N00107:288
Indian dialogues, for their instruction in that great service of Christ, in calling home…Indian dialogues, for their instruction in that great sevice of Christ, in calling home…
Indian dialogues, for their instruction in that great service of Christ, in calling home their country-men to the knowledge of God, and of themselves, and of Jesus Christ. : [Seven lines from Malachi]Indian dialogues, for their instruction in that great sevice of Christ, in calling home their country-men to the knowledge of God, and of themselves, and of Iesus Christ. : [Seven lines from Malachi]
Cambridge: printed by Marmaduke Johnson, 1671
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
119 98, 99, 100. and so may we. It is a vain word to say, They are ignorant, and therefore they may not read the Word; the contrary to this is true, Because they are ignorant, therefore let them search and read the word of God, because that will make them wise. But you give the reason that lieth in the bottom of your heart, when you say, By reading of the word they will learn new light, which will molest and trouble them that love and walk in their old lusts, and deeds of darkness, and therefore you will keep them from the light. But I pray consider at what a dear rate you purchase your quiet in your old ways of sin and darkness, which lead you to hell, when you will compel all your people to live in sin and darkness, for fear lest when they find the light of Gods Word, they should molest and trouble you in your lusts and sins.
119 98, 99, 100. and so may we. It is a vain word to say, They are ignorant, and therefore they may not reade the Word; the contrary to this is true, Because they are ignorant, therefore let them search and reade the word of God, because that will make them wise. But you give the reason that lieth in the bottom of your heart, when you say, By reading of the word they will learn new light, which will molest and trouble them that love and walk in their old lusts, and deeds of darkness, and therefore you will keep them from the light. But I pray consider at what a dear rate you purchase your quiet in your old ways of sin and darkness, which lead you to hell, when you will compel all your people to live in sin and darkness, for fear lest when they finde the light of Gods Word, they should molest and trouble you in your lusts and sins.
Will. I will add a few words to what my Brother hath spoken. I have heard that in the other part of the World there be a certain people who are called Papists, whose Ministers and Teachers live in all manner of wickedness and lewdness, and permit and teach the people so to do: and these wicked Ministers will not suffer the people to read the Word of God, and pretend the same reason as you do, Because they be ignorant. But the true reason is the same which you plainly speak out, lest by the knowledge of the Word, they should have light to see into their vileness, and molest them in their lusts and sins. And they are so cruel, that if they find any one that readeth the word of God, they will kill him. They choose rather to lead all their people with them to hell, then to suffer them to see the light whereby they may be saved, lest when they see the light, they should discover their filthiness, and ouble them in their ay to hell. But God doth account these men Murderers, and ath threatened to bring upon them fearful destruction, to revenge the blood of Gods people whom they have murdered. Therefore I pray you to consider, that the like vengeance from God will fall upon you, if you will not suffer your people to search into, and learn the word of God.