Conclusions and Orders made and agreed upon by divers Sachims and other principall men amongst the In­dians at Concord, in the end of the eleventh moneth, An. 1646.

• 1. THat every one that shall abuse themselves with wine or strong liquors, shall pay for every time so abusing them­selves, 20 s.
• 2. That there shall be no more Pawwowing amongst the Indians. And if any shall hereafter
  Pawwows are Witches or Sorcere [...]s that cure by help of the devill,
  Pawwow, both he that shall Pawwow, & he that shall procure him to Pawwow, shall pay 20 s. apeece.
• 3. They doe desire that they may be stirred up to seek after God.
• 4. They desire they may understand the wiles of Satan, and grow out of love with his suggestions, and temptations.
• 5. That they may fall upon some better course to improve their time, then formerly.
• 6. That they may be brought to the sight of the sinne of lying, and whosever shall be found faulty herein shall pay for the first offence 5 s. the second 10 s. the third 20 s.
• 7. Whosoever shall steale any thing from another, shall restore fourfold.
• 8. They desire that no Indian hereafter shall have any more but one wife.
• 9. They desire to prevent falling out of Indians one with ano­ther, and that they may live quietly one by another.
• 10. That they may labour after humility, and not be proud.
• 11. That when Indians doe wrong one to another, they may be lyable to censure by fine or the like, as the English are.
• 12. That they pay their debts to the English.
• 13. That they doe observe the Lords-Day, and whosoever shall prophane it shall pay 20 s.
• 14. That there shall not be allowance to pick Lice, as formerly, and eate them, and whosoever shall offend in this case shall pay for every louse a penny.
• [Page 5]15. They will weare their haire comely, as the English do, and whosoever shall offend here in shall pay 5 s.
• 16. They intend to reforme themselves, in their former greasing themselves, under the Penalty of 5 s. for every default.
• 17. They doe all resolve to set up prayer in their wigwams, and to
  A Wigwam is such a dwel­ling house as they live in.
  seek to God both before and after meate.
• 18. If any committhe sinne of fornication, being single persons, the man shall pay 20 s. and the woman 10 s.
• 19. If any man lie with a breast he shall die.
• 20. Whosoever shall play at their former games shall pay 10 s.
• 21. Whosoever shall commit adultery shall be put to death.
• 22. Wilfull Murder shall be punished with death.
• 23. They shall not disguise themselves in their mournings, as for­merly; nor shall they keep a great noyse by howling.
• 24. The old Ceremony of the Maide walking alone and living apart so many dayes 20 s.
• 25. No Indian shall take an English mans
  A Canooe is a small Boate.
  Canooe without leave under the penaltie of 5 s.
• 26. No Indian shall come into any English mans house except he first knock: and this they expect from the English.
• 27. Whosoever beats his wife shall pay 20 s.
• 28. If any Indian shall fall out with, and beate another Indian, he shall pay 20 s.
• 29. They desire they may bee a towne, and either to dwell on this side the Beare Swamp, or at the East side of Mr. Flints Pond.

Immediatly after these things were agreed upon, most of the Indians of these parts, set up Prayer morning and evening in their families, and before and after meat. They also generally cut their haire, and were more civill in their carriage to the English then formerly. And they doe manifest a great willingnesse to con­form themselves to the civill fashions of the English. The Lords day they keepe a day of rest, and minister what edification they can to one another. These former orders were put into this forme by Captaine Simond Willard of Concord, whom the Indians with unanimous consent intreated to bee their Recorder, being very solicitous that what they did agree upon might be faithfully pre­served without alteration.

These things thus wrought in a short time about Concord side, I looke upon as fruits of the ministery of the Word; for although their high esteem bred lately in them, especially the chief and best of the English, together with that mean esteem many of them have of themselves, and therefore will call themselves sometimes poore Creatures, when they see and heare of their great distance from others of the English; I say, although these things may be some causes of making these orders and walking in these courses, yet the chiefe cause seemes to bee the power of the Word, which hath been the chiefe cause of these Orders, and therefore it is that un­till now of late they never so much as thought of any of these things.

I am not able to acquaint you very much from my owne eye and care witnesse of things, for you know the neare relation between me and the fire side usually all winter time, onely I shall impart two or three things more of what I have heard and seen, and the rest I shall relate to you as I have received from faithfull witnesses, who testifie nothing to me by their writings, but what is seene in the open Sun, and done in the view of all the world, and generally known to be true of people abiding in these parts wee live in.

