A50170:55
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 1 › Article 2: Article II. His particular care and zeal about the Lords-day.
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.
This passage gave some scandal unto several very Learned and Pious M•n; among whom our Eliot was one; whereupon with his usual zeal, gravity and sanctity, he wrote unto the Doctor, his Opinion thereabout; who returned unto him an answer full of Respect, some part where of I shall here transcribe.
This passage gave some scandal unto several very Learned and Piou• M•n; among whom our Eliot was one; whereupon with his usual zeal, gravity and sanctity, he wrote unto the Doctor, his Opinion thereabout; who returned unto him an answer full of Respect, some part where of I shall here transcribe.
As to what concerns the Natural strength of man (saith he) Either I was under some mistake in my Expression, or you seem to be so, i• your Apprehension. I never thought, and […] hope, I have not said, for I cannot find it that the Continuance of the Sabbath is to b• commensurate unto the natural strength of man but only that it is an Allowable mean of me• Continuance in Sabbath Duties, which I su• pose you will not deny, lest you should ca• ⟨p. 27⟩the Consciences of professors into inextricable Difficulties. When first I engaged in that work, I intended not to have spoken one word about the practical Observation of the Day; but only to have endeavoured the Revival of a Truth which at present is despised and contemned among us, and strenuously opposed by sundry Divines of the United Provinces, who call the Doctrine of the Sabbath, Figmentum Anglicanum. Upon the Desire of some Learned Men in these parts, it was, that I undertook the Vindication of it. Having now discharged the Debt, which in this matter I owed unto the Truth and Church of God, tho not as I ought, yet with such a composition as I hope, through' the Interposition of our Lord Jesus Christ might find acceptance with God and his Saints, I suppose I shall not again engage on that Subject. I suppose there is scarce an one alive in the world, who hath more Reproaches cast upon him than I have; tho hitherto God has been pleased in some measure to support my spirit under them. I still relieved my self by this, That my poor Endeavours have found acceptance with the Churches of Christ: But my holy, wise, and gracious Father, sees it needful to try me in this matter also; and what I have received from you (which it may be contains not your sense alone) hath printed deeper, and