of Shem. If these people be under a Covenant and Promise as ancient as Shem and Eber it is a ground of faith to expect mercy for them Now this I have thought that it seemeth to me as clear in the Scripture that these are the children of Shem as we of Japhet and Shem was a great man in the Church and to whom Abraham paid Tythes for I beleeve he was Melchisedceck yea it seemeth to me probable that these people are Hebrews of Eber whose sonnes the Scripture sends farthest East as it seemeth to me and learned Broughton put some of them over into America and certainly this Country was peopled Eastward from the place of the Arks resting seeing the finding of them by the West is but of yesterday Now Eber was also a great man in the Church Abraham the Hebrew saith the text and how often in the Scriptures doth the Lord use that blessed word of Grace and Covenant I am the God of the Hebrewes besides there be sundry Prophesies in Scripture unto the goings down of the Sunne and let it be considered whether America be not to be accounted among the places that are the goings down of the Sunne unto those places where those Promises were promulgated And when the Lord inlarged the Promise to Jacob as the light and extent of grace hath ever been encreasing and enlarging he promised to make him a Nation and a multitude of Nations which so farre as we regard a litteral accomplishment is in part accomplisht in the Nation of the Jewes and the other part remaineth as it may seem to be accomplisht in the lost Israelites scattered in the world principally if not wholly amongst the sons of Japhet and Shem and our God who can and will gather the scattered and lost dust of our bodies at the Resurrection can and will finde out these lost and scattered Israelites and in finding up them bring in with them the Nations among whom they were scattered and so shall Jacobs Promise extend to a multitude of Nations indeed and this is a great ground of faith for the conversion of the Easterne Nations and may be of help to our faith for these Indians especially if Rabbi Ben-Israel can make it appeare that some of the Israelites were brought into America and scattered here or if the Lord shall by any meanes give us to understand the same These meditations upon Scripture grounds do minister comfort encouragement to my heart with others also as That all Languages shall see his Glory and that all Nations and Kingdoms shall become the Kingdoms of the Lord Iesus and this I desire to do to look unto Scripture grounds only Oh this precious this perfect Word of God! You intimate also how zealously worthy Mr. Owen did prosecute this work the Lord reward him and the Lord accept him in all his holy labours Likewise you intimate how acceptable this work is to the Parliament that blessed Assembly whom the Lord Christ hath delighted to make instrumental to begin to set up the longed for prayed for and desired Kingdome of the Lord Jesus for we may see in some measure the accomplishment of that Prophesie of Christ Luke 21. 25. The peaceable summer beginning to arise out of these distressed times of perplexity all those signes preceding the glorious coming of Christ are accomplishing and a thick black cloud is gathered a cloud of blood confusion Heresies and Errors and the thickest and most portentous black part of that cloud is the Toleration of the most grosse and convicted impieties under the pretence of conscience which misapplication of the Sword of Authority if it should awhile prevaile cannot be innocent and will undoubtedly prolong the storme and delay of the reigne of Christ But notwithstanding all this black cloud who seeth not the glorious coming of the Lord Jesus breaking through this cloud and coming with power and great glory He is King of Kings and reigneth over Kings for where Justice reignes Christ doth reigne and that Antichristian principle for man to be above God whether the Pope in the Church or Monarches in the Common-wealth is thrown to the ground He that is above the Law is above the Word and he that is above the Word is above Christ Christ reigneth not over such as be above his Law But behold now Christ reigneth and gloriously breaks forth in the brightnesse of his coming and will in his time scatter all this thick black cloud yea the thickest of it Now this glorious work of bringing in and setting up the glorious kingdome of Christ hath the Lord of his free grace and mercy put into the hands of this renowned Parliament and Army Lord put it into all their hearts to make this designe of Christ their main first and chiefest endeavour according to the Word Seek first the Kingdom of heaven and the righteousnesse thereof and all other things shall be added And when the Lord Jesus is about to set up his blessed Kingdome among these poore Indians also how well doth it become the spirit of such instruments in the hand of Christ to promote that work also being the same businesse in some respect which themselves are about by the good hand of the Lord Surely Sir your chief work of this nature now is to follow this Indian work which sticks in the birth for want of means You would marvel if I should tell you how they long to come into a way of civility by co-habitation and by forming government among themselves that so they being in such order might have a Church and the Ordinances of Christ among them but want of a Magazine of all sorts of tools and materials for such a work is the present impediment The Lord is wiser then man and his time is best I will not say any thing now for farther direction about what is requisite for the work which the Lord is preparing their hearts unto my former Letters have said enough that way partly to you and partly to Mr. Pelham whose Letters I hope you have seen as containing sundry things necessary for your view and I doubt not but your wisdome will readily adde what is lacking in what I have projected only let me say this that I dayly still see more evidence that that is the very way which the Lord would have us take at present Let me I beseech you trouble you a little farther with some considerations about this great Indian work which lyeth upon me as my continual care prayer desire and endeavour to carry on namely for their schooling and education of youth in learing which is a principal means for promoting of it for future times If the Lord bring us to live in a Towne and Society we must have speiial care to have Schools for the instruction of the youth in reading that they may be able to read the Scriptures at least And therefore there must be some Annual revenew for the maintaining of such Schoolmasters and Dames Besides I do very
