late that was so like to wracke all the meanes to settle it was as strange as the disease so he writes that was an eye and eate witnes They that heretofore slighted Synods and accounted of them as humane inventions and the blemish of those Reformed Churches that made use of them are now for the preservation of themselves enforced to make use of that meanes which in time of peace they did slight and contemne the Synod saith he being assembled much time was spent in ventilating and emptying of private passions but afterwards it went on and determined with such good successe that in token thereof hee saith wee keepe a solemne day of thanksgiving as there was cause and the two men most different in opinion were selected for the publike exercise wherein they behaved themselves to admiration the Acts and conclusions of the Synod c. I would further aske if the Independent government so farre as it is congregationall be not as rigidly Presbyterian as any sure I am unkinde they are not to the other Presbyterians Mr Winslow is an irrefragable testis herein who mentions some there that are in that way and knowne to be so yet never had the least molestation or disturbance but have and finde as good respect from Magistrates and people as other Elders in the congregationall way yea divers Gentlemen of Scotland that groaned under the late pressures of that Nation wrote into New England to know whether they might freely be suffered to exercise their Presbyteriall government and it was answered affirmatively they might and yet further none of them here or there that continue true to their first principles differ at all in fundamentalls and doctrine from the other Presbyterians and t is not unlike but when God shall enlarge their borders they will finde it needfull to approach yet neerer to the way of other Reformed Churches in their discipline And there is of themselves that upon observation of their former very great danger have left their judgement with which I will conclude this Chapter An excellent way they have meaning their Ecclesiastique government if Pastors and people would ever be of one opinion but when they shall come to be divided into as many opinions as they are bodies what will the sequell be and I see little probability of subsistence where Independency yeelds matter of divisions but no meanes to compound them CHAP. VII To our selves in behalse of the Natives towards their conversion IT is the unfeigned desire of every pious soule that God would please to guide and blesse some holy and happy hand in taking up the differences that are growne up among those that are named by the sweet name of Christ that all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity would also sincerely love one another that mutuall forces were conjoyned to promote the glory of our common Master not onely every man in his owne person family place and Countrey but by apprehending all opportunities to publish the eternall Gospell of our Lord even to those other ends of the earth Gregory the great did willingly encourage himselfe in his desire to Christianize our Ancestors the Saxons from hints of his owne observation for seeing children of beautifull feature offered to sale in the market at Rome as then the manner was hee sighed within himselfe and said when he understood they were not Christians Alas that the Prince of darkenesse should possesse such faire and lightsome countenances enquiring further after their names Angles they have Angels faces indeed said hee and t is meet all diligence be used that they be as the Angels of God in Heaven when hee asked of what Province they were it was answered Deiri or Deira for so was then that seventh Kingdome called Northumberland in the time of the Saxons Dei ira eruti saith hee being made Christians they shall be delivered from the wrath of God and upon demand hearing that their Kings name was Aelle he said Allelu jah and praises to God must be sung there In this worke if that may be any invitation we have the like allusions the whole Countrey is called the New world in the generall and particularly there is New Spaine New France New Netherland New Scotland New England why should not there be solicitous endeavours that all the Natives of that New World should be made a world of New creatures and if upon occasion and enquiry the Inhabitants be called Barbarians such were we our selves in the common acceptation of the word being neither Jewes nor Greekes if Salvages t is a name of hope that they are a salvable generation and shall in due time be partakers of the common salvation their complexion indeed is darke and duskish as t is made after birth but their soules are the more to be pittied that yet bee in a farre more unlovely hue even in the suburbs of that darkenesse that blacknesse of darknesse which is so terrible to thinke of It was Gregories desire that Hallelu-jahs should bee sung to and for the English then heathen the Christian English may observe and wonder at that very word of frequent use among the Indians as hath already been mentioned finally there is a constellation or starre called the crosse peculiar to that Countrey saith Acosta and it is so named because foure notable starres make the forme of a crosse set equally and with good proportion a good omen I wish it may be and that a starre may leade them also to their Saviour that Christ may be made knowne to them and his peace through the bloud of his Crosse Col. 1. 20. To which employment wee have likewise other perswasions besides what hath been formerly sprinkled here and there 1. The necessity of the poore Natives require this care who stand so much in need of spirituall bread and so few prepare to breake it to them they yet walke in the vanity of their minde having their understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them c. Eph. 4. 17. c. and the lesse sensible they be of their owne forlorne condition the more sollicitous should others be to acquaint them therewith together with the way of their deliverance When Austin the Monke came hither among the Saxons to preach the Gospell King Ethelbert opposed him not but said I cannot so easily forsake my owne Religion and embrace theirs that is new yet seeing these strangers are come so farre and bring that to us which they esteem most excellent wee will use them kindly they shall want nothing for their work And surely were the Americans but a little civiliz'd they would by degrees understand their owne miserable estate and themselves would then bespeake further enlightning yea this is already in some of their fervent desires as hath been intimated also formerly 2. Christians have a care of this for Christ their Masters sake good subjects wish the ampliation of their Soveraignes honour and