As soone as ever the fiercenesse of the winter was past, March. 3. 1647. I went out to Noonanetum to the Indian Lecture, where Mr. Willson, Mr. Alleu, of Dedham, Mr. Dunster, beside many otherChristains were present; on which day perceiving divers of the In­dian women well affected, and considering that their soules might stand in need of answer to their scruples as well as the mens; & yet because we knew how unfit it was for women so much as to aske questions publiquely immediatly by themselves; wee did therefore desire them to propound any questions they would bee resolved about by first acquainting either their Husbands, or the Interpreter privately therewith: whereupon we heard two que­stions thus orderly propounded; which because they are the first that ever were propounded by Indian women in such an ordi­nance that ever wee heard of, and because they may bee other­wise usefull, I shall therefore set them downe.

The first question was propounded by the wise of one Wampooas a well affected Indian, viz. ‘whether (said she) do I pray when [Page 7] my husband prayes if I speak nothing as he doth, yet if I like what he saith, and my heart goes with it?’ (for the Indians will many times pray with their wives, and with their children also sometime in the fields) shee therefore searing lest prayer should onely be an externall action of the lips, enquired if it might not be also an inward action of the heart, if she liked of what he said.

The second question was propounded by the Wise of one Tother­swampe, her meaning in her question (as wee all perceived) was this, viz. ‘Whether a husband should do well to pray with his wife, and yet continue in his passions; & be angry with his wife?’ But the modesty and wisdome of the woman directed her to doe three things in one, sor thus shee spake to us, viz. ‘Before my husband did pray hee was much angry and froward, but since hee hath begun to pray hee was not angry so much, but little angry:’ wherein first shee gave an honorable testimo­ny of her husband and commended him for the abatement of his passion; secondly, shee gave implicitly a secret reproofe for what was past, and for somewhat at present that was amisse; and thirdly, it was intended by her as a question whether her husband should pray to God, and yet continue in some unruly passions; but she wifely avoyded that, l [...]st it might reflect too much upon him, although wee desired her to expresse if that was not her meaning.

At this time (beside these questions) there were sundry others propounded of very good use, in all which we saw the Lord Jesus leading them to make narrow inquiries into the things of God, that so they might see the reality of them. I have heard few Christians when they begin to looke toward God, make more searching questions that they might see things really, and not onely have a notion of them: I for beare to mention any of them, because I forget the chiefe of them; onely this wee tooke notice of at this dayes meeting, that there was an aged Indian who proposed his complaint in propounding his question concerning an unruly disobedient son, and "what one should do with him "in case of obstinacy and disobedience, and that will not heare "Gods Word, though his Father command him, nor will not "forsake his drunkennesse, though his father forbid him? Unto which there were many answers to set forth the sinne of disobe­dience [Page 8] to parents; which were the more quickned and sharpned because wee knew that this rebellious sonne whom the old man meant, was by Gods providence present at this Lecture: Mr. Wilson was much inlarged, and spake so terribly, yet so graciously as might have affected a heart not quite shut up, which this young desperado hearing (who well understood the English tongue) instead of humbling himself before the Lords Word, which touch­ed his conscience and condition so neare, hee was filled with a spirit of Satan, and as soone as ever Mr. Wilsons speech was ended hee brake out into a loud contemptucus expression; So, saith he: which we passed by without speaking againe, leaving the Word with him, which we knew would one day take its effect one way or other upon him.

The latter end of this yeare Mr. Wilson, Mr. Eliot, and my selfe were sent for by those in Tarmoutb to meet with some other El­ders of Plimoutb pattent, to heare and heale (if it were the will of Christ) the difference and sad breaches which have been too long a time among them, wherein the Lord was very mercifull to us and them in binding them up beyond our thoughts in a very short time, in giving not only that bruised Church but the whole Towne also a hopefull beginning of setled peace and future quietnesse; but Mr. Eliot as hee takes all other advantages of time, so hee tooke this, of speaking with, and preaching to the poore Indians in these remote places about Cape Cod: in which journey I shall acquaint you with what all of us observed.

