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,…

Thus you have a true, but somewhat rent and ragged relation of these things; it may be most suitable to the story of naked and ragged men: my desire is that no mans Spectacles may deceive him, so as to look upon these things either as bigger or lesser, better or worser then they are; which all men generally are apt to do at things at so great distance, but that they may judge of them as indeed they are, by what truth they see here expressed in the things themselves. I know that some think that all this work among them is done and acted thus by the Indians to please the English, and for applause from them; and it is not unlikely but so 'tis in many, who do but blaze for a time; but certainly 'tis not so in all, but that the power of the Word hath taken place in some, and that inwardly and effectually, but how far savingly time will declare, and the reader may judge of, by the story itself of these things. Some say that if it be so, yet they are but a few that are thus wrought upon; Be it so, yet so it hath ever been, many called, few chosen: and yet withal I believe the calling in of a few Indians to Christ is the gathering home of many hundreds in one, considering what a vast distance there hath been between God and them so long, even days without number; considering ⟨p. 38⟩also how precious the first fruits of America will be to Jesus Christ, and what seeds they may be of great harvests in after times; and yet if there was no great matter seen in these of grown years, their children notwithstanding are of great hopes both from English and Indians themselves, who are therefore trained up to School, where many are very apt to learn, and who are also able readily to answer to the questions propounded, containing the principles and grounds of all Christian Religion in their own tongue. I confess it passeth my skill to tell how the Gospel should be generally received by these American Natives, considering the variety of Languages in small distances of places; only he that made their ears and tongues can raise up some or other to teach them how to hear, and what to spake; and if the Gospel must ride circuit, Christ can and will conquer by weak and despicable means, though the conquest perhaps may be somewhat long.

Thus you have a true, but somewhat rent and ragged relation of these things; it may be most sutable to the story of naked and ragged men: my desire is that no mans Spectacles may deceive him, so as to look upon these things either as bigger or lesser, better or worser then they are; which all men generally are apt to doe at things at so great distance, but that they may judge of them as indeed they are, by what truth they see here exprest in the things themselves. I know that some thinke that all this worke among them is done and acted thus by the Indians to please the English, and for applause from them; and it is not unlikely but so'tis in many, who doe but blaze for a time; but certainly'tis not so in all, but that the power of the Word hath taken place in some, and that inwardly and effectually, but how far savingly time will declare, and the reader may judge of, by the story itself of these things. Some say that if it be so, yet they are but a few that are thus wrought upon; Be it so, yet so it hath ever been, many called, few chosen: and yet withall I beleeve the calling in of a few Indians to Christ is the gathering home of many hundreds in one, considering what a vast distance there hath been between God and them so long, even dayes without number; considering