S'Mm^.. 
 
 t'^^^mi 
 
 ©^ 
 
 ■/^'if 
 
 m^^ 
 
 'mt: 
 
 :.:f^^ 
 
 
 '■^»CW», 
 
 * f 
 
 9 #►■ 
 
 'fit- 
 
Cornell University Library 
 E 78.M4C821 
 
 Strength out of weakness 
 
 3 1924 028 652 224 
 
The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028652224 
 
Cabin's laeprintg, 
 Q U AR TO SERIES 
 
 No. V. 
 
^trengtl) out of S^takntis : 
 
 GLORIOUS MANIFESTATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Fnrt^FP JPpogpFXX of t|F (JosppI 
 
 AMONG THE 
 
 Indians in New England. 
 
 HENRY WHITFIELD. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 REPRINTED FOR JOSEPH SABIN. 
 1865. 
 
No. 
 
 Edition 250 Copies, 
 of which 50 are on large paper. 
 
 MuNSELL, Printer. 
 
NOTICE. 
 
 The following Trad: is a Reprint of One of 
 Three Editions of this Traft, all iflued in the fame 
 year, and differing in their Titles and Dedications. 
 
 The Titles and Collations of the two other 
 Editions are as follows : 
 
 Strength | ovt of | Weaknesse ; | Or a Glorious | Manifesta- 
 tion I Of the further Progrefle of | the Gofpel among the 
 Indians | in New-England. | Held forth in Sundry Letters | 
 from divers Minifters and others to the | Corporation eftab- 
 li{hed by Parliament for | promoting the Gofpel among the 
 Hea- I then in New-England ; and to particular | Members 
 thereof fince the laft Trea- I tife to that eiFeft, Publifhed by 
 Mr. Henry Whitfield late Paftor | of Gilford in New England 
 London; \ Printed by M. Simmons for JohnBlague and | Sam- 
 uel Howes, and are to be fold at their | (hop in Popes-Head- 
 Alley. 1652. I S prel. leaves ; viz. Title in a type metal border, 
 the reverfe blank ; ' To the Supreame Authoritie of this Na- 
 tion, The Parliament of the Common-Wealth of England.' 
 Signed by 'John Owen ' and 1 1 others, 4- PP S ' To the Reader.' 
 Signed 'W. Gouge.' and 13 others, 5 pp. ' To the Chriftian 
 Reader.' ^pp. Text ^o pp. ^.to. 
 
 Strength I ovt of | Weaknesse; | Or a Glorious | Manifesta- 
 tion I Of the further Progrefle of | the Gofpel among the 
 Indians | in New-England. | Held forth in Sundry Letters | 
 from divers Minifters and others to the | Corporation eftab- 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 liflied by Parliament for | Promoting the Golpel among the 
 Hea- I then in New-England ; and to particular | Members 
 thereof fince the laft Trea- | tife to that effefl:, formerly fet 
 forth by M' Henry Whitfield | late Paftor of Gilford in New- 
 England. I Publifhed by the aforefaid Corporation. | [Motto] 
 London; Printed by M. Simmons for John Blague and | 
 Samuel Howes, and are to be fold at their Shop in Popes- 
 Head- Alley. 1652 [ 8 prel. leaves; viz. Title in a metal 
 type border, the reverse blank; 'To the fupreame Authoritie of 
 this Nation, The Parliament of the Common-Wealth of 
 England.' w^g-w^^/, ' William Steele, Prefident.' ^pp; 'To the 
 Reader,' sigmd^WXam Gougt' and leathers, ^ pp. Strength 
 ovt of Weaknesse; Or a Glorious Manifestation Of the fur- 
 ther Progreffe of the Gofpel among the Indians in New-Eng- 
 land.' 4 pp : Text 40 pp. ^to. 
 
 JOSEPH SABIN. 
 New York, Auguft ift, 1865. 
 
ll Strength out of JVeaJinefs. || 
 
 li Or a Glorious H 
 
 II MANIFESTATION i 
 
 i» Of the further Progrefle of the 
 
 GOSPEL 
 
 «§• 
 
 ■eg 
 
 3g AMONGST 
 
 «£• 
 
 ogge 
 «§■ 
 
 ««■ 
 
 '3?' TT IJ £* ^1_ • /• J T "SS" 
 
 THE INDIANS 
 
 J NEW-ENGLAND 
 
 || Held forth in flindry Letters 
 
 lU from divers Minifters and others to the 
 ||J Corporation edablifhed by Parliament for 
 %% promoting the Gofpel among the Hea- 
 ls! then in New England, and to particular 
 |g Members thereof fince the late Trea- 
 II tife to that effedl, formerly fet 
 
 
 forth by M"^ Henry Whitfield 
 
 ^1 iate Faftor of Gilford in 
 
 ^l; New-England. 
 
 ?£• 
 
 il Publiflied by the aforefaid Corporation. 
 
 ^^ C A N T . 8. 8. Wee have a little Si/ier^ and Jhe hath 
 
 %^ no breajls : what Jhall we doe for our Sijler^ in the 
 
 SgJ day that Jhe Jhall befpoken for ? 
 
 11 LONDON, Printed by M. Simmons for John Blague 
 
 g&> and Samuel Howes and are to be fold at their 
 
 %%i Shop in Popes Head Alley^ 1652. 
 
To The 
 SUPREAME AUTHORITIE 
 
 OF THIS NATION, 
 The Parliament of the Common- 
 wealth o/" England. 
 
 Hat the Fathers joy at the return- 
 ing of a Spend-thrift Sonne, ought 
 to have an influence upon the 
 whole Family of Heaven and 
 Earth, that is called after his 
 name, to worke their fuitable af- 
 fections, and conformity to him- 
 felfe, cannot be queftioned by any true childe 
 thereof) Behold then. Right Honourable, a call 
 thereunto, Poore Prodigalls, who have not only 
 with our felves loft that rich Treafure of grace and 
 holineffe, wherewith in our Common roote and 
 Fountaine we were entrufted, but alfo in a courfe 
 of Rebellion for many Generations wafted the re- 
 mainder of Natures Riches to the utmoft degenera- 
 cy that an Immortall rationall being is obnoxious 
 unto, not returning a farre off, but rejoycing in 
 
 the 
 
Ihe Rpijile Dedicatory. 
 
 the imbraces of their Fathers, and entertained with 
 his flefh and bloud, who was flaine and facrificed 
 for them. 
 
 The exyme of our walking with God here is to 
 come up to fome conformitie to them who behold 
 his face and doe his Will in Heaven : amongft them 
 there is joye at the Repentance of one Sinner, and 
 (hall not wee find fweetnefTe in the firft fruits of a 
 barren Wildernefs in the fliinning of a beame of 
 Light into the darkneffe of another World, giving 
 hope of a plentiful] harveft, and a glorious day to 
 enfue. Let men take heed, left by defpifeing the 
 day, and oppofing the Worke of the Lord towards 
 thofe poore Sonnes of Adam notwithftanding all 
 their zealous profeffion, they proclaime theme- 
 felves to purfue a Carnall Intereft ; by which they 
 declare the enlargement of the Dominion of Jcfus 
 Chrift is of no Concernment unto them. 
 
 Wee are by many Pledges afTured better things 
 of you Right Honourable, and fuch as accompany 
 zeale for the Houfe of God, and therefore the en- 
 fuing Teftimonialls of the progrefle of the Worke 
 of the Gofpel being fent unto us, wee make bold 
 humbly to prefent them to you ; partly that we 
 may invite you as the friends of Jefus Chrift, to 
 rejoyce with him that fheepe of his, who were 
 loft, are found ; and partly to lay before you, as a 
 matter of your rejoycing, fome fuch fruits of the 
 putting forth of your Authoritie, and inverting us 
 therewith for the carrying on this moft glorious 
 undertaking, as may encourage your felves and all 
 
 others 
 
The Epijile Dedicatory. 
 
 others that love the Lord Jefus, to goe on through 
 him who doth enable you unto future, reall expref- 
 fions of love and zeale thereunto. Wee ftiall not 
 need to draw forth any particulars from the enfu- 
 ing Narrative, to give you a tafte of that Spirit 
 whereinto thefe poore Creatures are fweetly bap- 
 tifed; Wee hope your delight in the Worke of 
 God will inforce a leafure, to view the whole, this 
 in Generall wee may fay, that in the Wilder nefle 
 are waters broken out, and ftreames in the Defert, 
 the parched ground is become a Poole, and the 
 thrifty Land-lprings of water : in the Habitation 
 of Dragons where each lay, there is grafle with 
 Reeds and Rufhes, the Lord hath powred water 
 upon him that is thirftie, and flouds upon the dry 
 ground ; He hath powred his Spirit on the feeds of 
 the Heathen, & his blefling on their OfF-fpring, 
 they fpring up as among the graffe, as willowes by 
 the water-courfes : One fayes I am the Lords, 
 and another calls himfelfe by the name of "Jacob, 
 and another fubfcribes with his hand unto the Lord, 
 and firnames himfelfe by the name of Ifrael. The 
 Lord hath done a new thing, and wee know it, he 
 hath made a way in the WildernefTe, and Rivers 
 in the Defert, the bead of the field doth honour 
 him, the Dragons, and the Owles becaufe he gives 
 waters in the Wildernes, and Rivers in the Defert, 
 to give drinke to his People his chofen. So that 
 upon the Report heere read unto us, wee cannot 
 but glorifie God with Primitive beleevers, and fay, 
 then hath God alfo to the poore naked Indians 
 
 granted 
 
The Epiflle Dedicatory. 
 
 granted Repentance unto life. Their outward 
 wants and ftreights have often been prefented unto 
 you ; wee (hall not need to repeate them, blefled 
 be the Lord, and blefled be you of the Lord that 
 your hearts have been ftired up to give encourage- 
 ment unto this Worke, and to open a Doore for 
 the reliefe of thefe Eminent Inftruments in the 
 hand of the Lord who there carry it on, who 
 though they communicate to them Spiritualls, yet 
 are fo farre from receeving of their Temporalis, 
 that they impart unto them a Portion of their own 
 dayly bread, and provifion neceflary from their 
 fubfiftence. 
 
 The good Lord lay the weight and concernment 
 of this Worke upon fpirits, and wee no way doubt 
 that you will in any way be wanting to the Pub- 
 lique improvements of this blefl!ed opportunities 
 for the enlargement of the Kingdome of him whom 
 our Soules doe love : There is a vexation of fpirit, 
 which through their formalitie and unbeliefe, hath 
 encompaflied many Profeflbrs, that whereas they, 
 have with much feeming earneftnes cryed out for 
 mercies; when they have been beftowed, they 
 have thought fcorne of them ; fo did the Jewes in 
 the bufines of their Meflias, and many at this day 
 amongft ourfelves in the great works of the Pro-, 
 vidence of God ; It is fo with fome to this break- 
 ing forth of light amongfl: the Indians, defiring it 
 before it began, defpifing it in its very beginnings, 
 the Lord lay it unto charge, and keep all our 
 fpirits in an holy admiration and reverence of the 
 
 powerful! 
 
The Epijile Dedicatory. 
 
 powerful! efficacy of his eternall and unchangeable 
 purpofes, which though fo many linfuU Genera- 
 tions (falling in their Rebellion) hath preferved a 
 feed to himfelfe, whereof he will take care that 
 one graine fall not to the Ground. 
 
 Your Honors to ferve you in pro- 
 moting the Gofpel of Chrift. 
 
 Signed in the name and by appoint- 
 ment of the Corporation. 
 
 William Steele, Prefident. 
 
 B To 
 

 To the Reader. 
 
 Chrijiian Reader. 
 
 Hefe enfuing Letters doe reprefeni 
 unto thee, and to the Churches, 
 the outgoings of Chrift, as a 
 Light to the Gentiles, that the 
 grace which bHngs Salvation 
 hath appeared untu them alfo in 
 the furtheft parts of the Earth, 
 for the accompHftiment of that 
 ancient and glorious Protnil'e; I will give thee 
 for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mafji be my 
 Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, (I fa. 49. 6.) 
 The People of God have been greatly affedted with 
 the appearances of Chrift, when he hath rode forth 
 upon a red Horje to the deftrudtion of his Enemies ; 
 for he is glorious in his Apparell, even when his 
 garments are dipt in bloud, but much more when 
 he rides forth upon a white Horfe, for the Con- 
 verlSon of Soules, and goes on Conquering and to 
 Conquer. 
 
 Wee 
 
To the Chrijlian Reader. 
 
 Wee have therefore thought fit to commend 
 this great worke of Chrift unto the view of all the 
 Saints under thefe following Confiderations. 
 1^Zfifal't\ Fii-ft' ^'^'h the Kingdome of Chrijl is enlarged, 
 JideautemGen-^ndi the promife made unto him in the Covenant 
 utmvulnera- u^^^QQ^ him and his Father accompliflied, his 
 balebat,amifit. Dominion /hall be from Sea to Sea, and from the 
 Anb. in Pfal. foud to the Worlds end, therefore his defigne is 
 " ■ upon all the Kingdomes of the Earth, that he may 
 
 take pofleffion of them for himfelfe, they fhall all 
 become the Kingdomes of the Lord and of his Chriji. 
 Revel. II, 15. And the Kingdome and Dominion 
 under the whole Heaven, being fo polTeffed by 
 Chrift, (hall be given to the Saints of the moji High, 
 Deu. 7. 18. Our prayer is. Thy Kingdome come, 
 to fee the promife made unto Chrift fulfilled, and 
 the Prayers of the Saints anfwered, fhould be mat- 
 ter of great rejoycing unto us, and of high Praifes 
 unto God. 
 
 Secondly. The glorious Gofpel of Chriji is hereby 
 Propagated, which is the Scepter of his Kingdome, 
 the Rod of his Poiver, which wee pray may rurt 
 and be glorified. And when wee confider, by how' 
 many (even amongft us) the Gofpel is rejedted, fon 
 men rejeft the Councell of God againft themfelves ; 
 by how many it is refifted, for there are many ad- 
 verfaries, and by how many the Gofpel is perverted, 
 being made another Gofpel, by ftrange Interpreta- 
 tions ; one of the great ads oi ,Sacr Hedge of our 
 times, ftealing the fence of the Scripture from the 
 words of the Scripture, Now to fee the Gofpel 
 
 lifted 
 
To the Chrijiian Reader. 
 
 lifted, up as an Enfigne to the Nation, and, they to 
 fliorjo unto it, fhould be matter of great rejoycing to 
 the foules of thofe who love the Gofpel in fin- 
 ceritie. 
 
