-
ned place of their owne, named Ponkipog, and are now upon the
work. And indeed, it now appeareth to be of the Lord, because
we cannot have competent accommodations at Natick, for
those that be there, which are about fifty Lots, more or lesse.
[ 3 ]
And furthermore, by the blessing of God upon the work, there
are People, partly prepared, and partly preparing for three
Townes more. Insomuch, as that it is most evident, that had I
procceded according to my first intentions, to have called them
all unto that one place, we must have been forced very quickly
to have scattered againe, for want of accommodations for so
great a company of Inhabitants, and so have discouraged them
at our first onset of drawing them from their scattered way of
living, unto Co-habitation: seeing it would have brought them
unto such wants and streights as they could not have grapled
withall, but rather would have been occasioned to think there
were insuperable difficulties in this enterprise: Whereas in lesser
companies they may find a more plentifull and better course of
life then they found in that former way out of which they are
called; as through Gods mercy, and the bounty of good peo-
ple in England, whose love layeth the foundation-stone of the
work, they doe already feele and find at Natick, and begin to
find at Ponkipog.
In prosecution of this work in the year 1650 we began by the
Lords assistance our first Towne at Natick, where we built a
Fort, and one dwelling-house. In the year 51 after Fasting and
Prayer about that matter, they gave up themselves and their
Children to be governed by the Lord, according to his word, in
all wayes of civility, and chose among themselves Rulers of ten,
fifty, and an hundred, according to the holy Patterne, so far as
they could: In which way of Government the Lord hath not a
little owned them, and blessed them.
In the year 52 I perceiving the grace of God in sundry of
them, and some poor measure of fitnesse (as I was perswaded)
for the enjoyment of Church-fellowship, and Ordinances of Je-
sus Christ, I moved in that matter, according as I have in the
Narration thereof, briefly declared. In the year 53 I moved
not that way, for these Reasons.
I having sent their Confessions to be published in England, I
did much desire to hear what acceptance the Lord gave unto
them, in the hearts of his people there, who daily labour at the
Throne of grace, and by other expressions of their loves, for an
holy birth of this work of the Lord, to the praise of Christ, and
[ 4 ]
the inlargement of his Kingdome. As also my desire was, that
by such Books as might be sent hither, the knowledge of their
Confessions might be spread here, unto the better and fuller sa-
tisfaction of many, then the transacting thereof in the presence
of some could doe. These Books came by the latter Ships (as
I remember) that were bound for New-England, and were but
newly out when they set saile, and therefore I had not that an-
swer that year, which my soule desired, though something I had
which gave encouragement, and was a tast of what I have more
fully heard from severall this year, praised be the Lord.
Besides, there fell a great damping and discouragement upon
us, by a jealousie too deeply apprehended, though utterly
groundlesse, viz. That even these praying Indians were in a
conspiracy with others, and with the Dutch, to doe mischief to
the English, In which matter, though the ruling part of the
People looked otherwise upon them, yet it was no season for me
to stir or move in this matter, when the waters were so troubled.
This businesse needeth a calmer season, and I shall account it a
savour of God when ever he shall please to cause his face to
shine upon us in it. Yet this I did the last year, after the Books
had been come a season, there being a great meeting at Beston,
from other Colonies as well as our owne, and the Commissio-
ners being there, I thought it necessary to take that opportunity
to prepare and open the way in a readinesse against this present
year, by making this Proposition unto them; namely, That
they having now seen their confessions, if upon further triall of them
in point of knowledge, they be found to have a competent measure
of understanding in the fundamentall points of Religion; and
also, if there be due testimony of their conversation, that they walke
in a Christian manner according to their light, so that Religion is
to be seen in their lives; whether then it be according to God, and
acceptable to his people, that they be called up unto Church-estate?
Unto which I had I blesse the Lord, a generall approbation.
Accordingly this year 54 I moved the Elders, that they would
give me advice and assistance in this great businesse, & that they
would at a fit season examine the Indians in point of their know-
ledge, because we found by the former triall, that a day will be
too little (if the Lord please to call them on to Church-fellow-
ship)
[ 5 ]
to examine them in points of Knowledge, and hear their
Confessions, and guide them into the holy Covenant of the Lord.
