A50170:191
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
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.
I suppose after this it would surprise mankind, if they should hear such wonderful Creatures as our late Secretary Randolph affirming, This ba• barous people were never civilly treated, by the late Government, who made it their business to encroach upon their Lands, and by degrees to drive them out of all. But, how many other Laws we made in favour of the Indians, 'tis not easy to reckon up. Twas one of our Laws, That for the further encouragement of the hopeful work among them, for the Civilizing and Christianizing of them, any Indian that should be brought unto Civility, and come to live orderly in any English Plantation, should have such Allotments, among the English, as the English had themselves. And, that if a competent number of ⟨p. 132⟩them, should so come on to civility, as to be capable of a Township, the General Court should grant them Lands for a Plantation as they do unto the English. Although we had already bought up their Claims unto our Lands. We likewise had our Laws, That if any of our Cattle did any damage to their Corn, we should make them ample satisfaction; and that we should give them all manner of Assistance, in Fencing of their Fields. And because the Indians are excessively given unto the vice of Drunkenness, which was a vice unknown to them, until the English brought Strong-drink in their way, we have had a severe Law against all selling or giving any Intoxicating Liquors to them. It were well, if this Law were more severely Executed?
I suppose af•er this it would surprise mank•nd, if they should hear such wonderful Crea•ures as our late Secretary Randolph affirming, This ba• barous people were never civilly treated, by the late Government, who made it their business to encroach upon their Lands, and by degrees to drive them out of all. But, how many other Laws we made in favour of the Indians, 'tis not easy to reckon up. Twas one of our Laws, That for the further encouragement of the hopeful work among them, for the Civilizing and Christianizing of them, any Indian that should be brought unto Civility, and come to live orderly in any English Plantation, should have such Allotments, among the English, as the English had thems•lves. And, that if a competent number of