 Thirdly. Hereby the foules of men are refciied.out 
 of the fnare of the Devill, in which they were be- 
 fore held captive at his will ; the Lord hath mani- 
 fefted that there is a feed according to the Election of 
 grace, even amongft thefe alfo as well as other 
 Gentiles, that the Lord hath vifited them to take 
 out of them a people for his Name, yea that even 
 they who in a more immediate manner among 
 them worfhipped the Devill, their Witches call'd 
 in their language Pawwawes, that even thefe fliould 
 be deliver'd, Satan falling from Heaven like light- 
 ning before the Gofpel, (hould greatly exalt free 
 grace in our hearts ; the great Love of God, is 
 Love to Soules, and our tendered companion rtiould 
 be manifefted in pittying of Soules, neither know 
 wee any other ordinary way that the Lord has 
 appointed but the preaching of the Gofpel for the 
 winning of Soules to himfelfe : That being the, 
 •Power of God to Salvation, 
 
 Fourthly. Hereby the fullnes of the Gentiles draws 
 neere to be accomplijhed, that the callings of the 
 Jews may be haftened ; the Scripture fpeaks of a 
 double converfion of the Gentiles the firft before the 
 converfion of the Jews, they being Branches wilde 
 by nature grafted into the True Olive Tree in ftead 
 of the naturall Branches which are broken off. 
 This fullnes of the Gentiles Ihall come in before 
 
 the 
 
To the Chrijitan Reader. 
 
 the converfion of the "Jews, and till then blindnes 
 hath hapned unto Ifrael, Rom. 1 1 . 25. The Second, 
 after the converfion of the Jewes, as appears AB 
 Cant!"i"%! 15. 16, 17. After this I iDtll returne and will build 
 Mede in Apoc agaim the 'Tabernacle of David which is now fallen 
 '■"/• 7- p- 56- ^(jww, and I will build againe the ruines thereof, and 
 I will fet it up \ that the refdue of men might feek 
 after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my 
 Isfame is called fayth the Lord, Hence it appears 
 that there are fome Gentiles upon whom the Lords 
 Name is called that are a people to him, even 
 whilft the Tabernacle of David lyes in its ruines; 
 and when he hath built againe this Tabernacle of 
 David that there are a refidue of men, the remain- 
 der of the Gentiles, that (hall enquire after the 
 Lord, and worfhip him, together with thofe Gen- 
 tiles that were formerly converted, and upon whom 
 his Name was called. The firft converfion of the 
 Gentiles in its fullneffe makes way for the coming 
 in of the fewes, the King of the Raft, therefore to 
 fee this Worke goe on, {hould caufe the people of 
 God to lift up their heads, and expedl that the 
 time of the fullfiUing of that Promife is neere. 
 
 Fifthly, That the Lord hath blefl!ed the labours 
 of our Brethern, who were driven out from among 
 us. A gracious heart as he prayes for, fo he can- 
 not but rejoyce in the fuccefi!e of other mens labours 
 as well as his owne, fo the worke which is Gods 
 may profper, who ever be the Inftrument, 'tis 
 enough to him. When Peter gave an account to 
 the Apoftles and Brethren of the Converfion of 
 
 Cornelius 
 
To the Chriftian Reader. 
 
 Cornelius and his family, who were, as it were the 
 firji fruits of the Gentiles, they all glorified God, 
 faying ; Then hath God alfo to the Gentiles granted 
 Repentance unto life. Ad:, ii. 18, And if they 
 could rejoyce in the Converfion of the Gentiles 
 which they knew would be with the rejection of 
 the fewes, how much more (hould wee rejoyce in 
 this great worke, who may grow together upon 
 the fame good Olive Tree 1 That when other 
 Nations who have planted in thofe furtheft parts 
 of the Earth, have onely fought their owne advan- 
 tage to poflefl'e their Land, Tranfport their gold, 
 and that with fo much covetoufnefle and cruelty, 
 that they have made the name of Chriftianitie and 
 of Chrift an abomination, that the Lord Ihould 
 be pleafed to make ufe of our Brethren that went 
 forth from us to make manifeft the favour ofChriJi 
 among the people, and to winne their Soules to 
 him ; How (hould wee rejoyce that the Lord hath 
 fo farre profper'd fuch an undertaking. It was a 
 holy ambition in Paul to preach the Gofpel where 
 Chriji nvas not named, that he might not glory in 
 another mans line : it is certainly a great honour 
 to be Inftrumentall to bring foules to Chrift, who 
 before never heard of his Name. 
 
 Sixthly, This wee hope may be the firjl fruits of 
 thofe great Nations unto ChriJI ; The Lord doth 
 not ufually caufe to bring forth and then Jhut the 
 wombe, Ifa. 66. 9. Let no man defpife the day of 
 fmall things, the Lord hath opened a great doore, 
 which we hope Satan (hall never be able to (hut. 
 
 Such 
 
To the Chrifiian Reader. 
 
 Such Gonfiderations as thefe, have filled and 
 afFedled our hearts, in the reading and meditation 
 of this great worke of the Lord, and wee hope 
 being communicated, may be a good means to 
 awaken the godly and faithfull of this Nation, to 
 obferve the Prefence and appearances of God 
 amongft his People tliere, that wee alfo may fay; 
 What Jhall we doe for our Sifter in the day that Jhee 
 Jhall be Jpoken for F Shall we not be abundant in 
 Prayer, that the Lord would yet further bleffe 
 their holy endeavours ? Shall we not labour to 
 Strengthen their hands by miniftering to them of 
 our abundance ? that they may not be difcouraged 
 in fo eminent a fervice, one of the greateft workes 
 that hath been upon the wheele in this latter age, 
 for to Contribute to the offering up of Soules to 
 Chrift, muft needs be a Sacrifice of a very fweet 
 fmelling favour unto God. This wee humbly 
 offer unto all thofe that love the Lord Jefus in fin^ 
 ceritie, and remaine. 
 
 Thine in the furtherance of the Gofpel. 
 
 tf^illiam Gouge. Henry Whitfield. 
 
 Tho : Goodwin. Will: Spurfiowe, 
 
 Lazarus Seaman. William Bridge. 
 
 John Owen. Simeon Ajhe. 
 
 Edm: Calamy. Sidrach Simpfon. 
 
 Jojeph Caryl. William Strong. 
 
 Jer : Whittaker. Phillip Nye. 
 
 Will : GreenhilL William Carter. 
 
 George Griffith, Ralph Venning. 
 
To the Chriftian Reader. 
 
 Chriftian Reader 
 
 S every worke of God tending to the 
 ref cuing of deluded Souks out of the 
 fnares of the Devill, fo even this 
 Glorious worke of Gods grace hath 
 met with many difcouragements by 
 various kinds ofobjeSiions caji abroad 
 by divers forts of people, and even 
 by fome from New England it felfe, who having 
 lived remote from the worke /kne, and either not 
 affeBing the injiruments therein imployed, or not go- 
 ing to the places of their Exercife, that they might 
 fee and heare the gracious operations of the Spirit of 
 God amongft them, may eajily mifreport the proceed- 
 ings of Gods goodneffe therein. Tet neverthelejfe 
 God having called us to be exercifed in a worke of 
 this Nature, wherein his Glory and the Salvation of 
 fo many of the loji fonnes of Adam are concerned; 
 wee have taken up a Refolution by his gracious 
 Affijiance to improve the power and truji by Au^ 
 thoritie of Parliament committed to us to the utmoji, 
 leaf it be laid to our Account am'ongji others the 
 obJlruBors of it in the great day of the Lord. 
 
 But as wee meete with difcouragements, fo, through 
 C mercy , 
 
To The Chrijlian Reader. 
 
 mercy, wee are not without incouragements of many 
 forts, viz 
 
 1. This worke of Gods grace grows in New 
 England, not onely in the places where the Gofpel 
 was formerly preached to the Indians But God hath 
 
 Jiirred up two Eminent Minijiers in two other parts 
 of the Countrey, to labour in the worke, not without 
 
 fuccejfe anfwerable, as Mr. William Leveridge 
 neere Sandwich in the Goverment of ^tvf Plyaiouth, 
 
 fxtie miles from the place where Mr- Eliot teacheth, 
 and Mr. Richard Blindman at Pecoat, a place 
 
 formerly fubdued by the Englifh, and is a place 
 about the fame dijiance from Sandwich another way, 
 an account whereof you will have in the following 
 Treatife. 
 
 2. Where the AEi of Parliament for the Collec- 
 tion meets with Gofpel fpirited Minijiers and people, 
 there wee finde a gdod account of it comparatively ; 
 God having Jiirr'd up the hearts of fome Eminent 
 Chrijiians to contribute in a confiderable manner. 
 Some by charging their Lands with a yearly Revenue 
 to the Corporation for that end for ever ; and others 
 by fending in good fummes of money, fubfcribing to 
 pay yearely fo much whilji they live. And one 
 
 Gentleman [leaving two fonnes of tender age) having 
 appointed by his Will, in cafe they dye without ijfue 
 that an ejiate of two hundred pound per annum, 
 Jhould be fetled upon the Corporation forever, and 
 the reji of ejiate for the like ufes in the four e Northern 
 Counties o/' England. 
 
 3. That God hath wrought a refolution in us of 
 
 the 
 
T "Th Chiian Rad. 
 
 the Corporation [wherein wee truji hee will inable 
 us to perjiji (viz) to contribute our labour and 
 paines freely to this worke, without the leaji diminu- 
 tion of the Stocke. And if any defre to be fatisfied 
 what our receipts, difburfements, or manner of pro- 
 ceedings are, our Books are open at Coopers Hall, 
 London, between the houres of Tenne and 'Twelve 
 every Saturday, where they may without offence fee 
 what is given, and by whom, W)hen brought in, and 
 how imploy ed or improved. 
 
 Tis very Jlrange to fee what a multitude of ob- 
 
 jeBions are darted againji this pure piece of Chriji- 
 
 ianitie, yea by fome, whom otherwife wee have 
 
 charitable thoughts of, and how exceedingly the 
 
 worke is impeded thereby, and however through 
 
 mercy wee are able to anfwer every one of them 
 
 fufficiently , yet wee for bear e to particularize them, 
 
 leaf wee Jhould refeB too much on fome ; our Con- 
 
 fciences telling us, that as the worke is of God, and 
 
 really fuch as is held forth, fo he only can fatisfie 
 
 the fpirits of men, and will doe it in due feafon, and 
 
 in the meane time bleffe his owne worke being able to 
 
 carry it on, who delighted oft times in fmall meanes, 
 
 that his gracious operations may the more be feene. 
 
 'This is the fifth Treatife hath been publijhed to 
 the world in this kinde [but the firfi by the Corpora- 
 tion) every one of them exceeding each other, wherein 
 a moft apparant growth and progreffe among fi the 
 pQore Natives, 'That we have now to offer to the 
 publique view is a farther account of that living, 
 growing, fpreading power of Godlines among fi them. 
 
 And 
 
'To The Chrijiian Reader. 
 
 Andjirjl wee Jhall begin with fame remarkeable paf- 
 fages of divine providence in a Letter received from 
 Mr. John Eliot [who was the firft Minijier the 
 Lord Jlirred up to promote this worke) bearing date 
 the 28'* of February 1651. to one of our f elves. 
 
 Much 
 

 Much Honored and 
 
 Beloved in Christ. 
 
 He Providence of God giving 
 this unexpedled opportunity of 
 fending, I thought it my duty 
 not to omit it, that fo the Saints 
 and people of God with you, 
 efpecially your felfe, with the 
 reft of the Worfhipfull Corpo- 
 ration, might underftand the 
 progrefle and prefent ftate of this worke of the 
 Lord among the Indians, for wee meete changes 
 of providence and tryalls in this our day of fmall 
 things. It hath pleafed the Lord to try them, fo 
 foone as they have but tafted of. his holy wayes. 
 For our natures cannot live without Phylicke, nor 
 grace without afflidlion, more or lefle, fooner or 
 later. The winter before this kft paft it pleafed 
 God to worke wonderfully for the Indians, who 
 call upon God in preferving them from the Pox, 
 when their prophane Neighbors were cut of by it. 
 This winter it hath pleafed God to make lefle dif- 
 ference, for fome of ours were alfo vifited with the 
 difeafe, yet this the Lord hath done for them, that 
 fewer of them have dyed thereof, then of others 
 
 who 
 
{ 2 ) 
 
 who call not upon the 'Lord. Onely three dyed 
 of it, (but five more young and old) of other dif- 
 cafes : Now (through the Lords mercy) they are 
 well, though not without ordinary infirmities, 
 which befall Mankinde. In matters of Regilion 
 they goe on, not onely in attendance on fuch means 
 as they have, not onely in knowledge, which begin- 
 neth to have fome clearenefTe in the Fundamentall 
 poynts of Salvation : but alio in the pradlice and 
 power of Grace, both in conftant care in attend- 
 ance on the worrtiip of God on Sabbath dayes and 
 Ledlure dayes, elpecially profitting in the gift of 
 prayer, and alfo in the exercife of love to fuch as 
 be in affliftion, either by ficknefle or povertie. I 
 have feene lively Adiings of Charitie out of Rever- 
 ence to the Command of the Lord, when fuch as 
 had not that principle were farre from fuch works 
 of mercy, it pleafed God to try them in the time 
 of the Pox. for fome of them did hazard their 
 owne lives (for to them it is very mortall) in obe- 
 dience to the Command of the Lord, to (hew 
 mercy to them that were ficke, and fome were in- 
 fed:ed thereby, and fell ficke and lay with much 
 chearefullnefle and patience under Gods hand, and 
 through the Lords mercy are well againe, others 
 who did fhew mercy in that cafe efcaped the fick- 
 nefle to the praife of God. Likewiie God is pleafed 
 to try their Charitie by an old Paraliticke or Palfie 
 ficke-man, who owne Children being prophane 
 and tyred with the burthen of him (his retentive 
 power of houlding excrements being loofened) and 
 