Seeing all these things are to be transacted in a strange language,
and by Interpreters, and with such a people as they be in these
their first beginnings. But if they would spend a day on purpose
to examine them in their knowledge, there would be so much
the more liberty to doe it fully and throughly (as such a work
ought to be) as also when they may be called to gather into
Church-Communion, it may suffice that some one of them should
make a Doctrinall Confession before the Lord and his people,
as the rule of faith which they build upon, the rest attesting their
consent unto the same: And themselves (the Elders I mean,
if the Lord so far assist the Indians, as to give them satisfaction)
might testifie that upon Examination they have found a compe-
tency of knowledge in them to inable them unto such a work
and state. And thus the work might be much shortned, and
more comfortably expedited in one day. I found no unreadinesse
in the Elders to further this work.
Some dispute there was about Officers in the Church, if they
should be found fit matter to proceed, of which I shall anon
speak God-willing.
They concluded to attend the work, and for severall Reasons
advised that the place should be at Roxbury, and not at Natick,
and that the Indians should be called thither, the time they left
to me to appoint, in such a season as wherein the Elders may be
at best liberty from other publick occasions The time appoint-
ed was the 13 of the 4 moneth; mean while I dispatched Letters
unto such as had knowledge in the Tongue, requesting that they
would come and help in Interpretation, or attest unto the truth
of my Interpretations. I sent also for my Brother Mayhu, who
accordingly came, and brought an Interpreter with him. Others
whom I had desired, came not. I informed the Indians of this
appointment, and of the end it was appointed for, which they
therefore called, and still doe, when they have occasion to speak of it, Natootomuhteáe
kesuk, A day of asking Questions, or,
A day of Examination. I advised them to prepare for it, and to
pray earnestly about it, that they might be accepted among Gods
people, if it were the will of God.
[ 6 ]
It pleased God so to guide, that there was a publick Fast of
all
the Churches, betwixt this our appointment, and the accom-
plishment thereof: which day they kept, as the Churches did,
and this businesse of theirs was a Principall matter in their Pray-
∣ers.
It hath pleased God to lay his hand in sicknesse upon Mone-
quassun our Natick Schoolmaster, so that we greatly wanted his
help and concurrence in this businesse. Yea, and such is his di-
sease (viz. an Ulcer in his Lungs) that I fear the Lord will
take him away from us, to the great hindrance of our work, in
respect of humane means: Lord increase our faith!
There fell out a very great discouragement a little before
the time, which might have been a scandall unto them, and I
doubt not but Satan intended it so; but the Lord improved it to
stir up faith and Prayer, and so turned it another way: Thus it
was. Three of the unsound sort of such as are among them that
pray unto God, who are hemmed in by Relations, and other
means, to doe that which their hearts love not; and whose Vices
Satan improveth to scandalize and reproach the better sort with-
all; while many, and some good People are too ready to say
they are all alike. I say three of them had gotten severall quarts
of Strong-water, (which sundry out of a greedy desire of a
little gaine, are too ready to sell unto them, to the offence and
grief of the better sort of Indians, and of the godly English
too)
and with these liquors, did not onely make themselves drunk,
but got a Child of eleven years of age, the Son of Toteswamp,
whom his Father had sent for a little Corne and Fish to that
place near Watertowne, where they were. Unto this Child they
first gave too spoonfulls of Strong-water, which was more then
his head could bear; and another of them put a Bottle, or such
like Vessell to his mouth, and caused him to drink till he was
very drunk; and then one of them domineered, and said, Now
we will see whether your father will punish us for Drunkennesse
(for he is a Ruler among them) seeing you are drunk with us
for company; and in this case lay the Child abroad all night.
They also fought, and had been severall times Punished formerly
for Drunkennesse.
When Toteswamp heard of this, it was a great shame and
[ 7 ]
breaking of heart unto him, and he knew not what to doe. The
rest of the Rulers with him considered of the matter, they found
a complication of many sins together.
1 The
sin of Drunkennesse, and that after many former Pu-
nishments for the same.
