The triumphs of the reformed religion, in America. The life of the renowned John…

(e) The Hindrances and Obstructions, that the DEVIL. gave unto HIM.

WE find four Assemblies of Praying Indians besides that of Natick, in our Neighbourhood. But why no more? Truly, not because our Eliot was wanting in his Offers, and Labours for their good; but because many of the obdurate Infidels would not receive the Gospel of Salvation. In one of his Letters, I find him giving this ill report, with such a good reason for it; Lin-Indians are all naught, save one ⟨p. 105⟩who sometimes comes to hear the Word; and the reason why they are bad, is, principally because their Sachem is naught, and care […] not to pray unto God. Indeed the Sachems, or the Princes, of the Indians generally did all they could that their Subjects might not entertain the Gospel; the Devils having the Sachems on their side, thereby kept their possession of the people too. Their Powwows or Clergy-men, did much to maintain the Interest of the Devils in this Wilderness▪ those Children of the Devil, and Enemies of all Righteousness, did not cease to pervert the Right-ways of the Lord; but their Sachems or Magistrates did More towards it; for they would presently Raise a Storm of Persecution upon any of their vassals that should Pray unto the Eternal God. The ground of this conduct in them was, an add Fear, that Religion would abridge them of the Tyranny which they had been used unto […] they always like the Devil held their people in a most absolute servitude, and Ruled by no Law but their Will, which left the poor Slaves nothing that they could call their Own. They •ow suspected that Religion would put a Bridle upon such usurpations, and oblige them to a more Equal and Humane way of Government; they therefore some of them, had the Impudence to Address the English: that […] motions about the Christian Religion might ever he made unto them; and Mr. Eliot sometimes in the Wilderness, without the Company