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,…

Thirdly, not withstanding this opposition we found another Sachem then present willing to learn, and divers of his men attentive and knowing what was said: and in the time which is usually set apart for propounding questions, an aged Indian told us openly, That these very things which Mr. Eliot had taught: them as the Commandments of God, and concerning God, and the making of the world by one God, that they had heard some old men who were now dead, to say the same things, since whose death there hath been no remembrance or knowledge of them among the Indians until now they hear of them again. Which when I heard solemnly spoken, I could not tell how those old Indians should attain to such knowledge, unless perhaps by means of the French Preacher cast upon those coasts many years since, by whose ministry they might possibly reap and retain some knowledge of those things; this also I hear by a godly and able Christian who hath much converse with them; that many of them have this apprehension now stirring among them, viz. That their forefathers did know God, but that after this, they sell into a great sleep, and when they did awaken they quite forgot him, (for under such metaphorical language they usually express what eminent things they mean:) so that it may seem to be the day of the Lords gracious visitation of these poor Natives, which is just as it is with all other people, when they are most low, the wheel then turns, and the Lord remembers to have mercy.

Thirdly, not withstanding this opposition wee found another Sachim then present willing to learne, and divers of his men attentive and knowing what was said: and in the time which is usually set apart for propounding questions, an aged Indian told us openly, That these very things which Mr. Eliot had taugh: them as the Commandements of God, and concerning God, and the making of the world by one God, that they had heard some old men who were now dead, to say the same things, since whose death there hath been no remembrance or knowledge of them among the Indians untill now they heare of them againe. Which when I heard solemnly spoken, I could not tell how those old Indians should attaine to such knowledge, unlesse perhaps by means of the French Preacher cast upon those coasts many yeers since, by whose ministry they might possibly reape and retaine some knowledge of those things; this also I hear by a godly and able Christain who hath much converse with them; that many of them have this apprehension now stirring among them, viz. That their forefathers did know God, but that after this, they sell into a great sleep, and when they did awaken they quite forgot him, (for under such metaphoricall language they usually expresse what eminent things they meane:) so that it may seeme to be the day of the Lords gracious visitation of these poore Natives, which is just as it is with all other people, when they are most low, the wheele then turnes, and the Lord remembers to have mercy.