how glad should wee bee when the kingdome of darknesse is empaired and there be continuall accresses to the Kingdome of Gods deare Sonne Col. 1. 14. T is our daily prayer Hallowed be thy name divulged and made glorious all the world over wee cannot better improve our interest and power then by being active industrious instruments thereof wee endeavouring as much as wee may that the Kingdoms of this world may become the Kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ Revel 11. 15. Non est zelus sicut Zelus animarum this zeale for soules carries in the wombe thereof glory to God and honour to the zealots themselves Dan. 12. 3. and unutterable comfort and benefit to them that are warmed thereby Iam. 5. 20. and their debtors in this verily we are if the words of another Apostle be with a little mutation applyed hither for if wee be made partakers of their carnall things our duty it is also to minister unto them in spirituall things Rom. 15. 17. 3. The severall Patents to severall Planters call for this endeavour such was that first granted to the Virginians by King Iames it intended principally the propagation of the Christian faith the like is to be read in the Patents and confirmations made by him and King Charles to others And in the beginning of this Parliament that Honourable Committee of Lords and Commons were appointed chiefely for the advancement of the true Protestant Religion and further spreading of the Gospell of Christ among the Natives in America Yea and in the Charter to Mary-land the pious zeale for the spreading of the Gospel is first mentioned and what ever suggestions be made or aimes otherwise there is a speciall proviso against the pr ejudice or diminution of Gods holy and truly Christian Religion and the allegiance due to the Kings Majesty his heires and successors it is not well then if Romish designes have been mannaged there injurious to Religion and offensive to our other Plantations but herein stands the force of this Motive the mutuall and interchangeable Pact and Covenant of Donor and Receiver is in all those Charters and Patents the conversion of the Natives 4. I finde another encouragement from a Doctor lately lapsed into popery yet professing his willingnesse to returne upon Protestants successes this way for he deemes it improbable that ever they should convert any Nation or so much as any one single person except some poore wretch or other whom feare or gaine will drive or draw to any thing but if ever the historicall relation of Gods wonderfull workings upon sundry of the Indians both Governours and common people in bringing them to a willing and desired submission to the Ordinances of the Gospell and framing their hearts to an earnest enquiry after the knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World I say if ever those discourses come to the Doctors view hee may once againe change his minde how ever the happy progresses of our Countrey men in that worke if they be knowne and well considered of by the Papists themselves they may be carried to admiration expectation and it may be further 5. The honour of our Nation may be another argument to this undertaking that as to Charlemaine of old the Saxons owe their Christianity and those of Phrysia Dithmarse and Holsatia the Vandalls also and Hungarians It will be glorious for the Chronicles and Annalls of England that by the meanes of this Nation the Nansamonds were brought to the true and saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and so were the Sasquehannockes Wicomesses Conecktacoacks Massachuseuks Mouhacks Aberginians and others Thus will the renowne of the English name and Nation ring over all the Westerne World Gregory complaines more then once that those Angles our Ancestors were willing to become Christians but the Priests of France refused to give help and instruction The Britons also refused to joyne with Austin here in his preaching to the Saxons not out of pride and contempt as Beda reporteth but for that those people invited hither as friends became their onely enemies driving them from their possessions which themselves invaded as their owne but these Indians give harbour to our Nation whose faire and free accomodating of our Countrey men hath fully purchased to themselves all the spirituall favour wee and they are able to afford them of which when they also become sensible honour will redound to this England not onely from ours there who professe truly if they prosper we shall be the more glorious but the Natives enlightned by us will returne hither the tribute of their abundant thankfulnesse And that every one of us may be cordiall coadjutors of our Countrey men in this most glorious undertaking let me endeavour to warme the affections of the English there and at home by proposing a trafficke in a threefold stock for the promotion of this designe CHAP. VIII Further helpes to this worke THe first of these is already going the stocke of prayers both hence and thence on that behalfe to heaven and not now in a vision as to St. Paul once there stood a man and prayed him saying Come over into Macedonia and helpe us Act. 16. 