2 A willfull making of the Child drunk, and exposing him to danger also.
3 A degree of reproaching the Rulers.
4 Fighting.
Word was brought to me of it, a little before I took Horse
to
goe to Natick to keep the Sabbath with them, being about ten
dayes before the appointed Meeting. The Tidings sunk my spi-
rit extreamly, I did judge it to be the greatest frowne of God
that ever I met withall in the work, I could read nothing in it
but displeasure, I began to doubt about our intended work: I
knew not what to doe, the blacknesse of the sins, and the Persons
reflected on, made my very heart faile me: For one of the of-
fendors (though least in the offence) was he that hath been
my Interpreter, whom I have used in Translating a good part of
the Holy Scriptures; and in that respect I saw much of Satans
venome, and in God I saw displeasure. For this and some other
acts of Apostacy at this time, I had thoughts of casting him off
from that work, yet now the Lord hath found a way to humble
him. But his Apostacy at this time was a great Tryall, and I did
lay him by for that day of our Examination, I used another in
his room. Thus Satan aimed at me in this their miscarrying;
and Toteswamp is a Principall man in the work, as you shall have
occasion to see anon God-willing.
By some occasion our Ruling Elder and I being together, I
opened the case unto him, and the Lord guided him to speak some
gracious words of encouragement unto me, by which the Lord
did relieve my spirit; and so I committed the matter and issue
unto the Lord, to doe what pleased him, and in so doing my soul
was quiet in the Lord. I went on my journey, being the 6 day of
the week; when I came at Natick, the Rulers had then a Court
about it. Soon after I came there, the Rulers came to me with
a Question about this matter, they related the whole businesse
unto me, with much trouble and grief.
[ 8 ]
Then Toteswamp spake to this purpose, I am greatly
grieved
about these things, and now God tryeth me whether I love Christ
or my Child best. They say, They will try me; but I say, God
will try me. Christ saith, He that loveth father, or mother, or
wife, or Child, better then me, is not worthy of me. Christ saith,
I must correct my Child, if I should refuse to doe that, I should
not love Christ. God bid Abraham kill his Son, Abraham loved
God, and therefore he would have done it, had not God with-held
him. God saith to me, onely punish your Child, and how can I
love God, if I should refuse to doe that? These things he spake in
more words, and much affection, and not with dry eyes: Nor
could I refraine from teares to hear him. When it was said,
The Child was not so guilty of the sin, as those that made him
drunk; he said, That he was guilty of sin, in that he feared not
sin, and in that he did not believe his counsells that he had often given
him, to take heed of evill company; but he had believed Satan
and sinners more then him, therefore he needed to be punished.
After other such like discourse, the Rulers left me, and went
unto their businesse, which they were about before I came, which
they did bring unto this conclusion, and judgement, They judg-
ed the three men to sit in the stocks a good space of time, and
thence to be brought to the whipping-Post, & have each of them
twenty lashes. The boy to be put in the stocks a little while, and
the next day his father was to whip him in the School, before the
Children there; all which Judgement was executed. When they
came to be whipt, the Constable fetcht them one after another
to the Tree (which they make use of instead of a Post) where
they all received their Punishments: which done, the Rulers
spake thus, one of them said, The Punishments for sin are the
Commandements of God, and the worke of God, and his end was,
to doe them good, and bring them to repentance. And upon that
ground he did in more words exhort them to repentance, and
amendment of life. When he had done, another spake unto
them to this purpose, You are taught in Catechisme, that the
wages of sin are all miseries and calamities in this life, and also
death, and eternall damnation in hell. Now you feele some smart
as the fruit of your sin, and this is to bring you to repentance, that
so you may escape the rest. And in more words he exhorted them
[ 9 ]
to repentance. When he had done, another spake to this pur-
pose, Heare all yee people (turning himselfe to the People
who
stood round about, I think not lesse then two hundred, small
and great) this is the Commandement of the Lord, that thus it
should be done unto sinners; and therefore let all take warning by
this, that you commit not such sins, least you incur these Punish-
ments. And with more words he exhorted the People. Others
of the Rulers spake also, but some things spoken I understood
not, and some things slipt from me: But these which I have re-
lated remained with me.
When I returned to Roxbury, I related these things to our
Elder, to whom I had before related the sin, and my grief: who
was much affected to hear it, and magnified God. He said also,
That their sin was but a Transient act, which had no Rule, and
would vanish: But these Judgements were an Ordinance of
God, and would remaine, and doe more good every way, then
their sin could doe hurt, telling me what cause I had to be thank-
full for such an issue: Which I therefore relate, because the
Lord did speak to my heart, in this exigent, by his words.
