A50172:85
The way to prosperity a sermon / preached to the honourable convention of the…
The way to prosperity a sermon / preached to the honourable convention of the governor, council, and representatives of the Massachuset-Colony in New-England on May 23, 1690 by Cotton Mather.The way to prosperity a sermon / preached to the honourable convention of the governour, council, and representatives of the Massachuset-Colony in New-England on May 23, 1690 by Cotton Mather.
Boston: printed by Richard Pierce for Benjamin Harris, 1690
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.
Again, What have been the Authors from whom we have been afflicted? Our Molestations have risen very much from Indian Hands. And Alas, have we not very much Injured the Indians? I do not mean, by taking from them Their Land; For it was Hardly possible they should be more fairly dealt withal than they have been in that particular; but by Teaching of them, Our Vice. We that should have learned them to Pray, have learned them to Sin. Endeavours for their Conversion have by many people been blown upon; but there have been wicked English, who have taught them to drink, yea, and to curse, and swear; things which they knew not the meaning of, till they came to School unto such White Pagans as some that wear the Christian-Livery among our selves. And have not we also Followed the Indians? The Indians are Infamous, especially for Three Scandalous Qualities: They are Lazy Drones, and love Idleness Exceedingly! They are also most impudent Liars, and will invent Reports and Stories at a strange and monstrous rate; and they are out of measure Indulgent unto their Children, there is no Family-Government among them. But, O how much do our people Indianize in every one of those Abominable things! We must repent of these our miscarriages, or else our ⟨p. 28⟩God will take up that Resolution concerning us, I will even for sake them, saith the Lord.
Again, What have been the Authors from whom we have been afflicted? Our Molestations have risen very much from Indian Hands. And Alas, have we not very much Injured the Indians? I do not mean, by taking from them Their Land; For it was Hardly possible they should be more fairly dealt withal than they have been in that particular; but by Teaching of them, Our Vice. We that should have learn'd them to Pray, have learn'd them to Sin. Endeavors for their Conversion have by many people been blown upon; but there have been wicked English, who have taught them to drink, yea, and to curse, and swear; things which they knew not the meaning of, till they came to School unto such White Pagans as some that wear the Christian-Livery among our selves. And have not we also Followed the Indians? The Indians are Infamous, especially for Three Scandalous Qualities: They are Lazy Drones, and love Idleness Exceedingly! They are also most impudent Lyars, and will invent Reports and Stories at a strange and monstrous rate; and they are out of measure Indulgent unto their Children, there is no Family-Government among them. But, O how much do our people Indianize in every one of those Abominable things! We must repent of these our miscarriages, or else our