9. but the Natives begin to be really sensible of their spirituall necessities and call earnestly for that bread and our countrey men desire the assistance of their brethren here in many respects all their Letters earnestly bespeak us in this and O that we did heartily answer them in our constant and fervent prayers in reference to this worke There was indeed of late a generation of men though extreme lovers of that Lethargy yet forgate to be in charity with all men they were content in their Letany to pray it would please God to have mercy upon all men yet deemed it piacular to pray for the Novangles The Directory guides otherwise even by name advising to prayers for those Plantations in the remote parts of the World 2. This worke would be much prospered by a stocke of wise and constant correspondence mutually betwixt Old and New England in regard of this businesse what progresse is made in the worke what meet to bee done for its furtherance c. Such communication of counsells would marvelously encourage and quicken the Americans conversion The French were spoiled of this help and intercourse from Brasil by the Governour Villagagno's Apostacy to Popery and t is not credible but if the poore Indians were made to understand that all the Nation of England were thus solicitous with God and among themselves in all industrious endeavours to recover them from their sinfull and lost condition by nature but they would looke up also and in earnest cooperate with them and say also it may be as was in the precedent Chapter mentioned of our Saxon King who said those Preachers should be kindly dealt with and want nothing for their worke yea somewhat like to this was long since spoken of by Colonchi
Moses to his Israell Onely take heed to your selves and keepe your soules diligently Deut. 4. 9. make your calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. and because you are the children of faithfull Abraham command your children and families that they walke in the waies of the Lord Gen. 18. 9. and let who will serve themselves follow lying vanities and set up their owne lusts let every one of us say and do as Ioshua I and my house will serve the Lord Josh 24. 15. And not onely serve the Lord with and in our housholds but in furthering the common good of others and t is considerable God is pleased to owne publique interests though in civill things with the name of his owne inheritance But this is the sinne this is the misery of these times All seek their owne not the things of Iesus Christ Even regulated charity may beginne at home it may not it must not end there it is the onely grace that is sowne on earth it growes up to heaven and continues there it goes with us thither and there abides to all eternity and t is therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 greater then faith and hope not from continuance onely but its extensivenesse it delights to be communicative it reacheth an hand of helpe one way or other to every one that needs though at never so great a distance after the cloven tongues as of fire had warmed the affections of the holy Apostles they had so much love to soules that they forgat their fathers house discipled all Nations and preached the Gospel to every creature Their line went through all the earth and their words to the ends of the world that former known world the same spirit hath warmed the hearts of our Countreymen and they are busie at the same worke in the other the new-found world For behold a white horse and he that sate on him had a bow and a Crown was given unto him and hee went forth conquering and to conquer so the Lord Christ shall be light to that world also and Gods salvation to the ends of the earth Britain hath woon the Gospel-glory from all other Countries not onely imbracing it with the formost as old Gildas testifieth but it was the first of all the Provinces that established Christianity by a law saith Sabellicus our Lucius was the first Christian King that Annales make mention of and venerable Bede out of Eutropius declareth that Constantine the first Christian Emperour was created to that dignity in this Island Sozom. l. 9. c. 11. saith that so were Marcus Gratian also But Constantine brought further honour to the Nation Religion For the Saxon Bede and Ponticus Virunnius affirme expresly that Constantine was born in Britaine after this ingemuit orbis videns se totum Romanum All the world wondred after the Beast groaned under the Papall servitude and our K. Henry the eight was the first of all the Princes who brake that yoke of Antichrist but neerer yet to our purpose The Inhabitants of the first England so Verstegan calls that part of Germany whence our Ancestors came hither with the Saxons and Iutes derive their Christianity from Iewry Ad nos doctrina de terra Iudaeorum per sanctos Apostolos qui docebant gentes pervenit as that great linguist learned and laborious Mr Wheelocke hath observed and translated out of the old Saxon Homilies t is but just therefore lege talionis that we repay what we borrowed and endeavour their conversion who first acquainted us with the eternall Gospell and if it be probable that providence honoured this Nation with the prime discovery of that New World as is intimated hereafter it is true without all controversie that from this second England God hath so disposed the hearts of many in the third New England that they have done more in these last few yeares towards their conversion then hath been effected by all other Nations and people that have planted there since they were first known to the habitable world as if that Prophesie were now in its fulfilling Behold I will doe a new thing now it shall spring forth shall ye not know it I will even make a way in the Wildernes and rivers in the