When the Assembly was met for Examination of the Indians,
and ordered, I declared the end and Reason of this Meeting, and
therefore declared, That any one, in due order, might have liberty
to propound any Questions for their satisfaction. Likewise, I re-
quested the Assembly, That if any one doubted of the Interpre-
tations that should be given of their Answers, that they would
Propound their doubt, and they should have the words scan-
ned and tryed by the Interpreters, that so all things may be done
most clearly. For my desire was to be true to Christ, to their
soules, and to the Churches: And the trying out of any of their
Answers by the Interpreters, would tend to the satisfaction of
such as doubt, as it fell out in one Answer which they gave; the
Question was, How they knew the Scriptures to be the word of
God? The finall Answer was, Because they did find that it did
change their hearts, and wrought in them wisedome and humi-
lity. This Answer being Interpreted to Assembly, my Bro-
ther Mahu doubted, especially of the word [Hohpoóonk] signi-
fying Humility, it was scanned by the Interpreters, and proved
to be right, and he rested satisfied therein. I was purposed my
[ 10 ]
selfe to have written the Elders Questions, and the Indians
An-
swers, but I was so imployed in propounding to the Indians the
Elders Questions, and in returning the Indians Answers, as that
it was not possible for me to write, unlesse I had caused the As-
sembly to stay upon it, which had not been fitting; therefore
seeing Mr. Walton writing, I did request him to write the Que-
stions and Answers, and help me with a Copy of them, which I
thank him, he did, a Copy whereof I herewith send to be inser-
ted in this place, on which, this only I will animadvert, That the
Elders in wisdome thought it not fit to ask them in Catechisticall
method strictly, in which way Children might Answer: But that
they might try whether they understood what they said, they
traversed up and downe in Questions of Religion, as here you
see.
Postscript.
LET the Reader take notice, That
these Questions were not propoun-
ded all to one man, but to sundry, which
is the reason that sometime the same
Questions are propounded againe and
againe. Also the number Examined
were about eight, namely, so many as
might be first called forth to enter into
Church-Covenant, if the Lord give op-
portunity.
[ 11 ]
THE EXAMINATION OF THE INDIANS
AT Roxbury,
The 13th Day of the 4th Month, 1654.
Quest: WHat is God?
Answ: An Ever-living Spirit.
Q. What are the Attributes of God?
A. God is Eternall, Infinite, Wise, Holy, Just.
Q. In which of these are we like unto God?
A. In Wisedome, Holinesse, and Righteousnesse: But in
Infinitenesse and Eternity, God is onely like himselfe.
Q How many Gods are there?
A. There is one onely God.
[ 12 ]
Q. Have not some Indians many Gods?
A. They have many Gods.
Q. How doe you know these Gods are no Gods?
A. Before the English came we knew not but that they were
Gods, but since they came we know they are no Gods
Q. What doe you find in the true God, that you find not in false
Gods?
A. I see in the English many things, that God is the true God.
Q. What good things see you in the English?
A. I see true love, that our great Sachems have not, and
that maketh me think that God is the true God.
Q. Doe you love God?
A. A little I love God, my heart wanteth wisedome, but
I doe desire to love him.
Q. Why doe you love God?
A. Because we are taught this, that when we dye, we must
goe to God, and live ever with him.
Q. Who among the Indians shall goe to God, and what are the
signes that they shall goe to God?
A. Every man that truly believeth in Jesus Christ shall goe to heaven.
Q. Whether have you not many jealousies and feares that you
love not God in truth?
A. I hope I have some love to God, but I know that I have
but little knowledge of him, I hope I love him.
Q. How doe you understand that God ruleth in your heart?
A. Before I prayed to God, I knew nothing of God, but
since I have been taught, I desire to believe.
Q. What is faith in Iesus Christ?
A. I confesse I deserve to be damned for ever, and I am not
able to deliver my selfe, but I betrust my soule with Jesus Christ.
Q. Whether doth not your soule groane within you, under the sense of
unbelief, and other sins?
A. Since I have been taught, I find my selfe very weak, there is a
little in me,
sometimes my heart mournes, sometimes I desire more.
[ 13 ]
Q. How doe you know the word of God is Gods word?
A. I believe the word that you teach us, was spoken of God.
Q. Why doe you believe it?
A. Therefore I believe it to be the word of God, because when we learn
it,
it teacheth our hearts to be wise and humble.
Q. Whether are not your sins, and the temptations of Hobbomak
more strong since, then before you prayed to God?