a great furtherance of the work I wholly leave it to your wisdom Having some leasure by the Ships delay I will insert a few questions which they have propounded viz. If a man know Gods Word but beleeve it not and he teach others is that good teaching and if others beleeve that which he teacheth is that good beleeving or faith upon this question I asked them how they could tell when a man knoweth Gods Word that he doth not beleeve it They answered me When he doth not do in his practice answerable to that which he knoweth If I teach on the Sabbath which you have taught us and forget some Is that a fin and some I mistake and teach wrong Is that a sin Do all evill thoughts come from the Devill and all good ones from God What is watchfulnesse How shall I finde happinesse What should I pray for at night and what at morning and what on the Sabbath day What is true Repentance or how shall I know when this is true How must I wait on God Shall we see Christ at the day of Judgment Can we see God When I pray for a soft heart why is it still hard Can one be saved by reading the book of the creature This question was made when I taught them That God gave us two books and that in the book of the creature every creature was a word or sentence c. You said God promised Moses to go with him how doth he go with us When such die as never heard of Christ whether do they go When the wicked die do they first go to heaven to the judgment seate of Christ to be judged and then go away to hell What is the meaning of the word Hebrews Why doth God say I am the God of the Hebrews When Christ arose whence came his soul When I answered from heaven It was replyed How then was Christ punished in our stead Or when did he suffer in our stead afore death or after When I pray every day why is my heart so hard still even as a stone How doth God arise and we worship at his feet what meaneth it This was when I preached out of Psal. 132. Why did they eate the Passeover with loynes girt and shooes on their feet What meaneth arise O Lord into thy resting place What meaneth hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and they blessed What meaneth thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbours If one purposeth to pray and yet dieth before that time whether goeth his soul If I teach on the Sabbath something that some other Englishman taught me the Indians do not like it if it be not that which you have taught is this well Why must we be like Salt If I do not love wicked men nor good men am I good What meaneth that love enemies and wicked men Doth God know who shall repent and beleeve and who not When I answered in the affirmative then it was replyed Why then did God use so much meanes with Pharaoh What meaneth that his wife shall be like a Vine and his children like young plants What meaneth that blessed are they that mourn When I see a good example and know that it is right why do I not do the same What meaneth lifting up hands to God Whot anger is good and what is bad Do they dwell in severall houses in heaven or altogether and what do they How do you know what is done in heaven If a child die before he sinne whether goeth his soul By this question it did please the Lord clearly to convince them of original sin blessed be his name If one that prayes to God sins like him that prayes not is not he worse And while they discoursed of this point and about hating of wicked persons one of them shut it up with this They must love the man and do him good but hate his sin Why do English men so edgerly kill all shakes May a man have good words and deeds and a bad heart and another have bad words and deeds and yet a good heart What is it to eate Christ his flesh and drink his blood what meaneth it What meaneth a new heaven and a new earth Much honoured and respected in the Lord Jesus YOur faithful and unwearied paines about the Lords work for the good of his dear children here and for the furtherance of the Kingdome of Christ among these poor Indians shall doubtlesse be had in remembrance before the Lord not through merit but mercie By former Letters sent by Mr. Saltonstall I informed you of the present state of the Indian work and though I might adde farther matters yet I shal forbear only this still they continue constant and earnestly desire to set upon the way of cohabitation prepare for their enjoyment of that great blessing to gather a Church of Christ among them and since the writing of my last a Nipnet Sachem hath submitted himself to pray unto the Lord and much desireth one of our chief ones to live with him and teach him and those that are with him You wrote I thank you much encouraging to lose no time and follow the work though I borrow materials but I durst not do so the work is great as I informed you in my former Letters and I fear lest it should discourage you nor would I be too hasty to run before the Lord do clearly by Scripture rules say go nor on the other side would I hold them too long in suspence there may be weaknesse that way to their discouragement but it is the Lords work and he is infinite in wisdome and he will suit the work in such a time and place as shall best attain his appointed ends and his great glory Touching the way of their Government I also intimated the purpose of my heart that I intend to direct them according as the Lord shall please to help and assist to set up the Kingdome of Jesus Christ fully so that Christ shall reigne both in Church and Common-wealth both in Civil and Spiritual matters we will through his grace fly to the Scriptures for every Law Rule Direction Form or what ever we do And when every thing both Civil Spiritual are done by the direction of the word of Christ then doth Christ reigne and the great Kingdome of Jesus Christ which we weight for is even this that I do now mention and by this means all Kingdomes and Nations shall become the Kingdomes of Christ because he shall rule them in all things by his holy word humane wisdome in learned Nations will be loth to yeeld to Christ so farre much lesse will Princes and Monarches readily yeeld so farre to stoop to Christ and therefore the Lord will shake all Nations and put them into distresse and perplexity and in the conclusion they will be glad to stoop to Christ But as for these poore Indians they have no principles of their own nor yet wisdome of their their own I meane as
and engaged but if you let them alone till they be grown up it may be they will flie off and neither care for God nor for Baptisme I approved of this answer also and asked what else they spake of He said farther they spake of Ministers and said they teach you that you must have Ministers but that is a needlesse thing I asked what reason they gave He said they gave these reasons First Ministers know nothing but what they learn out of Gods book and we have Gods book as well as they and can tell whaâ— God saith Again Ministers cannot change mens hearts God must do that and therefore there is no need of Ministers I asked him what he said to that He said that he told them that we must do as God commands us and if he commands to have Ministers we must have them And farther I told them I thought it was true that Ministers cannot change mens hearts but when we do as God bids us and hear Ministers preach then God will change our hearts I approved this answer also I asked what else they spake of He said They teach you that you must have Magistrates but that is needlesse nor ought to be I asked what reason they gave He said That they gave this reason because Magistrates cannot give life therefore they may not take away life besides when a man sinneth he doth not sinne against Magistrates and therefore why should they punish them but they sinne against God and therefore we must leave them to God to punish them I asked him what he said to that he answered I said to that as to the former we must do as God commands us If God command us to have Magistrates and commands them to punish sinners them we must obey I approved this also I asked farther what they said then both of them considered a while and said they could remember no more only they said somewhat of the Parliament of England which they did not understand And by such time as we had done this conference the company was gathered together and we went to Prayer and I did solemnly blesse God who had given them so much understanding in his truth and some ability to discerne between Truth and Error and an heart to stand for the Truth and against Error and I cannot but take it as a Divine Testimony of Gods blessing upon my poor labours I afterwards gave him an answer to his first question viz. Why they having the same Bible with us yet spake not the same things And I answered him by that Text 2 Thes. 2. 