 having 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 having a loofenefle, fometimes he is very noyfome 
 and burthenfome) they forfooke him, and he had 
 perifhed, but that the Lord ftirred up (by the word 
 of his grace) their hearts to fhew mercy to him, 
 for he -while he was ficke at fix fhillings a weeke 
 charge, for wee offered twelve-pence a night to 
 any to tend him, and for meere hyre none would 
 abide it, but out of mercy and Charity feme of the 
 Families did take of him, and gave freely fome 
 weeks, and others were paid out of their publique 
 money, namely, fuch as hath been taken off, fuch 
 as have been Tranfgreflbrs by Fine or Muldt : and 
 flill he is at fome {hillings a weeke charge being 
 better in health, in fo much that all their publique 
 money is fpent, and much more, and wee have 
 Colledions among them for the fame ufe. The. 
 old man who hath been and ftill is wife, doth 
 wifely teftifie that their love is fincere, and that they 
 truely pray to God, and I hope fo doth hee, and (hall 
 be faved, I could with a word fpeaking in our 
 Churches have this poore man relieved, but I do 
 not, becaufe I think the Lord hath done it, for the 
 tryall of their grace and exercife of their love, and 
 to traine them up in works of Charitie, and in the 
 way of Chrift to make Collections for the poore. 
 I fee how the Lord provideth to further the pro- 
 grefle of the Gofpel, by thefe tryalls afflidtions, yea 
 there be more paflages of this winters worke, 
 wherein the Lord hath taught us by the CrofTe. 
 For one of our firfl: and principall men is dead, 
 which thought it be a great blow and damping to 
 
 our 
 
{ + ) 
 
 our workein fome Refpedls, yea the Lord hath not 
 left the reft to difcouragement thereby, nay the 
 worke is greatly furthered, for he made fo gracious 
 an end of his life, and imbraced death with fuch 
 holy fubmiffion to the Lord, and was fo little terri- 
 fied at it, as that it hath greatly ftrengthened the 
 Faith of the living to be conftant, and not to feare 
 death, greatly commending of the death oi Wam- 
 poras, for that was his name, I thinke he did more 
 good by his death, than he could have done by his 
 life ; one of his fayings was, That God giveth us 
 three mercies in this world ; the firft is health and 
 ftrength : the fecond is food and cloaths : the thii;d 
 is ficknefle and death ; and when we have had our 
 fhare in the two firft, why fhould wee not be will- 
 ing to take our part in the third? for his part he 
 was; I heard him fpeake thus, and at other times 
 alfo, and at his laft he fo fpake, and it fo tooke with 
 them, that I obferve it in their prayers, that they 
 fo reckon up Gods difpenfation to them, his laft 
 words which he fpoke in this world were thefe ; 
 yehova Anunnumah °Jefus Chriji (that is) Oh, 
 Lord, give mee Jefus Chrift ; and when he could 
 fpeake no more, he continued to lift up his hands 
 to Heaven, according as his Strength lafted, unto 
 his laft breath; fo that they fay of him he dyed 
 praying; when I vifited him the laft time that I 
 faw him in this world (not doubting but I fhall fee 
 him againe with Chrift in Glory) one of his fay- 
 ings was this : Foure yeares and a Quarter fince, I 
 came to your houfe, and brought fome of our 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 Children to dwell with the Etiglifh, now I dye, I 
 ftrongly entreat you (for that is their phrafe) that 
 you would ftrongly intreate Elder Heath (with 
 whom his Sonne liveth) and the reft, which have 
 our Children, that they may be taught to know 
 God, fo as that they may teach their Countrymen, 
 becaufe fuch an example would doe great good 
 among them, his heart was much upon our in- 
 tended worke, to gather a Church among them, I 
 told him I greatly defired that he might live if it were 
 Gods will) to be one in that worke, but if he fhould 
 now dye he ftiould goe to a better Church, where 
 Abraham, and Ifaac, and "Jacob, and Mofes, and all 
 the dead Saints were with Jefus Chrift in the pre- 
 fence of God in all his hapinefle and Glory ; he 
 faid he feared not death, he was willing to dye, and 
 turning to the Company which were prefent, he 
 fpake unto them thus; I now Jhall dye, but Jefus 
 Chriji calleth you that live to goe to Naticke, that 
 there the Lord might rule over you, that you might 
 make a Church, and have the Ordinance of God 
 among you, believe in his Word, and doe as hee com- 
 mandeth you: With many fuch words exhorting 
 them, which they could not hear without weeping. 
 A little before his death he fpake many gracious 
 words unto them, wherein our paflage was this : 
 Some delight to heare andfpeake idle andfoolijh words, 
 but I dejire to heare and fpeak onely the words of 
 God, exhorting them fo to do likewife : his gracious 
 words were acceptable and affedling, that whereas 
 they ufed to fly and avoyd with terrour fuch as lye 
 D dying. 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 dying, now on the contrary they flocked to gether 
 to heare his dying words, whofe death and burial! 
 they beheld with many teares ; nor am I able to 
 write his Storie without weeping. 
 
 Another affliftion and damping to our worke 
 was this, that it hath pleafed God to take away 
 that Indian who was mod adlive in Carpentery, 
 and who had framed mee an houfe with a little 
 directions of fome Englijh, whom I fometimes 
 procured to goe with mee to guide him, and to 
 fet out his worke ; he dyed of the Pox this winter, 
 fo that our houfe lyeth, not yet raifed, which 
 maketh my aboade amongft them more difficult, 
 and my tarriance fhorter than elfe I would, but the 
 Lord helpeth mee to remember that he hath (aid, 
 Endure thou hardnejfe as a good Souldier of Jefus 
 Chriji. Thefe are fome of the gracious tryalls and 
 Correftions the Lord hath exercifed us withall, yet 
 he hath mingled them with much Love and favor 
 in other refpedis; for it hath pleafed God this 
 winter much to inlarge the abilitie of him whofe 
 helpe I ufe in tranflating the Scripture, which I 
 account a great furtherence of that which I moft 
 defire, namely, to communicate unto them as much 
 of the Scriptures in their owne language as I am 
 able. Befides, it hath pleafed God to ftir of the 
 hearts of many of them this winter, to learn to 
 read and write, wherein they doe very much 
 profit with a very little help, efpecially fome of 
 them, for they are very ingenious. And whereas 
 I had thought that we muft have an Englijhman 
 
 to 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 to be their Schoole-Mafter, I now hope that the 
 Lord will raife up foine of themfelves, and enable 
 them unto that worke, with my care to teach 
 them well in the reafon of the i'ounds of Letters 
 and fpelling, I truft in the Lord that wee (hall 
 have fundry of them able to read and write, who 
 (hall write every man for himfelfe fo much of the 
 Bible as the Lord (hall pleafe to enable me to 
 Tranflate, Befides thofe works which concerne 
 Religion and Learning, we are alfo a doing (accord- 
 ing to the meafure of our day of fmall things) in 
 the civill part of this work, we have fet out fome 
 part of the Town in feveral ftreets, meafuring out 
 and dividing of Lots, which I fet them to doe, and 
 teach them how to doe it : many have planted 
 Apple-Trees, and they have begun divers Orchards, 
 it's now planting-time, and they be full of bufi- 
 neffe, yet wee are doing fome publick works, the 
 laft week I appointed our Led:ure to be at a 
 Water which is a common pa(rage, and where the 
 Fi(h wee call Alewives come there wee built a 
 Bridge, and made a wyre to catch Fifh, and being 
 many of them, Come we appointed to one work, 
 and fome to another, through the blefling of God 
 we brought both thefe works to perfection : we 
 alfo have begun a Pallizadoe Fort, in the midft 
 whereof we intend a meeting-houfe and School- 
 houfe, but we are in great want of Tooles, and 
 many nece(raries, and when we cannot goe we 
 muft be content to creep, this prefent week I am 
 going to Pawtucket, the great Fi(hing place upon 
 
 Merimak, 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 Merimak, where I hear fundry doe expedt my 
 coming, with a purpofe to fubmit themfelves unto 
 the Lords hand. Sir, I doe earneftly beg your 
 prayers both for me and for this work of the Lord 
 which he hath (et me about. 
 
 John Eliott. 
 Roxbury, the 28"* of 
 the 2"^ : 1 65 1 
 
 The former Letter of Mr. ElHots came to hand 
 about fix Moneths before the latter, and that's the 
 reafon you have another of his followeth next after 
 his former, whereby the Reader may fee and obferve 
 the conjiant goodnejfe of God in carrying on his owne 
 worke, notwithjlanding all the oppoftion of men. 
 Every day bringing forth as it were additionall im- 
 provements to the praife of God, who delighteth fo 
 much in this his day of Small things. 
 
JVorJhijifull and much Honored 
 in the Lord. 
 
 >T is through the grace of Chrift who 
 hath called you into the .fellowfhip 
 of his Kingdome, that you are will- 
 ing to take fuch care and paines for 
 the advancement and furtherance of 
 his Kingdome, and the Lord fill your hearts with 
 the Confolations of his holy Spirit, whofe fpirit he 
 hath fet to feek his glory in promoting the Gofpel 
 of Jefus Chrift, and becaufe the fruit of our La- 
 bours coming in with a blefling, is a great means 
 to quicken the heart to be conftant in that worke 
 which the Lord delighteth to profper and bleffe. 
 It is my duty to let you underftand how it pleafeth 
 the Lord to profper and proceed in this work of 
 his among the Indians ; for the promoting whereof 
 you travaile with care and paines, that fo you may 
 goe on with the more Comfort, and the better 
 know how to diredr your prayers unto the Lord in 
 that behalfe. I will not trouble you with rehear- 
 fall of fuch things as I have already this year writ- 
 ten about unto our honoured Friend Mr. Winjiowe, 
 fo far as I can call to minde what I wrote, hoping 
 in the Lord that the Ships are fafely arrived, and 
 
 my 
 
(, 1°. ) . 
 
 my Letters come unto his hands. I know not 
 whether I have yet mentioned our Schoole, which 
 through the Lords mercy we have begun, though 
 we cannot yet be conftant in it, we have two men 
 in fome meafure able to teach the youth with my 
 guidance, and infpediion. And thus we order the 
 Schoole: The Mafter daily prayeth among his 
 Schollers, and inftrufteth them in Catechifme, for 
 which purpoCe I have compiled a fhort Catechifme, 
 and wrote it in the Mafters Book, which he can 
 read, and teach them, and alfo all the Coppies he 
 fetteth his Schollers when he teacheth them to 
 write are the Queftions and Anfwers of the Cate- 
 chifme, that fo the children may be the more 
 prompt and ready therein : we afpire to no higher 
 learning yet, but to fpell, read, and write, that fo 
 they may be able to write for themfelves fuch 
 Scriptures as I have already, or hereafter may (by 
 the bleffing of God) tranflate for them ; for 1 have 
 no hope to fee the Bible Tranflated, much lefle 
 printed in my dayes. Therefore my chiefe care is 
 to communicate as much of the Scriptures as I can 
 by writing : and further, my fcope fo to train up 
 both men and youths, that when they be in fome 
 meafure inftrudted themfelves, they may be fent 
 forth to other parts of the Countrey, to train up, 
 and inftruft others, even as they themfelves have 
 been trained up and inftru6ted. This confidera- 
 tion doth make mee very carefull to put on the 
 Schoole, and attend it with what diligence I can, 
 although I cannot as yet doe in it, what I defire. 
 
 There 
 
( " ) 
 
 There be feverall providences of God appearing to 
 worke, which make me thinke that the moft 
 effedtuall and generall way of fpreading the Gofpel, 
 will be by themfelves, when fo inftrudted as I have 
 above mentioned ; as for my Preaching, though 
 fuch whofe hearts God hath bowed to attend, can 
 pick up fome knowledge by my broken expreffions, 
 yet I fee that it is not fo taking and efFedtuall to 
 ftrang^rs, as their owne expreffion be, who natu- 
 rally fpeak unto them in their owne tongue. To 
 the end therefore that they may be the better able 
 to teach others, I doe train them up, and exercife 
 them therein : when I am among them on the 
 Lords dayes, appointing two each Sabbath to exer- 
 cife, and when they have done, then I proceed, 
 and affuredly I find a good meafure of ability in 
 them, not only in prayer (wherein they exceed my 
 expeftation) but in memory to rehearfe fuch Scrip- 
 tures as I have read unto them and Expounded ; to 
 Expound them alfo as they have heard me do, and 
 apply them. And now alfo the Schoole-Mafter 
 taking the care of Catechifing the Children, I 
 leaving that to him doe Catechife the men, ex- 
 amining and trying their knowledge, which yet I 
 am wary in doing, leaft I fhould dampe and dif- 
 courage the weak. Tbefe things I attend with 
 the more intention, becaufe it feemeth to me God 
 will imploy thefe firft inftrudted to inftrudl others, 
 of which I have had fundry experiences, fome I 
 {hall inflance it pleafed Mr. Winthrop (Son unto 
 our late Honored Governour now at refl) to advife 
 
 me 
 
( '2 ) 
 
 me to fend two difcreet men to the greateft and 
 moft patent Sachem among the Naraganjets, to 
 anfwer fuch Queftions as they might propound, 
 and to ftirre them up to call on God. I did ac- 
 cordingly, and fent him a prefent by them ; but 
 the proud Sachem did little lefle then defpife the 
 offer, though he took the prefent; So they thought 
 they fhould have returned without fuccefl'e ; but 
 when they came among the people, efpecially fuch 
 as were a little more remote from the great and 
 proud ones, they received them with great glad- 
 nefle, one Company taking one of ours among 
 them. Others taking the other of our men amongft 
 them : they afked them many Queftions, exprefled 
 their readineffe to call upon God, if they had any to 
 teach them : expreffing likewife that they did not 
 expect their Sachems would pray to God becaufe 
 they were fo proud : by which I doe preceive that 
 the Lord is preparing a plentifuU Harveft, and 
 not onely by this, but by many other Evidences. 
 There is a great Countrey lying between Cone5ltCQtt 
 and the Majfachufets, called Nipnet, where there 
 be many Indians difperfed, many of which have fent 
 to our Indians, defiring that feme may be fent unto 
 them to teach them to pray unto God. And fome- 
 times fome of our beft men doe goe to feverall places 
 for a little while, and returne againe, and not with- 
 out fuccefle, Thefe things being fo, the work 
 which we now have in hand, will be as a patterne 
 and Copie before them, to imitate in all the Coun- 
 trey, both in civjllizing them in their Order, 
 