A. Before I preyed to God, I knew not what Satans temptations were.
Q. Doe you know now?
A. Now I have heard what Satans temptations are.
Q. What is a temptation of the Devill in your heart, doe you
understand
what it is?
A. Within my heart there are Hypocrisies, which doe not appear without.
Q. Whether doe not you find this a principall temptation from the
wickednesse of your heart, to drive you away from Christ, and not to believe
the gracious Promises in Jesus Christ? Or whether when you find wickednesse in
your heart, you are not tempted, that you cannot believe?
A. My heart doth strongly desire to goe on in sin, but this is a strong
temptation, but Faith is the work of Jesus Christ.
Q. Why doe some believe in Christ, and not others, what ma∣keth
the difference?
A. Because Satan speaks to some, and bids them not believe, and they
hearken to him, and God speaks to others, and they believe God.
Q. Why doe they believe God?
A. It is the work of the Spirit of God, teaching them to be∣lieve
in Jesus Christ.
Another Indian being asked what he could say further to it, he Answered, Jesus Christ sendeth his Spirit into their hearts, and teacheth them.
Q. What moveth Iesus Christ to send his Spirit, whether any thing in
your selfe?
A. I believe, the Promise of God.
Q. Whether doe you indeed believe there is a God, Christ, Heaven,
Hell,
whether have you any doubts concerning these thing, or no?
[ 14 ]
A, I doe but a little know my owne thoughts, but God throughly
knoweth
my heart, I desire to believe these things, I desire not to be an Hypocrite.
It being put to another Indian for further answer, he answered, My heart desires truly to pray unto God, and I more and more desire to believe these things. When I am taught by the word Preached, I desire to believe in particular, I desire to believe as long as I live.
Q. What is the Word of God?
A. That wherein God hath written his Will, and therein taught the way to
Heaven.
Q. What is sin?
A. There is the root sin, an evill heart; and there is actuall sin, sin
is a
breaking of the Law of God.
Q. Wherein doe you breake the Law of God?
A. Every day in my heart, words, and works.
Q. Why are you troubled for sin, that none ever knew but your selfe?
A. I fear God, and Jesus Christ.
Q. What doe you believe about the immortality of the soule, and
resurrection
of the body? doth the soule dye when the body dyeth?
A. I believe, when the body of a good man dyeth, the An∣gels
carry his soule
to heaven, when a wicked man dyeth, the Devills carry his soule to hell.
Q. How long shall they be in that state?
A. Untill Christ cometh to Judgement.
Q. When Christ cometh to judge the world, what then shall become of
them?
A. The dead bodies of all men shall rise againe,
Q. Whether shall they ever dye any more?
A. Good men shall never dye any more.
Q. Whether doe you believe that these very bodies of ours shall rise
againe?
A. This body which rots in the earth, this very body, God maketh it new.
Q. Who is Jesus Christ?
[
15 ]
A. Jesus Christ is the Son of
God, yet borne man, and so both God and man
Q. Why was Christ Jesus a man?
A. That he might dye for us.
Q. Why is Christ Jesus God?
A. That his death might be of great value.
Q. Why doe you say, Christ Iesus was a man that he might dye, doe
onely men dye?
A. He dyed for our sins.
Q. What reason or justice is there, that Christ should dye for our
sins?
A. God made all the world, and man sinned, therefore it was necessary
Christ should dye to carry men up to Heaven. God hath given unto us his Son
Jesus Christ, because of our sins.
The Question being put to another for further Answer, his Answer was,
That God so loved the word, that he gave his onely begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Q. What is God?
A. An Ever-living Spirit
Q. What are the Attributes of God?
A. As before.
Q. In these Attributes wherein are we like God?
A. As before.
Q. How many Gods are there?
A. One onely God, but he is three, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?
Q. What is Eternall?
A. Man is not like God in Eternall being.
Q. What is infinite?
A. All the World hath an end, but God hath no end.
Q. Had God any beginning
A. No, but he is ever.
Q. Was there alwayes an Heaven and Earth, how came they to be?
A. Jehovah made them, and Governeth them all.
Q. Were they ever?
[ 16 ]
A. No.
Q. How did God make the world?
A. Onely the Will of God.
Q. Out of what matter did God make the world?
A. Not of any thing at all.
Q. How long was God making the world?
A. Six dayes.
Q. How cometh it to passe that the Sun riseth and setteth, that
there is winter and Summer, day and night?