10 11. Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve a lye This text I opened unto them I will adde no more at present to manifest their proficiency in knowledge The present work of the Lord that is to be done among them is to gather them together from their scattered kinde of life First unto Civil Society then to Ecclesiastical and both by the Divine direction of the Word of the Lord they are still earnestly desirous of it and this Spring that is past they were very importunately desirous to have been upon that work and to have planted corne in the place intended but I did disswade and was forced to use this reason of delay because I hoped for tools and meanes from England whereby to prosecute the work this Summer But when ships came and no supply you may easily think what a damping it was and truly my heart smote me that I had looked too much at man and meanes in stoping their earnest affections with that barre which proved a Blank I began without any such respect and I thought that the Lord would have me so to go on and only look to him for help whose work it is and when I had thus looked up to the Lord I advised with our Elders and some other of our Church whose hearts consented with me then I advised with divers of the Elders at Boston Lecture and Mr. Cottons answer was my heart sayeth go on and look to the Lord onely for help the rest also concuring So I commended it to our Church and we sought God in a day of fasting and prayer about it together with other causes and have been ever since a doing according to our abilities and this I account a favour of God that that very night before we came from our place of meeting we had notice of a Ship from England whereby I received Letters and some encouragement in the work from private friends a mercy which God had in store but unknown to some and so contrived by the Lord that I should receive it as a fruit of prayer The place also is of Gods providing as a fruit of prayer for when I with some that went with me had rode to a place of some hopefull expectation when we came to it it was in no wise sutable â— went behind a Rock and looked to the Lord and committed the matter to him and while J was travelling in Woods Christian friends were in prayer at home and so it was that though one of our company fell sick in the Woods so that we were forced home with speed yet in the way home the Jndians in our company upon enquiry describing a place to me and guiding us over some part of it the Lord did both by his providence then and by after more diligent search of the place discover that there it was his pleasure we should begin this work When grasse was fit to cut J sent some Jndians to mow and others to make some hay at the place because we must oft ride thither in the Autumn when grasse is withered and dead and especially in the Spring before any grasse is come and there is provision for our horses this work was performd well as I found when I went up to them with my man to order it We must also of necessity have an house to lodge in meet in and lay up our provisions and clothes which cannot be in Wigwams I set them therefore to fell and square timber for an house and when it was ready I went and many of them with me and on their shoulders carried all the timber together c. These things they chearfully do but this also I do I pay them wages carefully for all such works I set them about which is a good encouragement to labour I purpose God willing to call them together this Autumne to break and prepare their own ground against the Spring and for other necessary works which are not a few in such an enterprize There is a great river which divideth between their planting grounds and dwelling place through which though they easily wade in Summer yet in the Spring its deep and unfit for daily passing over especially of women and children therefore I thought it necessary that this Autumne we should make a foot Bridge over
and their children to be with God There are now by the grace of God thirty nine Indian men of this meeting besides women that are looking this way which we suppose to exceed the number of the men though not known by open entrance into Covenant as the men but are now near it These in general have the knowledge of the fundamental points of Religion your self when you were with us had some tryal of it it was a great while my maine work to administer light in general to them and there now through mercy appears some life hoping that some of them have received this great mercy of God in Christ This is a great incouragement to me as also that their hearts are engaged in the way of the Lord for the salvation of their own souls upon Gods ends One of these meeting Indians said and I hope feelingly that if all the world the riches plenty and pleasures of it were presented without God or God without all these I would take God And another said that if the greatest Sagamore in the Land should take him in his armes and proffer him his love and riches and gifts to turn from his way he would not go with him from this way of God I heard one of them of his own accord and to the same purpose in complaining against head knowledge and lip prayers without heart holinesse loathing the condition of such a man saying I desire my heart may taste the word of God repent of my sinnes and leane upon the Redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ Some of them having a discourse with Vzzamequin a great Sachem or Governour on the maine Land coming amongst them about the wayes of God he enquired what earthly good things came along with them and demanding of them what they had gotten by all they had done this way one of them replyed we serve not God for cloathing nor for any outward thing I have observed many such like passages but my occasions at present will not permit me to set them down I only bring you those things which are most ready in my minde The last thing that I took special notice of is the receiving of the five men when your self was present into the meeting Indian number one of them the young man you saw was sent at first about two or three months before by one of the greatest Pawwawes upon the Iland to learn and spy what was done at the meeting and carry him word but at the last he learned so much as he then openly profest to hate the Pawwawes and their