 Goverment, 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 Goverment, Law, and in their Church proceed- 
 ings and adminiftrations and hence great care lyeth 
 upon me to fet them right at firft, to lay a fure 
 foundation for fuch a building, as I forefee will be 
 built upon it, and in this matter I greatly need 
 pray : The Order of proceeding with them, is 
 firft to gather them together from their fcattered 
 courfe of life, to cohabitation and civill order and 
 Goverment, and then to forme them (the Lord 
 having fitted them) into vifible Church ftate, for 
 the guidance whereof, I have inftrufted them, 
 that they (hould look onely into the Scriptures, 
 and out of the word of God fetch all their Wife- 
 dome, Lawes, and Goverment, and fo fliall they 
 be the Lords people, and the Lord above fliall 
 Reigne over them, and govern them in all things 
 by the word of his mouth. Sundry of thefs which 
 pray unto God have formerly fubjedled themfelves 
 unto the Englijh fo that in this Government among 
 themfelves they doe referve themfelves in that 
 poynt to owne them as their fuperiours, to make 
 appeales unto them as need may require, and ex- 
 perience for thefe many yeares ftiew, that though 
 they have fo fubjedted themfelves, yet the onelv 
 benefit they have is protedtion : as for hearing and 
 determining their caufes, the difference of language, 
 and paucity of interpreters prohibits, and if their 
 caufes come, they be fo longfome, and yet of fmall 
 importance, that it is of necefilty, that either they 
 muft have no government, as hitherto it hath been, 
 or elfe they muft have it among themfelves. Be- 
 E fides 
 
( H ) 
 
 fides all or many of their differences and caufes 
 they ufually brought to me, which was not con- 
 venient, and I was willing to avoid : themfelves 
 alfo found great need that fome fhould be over 
 them; to judge their caufes, and differences, and 
 much defired it. Therefore upon the fixt day of 
 the fixt Moneth of this prefent year (their Palli- 
 fadoe Fort being finiftied) they had a great meet- 
 ing, and many came together from diverfe parts, 
 though fundry were hindred and came not at that 
 time, where, with Prayer to God I read and Ex- 
 pounded to them the i8'^ oi Exodus, which I had 
 done feverall times before) and finally they did 
 folemly choofe two Rulers among themfelves, they 
 firft chofe a Ruler of an Hundred, then they 
 chofe two Rulers of Fifties, then ihey chofe Ten 
 or Tithing Men (fo I call them in Englifti) for fo 
 they were called (as is reported) in England when 
 England did flourifti happily under that kind of 
 Government. And laftily, for that dayes work 
 every man chofe who fhould be his Ruler of ten, 
 the Rulers ftanding in order, and every man going 
 to the man he chofe, and it feemed unto me as if 
 I had feen fcattered bones goe, bone unto his bone, 
 and fo lived a civil politicall life, and the Lord was 
 pleafed to minifter no fmall comfort unto my 
 fpirit, when I faw it. After this worke was ended, 
 they did enter into Covenant with God, and each 
 other, to be the Lords people and to be governed 
 by the word of the Lord in all things. Tihe words 
 of which Covenant are thefe in Englijh. We doe 
 
 give 
 
( -5 ) 
 
 give our f elves and our Children unto God to be his 
 people, he Jhall rule us in all our affaires, not onely 
 in our Religion, and affaires of the Church [thefe 
 we dejire as foone as we can, tf God will) but alfo 
 in all our "Works and affaires in this World, God 
 Jhall rule over Us. If a 33. 22. The Lord is our 
 fudge, the Lord is our Law-giver, the Lord is our 
 King, He will fave us ; the Wifedome which. God 
 hath taught Us in his Booke, that Jhall guide us and 
 difeSi us in the naay. Oh Jehovah, teach us wife- 
 dome tofinde out thy wifedome in thy Scriptures, let 
 the grace of Chriji helpe us, because Chriji is the 
 •wifedome of God, fend thy fpirit into our hearts, and 
 let it teach us. Lord take us to be thy people, and 
 kt us take thee to be our God. 
 
 This Adt of forming themfelves into the Govern- 
 ment of God, and entring into this Government, 
 ^is the firft publique Record among the Indians, 
 lind ought I know the firft that ever was among 
 them : and now our next worke is to prepare them 
 for Church -eftate, to which end I do inftrudt 
 them, that the vifible Church of Chrift is builded 
 upon a lively confeffion of Chrift, and Covenanting 
 to w'^alk in all the Adminiftrations of the publique 
 worfhip of God, under the Government and Dif- 
 cipline of Jefus Chrift. I doe therefore exhort 
 them to try their hearts by the Word of God, to finde 
 out what change the Lord hath wrought in their 
 hearts, and this is the prefent work we have in hand. 
 
 Give me leave (much honored Friends) to goe 
 a little back in my relation, that I might be more 
 
 particular. 
 
{ '6 ) 
 
 particular, becaufe thefe Letters I prepared in the 
 fixt month after they had chofen their Officers, 
 as I was propounding and teaching them the above- 
 written Covenant, for that 1 did often before we 
 did folemnly accompHfh it, that fo they might doe 
 it as an Aft of knowledge and faith. Now let 
 me relate the order of our proceedings : Having 
 again and again read this Covenant to them, and 
 inftrudted them in the meaning of it, it pleafed 
 God to wrack Mr. Webbers Ship at Conahajfet, 
 though the Lord dealt favourably ; moft goods 
 were faved, though much fpoyled : this was on the 
 firft day of the j^^ Moneth, wherefore at a Ledlure 
 at Natik on the lo'^ of the fame Moneth, I in- 
 formed them of the plentifuU i'upply which the 
 Lord had made your felves his inftruments to fend 
 unto them for the furtherance of this our worke, 
 and alfo how the Lord hath frowned upon it, and 
 undoubtedly it was a fruit of fin, and therefore the 
 Lord called them to repentance, and made peace 
 with God ; befides we were begining a great 
 worke of civill Cohabitation and Government, and 
 they wanted wifdome to carry on fuch a work, 
 and the Lord had promifed, If any want wifdome, 
 afk it of God, who gives liberally, citing that of 
 James, which I had formerly preached on. More- 
 over, we were in preparation for a Church -ftate, 
 and that was a great matter to feek the Lord in ; 
 and laftly ; they having chofen Rulers, and intend- 
 ing to enter into a Covenant, to promife unto God 
 to be his people, and to be ruled in all things by 
 
 his 
 
( 17 ) 
 
 his Word. Gods appointment is that fuch a Cove- 
 nant fhould be entred into in a iblemne day of 
 fafting and prayer, and all thefe caufes concurred, 
 to put us on unto that work. Now though we 
 never yet had. kept fuch a day unto the Lord, yet 
 I had inftrufted them therein ; for in the Spring 
 we had a generall day of Humihation in all the 
 Churches, and thereupon they moved this Queftion, 
 Why the Englijh often fafied and prayed, and I never 
 yet taught them fo to do f To which I did anfwer 
 by that of Chrift unto his difciples, but told them, 
 that when we fet upon the great works of God, to 
 be his people, governed by his Word, and to 
 gather a Church, then they fhould be called of 
 God unto it, &c. and now it came to pafle, my 
 motion they deliberated on with fome conference 
 (as their manner is) and finally did confent unto it; 
 then I told them it was needfull they fhould pray 
 and teach that day; fundry of them and we agreed, 
 that all fuch as were called to be Rulers fliould 
 exercife that day, or fo many as we had time for 
 their Exercife. Before that day came, even then 
 when it was appointed Cutjhamoquin, the chief 
 Sachem, and therefore chofen the chief, (for he is 
 conflant in his profeflion though doubtfuU in re- 
 fpedt of the throughneffe of his heart) was in the 
 Countrey near Narraganfet, about appeafing fome 
 flrife among fome Sachems, Im which Journey 
 fome of thofe bad Indians and Cutjhamoquin with 
 them did buy fome fhrong water at Gortons Planta- 
 tion, and had a great drinking, from which the 
 
 wifor 
 
( '8 ) 
 
 wifor fort did withdraw themfelves, but Cutjhamo- 
 quin was in it, though not unto drunkennefle, yet 
 his adt was fcandalous. Before we folemnly ap- 
 peared before God, and made the above- written 
 Covenant, I advifed with Mr. Cotton about it, and 
 his Counfell was to add thefe words in the begin- 
 in g: JVe are the Sonnes of Adam, ivee and our fore- 
 fathers have a long time been lofi in our fns, but 
 now the mercy of Lord beginneth to finde us out 
 againe ; therefore the grace of Chriji helping us, wee 
 doe give our f elves and our Children, & 
 
 When the day came, this Adt of Cutjhomquin 
 being broken out, we fufFered not him to teach ; 
 onely he began the day with confeffion of his fin, 
 and made a (hort Prayer, wherein he confeffed 
 Satan adled in his heart, begged pardon, and that 
 the Spirit of God might dwell in him, and adl in 
 him for time to come, and fo ended. 
 
 Then another of them began with prayer, and 
 for his Text that in the 7^^ of Luke 36, to the end 
 (though they doe not know the Book, Chapter, or 
 Verfe, but diftinguifli my Ledtures by the firft 
 materiall word in it) Chriji being invited by Simon 
 the Pharifee, the Women wajht his feet with her 
 teare, &c. At which Simon flumbling, Chrift 
 fpake the Parable of the two Debtors, both freely 
 forgiven, with the Application, all which he re- 
 peated pretty well, and after his teaching he prayed 
 againe and ended. The fecond took for his Text 
 the Lords Prayer, becaufe it is, faid he, a day of 
 prayer, the third took for his Text the j^^ of 
 
 MattheiD 
 
( '9 ) 
 
 Matthew 1 9, to the end, Every tree that bringeth 
 not forth good fruit, is cut downe, &c. And upon 
 that parable of the two Builders, on the rock the 
 firft, the other on the fand, &c. By this time the 
 day was well up, then I taught out of the 9'^ of 
 Ezra 3, & 9. where I defcribed a day of Fafting, 
 and the right carriage of it ; yet by the parable of 
 a Nut, I (hewed that outward adls are as the (hell, , 
 which is neceflary, but a broken and believing 
 heart is the kernell, and fo ended the forepart of 
 the day. After a little refpite (in which time a 
 Queftion came to me, if it were lawfull to take a 
 pipe of Tobacco ? ) we met again, the firft took 
 his Text fob 3. 16. 22. And his Preface was, 
 I read or rehearfe this, and let every one read it in 
 his owne heart. Thefecond took his Text Matth. 
 13. 24. to 31. from the Parable of him that fowed 
 good feed, and the enemy came and while they Jlept 
 fowed tares, &c. The third took his Text, Luke 
 3, 4, 5, 6, ver. Prepare yee the way of the Lord, 
 make his paths Jlraight, Sec. By this time night 
 drew on, then I tooke for my Text, Deut, 29. and 
 the I to 16. where Ifrael entred into Covenant 
 with the Lord : and finally our Covenant in the 
 fore cited words I exprefl^ed, and they joyntly con- 
 fented unto ; firft the Rulers, then all the people, 
 then was the Colledtions for the poor, and by dark 
 night we finifhed our work. Thus have I briefly 
 defcribed that blefled day wherein thefe poor fouls 
 folemnly beccame the people of the Lord : this 
 was on the 24'^^ day of the 7'*^ Moneth, 1651. 
 
 Upon 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 Upon the 8'^' of the 0£i. Moneth, which was 
 our next Ledlure (for it is in that place but once 
 in a fortnight, I holding a Ledture each other week 
 ftill at another place) it pleafed our Governour 
 with many others attending him, to vifit our poor 
 works and day of fmall things, where they viewed 
 our Houfe, our Fort, our Bridge, advifed about a 
 place for a Mill, &c.) At the feafon they came 
 unto our Lefture, and obferved the carriage and 
 behaviour of things and men: among others things 
 one of our Indians did fas we are wont) exercife, 
 which, as that it pleafed the Governour to advife 
 me to write the fubftance of that which he fpake, 
 which is as foUoweth : his Text was Math. 13, 44, 
 45, 46. Again, the Kingdome of Heaven is like 
 unto treafure hid in a field, the which when a man 
 hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and 
 felleth all that he hath, and buy eth the field: 45. 
 Againe, the Kingdome of Heaven is like unto a Mar- 
 chant-man feeking goodly Pearles : 46. Who when 
 he had found one Pearle of great price, he went and 
 fold all that he had, and bought it. The fubftance 
 of thefe words he did twice rehearfe, then for in- 
 ftrudlion he firft propounded what is the treafure 
 which is hid in a field ? He anfwered, it is Re- 
 pentance for fin. Faith in C hrift, and pardon of 
 fin, and all grace, as alfo praying to God, the 
 worfhip of God, and his appointments, which are 
 the means of Grace, on which he dilated, {hewing 
 what excellent Pearles thefe are, exhorting all to 
 account fo of them, and on this point he did much 
 
 infift : 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 infift ; fecondly, he afked what is the Field where 
 thefe Pearles are to be found ? He anfwered, the 
 Church of Chrift, which they did defire to con- 
 ftitute in this place, and to that end come thither 
 to dwell; thirdly, he afked what it is to fell all that 
 a man hath to buy this Field? He anfwered, to 
 part with all their (iris, and to part with all their 
 old Cuftomes, and to part with their Friends and 
 Lands, or any thing which hindereth them from 
 coming to that place, where they may gather a 
 Church, and enjoy all thele Pearles; and here he 
 infifted much to ftir them up, that nothing fhould 
 hinder them from gathering together into this 
 place where they might enjoy fuch a mercy. 
 
