A39225:67
A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England,…A further accompt of the progresse of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England,…
A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England, and of the means used effectually to advance the same set forth in certain letters sent from thence declaring a purpose of printing the Scriptures in the Indian tongue into which they are already translated : with which letters are likewise sent an epitome of some exhortations delivered by the Indians at a fast, as testimonies of their obedience tot he Gospel : as also some helps directing the Indians how to improve natural reason unto the knowledge of the true God.A further accompt of the progresse of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England, and of the means used effectually to advance the same set forth in certaine letters sent from thence declaring a purpose of printing the Scriptures in the Indian tongue into which they are already translated : with which letters are likewise sent an epitome of some exhortations delivered by the Indians at a fast, as testimonies of their obedience tot he Gospell : as also some helps directing the Indians how to improve naturall reason unto the knowledge of the true God.
London: printed by M. Simmons for Corporation of New England, 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Scripture he spake of was. Matth. 9. 14, 15. 14. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy Disciples fast not. 15. And Jesus said unto them, can the children of the Bridechamber mourn, as long as the Bridegroom is with them, but the days will come, when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they shall fast. A little I will say, for I can say but little, for I am weak and know but little. This is a Parable, as when young people are at a wedding, there is feasting, and joy, and mirth, but no sorrow, nor mourning, nor weeping: So when Christ is with his people, he brings joy and comfort with him, and fills their hearts with comfort: but if he be angry, and depart from his people, and leave them to afflictions, then there is sorrow, and mourning, and weeping, and fasting, as it is this day with us; for we are called to fasting this day, because of the great rain, and great floods, and unseasonable weather, whereby the Lord spoileth our labours: our corn is much spoiled with the wet: so that the Lord doth threaten us with want of food; also our hay is much spoiled, so that God threateneth ⟨p. 15⟩to starve and kill our Cattle: also we have great sickness among us; so that many are dead: the burying place of this Town hath many graves, and so it is in all our Towns among the praying Indians. Also in our houses are many sick, and a great many are crazy, and weak, and not well; God threateneth to kill us, and therefore surely he is angry, and what maketh him angry? we may be sure it is our sins, for we are great sinners. This day is therefore a day of Repentance, of fasting, and of mourning. And what are we to do in this day of fasting? Answ. We must search out all our sins, and with hearty Repentance forsake them. And when we go about to search out our fins, we must remember that there be three places where we must search for sin: First, in our hearts; Secondly, in our words; 3ly, in our works and doings, and in all these places we find too many, but especially in our hearts; for there be evil thoughts, and the root sin [that is to say Original sin, for so we call it in their language] and therefore it is a great work to search our hearts, & find out the roots of sin: and if any do say it is an hard work, and I know not how to do it: