A39226:41
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.
For that reason I did go, but desired not to learn to pray: all these things were vain. When we came to Roxbury, I said, I desired to learn Smithery: But my Master said, I may not teach him my Trade, lest Indians learn to make Locks and Guns. Then I would not dwell with him, and thought to cast off praying, and thought I would forsake my brothers. My brother persuaded me to dwell one year there, but I would not: yet at last I did dwell there one year, and went to meeting, but in vain, for I understood not one word. After that year, I returned to Noonantam, and then I heard that God made all the world, but yet I did not pray to God one jot, but still sinned, and especially the sin of Lust, & I made light of any sin. I heard, and understood the Commands of God, Thou shalt not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, covet; and that made me afraid to commit sin afore man, lest I should be punished or put to death, but I feared not God. After I heard the Minister ask, Who made you? A. God: and Who redeemed you? A. Christ: and Who must sanctify you? The holy Ghost, and that God made Heaven, Earth, Sea, &c. then I a little considered of God, who made all this world, and then I was afraid. I saw that no man could make these things, and that therefore we ⟨p. 12⟩must pray to God, Then my heart said, Assuredly it is so; God made all things, and made me, and I must pray to him: After this, my brothers were sick, and I prayed God, Oh that they may live! and then I heard, that now God trieth me whether I will pray or no. I confess I have done many sins, especially lust, though I had not been a Murderer, or the like. But then my brothers and kindred dyed: then my heart said, Sure it's a vain thing to pray to God; for I prayed, yet my friends dye• therefore I will run wild, and did cast off praying, I did not pray morning and night, and at meat, only on the Sabbath day I came to meeting, but I cared not for hearing, nor did I believe any thing I heard, but I still lived in sin, and my heart said, I will run away; for here we are hindered from sin, in other places I may freely sin. Then my brothers which lived were troubled for me. Then I said I will abide with my brothers, because I love them, but not because I would pray.
For that reason I did go, but desired not to learn to pray: all these things were vain. When we came to Roxbury, I said, I desired to learn Smithery: But my Master said, I may not teach him my Trade, lest Indians learn to make Locks and Guns. Then I would not dwell with him, and thought to cast off praying, and thought I would forsake my brothers. My brother perswaded mee to dwell one year there, but I would not: yet at last I did dwell there one year, and went to meeting, but in vain, for I understood not one word. After that year, I returned to Noonantam, and then I heard that God made all the world, but yet I did not pray to God one jot, but still sinned, and especially the sin of Lust, & I made light of any sin. I heard, and understood the Commands of God, Thou shalt not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, covet; and that made me afraid to commit sin afore man, lest I should be punished or put to death, but I feared not God. After I heard the Minister ask, Who made you? A. God: and Who redeemed you? A. Christ: and Who must sanctifie you? The holy Ghost, and that God made Heaven, Earth, Sea, &c. then I a little considered of God, who made all this world, and then I was afraid. I saw that no man could make these things, and that therefore we