 Then he proceeded to the fecond Parable, and 
 his firft Queftion was. Who is the Marchant man 
 that feeketh goodly Pearls ? He anfwered it is all 
 you Indians which pray to God, and repent of fin, 
 and come to hear the Word of God, you come to 
 feek for excellent Pearls ; And here alfo he infifted : 
 his fecond Queftion was, What is this Pearle of 
 great price ? Now in anfwer to this Queftion he 
 did not pitch it on Chrift alone, and ftiew the 
 worth and price of Chrift : but he did pitch it on 
 Faith in Jeius Chrift, and Repentance for Sin, and 
 ftood upon the excellency and neceflity thereof. 
 And this was the greateft defedt I obferved in his 
 Exercife, which feing I undertake to relate that 
 which none but myfelft. underftood. I dare not 
 but truly relate, becaufe the Lord heard all, and I 
 muft give an account of this relation before him : 
 
 F his 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 his next queftion was. What is meant by all the 
 Riches he had ? He anfwered, his Sins, his evil! 
 Cuftomes, his evill manners, in which he formerly 
 took much pleafure ; and here he dilated alfo ; 
 Laftly, he afked how did he fell them all, and buy 
 the Pearle ? He anfwered, by cafting away and 
 forfaking all his fins, mourning and repenting of 
 them, praying to God, and believing in Jefus Chrift. 
 and here he fervently dilated, and fo ended : and 
 this accordingly to the beft of my memory and ob- 
 fervation, is the fubftance of what he delivered. 
 Whereby you may obferve the manner of my 
 teaching them, for they imitate me, as for our 
 method of preaching to the Eng/ijh by way of 
 Dodlrine, Reafon, and Ufe, neither have I liberty 
 of fpeech for that way of teaching, being very un- 
 fkilfull in their Language, nor have they fufficient 
 ability of underftanding to profit by it, fo well as 
 by this way, whereof you have herein a little Tafte. 
 
 Jo Eliot. 
 
 The next Letter good Reader [for we place them 
 according to their J'everall dates) is one that came from 
 Mr John Wilfon that reverend holy man who is 
 Pajior of the Church of Chrijl at Bofton in New 
 England, who accompanying the Governour, together 
 with Mr Eliot andjundry others, to their new Towne 
 built by the Converted Indians, where they purpofe by 
 Gods permijjion to cohabife^ together, that fo they may 
 enjoy all thofe Ordinances the Lord Jefus hath left 
 
 unto 
 
( 23 ) 
 
 unto his Church. Now what Mr Wilfon there f aw, 
 heard and obferved, that he hath written over to us, 
 and we have publtjhed for thy information and Con- 
 folation. 
 
 Honoured and ever deare Sir. 
 
 sOuching the Work of God among 
 the Indians, for ought I heare or 
 fee from them that are moft con- 
 verfant therein, as Mr E/iot, Mr 
 Mahew, and Mr Leverich, with 
 whom I have made diligent en- 
 quiry ; it doth profperoiifly fuc- 
 ceed to their great encourage- 
 ment, and ours in the Lord. There was here fome 
 few weeks fince, the prime Indian at Marthas Vine- 
 yard with Mr Mahewe [Huntanequinn) a grave and 
 folemn Man, with whom I had ferious difcourfe, 
 Mr Mahewe being prefent as Interpreter between 
 us, who is a great proficient both in knowledge 
 and utterance, and love, and pradiice of the things 
 of Chrift, and of ReHgion, much honoured and 
 reverenced, and attended by the reft of the Indians 
 ' there, who are folemnly Covenanted together, I 
 know not how many, but between thirty and forty 
 at the Leaft, and receive none into their Fraternity 
 or Combination, but thofe which give good proof 
 of their upright defires, to their Confcience, in their 
 profeffions and converfations, who when Mr Ma- 
 hewe 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 hewe cannot be with them (as at many fet time he 
 is) doth in the week time inftru6t himfelfe from 
 Mr. Mathewe mouth, and prepare for their in- 
 flrudtion on the Lords day which they confcionably 
 oblerve, and have their conftant folemne meetings 
 together : This man where he was, had commun- 
 ion on the Lords day with Mr Eliots Indians neer 
 Dorchejier Mill, unto whom he Preached or de- 
 clared what he had learned himfelfe from the 
 Scripture, fome two hours together, with folemne 
 prayer before and after, and then ended with a 
 Pfalme, fuch as at home is wont to be fung among 
 his ufuall hearers. The Lords day after he was in 
 our AfTembly, the Boat being ready to carry him 
 home by the next opportunity, and truly my rev- 
 erence to him was fuch, as there being no room I 
 prayed our brethren to receive that good Indian 
 into one of their pewes, which they did forenoon 
 and afternoon, and at meale, I perceived by him 
 that he had underftanding of what he heard Mr 
 Leverich being lately here and at my houfe (who 
 alfo Preached at our new Church) I conferred with 
 him about the beginnings and progrefs of the Lords 
 work, among his neighbouring Indians at Sand- 
 wich, and did hear from him, what did my heart , 
 good. And therefore when he took his leave of 
 me I requefted him that he would doe me the fa- 
 vour at his return home, to fend me a brief Story 
 of that good hand of God which was there upon 
 them ab orgine, which I thank him he did foon 
 after, and I thought not amifTe to inclofe it, as it 
 
 came 
 
( 25 ) 
 
 to me, being written with his own hand, not 
 doubting but it would add unto your rejoycing in 
 the Lord. About a fortnight fince, there was a 
 Ledlure to be of Mr Eliot at Natick the new In- 
 dian Towne, where he ufeth frequently to Preach 
 to them, befides what he doth neer home (on either 
 fide) and many times doth keep the Lords day with 
 them, whereof having fome notice, and that the 
 Governour Mr Endicot intended then to be there, 
 my Coufin Raw/on and I with fome other, did 
 prepare to ride thither, the Governour and his Ser- 
 geants lying at Dedham, which is within (e\tx\ or 
 eight miles of the Towne, and we at Mr °Jackfons 
 neer Watertown Mill (in like diftance in the next 
 morning after we had been fome hours there 
 where we found Mr Eliot, and by that time we 
 had viewed all things, the Governour came with 
 about twenty Horfemen from Dedham and made a 
 like view, after which the Lediure or Sermon be- 
 gan in the Fort, which the Indians have made of 
 whole trees very handfome and firmej which is 
 neer a faire houfe which the Indians have built 
 after the Englijh manner high and large (no Eng- 
 lijhmans hand in it, fave that one day or two they 
 had an Englijh Carpenter with them to diredt about 
 the time of rearing, with chimneys in it. In which 
 Mr Eliot and thofe who accompany him ufe to lye, 
 and the Indian School-Mafter was there teaching 
 the Children, who doth read and fpell very well 
 himfelfe, and teacheth them to doe the like (be- 
 fides v^rriting) and as there is a large Roome below, 
 
 fo 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 fo there is a like Chamber above, in a Corner 
 whereof Mr Eliot hath a little Room inclofed, and 
 a bed and bed-fted therein, and in the fame Cham- 
 ber the Indians doe as in a Wardrope hang up their 
 fkins and things of price, as counting them there 
 to be fafe, as well when the doors be open, as when 
 they be locked, they have laid out 3 fair long 
 ftreets there, two on this fide the River, and one 
 on that, and have feverall houfe-lots apportioned 
 I'everally to every one, which doe or be to inhabite 
 there, and in many of them there are fruit-trees 
 already planted, and they are building Englijh 
 houfes for xhcmfelves, mean while living in JVig- 
 nvams, whereof there is good ilore neer the hill 
 fide, at prefent there being a goodly plaine from 
 the Towne towards Dedham, over the River (that 
 is, Charles River) they have made a firme high 
 foot-bridge archwife to walk to and fro, having 
 heaped on the bottome tymbers huge ft:ones, the 
 more to fortifie it, and it was a great encourage- 
 ment to them, that the laft year (when a like 
 Bridge made by the Englijh in the new Dedham 
 Village called Medefield, fome four or five miles 
 from them) was throwne downe by the force of 
 the flouds of Ice, yet theirs did fl:and firme and 
 upright. But to returne tc the Fort, and to the 
 bufines of the day, that is Round and Capacious, 
 and they have prepared there a large Canopie of 
 Matts upon poles for JVlr Eliot and the chief of his 
 Company to fit under, and other forts for them- 
 felves and other hearers. The Saneps or men by 
 
 themfelves 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 themfelves and the Squades or women by them- 
 felves, befides the Englijh then prefent (which were 
 about thirty) there were I think, not fewer than a 
 hundred men women and young ones ; among the 
 Indians there be fome greater proficients in know- 
 ledge, and of better utterance by far than their 
 fellows, grave and ferious men, whom Mr Eliot 
 hath trained up (or the Lord rather by his inftruc- 
 tions and direftions) to inftrud: and exhort the reft 
 of the Indians in their Lords day and other meet- 
 ings, when he cannot come to them himfelfe. 
 There be fome five of thei'e, one ot them was pre- 
 pared before we came, and appointed to begin this 
 Exercife : the further relation of the manner of 
 this Indians behaviour in Preaching, together with 
 the fubftance of that Sermon being before fet downe 
 by Mr Eliot may be never omitted : other particu- 
 lars in order to the exaft defcription of the Indian 
 Fort and buildings in Mr Eliots Letter is defedlive 
 are here fupplyed. This man being of middle age, 
 and clad all in Englijh apparell (as moft if not all 
 others of them are) fitting in the midft, on a ftoole, 
 under th° flielter did begin with prayer very fo- 
 lemnly, ftanding up for fome halfe quarter of an 
 houre, then fitting downe fpake unto them of the 
 two Parables, concerning the Feild wherein the 
 treafure hid, and the wife Marchant felling all for 
 the Pearle; we underftood him not (fave Mr Eliot) 
 excepting now and then a word or two, he dif- 
 courfed to them fome three quarters of an hour at 
 the leaft, with great devotion, gravity, decency, 
 
 readines. 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 readines, and afFedtion, and geftures very becom- 
 ming, and fundry mentions be made of Jefus Chrift, 
 efpecially in the beginning, and towards the end- 
 ing, as if he were the fcope of all, and the reft of 
 the Indians ; diverfe old men and women, and the 
 younger did joyne and attend with much Rever- 
 ence, as if much afFedted therewith ; then he ended 
 with prayer as he beganne. Then Mr Eliot Prayed 
 and Preached in the Indian Language for fome 
 hour more, about coming to Chrift, and bearing 
 his Yoke. This Text was tranflated by him from 
 the Scriptures into Englijh, fpeaking with much 
 authority, and after his latter Prayer the Indian 
 School-Mafter read out of his Book one of the 
 Pfalmes in meeter, line by line, tranflated by Mr 
 Eliot into Indian, all the men and women, &c fing- 
 ing the fame together in one of our ordinary Eng- 
 lijh tunes melodioufly. I fhould have faid that 
 after Mr Eliots Sermon there were two or three 
 grave Indians that propounded to Mr Eliot each of 
 them a Queftion, very pertinent to the matter he 
 handled about the yoke of Chrift, and coming to 
 Chrift, which he anfwered, interpreting to us both 
 their Queftions, and the fumme of his owne An- 
 fwers. After this the Lord did ftir up my heart to 
 make an Exhortation lo the Indians, which Mr 
 Eliot Expounded to them, and alfo the Governours 
 Speech, which God did ftir him up too unto the 
 fame purpofe, declaring our joy to fee fuch begin- 
 nings, and warning them of the great danger if 
 they fliould decline from what they had already 
 
 come 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 come unto, either in their knowledge, affedlion, or 
 Chriftian praftice, incouraging them againft what 
 might damp or deter. 
 
 Then all of us taking us to our horfes left Mr Eliot 
 and them together ; the Governour and his Company 
 to lye at Dedham, and the reft of us when we had 
 rid two or three miles with them did returne into 
 our own way towards our former lodging, having 
 been every one of us much refreshed in our fpirits 
 in what we faw & were informed of, viz. of God 
 amongft them. Not long before this, travelling 
 with Mr Elliots brother I conferred in the way 
 ferioufly with him about thele Indians, for he ufeth 
 to accompany his brother, and is a right godly and 
 dilligent man, defiring to know what folidity he 
 found by experience in them. Who did acquaint 
 me that there was difference between them as be- 
 tween the Englijh, fome being lefs ferious then 
 others, and lefle fpirituall ; but there was a con- 
 liderable Company of folide ones that were conftant 
 and forward in good duties, as well on the week 
 dayes as on the Lords, And that he had purpofely 
 fometimes in the dark walked the Round, as it 
 were alone, and found them in their feverall Fami- 
 lies as devout in Prayer, &c. as if there had been 
 any prefent to obferve : and that carried it very 
 modertly, utterly refufing to receive any reliefe from 
 Mr Eliot 'Table, choofing rather to live on the 
 provifions at home which came in by their owne 
 labour; and when once Mr Eliots owne provifions 
 failed (he being detained among them fundry dayes 
 
 G beyond 
 
( 3° ) 
 
 beyond his intent) they foon took notice, and of 
 their own accord did bring unto him variety of 
 the beft which they had themfelves ; and he pro- 
 feffed unto me that upon all his beft obfervation, 
 there was a very hopefull beginning amongft them, 
 of the Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jefus, 
 The Lord vouchfafe to be the Omega among them 
 as well as the Alpha of this blefled change. 
 
 Bojion ; 27 : ^ber Tour moji Loving Friend 
 
 5 1 . and Brother in Chriji, 
 
 John Wilfon. 
 
 As Mr Wilfon was Jiirred up in himfelfe to fend 
 us the delation of his oivne Obfervations upon his 
 Journey with Mr Eliot, fo he having received fome 
 precious lines from an able Minifier of the Gofpel, 
 viz, Mr Leverich of Sandwich in the Government 
 of New Plymouth, whom the Lord hath jiirred up 
 to labour alfo in the Converfion of the Indians : the 
 ears feeming as it were white unto Harveji, and the 
 Labourers but very few, he adventures to put in his 
 fckle, not without hopefull fuccejfe, as will appear in 
 his following lines. And for the difcouragements 
 mentioned in his Letter, know that divers of his people 
 having caji off all the Ordinances of God in his 
 Church, at laji came to be f educed by every idle fpirit 
 that came amongji them, to be led into fuch fancies as 
 we are ajhamed to mention. And fo this good man 
 upon this occafion turned to the Lidians, where he 
 meets with an abundant blefpng upon his endeavours. 
 