desart c. When our Ancestors lay also in darkenesse and the shadow of death Gregory wrote divers Epistles to severall Noblemen and Bishops yea and to some Kings and Queenes of France and England these Sir H. Spelman that famous Antiquary your noble Countreyman and of alliance to divers of you calls epistolas Britannicas which are also mentioned afterwards in these he gives God thankes for their forwardnesse to further the worke of grace and desires earnestly the continuance of their bountifull and exemplary encouragement of such as were zealously employed in that Soule-worke and that is one of the two businesses entended in the following discourse which begs your assistance in your Spheres and cordiall concurrence to promote a designe of so much glory to the Lord of glory This is no new notion or motion all the royall Charters required the Gospellizing of the Natives and in the beginning of this Parliament there was an Ordinance of Lords and Commons appointing a Committee of both and their worke was among other things to advance the true Protestant Religion in America and to spread the Gospell among the Natives there and since very lately there is an Act for the promoting and propagating the Gospell of Iesus Christ in new-New-England I wish prosperity to all the Plantations but those of New-England deserve from hence more then ordinary favour because as by an Edict at Winchester about eighth hundred yeeres since King Ecbert commanded this Country should be called Angles-land so these your Countreymen of their owne accord and alone were and are ambitious to retain the name of their owne Nation besides this England had once an Heptarchate and then your Countrey was the chiefe of that Kingdome called Anglia Orientalis and these are the neerest of all the seven to you in name Nov-angles East-angles I pray that you would be nearest and most helpefull to them in this most Christian and Gospel-like designe which I leave with you and two or three Petitions at the throne of grace for you one is that of Moses Yee shall not doe after all the things that wee do heare this day every man whatsoever is right in his owne eyes but that ye walk by rule and not by example this is an age much enclining to Enthousiasmes and Revelations men pretend to externall and inward impulses but wee must remember though wee had a voice from heaven yet having the Scriptures wee have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure Propheticall word whereunto yee doe well that yee take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place untill the day dawne and the day starre arise in your hearts
for thou goest to thine owne Countreymen from one England to another New England indeed witnesse that experimented asseveration of him worthy of credit who having lived in a Colony there of many thousand English almost twelve yeares and was held a very sociable man speaketh considerately I never heard but one oath sworne never saw one man drunke nor ever heard of three women adulteresses if these sinnes be among us privily the Lord heale us I would not be understood to boast of our innocency there is no cause I should our hearts may be bad enough and our lives much better And yet they have more abundantly testified their pious integrity in serious endeavours to propogate Gospel-holinesse even to those that be without their godly labours Christianizing the Natives must be remembred to their praise they have had long and longing preparative thoughts and purposes that way and as Saint Paul once to his Corinthians 2. 6. 11. they have seemed to say O Americans our mouth is opened unto you our heart is enlarged you are not straightned in us be not straightned in your owne bowels and now for a recompence of all our endeavours to preach Christ unto you we aske no more but be ye also enlarged with gladnesse to receive the Lord Jesus Christ their active industry in this kind with the successe is now famously visible in severall discourses which whosoever shall read will be sufficiently contented in his spirituall and outward well-wishings to his friends both of this Nation and the Natives for the Gospel runs there and is glorified and here I crave leave to speake a word or two to the Military Reader the late English American traveller dedicating his observations upon his journeys of three thousand three hundred miles within the maine Land of America to the Lord Fairefax speakes knowingly to his Excellency that with the same paines and charge that the English have been at in planting one of the petty Islands they might have conquered so many great Cities and large territories on the Continent as might very well merit the title of a Kingdom he shewes further that the Natives have not onely just right to the Land and may transferre it to whom they please but that it may easily be wonne from the Spaniards and that for these three reasons among the rest 1. The Spaniards themselves are but few and thinne 2. The Indians and Blackamoores will turne against them and so will 3. The Criolians that is the Spaniards borne in America whom they will not suffer to beare office in Church or state Looke Westward then yee men of Warre thence you may behold a rising Sunne of glory with riches and much honour and not onely for your selves but for Christ whom you say you desire above all and are delighted to honour In yonder Countries that the following leaves speake of non cedunt arma togae the pen yeelds to the pike the first place of honour is given to the profession of armes and therefore in Mexico the Noblemen were the chiefe souldiers thus you may enlarge not onely your owne renowne but the borders of the Nation yea the Kingdome of the King of Saints We have all made covenants and professions of reformation at home with promises to propagate the Gospell of our deare Lord among those that remaine in great and miserable blindnesse how happy were it for them and us if this England were in such a posture of holinesse and tranquility that all opportunities might be imbraced to advance its territories abroad In the interim I could wish with the most passionate and compassionate of all the holy Prophets Oh that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that I might weep day and night for the sinnes and for the slaine of the daughter of my people Oh that I had in the wildernesse c. Ier. 9. 