N00446:223
The triumphs of the reformed religion, in America. The life of the renowned John…
The triumphs of the reformed religion, in America. The life of the renowned John Eliot; a person justly famous in the church of God, not only as an eminent Christian, and an excellent Minister, among the English, but also, as a memorable evangelist among the Indians, of New-England; with some account concerning the late and strange success of the Gospel, in those parts of the world, which for many ages have lain buried in pagan ignorance. / Written by Cotton Mather. ; [Two lines from Luke]
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris for Joseph Brunning i.e, 1691
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.
At length, when he was able to do Little without doors, he tried then to do something within; and one thing was this. A young Boy in the Neighbourhood, had in his infancy fasten into a fire, so as to burn himself into a perfect. Blindness; but this Boy being now grown to some Bigness, the good old man took him home to his house, with some intentions to make a scholar of him. He first informed him of and from the Scripture, in with the Boy so profited, that in a little time he could, even Repeat many whole Chapters Verbatim, and if any other in Reading missed a word, he would mind them of it; yes, and an ordinary piece of latin was become easy to the lad; but having his own Eyes closed by Death, he could no longer help the poor Child against the want of his.
At length, when he was able to do Little without doors, he try'd then to do something within; and one thing was this. A young Boy in the Neighbourhood, had in his infancy fasten into a fire, so as to burn himself into a perfect. Blindness; but this Boy being now grown to some Bigness, the good old man took him home to his house, with some intentions to make a scholar of him. He first informed him of and from the Scripture, in wich the Boy so profited, that in a little time he could, even Repeat many whole Chapters Verbatim, and if any other in Reading missed a word, he would mind them of it; yes, and an ordinary piece of latin was become easy to the lad; but having his own Eyes closed by Death, he could no longer help the poor Child against the want of his.
Thus, As the Aged Polycarp, could say, These Eighty Six years have I served my Lord Jesus Christ; and he has been such a good Master to me all this while, that I will not now forsake him▪ Such a Polycarp was our Eliot; he had been so many years engaged in the sweet service of his dear Jesus, that he could not now give it over: 'twas his Ambition, and his privilege, to bring forth Fruit in old Age: and what veneration the Church of Smyrna paid unto that Angel of theirs, ⟨p. 140⟩we were upon the like Accounts willing to give unto this Man of God.