 Reverend 
 
( 31 ) 
 Reverend Sir, 
 
 Salute you in the Lord, I (hall trouble 
 you only with two things, firft, the 
 n:ioving caufes inducing me to fet 
 upon this worke ; Secondly, with 
 'what luccefTe I have hitherto been en- 
 tertained, by the bleffing of God upon my weak 
 endeavours. For the firft of thefe, I fuppofe its 
 not unknown to your felfe, amongft rnany others, 
 what Angular exercife I have had in thefe parts, 
 and what iSngular Conflidts I have met withall in 
 my travails amongft our owne Countreymen, divers 
 of them tranfported with their (though not Angu- 
 lar) Fancies, to the rejedting of all Churches and 
 Ordinances, by a new cunning, and I perfwade 
 my felfe one of the laft but moft pernicious plot of 
 the Devill to undermine all Religion, and introduce 
 all Atheifme and profanenefle, if it were poffible, 
 together with which, I have obferved a fpirit of 
 Pharifaifme and formility too, too evediently creep- 
 ing upon and ftrongly poflefling others generally, 
 belides other difcouragements I (hall forbear to 
 mention, which confidered divers of our brethren, 
 together with my felfe, upon confultation, where 
 we might hope for more and better encourage- 
 ment, as touching our Communion, if God fo 
 pleafed : but were diflwaded by divers our hon- 
 oured Freinds, both by their Letters and more 
 private Councels, unto whom we gave way, at leaft 
 for the prefent ; not long after having an hopefull 
 
 Indian 
 
( 32 ) 
 
 Indian in my houfe, he propounds to me a motion 
 of teaching the Indians neer iis. And fometimes 
 after Mr Eliot invites me to the fame work by his 
 Letters : then I thought with my feif I muft ftay, 
 and began to taft the motion with more afFedtion, 
 refolving, that if God would pleafe to fit up the 
 room of others with the accefs of fuch forlorne 
 Creatures, and bring in fuch as wandered in the 
 high wayes, lanes, and hedges ; and Call in the 
 lame, and halt, and blind, in ftead of thofe Con- 
 temners, it would be a mercey ; and by no other 
 refpedts in this world, was my bread inclined unto 
 this work and to attend God in it. As touching 
 the lecond, for matter of fucceffe and incourage- 
 ment, I cannot but reckon this one, and that not 
 the leaft, that though the Indians tongue be very 
 difficult, irregular, and anomalous, and wherein I 
 cannot meet with a Verb Subftantive as' yet, nor any 
 fuch Particles as Conjnndlions, &c. which are eflen- 
 tiall to the feverall forts of axioms, and confequently 
 to all rationall and perfedt difcourfes, and that though 
 their words are generally very long, even fefquipedaha 
 verba, yet I find God helping, not onely my felfe to 
 learne and attaine more of it in a fhort time, then 
 I think I could or did Latine, Greek, or Hebrew, 
 in the like fpace of time, when my memory was 
 ftronger, and when all known rules of Art are 
 helpfull to faften fuch notions in the mind of the 
 learner; but alfo the Indians to underftand me 
 fully as they acknowledge, fo far as I have gone. 
 I am conftrained by many ambages and circumlo- 
 cutions 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 cutions to fupply the former defedt, to exprefs my 
 felfe to them as I may. The next encouragement 
 I may not without ground omit to mention is this, 
 that it pleafeth God to help Ibme of thefe poor 
 Creatures to look over and beyond the Examples 
 of fome of our looler fort of Englijh, which I look 
 upon as a great ftumbling block to many. It's to 
 be lamented that the name of God fo generally 
 profeffed by thofe loofer fort of Englijh, fhould be 
 lo generally polluted by them, and blafphemed by 
 Heathens, though the occafion of their loofenes 
 and deniall of the power of godlinelTe, yet God 
 gives fome of theirs a fpirit of difcerning between 
 precious and vile, and a fpirit of Convidtion, to ac- 
 knowledge (oh that ours would lay it to heart) 
 there is no difference between the worft Indians 
 and fuch Englijh faying, they are all one Indians, 
 yea and further, to put a little difference between 
 fuch Indians amongfl themfelves here and elfe- 
 where, as appear to be more (erious in their In- 
 quiries after God, and confcientious according to 
 their light, and fuch others as are more flight and 
 meer pretenders to Religion. Thirdly for more 
 particular obfervations. i. God has brought fome 
 of them to a fence of their finnes, and a fear of his 
 juflice. Here I fhall infert an example or two, 
 one of them being to repeat fuch Principles I had 
 begun to train them in, in a Catechiflacall way 
 (for my penury confines me to this method at pre- 
 fent, and I hope it may be never the worfe for 
 them) was a good while before he could fpeak, 
 
 having 
 
( 34 ) 
 
 having his countenance fad before (and as I have 
 underftood fince a week together after our former 
 Exercife) and in fpeaking the teares all the while 
 trickling downe his Cheeks : After being demanded 
 by me what was the matter of his fadnefle, he an- 
 fwers me, he did now underftand that God was a 
 juft God, and for himfelf he had been very wicked, 
 even from a child. And another, whom I ufed as 
 my Interpreter now and then in teaching them, 
 falls fuddenly and publiquely into a bitter paffion, 
 crying out, and wringing his hands, out of the like 
 apprehenfion of his Condition, as he told me after- 
 wards, and I find no one of them (daring men) to 
 fpeak of their good hearts, but fome more fome 
 lefle fenfible of the contrary. Secondly, God hath 
 brought fome of them to fome Evangelical! Con- 
 viction, one acknowledging that though he and 
 others leave their former evils, and fliould keep 
 Gods Commandments, yet without Chrift" they 
 muft goe to hell. Thirdly, Two or three of them 
 have complained of the hardnefTe of their hearts, 
 and are queftioning of Remedies. Fourthly, Speak- 
 ing to them of the mercy of God in Chrift, one 
 of them tells publiquely, it did him more good to 
 hear of Chrift, then to hear of all earthly good 
 things, I would fain hope for feeds of Faith in fuch. 
 Fifthly. Two of them I deal withall particularly 
 for perfonal evils, by name for the finne of Forni- 
 cation, which they were carried away into, vs^hich 
 my Indian acquainting my felfe with after our 
 Exercife I fpake unto, ftiewing them the evills of 
 
 this 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 this finne, and aggravating of it by the knowledge 
 they now had of God, &c and exhorting them to 
 Repentance, and to feek mercy in Chrift; where- 
 upon one of them fell into bitter weeping, pre- 
 (ently the other though his heart was fhut up at 
 prefent, yet not long after, and with longer con- 
 tinuance faid, I have obferved in others a fence of 
 temptations, fpirituall bondage, which they ex-' 
 prefied naturally thus ; one faith that he and the 
 Devill were all one Souldiers, and this in fadnefle of 
 fpirit, and fpeech : another laying his hands upon 
 his knees and hams, complains he was as a man 
 tyed in Cords, and prays to God to be unloofed, 
 and in generall they are obferved divers of them 
 to pray with much affedtion, mourning ; in fo 
 much that they are in this refped; a wonderment 
 to their Companions, who enquired what is the 
 matter why they doe fo, &c. 
 
 A fourth encouragement to me is this, I find the 
 Devill beftirring himfelfe, and betaking of himfelf to 
 his wonted praftice of ftirring up oppofitions againft 
 this work by his Inftruments, as fearing the ruine 
 of his Kingdome, their Countreymen manifefting 
 their hatred, threatning they fhall not plant, hunt, 
 &c. as befoe ; yea the Controverfie or enmity 
 rather arifes between Parents and Children, &c 
 Laftly, and not long before I was laft with you 
 in the Bay upon a fecond day in the morning 
 before they went away, there came to me to the 
 number of twenty of them, voluntarily profeffing 
 one by one there defire to feare God, promifing that 
 
 they 
 
( 36 ) 
 
 they would leave their fins, (fome intermixing ac- 
 knowledgements of their fins and ignorance : and 
 one that Englijh and Indians knew fhe had been 
 very wicked) hereunto calling 'Jehovah to witnes; 
 and this to doe all their dayes, as long as they live; 
 fome bringing their Children, and caufing them to 
 make the like profeffion ; whereupon I was the more 
 ftirred towards them in my fpirit (though I acknow- 
 ledge I was loath to make an abfolute engagement) 
 to pt-omife them I would endeavor to be as helpful] 
 to them as I could in teaching them : which when I 
 had done, they gave me thanks publiquely; and 
 fince this, they living fome feven miles from us, 
 have built a Wigwam of purpofe neer our Town to 
 receive them when they come on the Lords dayes ; 
 and truly Sir, they are fo attentive in hearing, that 
 it grieves me I cannot fpeak to them as I deiire, 
 they feeming to be hungry, and I wanting bread 
 for them. And thus Sir, you have a naked Nar- 
 ration of our proceedings, with the events fallen 
 out by Gods providence within not many moneths. 
 It is I believe a day of fmall things, and fo lookt at 
 by our Englijh many of them, who furely would 
 have perifhed in their darkneffe, if all others (hould 
 have contemned them as they thefe, I pray God 
 they perifti not in the light, however I am refolved 
 to bable to them as I may, confidering that out of 
 the mouths of babes God ordaines praiie, and found 
 ftrength to ftill the Enemy, &c the beginings of 
 Gods great works are often in great obfcurity, where 
 he appoints the end to be glorious. Alfo I re- 
 member 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 member one fowes and another reaps, which were 
 ever they be, fuch as are faithfull ftiall rejoyce to- 
 gether. I doubt not Sir, of your fervent prayers 
 (which I doe further beg of you and others that 
 know how to pity loft ones) for my felfe and poor 
 Indians, that the Lord will profper our indeavours 
 this way, and water them with his abundant bleff- 
 ings in Jefus Chrift, that the day-fpring from on 
 high may vifit fuch poor fouls as are in darknefle, 
 and the fliadow of death, and bring them to life in 
 Jefus Chrift. 
 
 Sandwich, this 22"^ of William Leverich. 
 
 the jth, 1651. 
 
 The next Letter is a tejiimoniall from a private 
 hand of what Mr Leverich mentions in his to Mr 
 Wilfon where we may fee fame fruits of his labours 
 tejiifed by a neighbour, of his at Sandwich, which is 
 fiftie miles from that place, where Mr Eliot hath 
 taught other Indians /or divers years : but we doe 
 not a little rejoyce to hear that Mr Leverich is en- 
 gaged in this worke, becaufe he is a grave learned 
 knowing and a prudent Chrijiian, one indeed from 
 whom by Gods bleffing we may expeSl much good. 
 
 Concerning the Indians I have feen and heard 
 more this Summer then ever I did before, 
 I have feen fome Indians crave a bleffing 
 before meat, and returne thanks after meat, pray 
 morning and evening, fome of them do frequent 
 
 H our 
 
( 38 ) 
 
 our meetings, they come conftantly eight or ten 
 miles every Saturday, and the Monday they returne 
 home againe, while our Exercife doth laft, they 
 doe attend dilligently, but underftand but little, but 
 when that is done Mr L£verich and they doe put 
 queftions one to another, as Mr Leverich hath an 
 Indian that fpeaks good Englijh, and he is Inter- 
 preter. There is a man that lives neer us, that 
 comes from an Ifland that is Martin's Vineyard^ 
 where is a Minifter that fpeaks good Indian^ he 
 doth preach to them every week, he hath told me 
 that that Minifter told him, that there are fome of 
 them Indians that are able to give a better reafon 
 of their Faith, then fome of the members of their 
 Church; fome of them will Preach, and they have 
 private meetings, and keep very good orders. 
 
 Sandwich, ^^^ Sep- Ant honey Bejfey. 
 
 t ember 1651. 
 
 The next Letter we prejent thee withall good 
 Reader, is one from Mr Mayhew, whom God hath 
 honoured with abundant fuccejfe in making his labours 
 the infirumentall meanes to turne many of the Hea- 
 then from their evill wayes to the Lord our God. 
 This he not only wrote to Mr Henry Whitfield, who 
 is a Minifter in Winchefter, but alfo to a Member of 
 our Corporation, being the fame Narrative word for 
 word, for ought we difcerne, wherein appeareth a 
 mighty progrejfe in godlines fnce our laft Treatife 
 publijhed by Mr Henry Whitfield upon his comming 
 
 hither 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 hither from New England. God not onely adding 
 to their number Juch as in Charity we conceive ap- 
 pertain to his EleSlion : but Jiirred them up [being 
 neer two hundred perfons) to enter into a more clofe 
 way of the Gofpel, declaring themfehes to be the wor- 
 Jhippers of the ever living God, With many other 
 things minijiring much confolation to every Chrijiian 
 heart, to fee thefe very Powwawes fall off from the 
 worjhip of Devills, and embrace the glad tidings of 
 Salvation. 
 
 Reverend and dearly beloved in 
 Chrifi Jejus. 
 
 SIR 
 
 WHat you have done in the Indian bufines, 
 and concerning my felfe in particular, 
 doe give good teftimony of your holy 
 defires to further the work of the Lord amongft 
 them. The good providence of God in bringing 
 you unto us, and the free engaging of your felfe in 
 this worke of the Lord, and that upon the beft 
 ground, did fully perfwade my heart of yourfaith- 
 fulneffe therein, and of an inward bleffing from God 
 upon us thereby ; although I fhould never have 
 feen a return in outward fupplies, as now through 
 mercy I have, as an acceptable and very helpful! 
 fruit of Chriftian gocdnes and bounty received 
 from your felfe and Chriftian Friends, that the 
 Lord hath ftirred up both to pray earheftly, and 
 
 contribute 
 
( +0 ) 
 
 contribute freely f..>r the promoting of the work of 
 the Lord in my hand amongft the poor Indians^ 
 Sir, affure your felfe, and let all our beloved Friends 
 know, that what is done by you together in this 
 behalf, doth not only ftrengthen my hands, and 
 give me advantage to be more helpfull to the In- 
 dians, but alfo is a further encouragement unto my 
 heart from the Lord to do to the utmoft of my 
 power in this fervice he hath called me unto, and 
 wherein he hath afforded me his gracious prefence 
 unto this day; and not only in f'upporting me 
 therein, but alfo in fome remarkeable paflages of his 
 power and mercy amongft the Indians, thofe mif- 
 erable Captives, fomething whereof your felfe hath 
 been an eye witnes unto, and have already heard, 
 yet now being further advantaged through the 
 grace of God appearing with us, and knoviring it 
 will be acceptable to your felfe, and our dearly be- 
 loved Chriftian Friends, that long for and rejoyce 
 in the gracious appearance of Jelus Chrift in his 
 Kingly Soveraignty and power, where he hath not 
 formerly been known. I fliall by the help of God 
 certifie [to] you how the Lord hath carried on his 
 own work with us fince your departure from us. 
 