1. 2. Our Countrey is justly called our mother whose heavy groanes under multiplied miseries be heard from all places whose bowels doe not sympathize with her and yerne over her who is not unwilling or ashamed to gather riches or honour from her rents and ruine the Heathen Orator spake affectionately our parents are dear to us and so be our children alliances and familiars but the love of our countrey comprehends in it and with it all other dearnesses whatsoever and in another place Omnes qui patriam conserverunt adjuverunt auxerunt certum est esse in caelo t is certaine they are all in heaven that have been lovers and conservators of their Countrey and when heathenish Babylon was the place of Israels exile they are commanded by God himselfe to seeke the peace of the City whether they were carried and pray unto the Lord for it Jer. 29. 7. It is recorded to the honour of Mordecai that he sought the wealth of his people Esth 10. 3. the contrary to this entailes ignominy to men and their posterity by the book of Gods own heral dry Esa 14. 20. Thou shalt not be joyned with them in buriall because thou hast destroyed thy land and slaine thy people the seed of evill doers shall never be renowned for that Judge judged righteously In a civill warre there is no true victory in asmuch as he that prevaileth is also a loser But I returne and reinvite to peruse these probabilities and if they like not because they are no more but guesses and conjectures yet the requests I hope shall be listened unto for they aime at Gods glory and mans salvation and nothing else and surely the poore Natives will not be a little encouraged to looke after the glorious Gospel of Christ when they shall understand that not onely the English among them but wee all here are daily sutors for them at the throne of grace so that we may say as Paul to the Romans 1. 9. God is our witnesse whom wee serve with our spirit in the Gospel of his Sonne that without ceasing wee make mention of them alwaies in our prayers Mr. Elliot whose praise is now through all our Churches 2 Cor. 8. 18. deserves publique encouragement from hence besides those sprinklings of an Apostolicall spirit received from heaven by which in an high and holy ambition he preacheth the Gospell where Christ had not been named Rom. 15. 20. such another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like-minded soule-lover is not readily to be found that naturally careth for their matters Phil. 2. 20. regarding the Indians as if they were his owne charge and children and as God hath furnished him with ministeriall and spirituall abilities for the worke I wish that he and his com-Presbyters and companions in that labour might be supplyed with all externall accommodations to further the civilizing and Gospellizing of the Americans And now me thinks I heare thee say also Oh that the day breaking of the Gospel there might be the way of Saints even the path of the just as the shining light that shineth more and
are a people come under the world to take our world from us Others finde their conversion praefigured in that threat Mat. 25. 30. Cast the unprofitable servant into utter darknesse those tenebrae exteriores outward darknesses are regiones exterae the outer and forraigne nations in the judgement of Remigius and some conceive the same to be fore-signified by the Prophet Obadiah ver 20. The captivity of Ierusalem shall possesse the Cities of the South i. e. of America so situate or the dry cities that Countrey being much under the Torrid Zone Acosta confidently applyeth thus this text as some others doe that of Esa 66. 19. Fredericus Lumnius in his booke Devicinitate extremijudicii findes or makes divers other Scriptures look this way upon that ground three sorts of people should be in the Church of Christ at severall times Jewes formerly Christians now and these Indians afterwards he citeth Hilary thus understanding that parable of the talents the possessor of five is the Jew hee that had two talents is the Gentile then knowne hee that received one a people all carnall and stupid and according to this triple time of the Church and order of believers hee expoundeth other Scriptures Zach. 13. 8. Mat. 13. 3. and the three Watches Luk. 12. 38. and craving pardon of his rashnesse or rather fidei nescientis mensuram suam of his faith not knowing its owne measure hee further allegorizeth the former parable The Jewes had one Talent the ancient and present Christians two Law and Gospell and the servant to whom five Talents were given by which hee gained other five is the Indian and American nation last in time converted and called after others into the vineyard but it shall be more abundant in obeying the Gospell more fervent in charity more zealous of good workes and therefore Malvenda will have those to be the dry Cities before mentioned out of Obad. ver 20. Because they shall so much thirst after the Gospell for that younger sister of the foure saith one of her friends in this England is now growne marriageable and daily hopes to get Christ to her husband by the preaching of the Gospel Comines said of the English that they were much addicted to and taken with Prophecies and predictions I believe that is incident to all Nations Some even among these have foretold of the mutation of their rites and religion as hath bâ—â—… mentioned and in reference to their Gospelizing a divine and propheticall Poet hath printed