N01899:75
India Christiana. A discourse, delivered unto the Commissioners, for the Propagation of the Gospel…
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.
The Joyful Sound reaching to both the INDIA's. › APPLICATION.
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.
which they do, (as I have seen,) with Tears and Trembling, like him in the Sixteenth Chapter of the Acts. And then he gives an Account of Experiences he has had, of Convictions, Awakenings and Comforts; in which they are large and particular. After which (much Counsel and Exhortation to remain steadfast in the ⟨p. 40⟩Faith and Ways of the Lord, being given them by their Pastor and Elder,) they are Admitted. I would, (and not ungroundedly) hope, That Additions are made unto the Church daily of such as shall be saved. There are many, which maintain a Christian Conversation, and are to be accounted, not Almost, but Altogether Christians. And this does encourage the Preaching of the Gospel to them; when we see, it pleases GOD to make it, His Power unto Salvation.
which they do, (as I have seen,) with Tears and Trembling, like him in the Sixteenth Chapter of the Acts. And then he gives an Account of Experiences he has had, of Convictions, Awakenings and Comforts; in which they are large and particular. After which (much Counsel and Exhortation to remain stedfast in the ⟨p. 40⟩Faith and Ways of the Lord, being given them by their Pastor and Elder,) they are Admitted. I would, (and not ungroundedly) hope, That Additions are made unto the Church daily of such as shall be saved. There are many, which maintain a Christian Conversation, and are to be accounted, not Almost, but Altogether Christians. And this does encourage the Preaching of the Gospel to them; when we see, it pleases GOD to make it, His Power unto Salvation.
But notwithstanding all of this, we must humbly say, 'Tis a Day of Small things. The Indians are not yet improved so far into English Civility, and Industry, and Husbandry, as were to be desired, and as a due Improvement in Christianity would oblige them to. Many of the English, instead of giving them Assistances and Encouragements, have rather contrived Indirect Ways to keep them under, and Entangle them in Debts unto them; and Vile Things have been done upon their Insolvencies, Religion, 'tis to be feared, is under a Decay among them: Their Good Order languishing: And the older and wiser Indians going off, and English Neighbours too often hurting of the Survivors, much of that little Glory in which has been among them, seems to have an Ichabod written upon it.