A93076:113
The clear sun-shine of the gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in New-England. Or,…The clear sun-shine of the gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in Nevv-England. Or,…
The clear sun-shine of the gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in New-England. Or, An historical narration of Gods wonderful workings upon sundry of the Indians, both chief governors and common-people, in bringing them to a willing and desired submission to the ordinances of the gospel; and framing their hearts to an earnest inquiry after the knowledge of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. / By Mr. Thomas Shepard minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ at Cambridge in New-England.The clear sun-shine of the gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in Nevv-England. Or, An historicall narration of Gods wonderfull workings upon sundry of the Indians, both chief governors and common-people, in bringing them to a willing and desired submission to the ordinances of the gospel; and framing their hearts to an earnest inquirie after the knowledge of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. / By Mr. Thomas Shepard minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ at Cambridge in New-England.
London: printed by R. Cotes for John Bellamy, 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.
Let me add this Postscript, that there be two reasons that make me believe the Lords time is come to make a preparative at least for the coming of his grace, and kingdom among them. First, that he hath bowed their hearts, who were as averse, and as far off from God, as any heathen in the world; and their hearts begin to bow more and more. Secondly, because the Lord hath raised a mighty spirit of prayer in this behalf in all the Churches.
Let me adde this Postscript, that there be two reasons that make me beleeve the Lords time is come to make a preparative at least for the comming of his grace, and kingdome among them. First, that he hath bowed their hearts, who were as averse, and as farre off from God, as any heathen in the world; and their hearts begin to bow more and more. Secondly, because the Lord hath raised a mighty spirit of prayer in this behalfe in all the Churches.
This Relation of Mr.Eliots I know many things therein to be true, & all the rest I have heard confirmed by credible persons, eye & ear witnesses of these things, and they are familiarly known in these parts. I know also that Mr. Eliot writes (as his spirit is) modestly and sparingly, and speaks the least in sundry particulars; for in his story of the repentance and public admonition of his own man, page 23. he saith he manifested many tears in public, but I heard it from many then present that there were so many, as that the dry place of the Wigwam, where he stood ⟨p. 30⟩was bedirtied with them, pouring them out so abundantly. Indians are well known not to be much subject to tears, no not when they come to feel the sorest torture, or are solemnly brought forth to die; and if the Word works these tears, surely there is some conquering power of Christ Jesus stirring among them, which what it will end in at last, the Lord belt knows. If Mr. Brigbtmans interpretation of Daniels prophecy be true, that Anno 1650. Europe will hear some of the best tidings that ever came into the world, viz. rumours from the Eastern Jews, which shall trouble the Turkish tyrant and shake his Pillars when they are coming to repossess their own land, for which they will be wrestling (if my memory fails not, according to his notion) about 40. years; I shall hope then that these Western Indians will soon come in, and that these beginnings are but preparatives for a brighter day then we yet see among them, wherein East & West shall sing the song of the Lamb: but I have no skill in prophesies, nor do I believe every mans interpretation of such Scripture; but this is certain, God is at work among these; and it is not usual for the Sun to set as soon as it begins to rise, nor for the Lord to Jesus to lose an inch of ground in the recovering times of his Churches peace and his own eclipsed and forgotten glory, (if these be such times) until he hath won the whole field, and driven the Prince of darkness out of it, who is but a bold usurper of the Lord Jesus inheritance, to whom are given the utmost ends of the earth.