N01899:181
India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel among the American Indians : which is accompanied with several instruments relating to the glorious design of propagating our holy religion, in the Eastern as well as the Western, Indies. : An entertainment which they that are waiting for the kingdom of God will receive as good news from a far country. / By Cotton Mather, D.D. and F.R.S.
printed by B. Green, 1721
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.
In the Next Place; The CHRIST, who is the Eternal SON of GOD Incarnate in our Blessed JESUS, is our only Redeemer; who Dying for us, has offered a most Acceptable ⟨p. 68⟩Sacrifice to the Divine Justice, on which relying by Faith we become Reconciled unto GOD; and under the Conduct of Him who being received up into the Heavens, now Reigns on the Throne of GOD, we are to expect a wonderful and unspeakable Blessedness for our Immortal Soul, whereto our Body shall be Re-united in a Glorious Resurrection, when He shall Return unto us to Judge the World.
Lastly; Being filled with the Love of GOD and of CHRIST, we must most Heartily Love our Neighbours; and for ever go by that Golden Rule, Whatsoever you would have Men do unto you, do you even the same unto them.
THIS is that PURE CHRISTIANITY, which when it shall be by the Trumpets of GOD purely and plainly Preached unto the Nations, the Preachers will doubtless have GOD smiling upon them; The Hand of the Lord will be with them; and many will Believe, and be turned unto the Lord.
But, The Hand of the Lord! What is it, but that SPIRIT of GOD, without whose Aids, they that would Build the House of the Lord, will but Labour in Vain?
'Tis indeed with a very Trembling Heart, and not without the most profound Submission, that I would now hint a matter to you, ⟨p. 69⟩or at least insinuate it with a whisper hardly to be uttered. Some eminently Learned Men, Persons of the most finished Erudition, and the farthest in the World from all Fanaticism, are of this Persuasion; That the Reformation and Propagation of Religion, will be accomplished, by Granting over again, those Extraordinary Gifts of the Prophetic Spirit, by which the Holy Spirit watered the Primitive Church, and at first spread and confirmed the Christian Religion in the World.
'Tis indeed with a very Trembling Heart, and not without the most profound Submission, that I would now hint a matter to you, ⟨p. 69⟩or at least insinuate it with a whisper hardly to be uttered. Some eminently Learned Men, Persons of the most finished Erudition, and the farthest in the World from all Fanaticism, are of this Perswasion; That the Reformation and Propagation of Religion, will be accomplished, by Granting over again, those Extraordinary Gifts of the Prophetic Spirit, by which the Holy Spirit watered the Primitive Church, and at first spread and confirmed the Christian Religion in the World.
The most Holy SPIRIT of GOD has used this Method from the very beginning of the World; that so He might communicate the Light, with which He would lead His People travelling on the Earth, to the Rest which the Saints have in the Heavens reserved for them. It hath seemed Good unto Him, to send down from on High, into the Children of Men, those Good Angels, who have always been the most proper and ready Instruments of the Eternal Spirit for such a Purpose; and the Favourites of GOD, who have been so managed and inspired by Angels, have been the Messengers and Proclaimers, by whom He has revealed His Will both in Word and Writing, to the Children of Men. Various a• Wondrous have been the Operations of the Angels in these Ministers of GOD; but all ⟨p. 70⟩these things worketh that one and self-same Spirit, who divides to every Man severally as He pleases.
This Angelical Possession and Energy of the Prophetic Spirit, has ever been to the People of GOD as a Light shining in a dark place; A Place, alas, how Dark, how buried in Darkness, would it have been, if it had not been allowed unto this our World; for to Rejoice in the Consolation of such a Light! The Immense Treasures of Truth, which we have treasured up for us in the Sacred Scriptures, we confess to be owing unto this Prophetic Spirit; yea, 'tis owing to the Afflations thereof, that the Church is continued against all the Hazards and Horrors of Extinction, tho' it be like a little spark in the midst of a Tempestuous Ocean.
This Angelical Possession and Energy of the Prophetic Spirit, has ever been to the People of GOD as a Light shining in a dark place; A Place, alas, how Dark, how buried in Darkness, would it have been, if it had not been allowed unto this our World; for to Rejoyce in the Consolation of such a Light! The Immense Treasures of Truth, which we have treasured up for us in the Sacred Scriptures, we confess to be owing unto this Prophetic Spirit; yea, 'tis owing to the Afflations thereof, that the Church is continued against all the Hazards and Horrors of Extinction, tho' it be like a little spark in the midst of a Tempestuous Ocean.
