A93076:123
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.
At the last Lecture at Noonanetum this September, there were divers questions asked: one was propounded by an old Squaw, a Widow; viz. If when men know God, God loves them, why then is it that any one are afflicted after that they know him? I shall mention no more, but conclude with the solemn speech of a sober and hopeful Indian at this Lecture, whose name is Wampooas, who in stead of propounding a question fell into these expressions, viz. That because we pray to God, other Indians abroad in the country hate us and oppose us, the English on the other side suspect us, and fear us to be still such as do not pray at all; but (saith he) God who knows all things, he knows that we do pray to him. To which speech Mr. Eliot replied, that it was true indeed, that some of the English did so far suspect them for sundry reasons; but I do not so, and others of us, who know you and speak with you, we do not so think of you; and then gave them gracious and serious encouragements to go forward and make more progress in the things of God. This their own testimony of themselves being propounded with much sweetness and seriousness of affection, may be the last, although it be the least confirmation of some inward work among them; which I looked upon as a special providence that such a speech should be spoken and come to my ear just at such a time as this, wherein I was finishing the story, to confirm in some measure what hath been written; the Lord himself I believe and no man living, putting these words into their own hearts, to give this modest testimony concerning themselves. The beginning of this enlargement of Christs Kingdom should enlarge our hearts with ⟨p. 35⟩great joy. If I should gather and sum up together the several gracious impressions of God upon them from what hath been scattered here and there in the story, I think it might make many Christians ashamed, who may easily see how far they are exceeded by these naked men in so short a• ime thus wrought upon by such small and despicable means. My brother Eliot who is Preacher to them, proselling he can as yet but stammer out some pieces of the Word of God unto them in their own tongue; but God is with him, and God is wont to be maximus in minimis, and is most seen in doing great things by small means.
At the last Lecture at Noonanetum this September, there were divers questions asked: one was propounded by an old Sqaw, a Widow; viz. If when men know God, God loves them, why then is it that any one are afflicted after that they know him? I shall mention no more, but conclude with the solemn speech of a sober and hopefull Indian at this Lecture, whose name is Wampooas, who in stead of propounding a question fell into these expressions, viz. That because wee pray to God, other Indians abroad in the countrey hate us and oppose us, the English on the other side suspect us, and feare us to be still such as doe not pray at all; but (saith he) God who knowes all things, he knowes that wee do pray to him. To which speech Mr. Eliot replyed, that it was true indeed, that some of the English did so far suspect them for sundry reasons; but I doe not so, and others of us, who know you and speake with you, we do not so think of you; and then gave them gracious and serious incouragements to goe forward and make more progresse in the things of God. This their own testimony of themselves being propounded with much sweetnesse and seriousnesse of affection, may be the last, although it be the least confirmation of some inward worke among them; which I looked upon as a speciall providence that such a speech should be spoken and come to my eare just at such a time as this, wherein I was finishing the story, to confirme in some measure what hath been written; the Lord himself I beleeve and no man living, putting these words into their own hearts, to give this modest testimony concerning themselves. The beginning of this enlargement of Christs Kingdome should inlarge our hearts with