his thoughts hereof in severall particulars Religion stands on tiptoe in our land Ready to passe to the American strand When height of malice and prodigious lusts Impudent sinning witchcrafts and distrusts The markes of future bane shall fill our cup Vnto the brim and make our measure up When Sein shall swallow Tiber and the Thames By letting in them both pollute her streames When Italy of us shall have her will And all her Calendar of sins fulfill Whereby one may foretell what sins next yeer Shall both in France and England domineer Then shall Religion to America flee They have their times of Gospell even as wee My God thou dost prepare for them a way By carrying first from them their gold away For gold and grace did never yet agree Religion alwaies sides with poverty Wee thinke wee rob them but we thinke amisse Wee are more poore and they more rich by this Thou wilt revenge their quarrell making grace To pay our debts and leave our ancient place To goe to them while that which now their Nation But lends to us shall be our desolation c. Here is a sad prognosticke for this England but a joyfull calculation for America longing thirsting America and if such be their ripenesse and desire wee should also make haste to satisfie them The harvest there is great and the Regions are already white thereto the laborours indeed are few t is more then time that the Lord of the harvest were more earnestly intreated to send to thrust forth labourers into this Harvest they that have gone into those parts have not all had a care of this the harvest of soules It was indeed the profession of Villagagno and the purpose surely of Peter Richiers and Will. Charter Pastors and others from Geneva Anno one thousand five hundred fifty six to publish the Gospel there and they were very serious therein yea and Lerius one of them believes they had bin successefull also if that Apostate Governour had not become a most cruell persecutor of the Reformed Religion in that strange land where he most barbarously murthered three of those his owne Countrey men and the aforesaid Lerius piously took care that their Martyrdom should be commemorated by Io. Crispin in his History and though these were not so happy in that holy attempt others have not been will not be discouraged in such a worke a worke worthy of the choicest diligence of those that professe the glorious Gospel in sincerity who have had also many and manifold experiments of divine favour in their severall preservations directions and accommodations and because their friends with praise to God and thanks to them for what is done and declared already desire to know more of those their pious and blessed endeavours Let me adde a third consideration Wishes of furtherance and direction in such great and gracious employments which shall be I hope and pray as a spurre to more able advisers to bring in every one somewhat or other towards the erecting of a Tabernacle for our God in America CHAP. III. Directions towards the conversion of the Natives SOme give violent counsell here presuming they find it in that parable Luk. 14. 23. compell them to come in but judicious Austin calls this Amoris non timoris tractum not a force of feare but of love producing the example of a sheepe following the shepherd holding a green bough in his hand and t is the sentence of a serious Historian among the Gentiles such are worthy of pitty not hatred that erre from the truth for they doe it not willingly but being mistaken in judgement they adhere to their first received opinions and the Saints in the first times never thought outward compulsion a fit meane to draw on inward assent The Evangelicall Prophet foretold this They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountaine saith the Lord Esa 65 last And our most deare Lord himselfe saith The sonne of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them Luk. 9. 56. Saint Iames derives the pedigree of that wisdome which hath bitter envying and strife though it be but in heart though it may rejoyce and thinke highly of it selfe yet its parentage is from that Cerberus of iniquity the world the flesh and the devill Jam. 3. 15. But regenerated Saints delight surely in that wisdome which is from above and that is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to be intreated
to all that shall at any time passe to them or inhabite with them But Tempora mutantur and it may be t is with them as with us nos mutamur in illis And t is further said that their Ecclesiastique government is not onely opposite to the ancient Episcopacy of the land but to the discipline of the other Reformed Churches even that which the Covenant calleth for it may be worth our consideration that as there was a time when forraigners reformed were not so opposite to our Bishops but those Divines thought well of them willingly-gave to them Titles of Reverend Fathers and Illustrious Lords and in their publique convenings spake of that Government with good respect and the valedictory Epistle of Mr. Cotton to the then Bishop of Lincoln full of respective expressions is yet to be seen So the Bishops then were not such Antipresbyterians Caecus sit saith Bishop Andrewes to P. Moulin a Presbyter qui non videat stantes sine ea Ecclesias ferreus sit quisalutem cis neget nos non sumus illi ferrei Let him be blind that seeth not Churches consistent without such an Hierarchy let him be accounted iron-hearted that shall deny them to be in a way of salvation we are not such iron-hearted men yea and severall reformed Congregations of severall Nations have not onely been tollerated but much refreshed under the Bishops of London Norwich Winchester c. These times have widened all differences every where even among such as are or should be one in covenant how are disaffections increased divisions heightened which have not only wofully abated christian love but miserably augmented iniquities of all sorts many being scrupulously curious about mint and annis having little respect in the meane time to faith righteousnesse and the more weighty things of the law and here may be taken up the lamentation of Erasmus bemoaning himselfe exceedingly that he had in bookes cryed up libertatem spiritus liberty of the spirit which I thinke this age would call liberty of conscience I wished thus saith hee a diminution of humane ceremonies to that end that divine truths and godlinesse might be enlarged Nunc sic excutiuntur illae ut pro libertate spiritus succedat effraenis carnis licentia and he doth justly call it carnall licenciousnesse for the Spirit of our God Gal. 5. 20. names contentions seditions heresies c. workes of the flesh which being but lately sowne have strangely growne up and multiplyed so that a forraigne penne hath to Englands shame printed it thus to the world Anglia his quatuor annis facta est colluvies lerna omnium errorum ac sectarum nulla à condito orbe provincia tam parvo spatio tot monstrosas haereses protulit atque haec Episcoporum tempora intra sexaginta annos non nisi quatuor sectas protulerunt eas plerunque in obscuro latentes c. For I had rather bewaile than reveale the nakednesse of the Nation I had rather stirre up my owne soule and others to piety and peace oh when will men lay aside all bitternesse and wrath and anger and clamour and evill speaking with all malice and instead thereof be kinde one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another as God for Christs sake forgave you Ephes 4. 32. I wish there were a law to forbid all needlesse disputes I wish that it and those other severall lawes were put in execution impartially so that all men by all meanes were provoked to godlinesse that would preserve from every error for God is faithfull that hath promised If any man will doe the Fathers will he shall know the doctrine whether it be of God Joh. 7. 17. Hearty endeavours for holinesse in our owne persons and those related to us would take away the occasions of many unkind controversies for the Kingdome of God is not meate or drinke this or that government or any such externalls no further then they serve to promote righteousnesse and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. and this is the best way to shew our obedience unto Christ for hee that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men ver 18. When our Countreymen planted themselves first in America the name of Independency was not knowne hee indeed that lately hath wrote of the state of the Churches in England drawes so the scheme that our Novangles are thus become Independents but with the epithete of orthodox Schema sectarum recentium Puritani Presbyteriani Angli Scoti Erastiani sive Colemaniani Independentes sive Congregationales Orthodoxi Novo-Anglici Londinenses Pseudo-Independentes sive Fanatici Anabaptistae Quaerentes Antinomi mille alii And for our Novangles it cannot be denyed but many of them well approve the Ecclesiastique government of the Reformed Churches as of old communi Presbyterorum consilio Ecclesiae regebantur they desire it were so now and some of them in New England are amazed at the manner of our gathering of Churches here thus one writeth that had bin a long time a Pastor among them What more ungodly sacrilege or man-stealing can there be than to purloine from godly Ministers the first borne of their fervent prayers and faithfull preachings the leven of their flocks the encouragement of their soules the crowne of their labours their Epistle to heaven If men will needs gather Churches out of the world as they say let them first plough the world and sow it and reape it with their owne hands the Lord give them a liberall harvest He is a very hard man that will reape where he hath not sowed and gather where he hath not strowed Mat. 24. 25. and if I mistake not such kind of unkind and hard dealing was practised here in England even in popish times what meanes else that Canon among the Saxon Councells Vt sacerdotes aliorum parochianos ad se non alliciant how like this lookes to that I leave to the judgement of others but these be the words of that rule Let no Presbyter perswade the saithfull of the Parish of another Presbyter to come to his Church leaving his owne and take to himselfe those tithes but let every one bee content with his owne Church and people and by no meanes doe that to another which he would not should be done to himselfe according to that Evangelicall saying Whatsoever yee would that men should doe unto you doe yee the same to them but whosoever shall walke contrary to this rule let him know hee shall either lose his degree or for a long time be detained in prison I shall by and by speake more to this on their behalfe now adde onely that as many in New England approve of the discipline of the other Churches Reformed and some of them sufficiently dislike the way and manner of our Church gathering here so all of them have now seen by experience the necessity of Synods For in their great storm of