Wee first found these Indians (not very farre from ours) to un­derstand (but with much difficulty) the usuall language of those in our parts, partly in regard of the different dialect which ge­nerally varies in 40. or 60. miles, and partly and especially in regard of their not being accustomed unto sacred language about the holy things of God, wherein Mr. Eliot excells any other of the English, that in the Indian language about common matters excell him: I say therefore although they did with much diffi­culty understand him, yet they did understand him, although by many circumlocutions and variations of speech and the helpe of one or two Interpreters which were then present.

Secondly, wee observed much opposition against him, and hea­ring of him at the day appointed, especially by one of the chiefest [Page 9] Sacbims in those parts, a man of a fierce, strong and surious spi­rit whom the English therefore call by the name John: who al­though before the day appointed for preaching, promised very faire that he would come and bring his men with him; yet that very morning when they were to bee present, he sends out almost all his men to Sea, pretending fishing, and therefore although at last he came late himselfe to the Sermon, yet his men were ab­sent, and when he came himself, would not seem to understand any thing, although hee did understand as some of the Indians themselves then told us, when Mr. Eliot by himself and by them inquired of him if he understood what was spoken: yet he con­tinued hearing what was said with a dogged looke and a discon­tented countenance.

Thirdly, not withstanding this opposition wee found another Sachim then present willing to learne, and divers of his men at­tentive and knowing what was said: and in the time which is usu­ally set apart for propounding questions, an aged Indian told us openly, ‘That these very things which Mr. Eliot had taugh: them as the Commandements of God, and concerning God, and the making of the world by one God, that they had heard some old men who were now dead, to say the same things, since whose death there hath been no remembrance or know­ledge of them among the Indians untill now they heare of them againe.’ Which when I heard solemnly spoken, I could not tell how those old Indians should attaine to such knowledge, un­lesse perhaps by means of the French Preacher cast upon those coasts many yeers since, by whose ministry they might possibly reape and retaine some knowledge of those things; this also I hear by a godly and able Christain who hath much converse with them; that many of them have this apprehension now stir­ring among them, viz. ‘That their forefathers did know God, but that after this, they sell into a great sleep, and when they did awaken they quite forgot him,’ (for under such metaphori­call language they usually expresse what eminent things they meane:) so that it may seeme to be the day of the Lords gracious visitation of these poore Natives, which is just as it is with all other people, when they are most low, the wheele then turnes, and the Lord remembers to have mercy.

Fourthly, a fourth and last observation wee took, was the sto­ry of an Indian in those parts, telling us of his dreame many yeers since, which he told us of openly before many witnesses when we sate at meat: the dreame is this, hee said ‘That about two yeers before the English came over into those parts there was a great mortality among the Indians, and one night he could not sleep above half the night, after which hee fell into a dream, in which he did think he saw a great many men come to those parts in cloths, just as the English now are apparelled, and a­mong them there a rose up a man all in black, with a thing in his hand which hee now sees was all one English mans book; this black man he said stood upon a higher place then all the rest, and on the one side of him were the English, on the other a great number of Indians: this man told all the Indians that God was moosquantum or angry with them, and that he would kill them for their sinnes, whereupon he said himself stood up, and desired to know of the black man what God would do with him and his Squaw and Papooses but the black man would not answer him a first time, nor yet a second time, untill he desired the third time, and then he smil'd upon him, and told him that he and his Papooses should be safe, and that God would give unto them Mitcheu, (i. e.) victualls and other good things, and so hee awakened.’ What similitude this dream hath with the truth accomplished, you may easily see. I attribute little to dreams, yet God may speak to such by them rather then to those who have a more sure Word to direct and warn them, yet this dream made us think surely this Indian will regard the black man now come among them rather then any others of them: but whether Satan, or fear, and guilt, or world prevailed, we can­not say, but this is certaine, that he withdrew from the Sermon, and although hee came at the latter end of it, as hoping it had been done, yet we could not perswade him then to stay and hear, but away he flung, and we saw him no more till next day.