A. All are the work of God.
Q. Now the world is made, can it keepe it selfe? By whose strength
is it kept together?
A. God preserveth it, he made it, and keeps it all.
Q. In what condition was man made?
A. Very good, like unto God.
Q. What is the Image of God in man?
A. Holinesse, Wisedome, and Righteousnesse.
Q. Was there then any sin in the soule of man?
A. No.
Q. What Covenant did God make wth Adam?
A. A Covenant of Works, Doe this and live, thou and thy Children, Sin,
and dye, thou and thy Children.
Q. How many Commandements are there?
A. Ten
Q. What is the first Commandement?
A. God spake these words, and said, Thou shalt have no other Gods but
me.
Q. What was the sin of Adam?
A. He believed the Devil, and eat of the Tree in the midst of the Garden,
of which God commanded
him not to eat.
Q. When Adam sinned, what befell him?
A. He lost the Image of God.
Q. What is that Image of God, which he lost?
A. Wisedome, Holinesse, and Righteousnesse.
Q. To whom is man now like?
A. He is like unto Satan.
Q. What is this likenesse to Satan?
A. He is Unholy, Foolish, and Unrighteous.
[ 17 ]
Q. How many kinds of sin are
there?
A. An evill heart, and evill works.
Q. What doe you call it?
A. We daily break Gods Commandements, and there is the root sin.
Q. What is the wages of
sin?
A. All miseries in this life, and death, and damnation.
Q. Whose wages is death?
A. All unbelievers.
Q. Seeing but one man Adam
sinned, how come all to dye?
A. Adam deserved for us all, that we should dye.
The Question being put to another for further answer, he answered, Adam was the first man, and father of all men, and in him we sinned.
Q. Who is Iesus Christ?
A. Christ is God, born like man, God and man in one per∣son.
Q. Why was Christ man?
A. That he might dye.
Q. Why was Christ God?
A. That his death might be of great value.
Q. How many are the
Offices of Christ?
A. Three. A Priest, a Prophet, a King.
Q. What Sacrifice did
Christ offer?
A. His owne body.
Q. What hath Christ done
for us?
A. He hath dyed for us.
Q. What death dyed Christ
for us? Who put him to death?
A. Wicked men.
Q. What else hath Christ
done for us?
A. He hath kept all the Commandements of God for us, and also dyed for
us.
Q. What hath Christ
deserved, or merited for us?
A. Pardon of sin, and eternall life.
Q. The same Question was
asked another, What hath Christ merited?
[ 18 ]
A. Pardon of all our sins, because he paid a ransome, the favour of
God, and Eternall life.
Q. What else hath Christ done for us?
A. He rose again, and ascended into Heaven
Q. What doth Christ in heaven for us?
A. He appeareth for us before God, he prayeth for us, and giveth us the
New Covenant.
Q. What is the New Covenant?
A. The Covenant of Grace, Repent and believe in Christ, and be saved.
Q. Shall all men be saved by Jesus Christ?
A. All that believe in Christ shall goe to heaven, and be saved.
Q. Why doth thy heart desire Jesus Christ more then sin, and thy
former Idolls?
A. Before we prayed to God, I did not desire Jesus Christ, I did desire
my sins, but now I see my need of Jesus Christ.
Q. Why doe you need Christ?
A. When I dye, Christ carrieth my soule to heaven.
The same put to another for further answer, he answered, We need Jesus Christ, because we are full of sinne.
Q. How doth Christ work Grace in our hearts?
A. I beleive Christ hath sent his Spirit into my heart by his word.
Q. What is repentance for sinne?
A. I am ashamed of my selfe, and broken is my heart, I hate, and am
aware of all sin.
Q. What most of all breaks your heart, why is your heart broken?
A. Because I have sinned against God.
Q. What see you in sin that breaks your heart?
A. It is not my owne work, but Christ sends his Spirit, and breaks my
heart.
Q. What doth he put into your heart, that causeth your heart to
break?
A. The Spirit.
[ 19 ]
Q. What wounds your heart most, because you sin, or because you must
goe to hell?
A. Because we must goe to hell.
Q. When you heare that Adam by his sin deserved eternall
death, and when you hear of the grace of God sending Iesus to save you, which
of these break your heart most?