witchcrafts and that he did repent of his sinnes and desired to go with the meeting Indians in Gods ways another said he desired to joyn with the meeting Indians that he might have a renewed good heart the other were much like affected only one of them reckoned up the commandments and as he proceeded he protested against the sins forbidden and professed obedience to the duties commanded the last answered the question put to him by your self viz. by what power they did think to do this who answered First by his good desire and secondly by the help and blessing of Jesus Christ Just now whilst I am a writing there comes an Indian unto me and tels me his minde in these words I shall long for your returne back again out of the Bay that we may hear the good word of God the former sins of my heart in the time of my youth I now remember when I hear the word of God and when I walk in the woods alone I have much talk with God and great repentance for my sins and now I throw behind me all my strange gods and my heart goes right to God in prayer The way that I am now in through the grace of God for the carrying on of this great work is by a Lecture every fortnight whereunto both men women and children do come and first I pray with them teach them chatechise their children sing a Psalm and all in their own language I conferre every last day of the week with Hiacoomes about his subject matter of preaching to the Indians the next day where I furnish him with what spiritual food the Lord is pleased to afford me for them wherein God hath much assisted him for his own and their spiritual good and advantage who is diligent and conscionable to hold forth the grace of Christ to the Indians For this purpose your servent and frequent prayers together with all those who rejoyce in advancing the Scepter of Christ are by me earnestly desired and for me that I may preach him amongst the Heathen to the praise of the excellency of his own power and not mine and that the Indians in this small beginning being Gods husbandry and Gods building may be a fruitful glorious spreading Vine and builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit unto whom I commend you in Jesus and in him rest From Great Harbor in Martins Vineyard Sept. 7. 1650 Yours in the Lord to be commanded THOMAS MAYHOW NOw to speak somewhat farther of the proceeding of the things of Christ amongst the Indians of Mattacusets and thereabouts since the last books came forth Somewhat I saw and understood concerning those Indians which are under the care of Mr. Eliot unto whom I repaired at my coming from Martins Vineyard who acquainted me with the state of things amongst the Indians as they were at present at which time I rode with him to the Water-town Indians and heard him preach to them and catechize their children in the Indian tongue who wrote also by me to Mr. Winslow the Agent of the Countrey which Letter together with some other sent since the last publication by the Presse the Corporation of New England desired me that they might be joyned and printed with this written by Master Mahu which letters here follow Much honoured Sir YOur very loving acceptance of my Letters doth engage me very much unto you but especially your cordial rejoycing in the progresse of this work of the Lord among these poor Indians Sir I shall first answer some material things in your Letter First for that opinion of Rabbi-ben-Israel which you mention I would intreat you to request the same godly Minister nay I hope he hath already done it to send to him to know his grounds and how he came to that Intelligence when was it done which way were they transported into America by whom and what occasion how many and to what Parts first or what steps of intimation of such a thing may there be I had some thoughts in my heart to search the Original of this People that I might finde under what Covenant and Promise their fore-fathers have been for the help of my faith for Jehovah remembers and giveth being to ancient Promises What had become of us sonnes of Japhet if the Lord had not remembred that and such like ancient Promises God shall perswade Japhet to dwell in the Tents
much desire to translate some parts of the Scriptures into their language and to print some Primer in their language wherein to initiate and teach them to read which some of the men do much also desire and printing such a thing will be troublesome and chargable and I having yet but little skill in their language having little leasure to attend it by reason of my continual attendance on my Ministry in our own Church I must have some Indians and it may be other help continually about me to try and examine Translations which I look at as a sacred and holy work and to be regarded with much fear care and reverence and all this is chargable therefore I look at that as a special matter on which cost is to be bestowed if the Lord provide means for I have not means of my own for it I have a family of many children to educate and therefore I cannot give over my Ministry in our Church whereby my family is sustained to attend the Indians to whom I give and of whom I receive nothing nor have they any thing to give so that want of money is the only thing in view that doth retard a more full prosecution of this work unto which the Lord doth ripen them apace Moreover there be sundry prompt pregnant witted youths not vitiously inclined but well disposed which I desire may be wholly sequestred to learning and put to Schoole for that purpose had we means and I suppose ten pounds per Annum to be paid in England will maintaine one Indian youth at Schoole and halfe ascore such Gifts or Annuities would by the blessing of God greatly further this work so farre as concerns that particular I had thought to have set down some of their Questions wherby you might perceive how these dry bones begin to gather flesh and sinnews but partly I have them not ready for I have not leasure to set them down at present and they soone slip my memory and I did it in all my last Letters and may do it again if the Lord will hereafter And therefore thus much at present being cald off to hasten to seale up my Letters the Lord Jesus blesse you sanctifie and keep you in all your labours and travels and accept you and all your works and return you again unto us in due season here to see Gods blessing with your eyes upon those poore souls for whose sakes you have laboured and the Lord supply your absence to all yours and so commending you to the Lord and to the word of his grace which is able to sanctifie and save you I rest Boxburg this 8. of the 5. 