Will Though I am younger then my Brother with whom I am se•t, yet I know my self to be in a clearer capacity to answer to this case, •hen my Brother is, because Catsha •oquin, the first great Sachem that prayed to God, and after him Chik•atabuk, and after him M•squ••mog, were Sachems in the Town where I live, and they w•re my Sachems, and I well know how the praying Indians did carry the matter towards them.
And first, I say, if any of the praying Indians should be disobedient (in lawful things) and refuse to pay Tribute unto their Sachems, it is not their Religion and praying to God that teaches them so to do, but their Corruptions; it is a sickness that needeth Physic to cure it, and not allowance and countenance to defend it. I am sure the Word of God commandeth all to be subject to the higher powers, and to pay them Tribute, Rom. 13.1, • 3, 4, 5 6 7. A•d Christ Jesus hath commanded to gi•e unto Cesar the things •hat belong to Cesar, and to God the things that belong to God. And thus we have been taught. All the time that Cutsham•quin lived, our Town did always honour, obey, and pay Tribute unto him; and so far as I know, so did all the praying Indians which belonged to his Jurisdiction After his decease we chose Josiah, or Chikkatabuk, but not until he had promised before the Governor and Magistrates of the Massachusetts at Boston, To pray unto God, and to defend and govern us in praying to God all the days of his life. And though he fell back from his promise, yet our Town always owned him. And when he began to recover himself a little before his death, the people were ready to adhere unto him, and acknowledge him. In his life time we accepted his Brother, at his request; and Msquammog his leaving us, is his own act and not ours. And therefore, beloved Sachem, let not your heart fear that praying to God will alienate your people from you; nay, be assured it will more firmly oblige their hearts unto you. This I know by experience, for the more beneficent you are unto them; the more obligation you lay upon them. And what greater beneficence can you do unto them, then to further them in Religion, whereby they may be converted, pardoned, sanctified and saved.
Will Though I am younger then my Brother with whom I am se•t, yet I know my self to be in a clearer cap•city to answer to this case, •hen my Brother is, b•cause Catsha •oquin, the first great Sac•em that prayed to God, and after him Chik•atabuk, and after him M•squ••mog, were Sachems in the Town where I live, and they w•re my Sachems, and I well know how the praying Indians did carry the matter towards them.
And first, I say, if any of the praying Indians should be disobedient (in lawful things) and ref•se to pay Tribute unto their Sachems, it is not their R•ligion and praying to God that teaches them so to do, but their Corruptions; it is a sickness that needeth P•ysick to cure it, and not allowance and countenance to defend it. I am sure the Word of God commandeth all to be subject to the higher powers, and to pay them Tribute, Rom. 13.1, • 3, 4, 5 6 7. A•d Christ Jesus hath commanded to gi•e unto Cesar the things •hat belong to Cesar, and to God the things that belong to God. And •hus we have been taught. All the time that Cutsham•quin lived, our Town did alwayes honour, obey, and pay Tribute unto him; and so far as I know, so did all the praying India•s which belonged to his Jurisdiction After his decease we chose Josias, or Chikkatabuk, but not until he had promised before the Governour and Magistrates of the Massachusets at Boston, To pray unto God, and to d•fend and govern us in praying to God all the dayes of his life. And though he fell back from his promise, yet our Town alwayes owned him. And when he began to recover himself a little before his death, the people were ready to adhere unto him, and acknowledge him. In his life time we accepted his Brother, at his request; and Msquammog his leaving us, is his own act and not ours. And therefore, beloved Sachem, let not your heart fear that praying to God will alienate your people from you; nay, be assured it will more firmly oblige their hearts unto you. This I know by experience, for the more beneficent you are unto them; the more obligation you lay upon them. And what greater beneficence can you do unto them, then to further them in Religion, whereby they may be converted, pardoned, sanctified and saved.