From this third of March untill the latter end of this Summer I could not be present at the Indian Lectures, but when I came this last time, I marvailed to see so many Indian men, women and children in English apparell, they being at Noonan [...]tum gene­rally clad, especially upon Lecture dayes, which they have got [Page 11] partly by gift from the English, and partly by their own labours, by which some of them have very handsomely apparelled them­selves, & you would scare know them from English people. There is one thing more which I would acquaint you with, which hap­ned this Summer, viz. June 9. the first day of the Synods meet­ing at Cambridge, where the forenoon was spent in hearing a Sermon preached by one of the Elders as a preparative to the worke of the Synod, the afternoon was spent in hearing an In­dian Lecture where there was a great confluence of Indians all parts to heare Mr. Eliot, which we conceived not unseasonable at such a time, partly that the reports of Gods worke begun among them, might be seen and beleeved of the chief who were then sent and met from all the Churches of Christ in the Countrey, who could hardly beleeve the reports they had received concerning these new stirs among the Indians, and partly hereby to raise up a greater spirit of prayer for the carrying on of the work begun upon the Indians, among all the Churches and servants of the Lord Jesus: The Sermon was spent in shewing them their mise­rable condition without Christ, out of Ephes. 2. 1. that they were dead in trespasses and sinnes, and in pointing unto them the Lord Jesus, who onely could quicken them.

When the Sermon was done, there was a convenient space of time spent in hearing those questions which the Indians pub­likely propounded, and in giving answers to them; one question was, What Countrey man Christ was, and where he was borne? Another was, How farre off that place was from us here? Another was, Where Christ now was?

And another, How they might lay hold on him, and where, being now absent from them? with some other to this purpose; which received full answers from severall hands. But that which I note is this, that their gracious attention to the Word, the affections and mournings of some of them under it, their sober propoun­ding of divers spirituall questions, their aptnesse to understand and beleeve what was replyed to them, the readlinesse of divers poore naked children to answer openly the chief questions in Catechism which were formerly taught them, and such like ap­pearances of a great change upon them, did marvellously affect all the wise and godly Ministers, Magistrates, & people, and did [Page 12] raise their hearts up to great thankfulnesse to God; very many deeply and abundantly mourning for joy to see such a blessed day, and the Lord Jesus so much known and spoken of among such as never heard of him before: So that if any in England doubt of the truth of what was formerly w [...]it, or if any malignant eye shall question and v [...]e this work, they will now speak too late, for what was here done at Cambridge was not set under a Bushell, but in the open Sunne, that what Thomas would not be­leeve by the reports of others, he might be forced to beleeve, by seeing with his own eyes and feeling Christ Jesus thus risen a­mong them with his own hands.

I have done with what I have observed my self; I shall there­fore proceed to give you a true relation of what I have heard from others, and many faithfull witnesses have seene: and first I shall speake a little more of the old man who is mentioned in the story now in print; this old man hath much affection stirred up. by the Word, and comming to Mr. Eliots house (for of him I had this story) Mr. Eliot told him that because he brought his wife & all his children constantly to the Lecture, that he would there­fore bestow some Cloths upon him, (it being now winter & the old man naked:) which promise he not certainly understanding the meaning of, asked therefore of another Indian (who is Mr. Eliots servant and very hopefull) what it was that Mr. Eliot pro­mised him? he told him that hee said hee would give him some Cloths; which when hee understood, hee affectionately brake out into these expressions, God I see is mercifull: a blessed, because a plain hearted affectionate speech, and worthy English mens thoughts when they put on their Cloths; to thinke that a poor blind Indian that scarce ever heard of God before, that he should see not only God in his Cloths, but mercy also in a promise of a cast off worne sute of Cloths, which were then given him, and which now he daily weares. But to proceed;

This same old man (as I think a little before hee had these Cloths) after an Indian Lecture, when they usually come to pre­pound questions; instead of asking a question, began to speak to the rest of the Indians, and brake out into many expressions of wond [...]ing at Gods goodnesse unto them, that the Lord should at last look upon them and send his Word as a light unto them [Page 13] that had been in darknesse and such grosse ignorance so long; me wonder (saith he) at God that he should thus deale with us. This speech expressed in many words in the Indian Languages, and with strong actings of his eyes and hands, being interpreted after­ward to the English, did much also affect all of them that were present this Lecture also.

There were this winter many other questions propounded, which were writ down by Mr. Edward Jackson one of our Town, constantly present at these Lectures, to take notes both of the que­stions made by the Indians and returned by Mr. Eliot to them; this man having sent me in his notes, I shall send you a tast of some of them.

1 Why some men were so bad, that they hate those men that would teach them good things?

2 Whether the devill or man were made first?

3 Whether if a father prayes to God to teach his sons to know him, and he doth teach them himself and they will not learn to know God, what should such fathers doe? (this was propounded by an old man that had rude children.)