49. Your 〈◊〉 Brother and fellow labourer for the good of the poor Indians JOHN ELIOT Worthy and much esteemed in the Lord IT is no small encouragement unto my spirit not only to go on unweariably in this enterprize which the Lord hath set my heart upon but also to expect a great blessing therein only I must intimate two Redundances one is page 8. where there is a great I redundant which maketh the sence untrue but if left out the sence is both good and true for I was not the Nominative case or efficient of that Verb or Act of intreating Mr. Mahu to teach them but it was the Indians Act and so I said and so is the sence if that great I be left out A second Redundancie is page 17. though misfigured and no matter where you put the title of Evangelist upon me which all men take and you seeme so to put it for that extraordinary office mentioned in the New Testament I do beseech you to suppresse all such things if ever you should have occasion of doing the like let us speak and do and carry all things with all humility it is the Lord who hath done what is done and it is most becoming the spirit of Jesus Christ to lift up Christ and our selves lie low I wish that that word could be obliterated if any of the books remain Now seeing it is so great a comfort to you to hear how the Lord is pleased to carry on this work I shall relate unto you some passages whereby you may see in what frame they be I had and still have a great desire to go to a great fishing place Namaske upon Merimak and because the Indians way lyeth beyond the great River which we cannot passe with our horses nor can we well go to it on this side the river unlesse we go by Nashaway which is about and bad way unbeaten the Indians not using that way I therefore hired a hardy man of Nashaway to beat out a way and to mark trees so that he may Pilot me thither in the spring and he hired Indians with him and did it and in the way passed through a great people called Sowahagen Indians some of which had heard me at Pautuket and at Nashaway and had carried home such tydings that they were generally stirred with a desire that I would come and teach them and when they saw a man come to cut out a way for me that way they were very glad and when he told them I intended to come that way the next spring they seemed to him full of joy and made him very welcome But in the Spring when I should have gone I was not well it being a very sickly time so that I saw the Lord prevented me of that journey yet when I went to Pautuket another fiishing place where from all parts about they met together thither came divers of these Sowahegen Indians and heard me teach and I had conference with them and among other things I asked whether Sowahegen Indians were desirous to pray to God they answered yea I asked how many desired it they answered wamu that is All and with such affection as did much affect those Christian men that I had with me in company The chief Sachim of this place Pautuket and of all Mermak in Papassaconnoway whom I mentioned unto you the last yeere who gave up himself and his sonnes to pray unto God this man did this yeer shew very great affection to me and to the Word of God he did exceeding earnestly importunately invite me to come and live there and teach them he used many arguments many whereof I have forgotten but this was one that my coming thither but once in a yeere did them but little good because they soone had forgotten what I taught it being so seldome and so long betwixt the times further he said That he had many men and of them many nought and would not beleeve him that praying to God was so good but if I would come and teach them he hoped they would beleeve me He farther added that I did as if one should come and throw a fine thing among them and they earnestly catch at it and like it well because it looks finely but they cannot look into it to see what is within it and what it is within
they cannot tell whether something or nothing it may be a stock or a stone is within it or it may be a precious thing but if it be opened and they see what is within it and see it precious then they should beleeve it so said he you tell us of praying to God for so they call all Religion and we like it well at the first sight and we know not what it is within it may be excellent or it may be nothing we cannot tell but if you would come unto us and open it unto us and shew us what it is within then we should beleeve that it is so excellent as you say when we see it opened Such elegant arguments as these did he use with much gravity wisdome and affection and truly my heart much yearneth towards them and I have a great desire to make our Indian Towne that way yet the Lord by the Eye of Providence seemeth not to look thither partly because there is not a competent place of due encouragement for subsistence which would spoyle the work and partly because our Indians which are our first and chief materials in present view are loth to go Northward though they say they will go with me any whether but it concerneth me much not to lead them into temptation of scarity cold and want which may damp the progresse of the Gospel but I rather think where ever I begin the first Towne if I live I must begin more townes then one or oh that the Lord would raise up more and more fit labourers into this harvest Another Indian who lived remote another way asked me if I had any children I answered yea he asked how many I said sixe he asked how many of them were sonnes I told him five then he asked whether my sonnes should teach the Indians to know God as I do at which question I was much moved in my heart for I have often in my prayers dedicated all my sonnes unto the Lord to serve him in this service if he will please to accept them therein and my purpose is to do my uttermost to traine them up in learning whereby they may be fitted in the best manner I can to serve the Lord herein and better preferment I desire not for them then to serve the Lord in this travel and to that purpose I answered him and my answer seemed to be well pleasing to them which seemed to minister to my heart some encouragement that the Lords meaning was to improve them that way and he would prepare their hearts to accept the same There is another aged Sachem at Quabagud threescore miles Westward and he doth greatly desire that I would come thither and teach them and live there and I made a journey thither this summer and I went by Nashaway but it so fell out that there were some stirres betwixt the Nazaganset and Monahegen Indians some murder committed c. which made our Church doubtful at first of my going which when the Nashaway Sachem heard he commanded twenty armed men after their manner to be ready and himself with these twenty men besides sendry of our neer Indians went along with me to guard me but I took some English along with me also so that hereby their good affection is manifested to me and to the work I have in hand here also I found sundry hungry after instruction but it pleased God to exercise us with such tedious raine and bad weather that we were extreme wet insomuch that I was not dry night nor day from the third day of the week unto the sixth but so travelled and at night pull off my boots wring my stockins and on with them again and so continued the rivers also were raised so as that we were wet in riding through but that which added to my affliction was my horse tyred so that I was forced to let my horse go empty and ride on one of the mens horses which I took along with me yet God stept in and helped I considered that word of God 2 Tim 2 3. Endure hardship as a good Souldier of Christ with many other such like meditations which I think not meet to mention now And I thank the Lord neither I nor my company took any hurt but the Lord brought us in safety and health home again Because both Mr. Pelham and your self do so heartily and