For Four Hundred Years before the Incarnation of our SAVIOUR, there was a Ceasing and Silence of this Prophetic Spirit. But when that Great KING Ascending on High, Sat down on the Right Hand of the most High GOD, He received Gifts, which He gave unto Men, and He sent down into the Preachers of the Everlasting Gospel, the Angels, who were all made Subject unto Him; and He Distilled a most Plentiful Shower of the Heavenly Gifts, with which He Refreshed His weary Heritage.
For more than Two Hundred Years after this, the Church was Enlarged and Governed by these Gifts of the Prophetic Spirit; and the Church enjoyed a sensible presence of her Beloved with her. But when the Carnal Spirit of this World, fermented with the Venom of the Epicurean Philosophy, entered into the Church, and she would no more acknowledge her SAVIOUR as her Governor, the Grieved Par•let withdrew, and there Succeeded a Kingdom animated with the Unclean Spirit of Antichrist; and for Three Years and Six Months, the Rain is withheld, from a Land Languishing under the Indignation of GOD.
For more than Two Hundred Years after this, the Church was Enlarged and Governed by these Gifts of the Prophetic Spirit; and the Church enjoy'd a sensible presence of her Beloved with her. But when the Carnal Spirit of this World, fermented with the Venom of the Epicurean Philosophy, entred into the Church, and she would no more acknowledge her SAVIOUR as her Governour, the Grieved Par•let withdrew, and there Succeeded a Kingdom animated with the Unclean Spirit of Antichrist; and for Three Years and Six Months, the Rain is witheld, from a Land Languishing under the Indignation of GOD.
But now at last; what if after the Twelve Hundred & Sixty Years of Antichrist are Expired, there should be heard the Sound of Abundance of Rain! What if the Dove sent forth Twice and Returning again, should go forth a Third Time, never to Return any more; and Abide with us, until the Flood of Ignorance and Wickedness in which the whole World at this day lies in a manner drowned, shall go off wholly from the face of the Earth? What if the Kingdom of GOD should come, with the Joy of the Holy SPIRIT, working with such Gifts and in such Ways, as He has promised, for both the Internal & External Propagation of His Gospel? Whether it shall be so or no; —I know not, GOD knows!
But now at last; what if after the Twelve Hundred & Sixty Years of Anrichrist are Expired, there should be heard the Sound of Abundance of Rain! What if the Dove sent forth Twice and Returning again, should go forth a Third Time, never to Return any more; and Abide with us, until the Flood of Ignorance and Wickedness in which the whole World at this day lies in a manner drowned, shall go off wholly from the face of the Earth? What if the Kingdom of GOD should come, with the Joy of the Holy SPIRIT, working with such Gifts and in such Ways, as He has promised, for both the Internal & External Propagation of His Gospel? Whether it shall be so or no; —I know not, GOD knows!
It is very sure, That the Prophecy in Joel, I will pour cut my SPIF IT upon all Flesh, yet remains to be accomplished. And it is not unlikely, That the Effusion of the SPIRIT, by which the Primitive Church flourished, might be but as Drops, which will be followed with Mighty Showers, for the Accomplishment of this Prophecy still to be Expected in the Latter Days.
It is very sure, That the Prophecy in Joel, I will pour cut my SPIF IT upon all Flesh, yet remains to be accomplished. And it is not unlikely, That the Effasion of the SPIRIT, by which the Primitive Church flourshed, might be but as Drops, which will be follow'd with Mighty Showers, for the Accomplishment of this Prophecy still to be Expected in the Latter Days.
The Lord will Consume the most wicked Antichrist, by the Breath of His Mouth, and will Destroy him with the Brightness of His Coming. What if by the Breath of His Mouth, we should understand such Gifts of the Holy SPIRIT, as He signified unto His Disciples, when with His Mouth He breathed on them, and said, Receive an Holy Spirit?
I Confess. That the Extraordinary Gifts of the Holy SPIRIT are to be less esteemed of, than that Quickening Grave, by which all that have their Names written in the Book of Life, are Ordinarily Sanctified, and Live unto their GOD. I most willingly Confess, That a Soul Sanctified with the Love of GOD and of CHRIST, and of our Neighbour, is altogether to be preferred before all the Extraordinary Gifts of the Holy SPIRIT. I most readily Confess, That the Extraordinary Gifts of the Holy SPIRIT best […] upon Men are ⟨p. 73⟩Regules esse Examinanda, et si Operationes, quae videntur Miraculosae, ad quidquam contra Pietatem ducant, has esse inter Principis Tenebrarum, see in lucis Angelum transformantis Technas, prorsus rejiciendas. Concedo etiam et semper censeo, Monito Franckiano nil quicquam salubrius unquam fuisse Inculcatum; Minus two Extraordinaria Dona affectari, quippe quae ingens periculum illis, qui firmas altasque in Humilitate Radices non Egerint, (Quis autem Istud de se spondeat?) creare, per accidens quidem possint.