4 A Indian wo­man. Squaw propounded this question, Whether she might not go & pray in some private place in the woods, when her husband was not at home, because she was ashamed to pray in the Wigwam before company?

5 How may one know wicked men, who are good and who are bad?

6 To what Nation Jesus Christ came first unto, and when?

7 If a man should be inclosed in Iron a foot thick and thrown into the fire, what would become of his soule, whether could the soule come forth th [...]ce or not?

8 Why did not God give all men good hearts that they might bee good?

9 If one should be taken among strange Indians that know not God, and they would make him to fight against some that he should not and be refuse, and for his refusall they kill him, what would become of his soule in such a case? This was propounded by a They hold that their stout and vali [...] an [...] men have a reward after death. stout fellow who was affected.

10 How long it is before men beleeve that have the Word of God made known to them?

11 How they should know when their faith is good, and their prayers good prayers?

[Page 14]12 Why did not God kill the Devill that made all men so bad, God having all power?

13 If we be made weak by sinne in our hearts, how can we come be­fore God to sanctifie a Sabbath?

There were many more questions of this kind, as also many Philosophicall about the Sunne, Moon, Stats, Earth and Seas, Thunder, Lightning, Earthquakes, &c. which I forbear to make mention of, lest I should clog your time with reading, toge­ther with the various answers to them: by these you may per­ceive in what streame their minds are carried, and that the Lord Jesus hath at last an enquiring people among these poor naked men, that formerly never so much as thought of him; which questionings and enquiries are accounted of by some as part of the whitenings of the harvest toward, wherever they are found among any people, the good and benefit that comes to them hereby is and will be exceeding great.

We had this year a malignant drunken Indian, that (to cast some reproach, as wee feared, upon this way) boldly propounded this question, Mr. Eliot (said he) Who made Sack? who made Sack? but he was soon snib'd by the other Indians, calling it That is a childish question. a Papoose question, and seriously and gravely answered (not so much to his question, as to his spirit) by Mr. Eliot, which hath cooled his boldnesse ever since, while others have gone on comfortably in this profitable and pleasant way.

The man who sent me these and the like questions with their severall answers in writing, concluded his letter with this story, which I shall here insert, that you may see the more of God a­mong these poore people:

These things me thinkes should move bowels, and awaken Eng­lish hearts to be thankfull, it is no small part of Religion to awa­ken with God in family prayer, (as it seems these doe it early) and to crave a blessing with affectionate hearts upon a homely dinner, perhaps parcht Corne or Indian stalks: I wish the like hearts and wayes were seen in many English who professe them­selves Christians, and that herein and many the like excellencies they were become Indians, excepting that name, as he did in ano­ther case, except his bonds: and that you may see not only how farre Religion, but civility hath taken place among them, you may be pleased therefore to peruse this Court Order, which is here inserted.

The Order made last Generall Court at Boston the 26. of May, 1647. concerning the Indians, &c.

VPon information that the Indians dwelling among us, and submitted to our government, being by the Ministry of the Word brought to some civility, are desirous to have a course of ordinary Judicature set up among them: It is therefore or­dered by authority of this Court, that some one or more of the Magistrates, as they shall agree amongst themselves, shall once every quarter keep a Court at such place, where the Indians or­dinarily assemble to hear the Word of God, and may then hear and determine all causes both civill and criminall, not being ca­pitall, concerning the Indians only, and that the Indian Sachimsshall have libertie to take order in the nature of Summons or At­tachments, to bring any of their own people to the said Courts, and to keep a Court of themselves, every moneth if they see occa­sion, to determine small causes of a civill nature, and such smaller criminall causes, as the said Magistrates shall referre to them; and the said Sachims shall appoint Officers to serve Warrante, and to [Page 16] execute the Orders and Judgements of either of the said Courts, which Officers shall from time to time bee allowed by the said Magistrates in the quarter Courts or by the Gover­nour: And that all sines to bee imposed upon any Indian in any of the said Courts, shall goe and bee bestowed towards the building of some meeting houses, for education of their poorer children in learning, or other publick use, by the ad­vice of the said Magistrates and of Master Eliot, or of such other Elder, as shall ordinarily instruct them in the true Religi­on. And it is the desire of this Court, that these Magistrates and Mr. Eliot or such other Elders as shall attend the keeping of the said Courts will carefully indeavour to make the Indians under­stand our most usefull Lawes, and the principles of reason, justice and equity whereupon they are grounded, & it is desired that some care may be taken of the Indians on the Lords dayes.