with such good affection send commendations and greetings unto our Indians which pray unto God I will tell you what a good occasion was ministred unto me through the goodnesse of God by a question which one of them propounded the next meeting as I remember after I had received my Letters and I must first tell you the occasion of the question There had been at that time some strange Indians among them which came to see them who prayed to God as one from Martins Vineyard who is helpful to Mr. Mahu to tell him words c. and I think some others when those strangers came and they perceived them to affect Religion and had mutual conference about the same there was very great gladnesse of heart among them and they made these strangers exceeding welcome Hereupon did the Question arise namely what is the reason that when a strange Indian comes among us whom we never saw before yet if he pray unto God we do exceedingly love him But if my own Brother dwelling a great way off come unto us he not praying to God though we love him yet nothing so as we love that other stranger who doth pray unto God This question did so clearly demonstrate that which the Scripture calleth love of the Brethren that I thought it was useful first to try others of them whether they found the same in their hearts I therefore asked them how they found it in theis hearts And they answered that they all found it so in their hearts and that it had been a matter of discourse among themselves wondring at it what the reason of it should be which was no small comfort and encouragement unto my spirit Then in my answer I asked them what should be the reason that the godly people in England 3000. miles off who never saw them yet hearing that they pray to God do exceedingly rejoyce at it and love them and send them tokens of their love and then I reckoned up what had been sent them and mentioned some names to them and farther told them that their love was so great unto them that they would send them over a great deale more and in special I hoped they would send us such materials as be requisite to make a Towne and mentioned some such things as I have named in the Catalogue I sent to you and asked them if they could tell the reason of it they answered no this being the same with their question and then I shewed the unity of spirit c. And thus you see the occasion and way of communicating the good will and love of the Saints
other Nations have wherein to stick and therefore they do most readily yeeld to any direction from the Lord so that there will be no such opposition against the rising Kingdome of Jesus Christ among them yet I foresee a cloud of difficulties in the work and much obscurity and trouble in some such respects as I think not meet to mention only by faith I do see through this cloud I beleeve the faithful promises of Christ shall be accomplisht among them and the Lord Jesus shall reigne over them gloriously Oh my heart yearneth over distressed perplexed England and my continual prayer unto the Lord for them is that he would be pleased to open their hearts and eyes and let them see their opportunity to let in Christ and to advance his Kingdome over them yea my hope is that he will not leave tampering with them untill he hath brought it to passe Oh the blessed day in England when the Word of God shall be their Magna Charta and chief Law Book and when all Lawyers must be Divines to study the Scriptures and should the Gentile Nations take up Moses policie so farre as it is morall and conscionable make the Scriptures the foundation of all their Lawes who knoweth what a door would be opened to the Jewes to come in to Christ I wrote likewise by my last to intreat for some encouragement to Master Mahu who preacheth to the Indians and that some monies may be laid out in book for him for young Sholars in New-England are very poor in books as he is in extreme want Dear Sir Be helpful in prayer to our work and above all gathering gather prayers I mean put the Saints in minde that they pray much about it as they do both there and here Truly Sir The spirit of prayer that is daily going about this matter is a very great encouragement for all our meetings through mercie ring of it I would intimate some more questions which they have propounded since my last for they are fruitful that way but partly I fear I shall want time yet my heart saies it may comfort you and therefore I will set down a few so many as I have noted down since may last If but one parent beleeve what state are our children in How doth much sinne make grace abound I having made use of that Text If so old a man as I repent may I be saved The wisdome of God drew forth this question next to interpret the former When we come to beleeve how many of our children doth God take with us whether all only young ones or at what age What meaneth that Let the trees of the Wood rejoyce What meaneth that That the Master doth not thank his servant for waiting on him What meaneth that We cannot serve two masters Can they in Heaven see us here on Earth Do they see and know each other Shall I know you in heaven Do they know each other in Hell When English-men choose Magistrates and Ministers how do they know who be good men that they dare trust Seeing the boody sinneth why should the soule be punished and what punishment shall the body have If all the world be burnt up where shall hell be What is it to beleeve in Christ What meaneth that Christ meriteth eternal life for us What meaneth that Covet not thy neighbours house c What meaneth that The woman brought to Christ a box of Oyle and washt his feet with tears c What meaneth that of the two debtors one oweth much another but little If a wicked man prayeth and teacheth doth God accept or what saies God At what age may maids marry If a man be wise and his Sachem weak must he yet obey him We are commanded to honour the Sachem but is the Sachem commanded to lovve us When all the world shall be burnt up what shall be in the roome of it an old wonans question yester day What meaneth God when he sayes yee shall be my Jewels This was asked from my text last time Exod. 19. 5. for so I rendred the word peculiar treasure You may perceive many of the questions arise out of such texts as I handle and I do endeavour to communicate as much Scripture as I can The word of the Lord converteth sanctifieth and maketh wise the simple sometimes they aske weaker questions then these which I mention not you have the best and when I am about writing I am more careful in keeping a remembrance of them it may be the same question may be again and again asked at several places and by several persons The Lord teach them to know Christ whom to know is eternal life I shall intreat your supplications at the throne of grace under the tender wing whereof I leave you being forced by the time and rest Roxbury this 29. of the 10th 49. Your respectful and loving brother and fellow-labourer in the Indian work JOHN ELIOT Much honoured and beloved in Christ c. I Heard of the health and welfare of your family not long since though the sharpnesse and depth of snowes this later part of winter did more shut up and hinder intercourse then ever I knew in New-England I shall principally attend to give you