A80640:347
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the…
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A dissuasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book entitled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A disswasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book intituled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.
London: printed by Matthew Simmons for John Bellamie, 1648
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.
But though the Indians have been slow to learn our language, especially in matters of Religion (howsoever in Trading they soon understood us:) yet we have often offered to bring up their Indian children in our Schools, that they might learn to speak to their Countrymen in their own language. But because that might prove long, one of our Elders (Mr. Eliot, the Teacher of the Church of Rocksbury) hath (with the consent of the Natives) preached to them first by an Interpreter, but since having with much industry learned their language, he now preacheth to two Congregations of them in their own language weekly. One week on the fourth day to one Congregation, who sit down near to Dorchester Mill, and another week, on the sixth day, to another Congregation of them, who sit down in Cambridge, near Watertown Mill. To ease and encourage him in his work, the Ministers of neighbour Churches take off by turns his weekly Lecture on the third day. The fruit hitherto hath been, the Indians resort more and more to these Assemblies, ⟨p. 78⟩hear with reverence and attention, reform (and make Laws amongst themselves, for reformation of) sundry abuses, ask sundry questions for their instruction, and among the rest, an old Counsellor of one of their Sagamores enquired, if it might be possible that our God, and our Christ should accept an old sinner such as himself? Mr. Eliot answered him, yes, there was hope, because he never had the means of the knowledge of God offered to him before. And our Saviour Christ did sometimes call into his Vineyard some to do him service, even in the last hour of the day, in the last part of their lives. And the old Indian being demanded if he understood this? He answered, yea, saith he, I understand it, and believe it.
But though the Indians have been slow to learne our language, especially in matters of Religion (howsoever in Trading they soon understood us:) yet wee have often offered to bring up their Indian children in our Schooles, that they might learne to speake to their Countreymen in their own language. But because that might prove long, one of our Elders (Mr. Eliot, the Teacher of the Church of Rocksbury) hath (with the consent of the Natives) preached to them first by an Interpreter, but since having with much industry learned their language, hee now preacheth to two Congregations of them in their own language weekly. One week on the fourth day to one Congregation, who sit down neer to Dorchester Mill, and another week, on the sixth day, to another Congregation of them, who sit down in Cambridge, neer Watertown Mill. To ease and encourage him in his work, the Ministers of neighbour Churches take off by turnes his weekly Lecture on the third day. The fruit hitherto hath been, the Indians resort more and more to these Assemblies,