A39226:39
A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New…
A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England: being a relation of the confessions made by several Indians (in the presence of the elders and members of several churches) in order to their admission into church-fellowship. Sent over to the corporation for propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New England at London, by Mr John Elliot one of the labourers in the word amongst them.A further account of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England: being a relation of the confessions made by several Indians (in the presence of the elders and members of several churches) in order to their admission into church-fellowship. Sent over to the corporation for propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New England at London, by Mr John Elliot one of the laborers in the word amonsgt them.
London: printed by John Macock, 1660
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.
First, I make confession in the presence of God, and of all these Elders: and this I confess, that I am not able to speak before the Lord, yet I do it according as God requireth I should. Assuredly I am a sinner, but now I hope Christ hath taught me his Word; Oh let him (my Lord!) help me to speak it.
FIrst, I make confession in the presence of God, and of all these Elders: and this I confesse, that I am not able to speak before the Lord, yet I do it according as God requireth I should. Assuredly I am a sinner, but now I hope Christ hath taught mee his Word; Oh let him (my Lord!) help mee to speak it.
I confess, that in my mothers belly I was defiled in sin: my father and mother prayed to many gods, and I heard them when they did so; and I did so too, because my parents did so: and in my childhood, (afore I could act sin) I did delight in it, as dancing and Pawwaug: and when they did so, they prayed to many gods, as Beasts, Birds, Earth, Sea, Trees, &c. After I was born, I did all such things. I loved lust when I was ⟨p. 10⟩a youth, though I did act these lusts but a little. But when I had a little begun, my heart did very much desire more to do such sins: I saw the English keep Sabbath; I cared not, but played, and catched birds, or any thing: yet when I saw Englishmen, I ran away, on the Sabbath day, because they should not see me. As yet I knew not of great sins, as Murder, Adultery: then some Indians said we must pray to God. When I was in English houses, I saw them pray, and I thought it a vain work. They said there was but one God; I thought, nay, there be many Gods. When Indians said, We will pray, my heart said, No; I will not so long as I live. Yet I heard more and more of praying to God, and that my brothers prayed to God; but my heart said, Praying to God is vain. After I heard Waban did pray, and my brothers, Wompo•as, and Toteswo•mp; yet my heart said, No: I am well enough. I have not so sinned as other men, I am no Murderer, Adulterer, &c. Then I ran away; yet I was not much troubled, because my brothers prayed. A little after I came, and my brother said to me; I pray you pray to God. I answered him not, but my heart said, No: yet I was troubled, because I heard my brothers. I thought, if any should kill my brothers, I would kill him: if any Wars were, I would go with my brothers; only I thought of my love to my brothers: and then that, if my brother make War, I would go with him, to kill men Now he prays, shall not I go with my broth […] my brothers love me, and they both pray to God, […] should not I? They prayed morning and […] they eat, and on Sabbath days, then I thought I would do so: but