intelligence about the Indians touching whom I know not that you are like to have intelligence by others The Lord hath shewed them a very great testimony of his mercy this winter in that when formerly the English had the Pox much they also had the same but now though it was scattered in all or most of the Townes about them yet the Lord hath preserved them from it And that which maketh this favour of God the more evident and conspicuous is this That there is a company of profane Indians that lately are come to a place near Wamouth not farre from our Indians who do not onely refuse to pray unto God but oppose and apprehend that they were sent thither if not by the policie of some Pawwaws yet by the instigation of Sathan on purpose to seduce the younger sort from their profession and discourage others and indeed they being so neer had that effect evidently in some of the younger sort Now it pleased God that this company of wicked Indians were smitten with the Pox and sundry cut off and those which were cut off were of the worst and mischievous of them all which Providences all the good Indians do take a great notice of and doth say that the Lord hath wrought a wonder for them and it seemeth to me that the Lord hath blest this good Providence of his to be a strong ingagement of their hearts to the Lord The work of the Lord through his grace doth still go on as formerly and they are still full of questions and mostly they now be to know the meaning of such Scriptures as I have translated and read and in a poor measure expounded to them they long for to proceed in that work which I have in former Letters
him with a Ditch and two Railes about it they paid a debt for him of 3. li. 10. s. only some others were contributors in this money one of them gave him a skin of Beaver of two pound at his returne from building besides many dayes works in planting corne altogether and some severally yea they said they would willingly do more if they would govern well by justice and as the word of God taught them when I heard all this I wondred for this cometh to neere 30. livre. and was done by a few and they thought it not much if he had carried matters better and yet his complaint was they do nothing But the bottome of it lieth here he formerly had all or what he would now he hath but what they will and admonitions also to rule better and he is provoked by other Sachems and ill counsel not to suffer this and yet doth not know how to help it hence arise his tentations in which I do very much pity him Having all this information what they had done and how causelesse his complaint and discontent was I thought it a difficult thing to ease his spirit and yet clear and justifie the people which I was to endeavour the next day of our meeting after the former contestations therefore I was willing to get some body with me And by Gods providence Elder Heath went with me and when we came there we found him very full of discontent sighing sower looks c. but we took no notice of it I preached that day out of the fourth of Matthew the temptations of Christ and when I came at that temptation of the Devils showing Christ the kingdomes and glories of the world thereby to tempt him from the service of God to the service of the Devill I did apply it wholly to his case shewing him the Devill was now tempting him as he tempted Christ and Sathan sheweth him all the delights and dignities and gifts and greatnesse that he was wont to have in their sinfull way Satan also tels him he shall lose them all if he pray to God but if he will give over praying to God he shall have them all again then I shewed him how Christ rejected that temptation and exhorted him to reject it also for either he must reject the temptation or else he will reject praying to God if he should reject praying to God God would reject him After our exercise was ended we had conference of the matter and we gave him the best counsel we could as the Lord was pleased to assist and when we had done Elder Heath his observation of him was that there was a great change in him his spirit was very much lightned and it much appeared both in his countenance and carriage and he hath carried all things fairly ever since But the temptation still doth work strongly in the Countrey the Sachems opposing any that desire to submit themselves to the service of the Lord as appeareth sundry wayes some that began to listen are gone quite back I meane Sachems and some people that have a mind to it are kept back this last Lecture day one came in and submitted himself to call on God and said he had been kept back this half yeer by opposition but now at last the Lord hath helped and emboldned him to break through all opposition Thus Sathan seeketh to beat off these poore creatures from seeking after the Lord by opposing the highest powers they have against the Lord and this work of his knowing that the light of the Gospel and kingdome of Jesus Christ if it once get footing will scatter and dissipate that darknesse whereby his kingdome is maintained But I beleeve verily that the Lord will bring great good out of all these oppositions nay I see it already though I see not all I beleeve more then I can see you who can know the thoughts of Gods love to his people it is yet a secret but this I see that by this opposition the wicked are kept off from us and from thrusting themselves into our society at least sundry are who else might croud in among us and trouble us besides it is become some tryall now to come into our company and call upon God for besides the forsaking of their Pau-waus which was the first triall and their old barbarous fashions and liberty to all sinne and some of their friends and kindred c. Now this is added they incurre the displeasure of their Sachems all which put together it cannot but appear there is some work of God upon their hearts which doth carry them through all these snares and adde to this that if upon some competent time of experience we shall finde them to grow in knowledge of the principles of Religion and to love the wayes of the Lord the better according as they come to understand them and to yeeld obedience to them and submit to this great change to bridle lust by lawes of chastity and to mortifie idlenesse by labour and desire to traine up their children accordingly I say if we shall see these things in some measure in them what should hinder charity from hoping that there is grace in their hearts a spark kindled by the Word and Spirit of God that shall never be quenched and were these in a fixed cohabitation who could gain-say their gathering together into a holy Church-Covenant and election of Officers and who can forbid that they should be baptized And I am perswaded that there be sundry such among them whom the Lord will vouchsafe so far to favour and shine upon that they shall become a Church and a Spouse of Jesus Christ and among whom the pure and holy Kingdome of Christ shall arise and over whom Christ shall reigne ruling them in all things by his holy word But though this trouble and oppsition is turned and shall be more unto a spiritual gaine yet it behoveth us not to be secure and regardlesse of our safety for if the Adversary should discerne us naked and weak and see an opportunity who knoweth what their rage and Sathans malice may stirre them up unto to work us a mischief Nay it is our duty to be vigilant and fortifie our selves the best we can thereby to put the enemy out of hope to hurt us and to prevent them from attempting any evill against us if it be the will of God and to that end we purpose if the Lord will to make a strong Palizado wanting means of doing better and if we cannot get any Guns Powder Shot Swords c. we will make us Slings Bowes and other Engines the best the Lord will please to direct us for our safety and when we have used the best meanes we can I hope the Lord will help us to trust in his great name to make that our strong Tower to flie unto I see the Lord delighteth to appear himself in the work and will have us content our selves with little low poor things that all the
