A84357:132
Tears of repentance
Tears of repentance: or, A further narrative of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England: setting forth, not only their present state and condition, but sundry confessions of sin by diverse of the said Indians, wrought upon by the saving power of the Gospel; together with the manifestation of their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, and the work of grace upon their hearts. Related by Mr. Eliot and Mr. Mayhew, two faithful labourers in that work of the Lord. Published by the corporation for propagating the Gospel there, for the satisfaction and comfort of such as wish well thereunto.Tears of repentance: or, A further narrative of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England: setting forth, not only their present state and condition, but sundry confessions of sin by diverse of the said Indians, wrought upon by the saving power of the Gospel; together with the manifestation of their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, and the work of grace upon their hearts. Related by Mr. Eliot and Mr. Mayhew, two faithful laborers in that work of the Lord. Published by the corporation for propagating the Gospel there, for the satisfaction and comfort of such as wish well thereunto.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1653
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.
Nookau, His Second Confession.
Before I prayed to God, I greatly sinned every day, I was proud, and lived in adultery, lying, &c. and my heart always full of evil thoughts, and when the English would instruct me, I then thought my ways evil, but the business of praying to God, good; then I did think, if I could first understand, then I would pray to God, and I was glad to hear of any that did pray to God. When I heard that word at Cohannet, Who ever lacketh wisdom, let him ask it of God; let fools pray to God, and he will give them wisdom: I thought I was a fool, and I believed that Word of God. I heard that word of the dry bones, God bid them hear, and promised to put flesh, and sinews, and skin upon them, and make them live; therefore I desired to hear, because I believed the dry bones, and that I was one that did not know God: afterward I was glad of praying to God. Sometimes I believed not God, and God will not look on such, always I thought God will not forgive me. I wondered at all that prayed to God, because I thought God had given them wisdom: then I thought I am glad I pray to God. Sometime my heart is broken because I shall lose all in this world, and lose my soul also, because I believe not, for all the Words of God are true which he hath taught me. Now this day I think I will confess the truth; Because I have sinned, I want Jesus Christ: and I will truly confess God, because of that word of Christ, He that confesseth me before men, him will I confess before my Father: I wonder at this Instruction, I desire to confess my heart.
BEfore I prayed to God, I greatly sinned every day, I was proud, and lived in adultery, lying, &c. and my heart alwaies full of evil thoughts, and when the English would instruct me, I then thought my waies evil, but the business of praying to God, good; then I did think, if I could first understand, then I would pray to God, and I was glad to hear of any that did pray to God. When I heard that word at Cohannet, Who ever lacketh wisdom, let him ask it of God; let fools pray to God, and he will give them wisdom: I thought I was a fool, and I beleeved that Word of God. I heard that word of the dry bones, God bid them hear, and promised to put flesh, and sinews, and skin upon them, and make them live; therefore I desired to hear, because I beleeved the dry bones, and that I was one that did not know God: afterward I was glad of praying to God. Sometimes I beleeved not God, and God will not look on such, alwaies I thought God will not forgive me. I wondred at all that prayed to God, because I thought God had given them wisdom: then I thought I am glad I pray to God. Sometime my heart is broken because I shall lose all in this world, and lose my soul also, because I beleeve not, for all the Words of God are true which he hath taught me. Now this day I think I will confess the truth; Because I have sinned, I want Jesus Christ: and I will truly confess God, because of that word of Christ, He that confesseth me before men, him will I confess before my Father: I wonder at this Instruction, I desire to confess my heart.