I Confess. That the Extraordinary Gifts of the Holy SPIRIT are to be less esteemed of, than that Quickening Grave, by which all that have their Names written in the Book of Life, are Ordinarily Sanctified, and Live unto their GOD. I most willingly Confess, That a Soul Sanctified with the Love of GOD and of CHRIST, and of our Neighbour, is altogether to be preferred before all the Extradinary Gifts of the Holy SPIRIT. I most readily Confess, That the Extraordinary Gifts of the Holy SPIRIT best 〈…〉 upon Men are ⟨p. 73⟩Regules esse Examinanda, et si Operationes, quae videntur Miraculosae, ad quidquam contra Pietatem ducant, has esse inter Principis Tenebrarum, se in lucis Angelum transformantis Technas, prorsus rejiciendas. Concedo etiam et semper censeo, Monito Franckiano nil quicquam salubrius unquam fuisse Inculcatum; Minus tu•o Extraordinaria Dona affectari, quippe quae ingens periculum illis, qui firmas altasque in Humilitate Radices non Egerint, (Quis autem Istud de se spondeat?) creare, per accidens quidem possint.
Nihilominus, Quid obstat, quo minus, Pater noster coelestis, qui Spiritum Sanctum dat ab Ipso Petentibus, annuere vestrae Petitioni possit, quum ut Angelos illius habeatis in illius Opere vobis assistentes ac associatos, ab ipso rogabitis? Est hoc sane non inter Impossibilie desperandum. Quod si Precibus Jejuniisque Extraordinariis et quidem necessariis, ter et amplius, Dominum rogaveritis, En, Spiritum Sanctum in vos descendentem sentietis, qui vobis illa Antiqua, at in Venturo Saeculo Renovanda, forsan suppeditabit Charismata atque Auxilia, quibus facilem et foelicem in opere vestro progressum nacti fueritis.
to be Examined by the Rules of PIETY, and if the Operations that look Miraculous do lead us unto any thing that is contrary to PIETY, they are to be rejected, among the Wiles of the Prince of Darkness transforming himself into an Angel of Light. I also Grant, and always Think, that there can be nothing more wholesome to be inculcated, than that Advice of our Franckius, It is not safe to affect Extraordinary Gifts: For •hey may be at least accidentally, attended with Mighty Dangers to them that are not very deeply rooted in Humility. But who dare engage for himself his being so?
to be Examined by the Rules of PIETY, and if the Operations that look Miraculous do lead us unto any thing that is contrary to PIETY, they are to be rejected, among the Wiles of the Prince of Darkness transforming himself into an Angel of Light. I also Grant, and always Think, that there can be nothing more wholesome to be inculcated, than that Advice of our Franckius, It is not safe to affect Extraordinary Gifts: For •hey may be at least accidentially, attended with Mighty Dangers to them that are not very deeply rooted in Humility. But who dare engage for himself his being so?
Nevertheless, What is there to hinder, but that our Heavenly Father, who gives His Holy Spirit unto them that ask Him, can grant your Petition, when you shall ask it of Him, that in His work you may have His Angels for your Assistants and Associates? Truly, 'Tis not utterly to be despaired of as a Thing Impossible. But if by the Extraordinary Prayer with Fasting that shall be Necessary, and beseeching the Lord Thrice, and oftener, you shall ask it of the Lord, Behold, You may be sensible of His Holy Spirits descending on you, who perhaps will supply you with such Gifts and Helps, as were conferred of old, and are to be Renewed in the Age that is coming on, and will procure for you an easy and speedy Progress in the Work before you.
Nevertheless, What is there to hinder, but that our Heavenly Father, who gives His Holy Spirit unto them that ask Him, can grant your Petition, when you shall ask it of Him, that in His work you may have His Angels for your Assistents and Associates? Truly, 'Tis not utterly to be despaired of as a Thing Impossible. But if by the Extraordinary Prayer with Fasting that shall be Necessary, and beseeching the Lord Thrice, and oftener, you shall ask it of the Lord, Behold, You may be sensible of His Holy Spirits descending on you, who perhaps will supply you with such Gifts and Helps, as were conferred of old, and are to be Renewed in the Age that is coming on, and will procure for you an easy and speedy Progress in the Work before you.
