A84357:83
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.
The next which was called forth was Monequassun, who is our School-master; whose former Confession, read before the Elders, was as followeth.
I Confess my sorrow for all my sins against God, and before men: When I first heard instruction, I believed not, but laughed at it, and scorned praying to God; afterward, when we were taught at Cohannet (that is the place where he lived) I still hated praying, and I did think of running away, because I cared not for praying to God; but afterwards, because I loved to dwell at that place, I would not leave the place, and therefore I thought I will pray to God, because I would still stay at that place, therefore I prayed not for the love of God, but for love of the place I lived in; after that I desired a little to learn the Catechism on the Lecture days, and I did learn the ten Commandments, and after that, all the points in the Catechism; yet afterwards I cast them all away again, then was my heart filled with folly, and my sins great sins; afterwards by hearing, I began to fear, because of my many sins, lest the wise men should come to know them, and punish me for them; and then again I thought of running away because of my many sins: But after that I thought I would pray rightly to God, and cast away my sins; then I saw my hypocrisy, because I did ask some questions, but did not do that which I knew: afterward I considered of my question, and thought I would pray to God, and would consider of some other Question, and I asked this, Question, How should I get Wisdom? and the Answer to it did a little turn my heart from sin, to seek after God; and I then considered that the Word of God was good; then I prayed ⟨p. 13⟩to God because of the Word of God. The next Lecture day you taught that word of God, If any man lack Wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth freely to them that ask him, and upbraideth no man, James, 1. 5. Then again a little my heart was turned after God, the Word also said, Repent, mourn, and believe in Jesus Christ: this also helped me on. Then you taught, That he that believeth not Christ, and repenteth not of sin, they are foolish and wicked; and because they believe not, they shall perish: then I thought my self a fool, because I believed not Christ, but sinned every day, and after I heard the Word, I greatly broke the Word. But afterward I heard this promise of God, Who ever repenteth and believeth in Christ, God will forgive him all his sins, he shall not perish; then I thought, that as yet, I do not repent, and believe in Christ: