A80640:357
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.
This providence so far prevailed with the Sagamore, that he promised to look after the English mans God, to hear their Sermons, to wear English apparel, &c. But his neighbour Indians Sagamores, and Powwows hearing of this, threatened to Cram him (that is, to kill him) if he did so degenerate from his Country Gods, and Religion, he thereupon fell off, and took up his Indian course of life again. Whatsoever facility may seem to offer it self of the conversion of the Indians, it is not so easy a matter for them to hold out, no not in a semblance of profession of the true Religion. Afterwards God struck John Sagamore again, (and as I remember with the small Pox:) but then when they desired like succour from our Pastor, as before, he told them, now the Lord was angry with Sagamore John, and it was doubtful, he would not so easily be entreated. The Sagamore blamed himself and justified God, and confessed, he should not have been discouraged by their threats from seeking our God: For those Sagamores and Powwows who did most terrify him, he had seen God sweeping them away by death, before himself, in a short time after. And therefore when he saw he must die (for he died of that sickness) he left his son to the education of our Pastor, that he might keep closer to the English, and to their God, then himself had done. But his son also dyed of the same disease soon after. All which I relate, to show, that though a form of Christian Religion may be professed amongst Christians with some facility: yet it is not so easy a matter to gain these Pagan Indians so much as to a form of our Religion, and to hold it, howsoever Mr. Williams did promise himself greater possibilities.
This providence so farre prevailed with the Sagamore, that he promised to look after the English mans God, to heare their Sermons, to weare English apparell, &c. But his neighbour Indians Sagamores, and Powwaws hearing of this, threatned to Cram him (that is, to kill him) if he did so degenerate from his Countrey Gods, and Religion, he thereupon fell off, and took up his Indian course of life again. Whatsoever facility may seeme to offer it selfe of the conversion of the Indians, it is not so easie a matter for them to hold out, no not in a semblance of profession of the true Religion. Afterwards God struck John Sagamore againe, (and as I remember with the small Pox:) but then when they desired like succour from our Pastour, as before, he told them, now the Lord was angry with Sagamore John, and it was doubtfull, hee would not so easily be intreated. The Sagamore blamed himself and justified God, and confessed, he should not have been discouraged by their threats from seeking our God: For those Sagamores and Powwaws who did most terrifie him, hee had seene God sweeping them away by death, before himself, in a short time after. And therefore when hee saw hee must die (for hee died of that sicknesse) hee left his sonne to the education of our Pastor, that he might keep closer to the English, and to their God, then himself had done. But his sonne also dyed of the same disease soon after. All which I relate, to shew, that though a forme of Christian Religion may be professed amongst Christians with some facility: yet it is not so easie a matter to gaine these Pagan Indians so much as to a forme of our Religion, and to hold it, howsoever Mr. Williams did promise himself greater possibilities.