A50170:175
The triumphs of the reformed religion in America the life of the renowned John…
The triumphs of the reformed religion in America the life of the renowned John Eliot, a person justly famous in the church of God, not only as an eminent Christian and an excellent minister among the English, but also as a memorable evangelist among the Indians of New-England : with some account concerning the late and strange success of the Gospel in those parts of the world which for many ages have lain buried in pagan ignorance / written by Cotton Mather.The triumphs of the reformed religion in America the life of the renowned John Eliot, a person justly famous in the church of God, not only as an eminent Christian and an excellant minister among the English, but also as a memorable evangelist amoung the Indians of New-England : with some account concerning the late and strange success of the Gospel in those parts of the world which for many ages have lain buried in pagan ignorance / written by Cotton Mather.
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris and John Allen for Joseph Brunning, 1691
Part 3 › Annotation h: (h) The sacred and solemn Exercises performed in the Indian Congregations.
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.
•n that Noah Sacrificed, he showed himself ⟨p. 118⟩Thankful; in that Noah worshipped, he show himself Godly. In that he offered Clean beasts, he showed that God is an Holy God. And all that come to god, must be pure and clean. Know, that we must by Repentance, purge our selves; which is the work we are to do this Day. Noah Sacrificed, and so Worshipped. This was the manner of old time. But what Sacrifices have we now to offer? I shall answer by that in Psal. 4.5. Offer to God the Sacrifice of Righteousness, and put your Trust in the Lord. These are the true Spiritual Sacrifices which God requireth at our hands, the Sacrifices of Righteousness; that is, we must look to our hearts and ways, that they be Righteous; and then we shall be acceptable to God when we Worship him. But if we be unrighteous, unholy, ungodly, we shall not be accepted; our Sacrifices will be stark naught. Again, We are to put our Trust in the Lord. Who else is there for us to trust in? We must believe in the Word of God; if we doubt of God, or doubt of his Word, our Sacrifices are little worth; but if we trust steadfastly in God, our Sacrifices will be good. Once more, what Sacrifices must we offer. My Answer is, we must offer such as Abraham offered. And what a Sacrifice was that? we are told in Gen. 22.12. Now I know that thou fearest me, seeing thou hast not with hel• thy Son, thy only Son from me. It seems, he had but one ⟨p. 119⟩dearly beloved Son, and he offered that Son to God; and so God said, I know thou fearest me! Behold, a Sacrifice in Deed and in Truth such an one must we offer. Only, God requires not us to Sacrifice our Sons, but our Sins; our dearest Sins. God calls us this day to part with all our Sins, tho' never so beloved; and we must not with-hold any of them from him. If we will not part with All, the Sacrifice is not right. Let us part with such Sins as we love best, and it will be a good Sacrifice! God smelt a sweet savour in Noah's Sacrifice; and so will God receive our Sacrifices, when we Worship him aright. But how did God manifest his Acceptance of Noah's Offering: 'twas by promising to Drown the world no more, but give us Fruitful Seasons. God has chastised us of late, as if he would utterly Drown us; and he has Drowned and Spoiled and Ruined a great deal of our hay, and threatens, to kill our Cattle. 'Tis for this that we Fast and Pray this Day.