power and praise may be given to his great name Our work in civilizing them will go on the more slowly for want of tools for though I have bought a few for them we can do but little for alas a few will set but a few on work and they be very dear too had I store of horses this Autumne either to lend them or sell them at moderate prizes we should prepare by Gods blessing good store of ground for corne against next yeere and had I wherewith to buy corne to carry up to the place and have it in a readinesse to supply them that so they might tarry at their work and not be shut off through necessity to go get food that also would be a great furtherance and had we but means to maintaine a discreet diligent man to work with them and guide them in work that also would much further the work and many such things I could propound as very requisite unto the work but I lay my hand upon my mouth I will say no more I have left it with the Lord who hath hitherto appeared and he will appear for his own eternal praise in shining upon the day of our smal things in his due season The blessing of God upon this work doth comfortably hopefuly successefuly appear in the labours of my brother Mahu at Martins Vineyard insomuch that I hope they also will be after awhile ripe for this work of Civility and Cohabitation if once they see a successeful pattern of it and I doubt not but they will as these do ere long desire Church-fellowship and the Ordinances of Gods worship the cloud increaseth and the Lord seemeth to be coming in among them they are very desirous to have their children taught which is one argument that they truly love the knowledge of God as on the contrary it is a great ground of doubt of the truth of grace in that mans heart when he hath not an heart to take care to traine up his children in the truth and in the practise of all godlinesse but this care is in them and it is pity it should not be furthered by all meanes I have intreated a woman living neer where they dwell to do that office for their children and I pay her for it but when they go to their plantation we shall be in a streight for help that way the Indians so well like the parties who performeth that service that they intreat them to go with them which I look at as a finger of God they are I hope a godly couple and might be a blessing to them had we meanes to encourage them unto so difficult an enterprize for it is a great matter to go and live among such a people but in that case also I look up to the Lord and leave it with his holy care and wisdome and if the Lord move any hearts to help in this work I desire that the care of their schooling may be among the chiefest cares If the Lord please to prosper our poor beginnings my purpose is so for as the Lord shal enable me to give attendance unto the work to have schoole exercises for all the men by daily instructing of them to read and write c. Yea if the Lord affords us fit instruments my desire is that all the women may be taught to read I know the matter will be difficult every way for English people can only teach them to read English and for their own Language we have no book my desire therefore is to teach them all to write and read written hand and thereby with pains taking they may have some of the Scriptures in their own Language I have one already who can write so that I can read his writing well and he with some paines and teaching can read mine I hope the Lord will both inlarge his understanding and others also to do as he doth and if once I had some of themselves able to spell aright write and read it might further the work exceedingly and will be the speediest way Sir When I had gone thus farre in my Letters by a Ship that came in you wrote unto our Governour touching the two Libraries my brother Welds and Mr. Jenners and of the willingnesse of the Corporation to discharge for them for which cause I do humbly thank the Worshipful Corporation all the Christian and much respected Gentlemen my loving friends And Sir I thank you for all your faithful pains in this work and the more I am obliged thereunto because herein I am like to partake of the fruit of your labours the Lord Jesus give you a full reward Whereas you require the Catalogue of both Libraries it shall be done if God will but I am to go into the Countrey to the Indians now and have much businesse therefore know not whether I can do it by this Ship if I can I will This last Court of Commissioners sate at Hartford Conecticot so that I could not speak with them but this course I took by our Governours advice our General Court gave him with some other power to give instructions to our Commissioners therefore all my requests I did write unto him and he gave them in his Instructions to our Commissioners so they went strong Sir I have done at present Mr. Whitfeld will informe you farther in any particulars if need be The Lord of heaven blesse and assist you in all your wayes and I beg your prayers for me still and so rest Roxbury this 21 of the 8th 50 Yours in our Lord Jesus JOHN ELIOT The Conclusion ANd now loving Reader having brought thee along through these Divine dispensations of Gods merciful dealing with the Indians I shall briefly acquaint thee with the workings of my own thoughts under the apprehension of these things First I see plainly the fulfilling of that Divine truth and promise spoken of by David Psal. 138. 2. Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name i. e. The Word in the Gospel brought and preached to men The Lord hath made this Word the only outward instrumental means to bring home these wandring sinners to this Word they have attended from the first from this they have received their light unto this they have given up themselves without this they will not stirre from this they will not depart from hence they have their peace and have seen good dayes under the Kingdome of our Lord Christ Secondly the Lord hath now declared one great end he had of sending many of his people to those ends of the earth for besides that the Lord hath made that Land a place of rest and a little sanctuary to them in these troubleous times and hath made it a place where mamany very many have been brought home to Christ even amongst themselves so now apparently in the conversion of many of the Heathens who sing and rejoyce in the wayes of the Lord Thirdly when I looked on my dear native Country in the bulke