A39225:71
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 which he did insist upon was. Matth. 5. 1. ad 10. 1. And seeing the multitude, he went up into a Mountain and when he was set his Disciples came unto him, and, he opened his mouth, and taught them saying, 2. Blessed are the poor in Spirit, &c. I will speak but a little, because I am a poor creature. Here we see that when Christ saw the Multitude come together, he taught them; in like manner you all being come together, this day Christ teacheth you, for it is Christ, that teacheth us all by his word, and these are Christ his words, which I speak unto you, and therefore hear ye Christ this day, for all these words of blessing Christ doth speak this day unto this multitude. 1. For poverty of spirit, we are the most poor, feeble, despicable people in the world, but let us look in what case our spirits be, for if our hearts be answerably poor, and low, as our outward condition is, then we are in the way to be made truly rich, for the Kingdom of heaven is promised to such as are poor in spirit. 2. For mourning this is a day of mourning, and not so much for afflictions, as for our sins, now if we do ⟨p. 18⟩truly and heartily mourn for our sins, then the blessing is promised to us and God will find a time and way to comfort us. 3. Again, They that be meek and patient are blessed, therefore those that be froward and passionate and make strife, they are not blessed, and therefore we have cause to mourn this day, for our often passions and fallings out, and learn to be meek and patient. 4. Again, They that hunger and thirst after righteousness are blessed: This is a day of hunger and thirst, and fasting for our bodies, that we might mourn for our sins, but it is a day of feasting for our souls, and Christ doth here offer a great many blessings for our souls to feast withal, if therefore our souls be hungry after righteousness and godliness, then we are blessed. 5. Again, God is merciful and commandeth us to be so too, and will therefore bless those that are like unto himself. 6. They that are pure in heart are blessed, and this purity of heart the Spirit of God worketh in us, when he cometh and dwelleth in us (as we are taught in our Catechism) and therefore Christ doth bless them. 7. Blessed are the peace-makers, and who be peacemakers?
The Scripture which he did insist upon was. Matth. 5. 1