A. Pardon of sin goeth deepest.
Q. What worke of the Spirit finde you in your heart?
A. The Spirit of God breaketh my heart to repent of all my sin, and
turneth me from sin to believe in Jesus Christ.
Q. Whether have you found at any time any such worke in your selfe?
A. I am ashamed of my selfe, I doe not throughly find it in my heart to
be so.
Q. When God sendeth his Spirit, what doth it worke in us?
A. A change of the heart.
Q. What change hath God wrought in you of late, which was not in you
in former times?
A. The Spirit turneth us from our sins, to believe in Jesus Christ.
Q. Doe you finde this in your heart, that your heart is turned from
your sins?
A. I find my heart turned, I leave my stealing, lying, lust, and now my
heart believeth in Jesus Christ.
Q. Doe you believe in Jesus Christ?
A. I doe believe in Jesus Christ.
Q. What is it to believe in Jesus Christ?
A. I confesse I deserve to be damned, and am not able to deliver my
selfe, and therefore I doe give up my selfe unto Jesus Christ, and trust
in him, casting away my sins.
Q. Why doe you cast away your sins?
A. They make me that I cannot love Jesus Christ.
Q. Is there any Promise set home on your heart that comforteth you,
what Promise doe you remember?
A. I believe the Promise of God, that he will pardon believers in Jesus
Christ.
So far they proceeded in Questions and Answers.
[ 20 ]
Some or other of the Elders did severall times publickly call
upon the Interpreters, to be attentive to all things that pas-
sed, because they must relye upon their testimony, or to
that purpose, praying them to speak if they doubted of
any thing.
In the conclusion, the Elders saw good to call upon the Inter-
preters to give a publick testimony to the truth of Mr. Eli-
ots Interpretations of the Indians Answers, which Mr. Ma-
hu, and the two Interpreters by him, did, all speaking one
after another, to this purpose, That the Interpretations
which Mr. Eliot gave of their Answers, was for the sub-
stance the same which the Indians answered, many times the
very words which they spake, and alwayes the sense.
WILLIAM WALTON.
WHen the day was well spent, in this above-written man-
ner, some that were aged desired that an end might
be put unto this work for this time, because by this tast which
they had, they saw that which gave them comfortable satisfacti-
on. Then I desired that (if it might be without prejudice to
any) they might be further tryed with Questions about Christ,
and grace wrought in us by the Spirit; and about the Ordinan-
ces of Christ (concerning which, no Questions had been yet
propounded) and also about the estate of man after death, of
the resurrection of the dead, and of the last Judgement, wherein
they were, through the grace of Christ, in some measure instru-
cted. But it was said, that they did perceive that they were in-
structed in points of Catechisme, by what they had heard from
them. When they came to a conclusion, one of the Elders (viz.
Mr. Ezek: Rogers) having first privately conferred with such of
the Elders as sate near him, spake words of acceptance and en-
couragement both to me, and to the Indians, in the name of the
rest. But Mr. Walton did not write them, and therefore I omit
the rehearsing of them.
This great and solemne work of calling up these poor Indians
unto that Gospel light and beauty of visible Church-estate, having
[ 21 ]
now passed through a second Tryall: In the former where-
of, of, they expressed what experience they had found of Gods
grace in their hearts, turning them from dead works, to seek af-
ter the living God, and salvation in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
In this second they have in some measure declared how far the
Lord hath let in the light of the good knowledge of God into
their soules, and what tast they have of the Principles of Religi-
on, and doctrine of salvation. Now the Question remaineth,
What shall we further doe? And when shall they enjoy the Ordi-
nances of Iesus Christ in Church-estate?
The work is very solemne, and the Question needeth a solemn
Answer. It is a great matter to betrust those with the holy pri-
viledges of Gods honse, upon which the name of Christ is so
much called, who have so little knowledge and experience in the
waye; of Christ, so newly come out of that great depth of dark-
nesse, and wild course of life; in such danger of polluting and
defiling the name of Christ among their barbarous friends and
Countrey-men; and under so many doubts and jealousies of
many people; and having not yet stood in the wayes of Christ
so long, as to give sufficient proof and experience of their sted-
fastnesse in their new begun profession. Being also the first
Church gathered among them, it is like to be a pattern and pre-
sident of after proceedings, even unto following Generations.
Hence it is very needfull that this proceeding of ours at first,
be with all care and warinesse guided, for the most effectuall ad-
vancement of the holinesse and honour of Jesus Christ among
them.
Upon such like grounds as these, though I and some others
know more of the sincerity of some of them, then others doe,
and are better satisfied with them: Yet because I may be in a
temptation on that hand, I am well content to make slow hast
in this matter, remembring that word of God, Lay hands sud-
denly upon no man Gods works among men, doe usually goe
on slowly, and he that goeth slowly, doth usually goe most
surely, especially when he goeth by counsell. Sat cito si sat be
ne, the greater proof we have of them, the better approbation
they may obtain at last. Besides, we having had one publick
meeting about them already this summer, it will be difficult to
[ 22 ]
compasse another, for we have many other great occasions,
which may hinder the same, and it is an hard matter to get In-
terpreters together to attend such a work, they living so remote.
The dayes also will soon grow short, and the nights cold, which
will be an hindrance in the attendance unto the accomplishment
of that work, which will most fitly be done at Natick.
But above all other Reasons this is greatest, that they living
in sundry Towns and places remote from each other, and labou-
rers few to take care of them, it is necessary that some of them-
∣selves should be trained up, and peculiarly instructed, unto whom
the care of ruling and ordering of them in the affaires of Gods
house may be committed, in the absence of such as look after
their instruction. So that this is now the thing we desire to at-
tend, for the comfort of our little Sister that hath no breasts, that
such may be trained up, and prepared, unto whom the charge of
the rest may be committed in the Lord. And upon this ground
we make the slower hast to accomplish this work among them.
Mean while I hope the Commissioners will afford some encou-
ragement for the furtherance of the instruction of some of the
most godly and able among them, who may be in a speciall man-
ner helpfull unto the rest, in due order and season.
And thus have I briefly set down our present state in respect
of our Ecclesiasticall proceedings. I beg the prayers of the good
people of the Lord, to be particularly present at the Throne of
Grace, in these matters, according as you have hereby a particu-
lar Information how our condition is. And for me also, who
am the most unfit in humane reason for such a work as this, but
my soule desireth to depend and live upon the Lord Jesus, and
fetch all help, grace, mercy, assistance, and supply from him.
And herein I doe improve his faithfull Covenant and Promises,
and in perticular, the Lord doth cause my soule to live upon
hat word of his, Psal. 37. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. wherein I have food,
rayment, and all necessaries for my selfe and Children (whom I
have dedicated unto the Lord, to serve him in this work of his, if
he will please to accept of them) and this supply I live upon in
these rich words of gracious Promise, vers. 3. Trust in the Lord,
and doe good, dwell in the Land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Herein also I find supply of grace to believe the conversion of
[ 23 ]
these poor Indians, & that not only in this present
season, in what
I doe already see, but in the future also, further then by mine eye
or reason I can see. Which supply of grace, I live upon in
those words of his gracious Promise, which I apply and improve
in this particular respect, vers. 4. Delight thy selfe also in the
Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.
Herein also I find supply of grace to believe, that they shall
be in Gods season, which is the fittest, brought into Church-Estate;
faith fetching this particular blessing out of the rich
Fountaine of those gracious words of Promise, Commit thy way
unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to passe.
Herein also my soule is strengthned and quieted, to stay upon
the Lord, and to be supported against all suspitious jealousies,
hard speeches, and unkindnesses of men touching the sincerity
and reallity of this work, and about my carriage of matters, and
supply herein. Which grace my soule receiveth by a particular
improvement of that rich treasury of the Promise in these words,
vers. 6. And he shall bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light,
and thy judgement as the noon day. And herein likewise I find
supply of grace, to wait patiently for the Lords time, when year
after year, and time after time, I meet with disappointments.
Which grace I receive from the commanding force of that gra-
cious Promise, vers. 7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for
him, fret not thy selfe, either for one cause, or for another. Thus
I live, and thus I labour, here I have supply, and here is my hope,
I beg the help of prayers, that I may still so live and labour in
the Lords work, and that I may so live and dye.
THe Corporation (appointed by Act of Parliament)
for Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Hea-
then Natives in New-England, desire all men to take
notice, That such as desire to be satisfied how the moneys
Collected, are disposed of, may (if they please) repaire
to Coopers-Hall, London, any Saturday, between the
houres of Nine and Twelve in the forenoone, where
the said Corporation meet.
FINIS.