 It pleafe the Lord who had drawne the Indians 
 from the Pawwaivs to worfhip himfelf, whereat 
 the Pawwaws were much difcontented, yet now to 
 that perfwade two of themfelves to run after thofe 
 followed hard after God, defiring that they might goe 
 with them in the wayes of that God whofe name 
 is yehovah : and they came much convinced of their 
 
 finnes 
 
( +' ) 
 
 finnes that they had lived in, and efpecially of their 
 Pawwawing, faying, I throw it from me with hatred 
 of it being forry that ever I medled with it. And 
 now I have heard of yehovah, by his help I put it 
 under my feet, and hope to trample it down in the 
 duft with the Devill and Panvwawnomas (or Imps) 
 I throw it into the fire, and burn it. Thus they 
 fully made known unto all both by word and gef- 
 ture, and by more fuch like expreflion they then 
 ufed, not only their indignation againft it, but that 
 they would never make ufe of it more. One of 
 them did then difcover the bottom of his witch- 
 craft, confeffing that at firft he came to be a Paiv- 
 waw by Diabolical Dreams, wherein he faw the 
 Devill in the likenefle of four living Creatures; one 
 was like a man which he faw in the Ayre, and this 
 told him that he did know all things about the 
 Ifland, and what was to be done ; and this he faid 
 had its refidence over his whole bbdy. Another 
 was like a Crow, and did look out fliarply to dif- 
 cover mifchiefs coming towards him, and had its 
 refidence in his head. The third was like to a 
 Pidgcon and had its place in his breaft, and was 
 very cunning about any bufinefl^e. The fourth was 
 like a Serpent, very fubtile to doe mifchiefe, and 
 alfo to do great cures, and thefe he faid were meer 
 Devills, and fuch as he had trufted to for fafety, 
 and did labour to raife up for the accomplifliment 
 of any thing in his diabolicall craft, but now he 
 faith, that he did defire that the Lord would free 
 him from them, and that he did repent in his heart, 
 becaufe of his fin. The 
 
( 42 ) 
 
 The other faid his Confcience was much troubled 
 for his fin, and they both defired the Lord would 
 teach them his wayes, have mercy upon them, and 
 pardon their fins, for Jefus Chrift: his fake: and 
 truly it did give to us who were prefent a great 
 occafion of praifing the Lord, to fee thofe poor 
 naked fons of Adam, and flaves to the Devil from 
 their birth, to come towards the Lord as they did, 
 with their joynts (baking, and their bowels trem- 
 bling, their fpirits troubled and their voices wjth 
 much fervency, uttering words of fore difpleafure 
 againft fin and Satan, which they had imbraqed 
 from their Childhood with fo much delight, ac- 
 counting it alfo now their fin that they had not the 
 knowledge of God. 
 
 Secondly, that they had ferved the Devil, the 
 Enemy both of God and Man, 
 
 Thirdly, that they were fo hurtfull in their lives, 
 and were alfo thankfull that now through the bleflT- 
 ing of God they had an opportunity to be delivered 
 out of that dangerous condition. The Indians did 
 all much rejoyce to fee the Pawwaws turn from 
 their wicked wayes to ferve the Lord. Not long 
 after the Pawaws had forfaken their old way, on a 
 Ledture day after Exercife diverfe Indians defired 
 to become the fervants of the Lord, amongft whom 
 was a Pawivaw, called Tequanoninii who was of 
 great efteem and very notorious ; for he as they 
 faid, and in their ignorance conceived, never did 
 hurt to any, but alwayes good, endeavouring the 
 good and prefervation o( the Indians ; whereunto 
 
 alfo 
 
( +3 ) 
 
 alfo he was accompted by them to be ftrongly pro- 
 vided. And as himfelf faid he had been pofTefled 
 from the crowne of his head to the foal of the foot 
 with Pawwawnomas, not onely in the (haye of living 
 Creatures, as Fowles, Fifties, and creeping things, 
 but Braffe, Iron, and Stone, it was therefore the 
 more to be acknowledge the work of God, that he 
 fliould this way, his friends, his gain, to follow the 
 Lord, whofe wayes are io defpifable in the eyes of 
 devillifli minded men. This Pawivaw declaring 
 by what means the Lord took him off this devillifli 
 Trade, faid that he had heard fome things from 
 my Father, who took occafion to difcourfe with 
 him about the way of true happineffe, that he 
 fliould never forget, bleffed be God, his Councell 
 had fo good an efFedt, as I hope it hath on many 
 others. It pleafed the Lord who will have all the 
 gods of the earth to be terrible unto him, for he 
 meeting Mumanequem in the wood by accident, told 
 him that he was glad he had an opportunity to 
 fpeak his minde unto him, for he had many fearch- 
 ings of heart about his Pawwawing, and did think 
 it w^as not a good way, and that God was angry with 
 him for i( ; for laid he my Wife hath been a long 
 time fick, and the more I Pawwaw for her, the 
 ficker flie is ; And this doth agree with our ob- 
 fervations of the Indians of this Ifland, viz that 
 fince the Word of God hath been taught unto 
 them in this place, the Pawwaws have been much 
 foiled in their devillifli taflcs, and that infl:ead of 
 curing have rather killed many; but in a word, 
 
 the 
 
( ++ ) 
 
 the fruit of this and all other means was a publique 
 manifeftation of hatred to his former wayes, won- 
 dering he was yet alive who was fo iinfull, and 
 that he defired to be better, and to beleeve in 
 Chrift, for whole fake onely, he did believe his 
 finnes could be pardoned, and that he did defirfe to 
 hear the word of God. This man hereby hath 
 made thofe of his owne houfe to be his Enemies ; 
 his Wife, his Children, and moft of his friends and 
 kindred, who remain obftinate ftill, whereby he 
 meets with many troubles and temptations ; one of 
 his brethren being very fick did earneftly defire 
 that he would Pawwaw for him, which he refufed, 
 his brother told him that he might keep it private, 
 but he ftill refufed, telling him that not withftanding 
 that if he fhould anfwer his defire, he fhould break 
 his Covenant, and finne againft God ; and there- 
 fore would not. 
 
 There came preffing in at the fame time about 
 fifty Indians defiring to joyne with the Worfhip- 
 pers of God in his fervice. it would be too long 
 me to fet doune what every one faid before they 
 entred into Covenant, only this I may not omit, 
 that all of them came confeffing their finnes, fome in 
 fpeciall the naughtinefife of their hearts, others in par- 
 ticular, adtuall finnes they had lived in ; and alfo they 
 all defired to be made better, and to attend unto the 
 Word of God, to that end looking onely to Chrift 
 Jefus for falvation. I obfervedalfo that they generally 
 came in by Families, bringing alfo their Children 
 with them, faying I have brought my Children too, I 
 
 would 
 
( +5 ) 
 
 would have my Cliildren ferve God with us, I de- 
 fire that this fon and this daughter may worflip 
 yehovah, and if they could but fpeak, their Parents 
 would have them fay fomethingto ftiew their will- 
 ingneffe to ferve God : And when the Command- 
 ments were repeated, they all acknowledged them 
 to be good, and made choice of "Jehovah to be 
 their God, promifing by his help to walk accord- 
 ing to his Counfels : And when they were received 
 by them that were before in this generall Covenant, 
 it was by loud voices giving thanks to God that 
 they were met together in the wayes of yehovah, 
 this is all before the end of the year 1650. 
 
 And now through the mercy of God there 
 are an hundred ninetie-nine, men women, and 
 children, that have profefled themfelves to be wor- 
 ftiippers of the great and everliving God. There 
 are now two meetings kept every Lords day, the 
 one three miles, the other about eight miles off my 
 houfe : Hiacomes teacheth twice a day at the near- 
 eft, and Mumanequen according at the fartheft, the 
 laft day of the week they come unto me to be in- 
 formed touching the fubjedl they are to handle: 
 And the Lord doth much affift them, blefled be the 
 name of the Lord. I have alio undertaking to keep 
 by tiie help of God two Ledtures amongft them, 
 which will be at each once a fortnight : And I 
 hope it will be by the bleffing of God very profitable 
 unto them. This winter I intend, if the Lord will, 
 to fet up a School to teach the Indians to read, viz. 
 the children, and alfo any young men that are will- 
 
 I ing 
 
( +6 ) 
 
 ing to leaine, whereof they are veVy glad. I am alfo 
 endeavouring their cohabitation with all convenient 
 fpeed, that fo they may be more helpful! one to 
 another ; and alio the better advantaged to carry 
 on that work they have fet upon to Gods glory, 
 and their own Comfort. And what I have written 
 concerning the Paimvaws and the fifty Indians that 
 were admitted to thofe that worfhipped God in 
 one day : there were diverfe Englijh both eye and 
 ear witneffes thereof, as well as my felfe, and we 
 could not but acknowledge much of the Lords 
 power and goodneffe to be vifible amongft them, 
 who without being driven by power, or allured by 
 gifts, were fo flrongly carried againft thofe wayes 
 they fo much loved, to love the way that nature 
 hates. Let us therefore magnifie the Lord, who 
 alone doth this, and feek unto him to do more and 
 more ftill, that fo one generation may praife his 
 works to another, and that fo both wee and them 
 may abundantly utter the memory of his great 
 goodneffe and power, in that new Song, Revela- 
 tions 5. 9. untill that we all meet together in 
 Heaven, And Jing glorious praijes unto him that Jit- 
 teth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever 
 and ever. In whom I heartily recommend you unto 
 God, defiring to be recommended by you, and in 
 him to reft. 
 From the Vineyard 1 6*^ 
 
 of OBober. 1 65 1 . Tours to be commended in 
 
 and for the Lord fefus 
 
 Thomas Mayhew. 
 
 The 
 
( 47 ) 
 
 The next Letter you meet withall came from the 
 prefent Governour of the Maffachulets, direBed to 
 the Prefdent of our Corporation, and another to the 
 Members thereof, njohich we thought good to publijh, 
 that every Chrijiian Reader may partake in the 
 fame confolation, wherewith he and we are com- 
 forted; and joy ne with us in preeyer to the Lord of 
 the Harveji, that he would provide more Labourers 
 to enter upon this foulfaving worke, and enlarge 
 the hearts of all his people in this Nation towards 
 the fame. 
 
 Much Honoured and beloved in the 
 Lord Jejus. 
 
 Efteeme it not the leaft of Gods 
 mercies that hath ftirred up the hearts 
 of any of the people of God to be 
 inftrumentall in the inlarging of the 
 Kingdome of his deare Sonne here 
 amongft the Heathen Indians, which was one end 
 of our comming hither, and it is not fruftrated. It 
 was prophefied of old, and now begins to be ac- 
 compliflied, Pfal. 2. 8. Neither can I but ac- 
 knowledge the unfpeakable goodnefle of God that 
 gives us favour in the fight of our Countrymen to 
 helpe on with fo large a hand of bounty, fo glori- 
 ous a woike, provoked thereunto by your worthy 
 felves, the chiefe Adtors of fo good a defigne, let 
 me (with leave) fay confidently^ you will never 
 
 have 
 
( +8 ) 
 
 have caufe to repent it ; For the work is Gods and 
 he doth owne it, the labour there hath been yours, 
 and your Mafter will reward it. I think Religion 
 and Confcience binde me to feek unto God for you, 
 and to praife him with you, for what is already 
 begun. The Foundation is laid, and fuch a one 
 that I verily beleeve the gates of Hell fhall never 
 prevaile againft. I doubt not but the building will 
 goe on apace, which I hope will make glad the 
 hearts of Thoufands. Truly Gentlemen, had you 
 been eare and eye- witnefle of what I heard and faw 
 on a Ledture-day amongft them about three weeks 
 fince, you could not but be afFedted therewith as I 
 was. To fpeak truly I could hardly refrain tears 
 for very joy to fee their dilligent attention to the 
 word firft taught by one of the Indians, who be- 
 fore his Exercife prayed for the manner devoutly 
 and reverently (the matter I did not fo well under- 
 ftanding) but it was with fuch reverence, zeale, 
 good afFedtion, and diftindt utterance, that I could 
 not but admire it; his prayer was about a quarter 
 of an houre or more, as we judge it ; then he took 
 his Text, and Mr Eliot their Teacher told us that 
 were Englijh the place there were fome Minifters 
 and diverfe other godly liicri there that attended 
 me thither, his Text was in Matth, 13, 44, 45, 46. 
 He continued in his Exercife full halfe an hour or 
 more, as I judge it, his gravity and utterance was 
 indeed very commendable ; which being done Mr 
 £//o/ taught in the Indian tongue about three quarters 
 of an hour as neer as I could guefle : the Indians 
 
 which 
 
( +9 ) 
 
 which were in number men and women neer about 
 one hundred, feemed the moft of them fo to attend 
 him, (the men efpecially) as if they would loofe no- 
 thing of what was taught them, which reflefted much 
 upon fome of our Engli/h hearers. After all there was 
 a Pfalme fung in the Indian tongue, and Indian meeter, 
 to an Engli/h tune, and by one of themfelves, that but 
 the reft might follow, and he read it very diftincSly 
 without miffing a word as we could judge, and the 
 reft fang chearfuUy, and prettie tuneablie, I rid on 
 purpofe thither being diftant from my dwelling 
 about thirty eight, or forty miles, and truly I ac- 
 count it of the beft Journeyes I made thefe many 
 years. Some few days after I defired Mr Eliot 
 briefly to write me the fubftance of the Indian 
 Exercife, which when he went thither again, 
 namely to Naticke, where the Indians dwell, and 
 where the Indian taught, he read what he remem- 
 bered of it firft to their School-Mafter who is an 
 Indian, and teacheth them and their Children to 
 write, and I faw him write alfo in Engli/h, who 
 doth it true and very legible, and a{ked him if it 
 were right, and he faid yea, alfo he read it unto 
 others, and to the man himfelf, who alfo owned it. 
 To tell you of their induftry and ingenuitie in 
 building of an houfe after the Engli/h manner, the 
 hewing and fquaring of their tymber, the fawing 
 of the boards themfelves, and making of a Chim- 
 ney in it, making of their groundfells and wall- 
 plates and mortefing, and letting in the ftudds into 
 them artificially, there being but one Engli/h man 
 
 a 
 
( 50 ) 
 