one of the Princes of Peru when he was invited to be a Christian his answer was Sir I am old and unfit to forsake the rites and lawes of my Ancestors but take my children as you will and teach them what you please they are young and can more easily apply themselves to your customes and instructions 3. And a stock of money must be remembred which in some sense is as it were the soule of this worke the Poet said truly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If wee meane the Indians shall be Gospellized they must first be civilized who are yet a very wild Olive both by nature and life they must bee weaned from idlenesse and hunting and nakednesse they must be perswaded to labour planting learning arts and manufacture that they may get cloathing they must be taught to build for their owne habitations for meeting houses or Churches on the Lords dayes Schooles must be erected for instruction of their youth at other times books of all kinds tooles and instruments of all sorts must be provided many and necessary materialls towards this structure may be easily mentioned but are not so easily purchased If our Countrey men there have for their owne comfort and subsistance t is little lesse then a miracle all things considered and a wonderfull mercy it cannot be expected that they should be able to adde considerable supplie towards all the forenamed particulars and other emergent needfull occasions though there be that can beare them record that to their power yea and beyond their power they are willing of themselves as the Apostle said of his Macedonians 2 Cor. 8. 3. I crave leave therefore to pray every Christian reader with much entreaty to take upon him the fellowship of ministring to this worke that you may abound in this grace also that I may use to you the same holy Apostles words Chrysostome desirous to plant the Gospel in Phaenicia stirred up many godly men and devout women by their liberality to contribute towards those endeavours Yea and here let it be remembred that as Gregory commends Queen Brunechild of France and Queen Adilberga of Kent for their charitable furtherance of this worke the gaining of soules the first Gospellizing of our Saxon Ancestors So some pious Christians among us of both sexes have shewed much bounty this way encouraging and exampling others The Spanish bookes relate strange things of their zeale in this kinde and one whom wee may credit tells us that America hath foure Arch-Bishops thirty Bishops and many other houses as they call them of Religion and if it be said their lot fell into the golden part of that world and out of their superfluities they might well spare very much t is very much indeed and yet t is somewhat more that the same writer observeth how the King of Spaine maintaines the lists and bonds of Missionaries Priests Fryers and Jesuits that are continually transported into America hee provides for every of them ten yeeres and that to this day and shall the children of this world in this also be wiser then the children of light Luk. 16. 8. shall they be enlarged for the promoting of themselves and their abominable superstitions and shall not wee be as forward in that which directly aimes at the glory of Christ and the good of souls as St. Paul saith of his Thessalonians that they were examples to all that believed in Macedonia and Achaia 1 Thes 1. 7. I trust the liberality of some will invite and open the hands of many to be very forward in this worke for the administration of this service will not onely supply their wants but will be abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God 2 Cor. 9. 12. And I hope to heare once of a liberall collection and benevolence to be advanced in every Parish and Congregation of the land to be put into safe hands and such profitable employment as may indeed further the reering up of a Christian Tabernacle in America And while these papers were thus in their framing an Act before mentioned for propagating the Gospell of Iesus Christ in New England declareth much forwardnesse towards a nationall contribution in reference to this worke and the disposall thereof to be according to the desires of those that have bin most industrious that way and good care I trust will be taken that the monies run into the right channel and for the better gale and conduct the two Universities Cambridge Oxford have affectionately expressed their Christian longings that this soule-businesse may obtain all possible furtherance in their Letters to their reverend and deare Brethren the Ministers of the Gospell in England and Wales the Divines of London are desired also in their sphere cordially to act in this common cause of the Gospel that no obstruction be left in the way of this most glorious endeavour why should any then bee straightned in their owne bowells why should not all learne willingnesse to this worke by reading considering and practising what we find the old Jewes did in a like case Exod. 35. CHAP. IX The Novangles religious care to advance Piety and Learning IT hath been laid and left at the doores of those whom some call Independents here in this England that they have shewed little love to others going astray and that their zeale hath been wanting against those blasphemies and heresies that have manifestly dishonoured the most sweet and holy name of God Father Son and Spirit Our booke tells us of a good man in former times when hee was accused of lust pride c. He said I confesse I am a sinner and I beseech you pray for me but when they laid heresie to his charge his heart was hot within him his zeale was inflamed and hee said Haereticus non sum hoc vitium nulla patientia possum aut vole dissimulare hoeresis enim separat hominem a Deo adsociat Diabolo alienatus a Christo non habet Deum quem oret propeccatis suis T is not for me to judge any every one shall stand or fall to his owne Master Rom. 14. 4. but I would remember my selfe and others of his zeale who said fateor in causa fidei etiam vitam negligendam I finde this grace very warme and working in our Novangles for whom I have some few words more to mention in this particular that my readers may be invited to thinke well of them to doe well to them and for them or for the poore Indians rather or rathest for Christ himselfe who shall have honour from us all if wee all by communication of counsells prayers purses and every other way endeavour the furtherance of their conversion to our Lord Jesus and to procure our cordiall conjunction with our brethren there in this I shall transcribe some things out of their owne late printed booke of the lawes and liberties concerning the inhabitants of Massachusets by which their love to truth godlinesse peace and learning will