 P 
 
 a Carpenter to fhew them, being but two dayes 
 with them, is remarkable, they have alfo buih a 
 Fdrt there with halfe trees cleft about eight or ten 
 inches over about ten or twelve^ foot high, befides 
 what is intrencht in the ground, which is about a 
 quarter of an acre of ground, as I judge. They 
 have alfo built a foot bridge over Charks River, 
 with Groundlefs and Spurres to uphold it againft 
 the ftrength of the Flood and Ice in the Winter; 
 it flood firme laft Winter, and I think it will ftand 
 many Winters. They have made Drummes of 
 their owne with heads and brafes very neatly and 
 artificiall, all which (hews they are induftrious and 
 ingenious. And they intend to build a Water Mill 
 the next Summer, as I was told when I was with 
 them. Some of them have learnt to mow graffe 
 very well. I fhall no further trouble you with any 
 more Relation at this time concerning them. But 
 a word or two further with your patience concern- 
 ing other Indians. The work of God amongft the 
 Indians at Martins Vineyard, is very liopefull and 
 profperous alfo. I mift of Mr Mayhew their 
 Teacher, who was lately at Bcjion, and therefore 
 cannot give you a particular account thereof at this 
 prefent time; yet I cannot but acquaint you what 
 other motions there are touching other Indians, 
 There came to us upon the ao^'^ of this inftant 
 Moneth, at the generall Court one Pummakummin 
 Sachem oi i^unnubbagge, dwelling amongft or neer 
 to the Narrganfets, who offered himfelfe and his 
 Men to worfhip God, and defired that fome Eng- 
 
 lijh 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 lijli may be fent from the Majfachufets Government 
 to plant his River, that thereby he may be pertake 
 of Government, and may be inftruded by the 
 Englijh to know God. We fhall I hope take fome 
 care and cuurfe about it, and I hope we fhall have 
 more help to carry on that work alfo ; for their are 
 fome Scholars amongfl: us who addicfl themfelves 
 to the Study of the Indian Tongue. The Lord in 
 mercy recompence it unto your Bofomes, all that 
 labour of love vouchfafed to the poor Indians, 
 which are the hearty prayers, and earneft delire of, 
 much honoured. 
 
 Bofton the 2y^^ of 
 
 the Eight, 1651. Tour loving Friend in all 
 
 fervice of Chrijl, 
 John Endecott 
 
 The next thing we pre fent the Reader wit hall, is a 
 private pajfage from one in New England to his 
 godly Friend here, who was fo much affeBed there- 
 with, as he found out our Treafurer of the Corpora- 
 tion, by name Mr. Richard Floyd at the Mermaide 
 in Cheapfide, and defred it might be publijhed to the 
 world among ft other things when we Jhould publijh 
 and print what we received of like nature. And bow 
 ever it is but brief e in it felfe, yet full of fweetnejfe, 
 and plainnejfe of fpirit which we offer to thy view. 
 
 The 
 
( 52 ) 
 
 I He. beft News I can write you fom 
 New England is, the Lord is indeed 
 converting the Indians, and for the re- 
 frefhing of your heart, and the hearts 
 of all the godly with you ; I have fent 
 you the Relation of one Indian of two yeares pro- 
 feffion, that I took from his owne mouth by an 
 Interpreter, becaufe he cannot fpeak or underftand 
 one word of Englijh. 
 
 The Jirji ^ejiion was ; 
 
 Q,. How did you come firft to any fight of? 
 
 A. His anfwer was, Before the Lord did ever 
 bring any Englilli to us, my Confcience was exceed- 
 ingly trouhled for Jin, but after Mr Mayhew came to 
 preach, and had been here fome time, one chief Saga- 
 more did imbrace the Gqfpel, and hearing of him, I 
 went to him, and prayed him to fpeak fomething to 
 me concerning God, and the more I did fee of God, 
 the more I did fee my finne and I went away rejoyc- 
 ing, that I knew any thing of God, and alfo that I 
 faw my fnne. 
 
 Q. I pray what hurt doe you fee in finne? 
 
 A. Sin fayth he, is a continuall ficknefe in my 
 heart. 
 
 Q. What further evil! do you fee in finne? 
 
 A. I fee it to be a hreach of all Gods Command- 
 ments. 
 
 Q. Doe you fee any punilhment due to man for 
 finne ? 
 
 A. 
 
( 53 ) 
 
 A. Tea, fayth he I fee a righteous punijhment 
 
 from God due to manforjinne, which Jh all be by the 
 
 Devills in a -place like unto fire (not that I fpeake 
 
 of materiall fire, [faith he) where man Jhall be for 
 
 ever dying and never dye. 
 
 Q. Have you any hope to efcape this punifh- 
 ment ? 
 
 A. While I went on in the way of Indianifme / 
 had no hope, but did verily believe I Jhould goe to 
 that place, but now J have a little hope, and hope I 
 Jhall have more. 
 
 Q. By what meanes doe you look for any hope ? 
 
 A. Sayth he, by the fatisfaSiion of Chrifi. 
 
 I prayed the Interpreter to tell him from mee 
 that I would have him thinke much of the Satis- 
 fadlion of Chrifi, (and fo he told him) I prayed 
 him to returne me his Anfwer. 
 
 A. / thanke him kindly for his good Counfell, 
 it doth my heart good, fayd he, to hear any man 
 fpeake of Chrifi. 
 
 Q. What would you thinke if the Lord fhould 
 fave you from mifery ? 
 
 A. If the Lord, fayd he, would fave me from all 
 thefinne, that is in my heart, and from that mifery , 
 I Jhould exceedingly love God, and faith he, I Jhould 
 love a man that Jhould doe mee any good, much more 
 the Lord, if he Jhould doe this for me. 
 
 Q. Doe you thinke that God will doe you any 
 good for any good that is in you ? 
 
 A. Tea,fayth he, I take every thing as an An- 
 fwer of prayer. 
 
 K Q. But 
 
( 5+ ) 
 
 Q. But what fpeciall anfwer, have you taken 
 notice of? 
 
 A. Once my wife being three dayes and three 
 nights in labour I was refohed never to leave pray- 
 ing, till Jhe had deliverance, and at laji God did it, 
 and gave her afonne, and I called his name Return- 
 ing, becaufe all the while I went on in Indianifme / 
 was going from God, but now the Lord hath brought 
 mee to him bake againe. 
 
 By this time Captaine Gooking came to us, and 
 he afked him this Queftion : 
 
 Q. What he would thinke if he fliould finde 
 more affliftion and trouble in Gods wayes, then he 
 did in the way of Indianifme ?. 
 
 A. His anfwer was, when the Lord did firji 
 turne mee to himfelfe and his wayes, hejiripped me as 
 bare as my Jkinne, and if the Lord Jhouldftrip mee 
 as bare as my Jkinne againe, and, fo big Saggamore 
 Jhould come to mee and fay , I will give you fo big 
 Wampom,yo big Beaver, and leave this way, and 
 turne to us againe: I would fay, take your riches to 
 your f elf e, I would never forfake God and his wayes 
 againe. 
 
 This is a Relation taken by my felfe, 
 
 William French. 
 
 The laji Letter we offer to the Readers view, is a 
 Letter direBed to one of our f elves from Mr. 
 Thomas Allen, who came lately from New- England, 
 
 and 
 
( 55 ) 
 
 and is nons) fetled in the Minijiery at Norwitch in 
 Norfolke, wherein he beareth witnes to the reallitie 
 and truth of this noorke of the Lord in New Eng- 
 land begun upon the Indians, againji all fuch that 
 raife up falfe reports againji the fame, or fuch as 
 labour to weaken the fame, by lejaning the number 
 of fuch as are wrought upon by the .power of the 
 Gofpel preached to them. 
 
 Honored Sir ; 
 
 IT feems that fome of late have been lb impu- 
 dently bold (which I cannot f ufficiently wonder 
 at) as to report and publiquely affirme, that 
 there was no fuch thing as the preaching and dif- 
 perfing of the Gofpel amongfl: the Natives in New 
 England : Verily Sir, I doe beleeve that the Devill 
 himfelfe (who is the Father of Lyes) would not, 
 yea durft not have uttered fuch a notorious un- 
 truth as that was. Now although I confefle I have 
 not been preient at the places where the Indians 
 are wont to meete, to heaie fuch as dpe preach 
 unto them, by reafon of my bodily weaknes, and 
 indifpolition to travell fo farreinto the VV^ildernefle, 
 yet thus much I can teftific (if my Teftimony may be 
 of any ufe) being lately come over from New Eng- 
 land ; that there are divers perfons in feverall places, 
 who doe take paines, and labour in that Worke 
 there, viz not onely Mr. Eliot of Roxbury, who 
 hath preached among them for many yeares up & 
 
 downe 
 
( 56 ) 
 
 downe in the Jurifdidtion of the Majfachufets ; and 
 Mr. Mayhew, who for a good while hath taken 
 paines among the Indians at an Ifland called Mar- 
 tins Vineyard i but of late alfo Mr. Leveridge in the 
 Jurifdidtion of Plymouth, and Mr. Blynman, who 
 lives now in a new Plantation in the Pequotts 
 Countrey. As for the fuccefle of the Preaching 
 of the Gofpel unto the natives, I have heard Mr. 
 Eliot affirme, that he is fo well perfwaded of the 
 Worke of grace in fome of them, as that he could 
 comfortably joyne in Church fellowfliip with 
 them : M^'Mahew alfo (who came to fee mee a 
 little before my comming from thence) told me 
 that after Mr. Whitfeilds coming thence, (for he 
 had been upon that Ifland, as he came to the Bay, 
 and was prefent alio with Mr. Mahew among the 
 Indians) there were neer upon one hundred (I 
 think he faid Ninety and odd) perfons of them 
 more who came in to heare him preach unto them, 
 and fome Pawaws alfo, and one of fome Eminency 
 amongft them, who did acknowledge his Evill in 
 fuch doings, and made a Declaration of the man- 
 ner how he came at firft to be a Pawwaiv, the 
 which alfo Mr, Mahew did relate unto mee. Sir 
 that there is fuch a work in hand in New Eng- 
 land as the preaching of the Gofpel unto the Na- 
 tives there, all the Magiftrates and Minifters and 
 people in that place (who know any thing) will be 
 readie to atteft, and therefore fuch as dare affirme 
 the contrary, may as well fay, that the Sunne doth 
 not fhine at Noone day, when the fkie is cleere, 
 
 and 
 
{ 57 ) 
 
 and doc indeed deferve a Publique WitnelTe to be 
 borne againft them, for fuch a Publique, and no- 
 torious an untruth : The good Lord humble them 
 deeply for it, if it be his good will, and pardon it 
 to them through his grace in Chrift. 
 
 Thus Sir, not having further at this prefent to be 
 troublefome unto you, defiring an Intereft in your 
 earneft prayers for mee, befeeching the Lord to let 
 his prefence and blefling be with you, and upon 
 your great and weighty bufineffes, I take leave, 
 refting. 
 
 Norwich 8<^ 1 1™ Tour humble Servant in the Lord, 
 1651. Thomas Allen. 
 
 rms 
 
( 58 ) 
 
 THIS having prefented the Chriftian 
 Reader with a view of thofe things that 
 God hath brought to our hands, which we 
 of the Corporation conceive ourfelves bound in duty 
 to publijh to the world, looking upon it as one meanes 
 to advance the work in the hearts of Gods people, 
 and to Jlirre them up thereby to contribute more 
 freely towards the carrying on the fame : The reafon 
 wherefore we have publifhed fo many tejiimonialls, 
 and Jhall infert more, is becaufe too many that come 
 from thence labour to blaji the worke, by reporting 
 here that there is no fuch worke a foote in the 
 Countrey : or if it be it is but for the Loaves, &c if 
 any be truely converted, 'tis not above five or feven 
 at mofi ? Thefe things as they are very grievous 
 to us to heare, fo we take God to witnes, that as we 
 are in fincerity exercifed in a great deale of care 
 and travell to carry on the worke ; fo we publijh 
 to the world no more than what we have received, 
 and beleeve to be really true. And if thefe tefii- 
 monies related in the foregoing difcourfe, be not 
 fuficient to fatisfie any fill doubting Spirit, there 
 are fome eminent Gentlemen come from thence, who 
 are ready to refolve them in the truth hereof, as Mr. 
 Edward Hopkins, late Governour of Conedtacutt, 
 Mr. Francis Willoughby, [and others) a late 
 Magiftrate of the MafFachufets. Befides if any 
 Jhall repaire to Coopers Hall, we Jhall be willing to 
 Jhew them the origindll Copies we have received, 
 which we have tranfcribed for the Prejfe ; the time 
 
 for 
 
( -59 ) 
 
 for any to repaire thither is Saturday every weeke 
 between the houres of ten and twelve in the Morning, 
 where our Corporation Jit, and where we /hall 
 gladly take paines to fatisfie the doubts of any : 
 and thinke nothing too much wherein we may be 
 ferviceable to the Lord fefus in a worke having fo 
 much tendency to his glory in the propagation of his 
 Kingdome. 
 
 Signed in the name and by the 
 appointment of the faid Cor- 
 poration by William Steele Ef- 
 quire, Prefident, 
 
 FINIS 
 
'■'■^ % 
 
 # i ^ 
 
 *- - .,-#4;*