Thus having had a desire to acquaint you with these procee­dings among the Indians, and being desirous that you might more fully understand, especially from him who is best able to judge, I did therefore intreat my brother Eliot after some confe­rence about these things, to set down under his own hand what he hath observed lately among them: which I do therefore herein send unto you in his owne hand writing as he sent it unto mee, which I think is worthy all Christian thankfull eares to heare, and wherein they may see a little of the Spirit of this man of God, whom in other respects, but especially for his unwearied­nesse in this work of God, going up and down among them and doing them good, I think we can never love nor honour enough.

Let me adde this Postscript, that there be two reasons that make me beleeve the Lords time is come to make a preparative at least for the comming of his grace, and kingdome among them. First, that he hath bowed their hearts, who were as averse, and as farre off from God, as any heathen in the world; and their hearts be­gin to bow more and more. Secondly, because the Lord hath raised a mighty spirit of prayer in this behalfe in all the Churches.

This Relation of Mr. Eliots I know many things therein to be true, & all the rest I have heard confirmed by credible persons, eye & eare witnesses ofthese things, and they are familiarly known in these parts. I know also that Mr. Eliot writes (as his spirit is) modestly and sparingly, and speaks the least in sundry particu­lars; for in his story of the repentance and publike admonition of his own man, page 23. hee saith he manifested many teares in publike, but I heard it from many then present that there were so many, as that the dry place of the Wigmom, where hee stood [Page 30] was bedirtied with them, powring them out so abundantly. In­dians are well known not to bee much subject to teares, no not when they come to feele the sorest torture, or are solemnly brought forth to die; and if the Word workes these teares, surely there is some conquering power of Christ Jesus stirring among them, which what it will end in at last, the Lord belt knows. If Mr. Brigbtmans interpretation of Daniels prophesie be true, that Anno 1650. Europe will hear some of the best tidings that ever came into the world, viz. rumors from the Easterne Jews, which shall trouble the Turkish tyrant and shake his Pillars when they are comming to repossesse their own land, for which they will be wrastling (if my memory failes not, according to his notion) about 40. yeers; I shall hope then that these Westerne Indians will soon come in, and that these beginnings are but pre­paratives for a brighter day then we yet see among them, wherein East & West shall sing the song of the Lambe: but I have no skill in prophesies, nor do I beleeve every mans interpretation of such Scri­pture; but this is certain, God is at work among these; and it is not usual for the Sun to set as soon as it begins to rise, nor for the Lord to Jesus to lose an inch of ground in the recovering times of his Churches peace and his own eclipsed and forgotten glo­ry, (if these bee such times) untill hee hath won the whole field, and driven the Prince of darknesse out of it, who is but a bold usurper of the Lord Jesus inheritance, to whom are given the utmost ends of the earth. When Charles the Great had bro­ken the chief power of the barbarous and fierce Saxons in Ger­many, he made this the onely article of peace, that they should entertain such a Gospel as good then as the degenerate Christi­an world could affoord, and for that end admit of a Monastery among them of such men as might instruct them, and this course prevailed, if wee may beleeve Crantzius lib. ch. 1, 2. Crantzius the Historian of those times, and shall wee think that when the Lord Jesus hath set up not a Monastery of workes but Churches of Saints in these toasts to encourage the ministry and this work of Christ, that his blessed Gospel cannot or shall not in these dayes take some effect since it hath broke so far? I dare conclude nothing, onely it will be our comfort in the day of our accounts, that wee have endeavored something this way; and it may be this very indea­vour [Page 31] shall be our peace. Gildas our British Historian observing that one cause why God let loose the Saxons to scourge and root out the Britaines, was their deep carelesnesse of communica­ting, unto them the Christian Religion, when they had their spirits at fit advantage: but I dare not discourse of these matters.

One thing more I remember concerning Mr. Eliots conference with a Narraganset Sachim a sober man this yeer; after that he had taught this Sachim the Law of God and had shewen Lim the means of salvation by Christ; he then asked him if he did know And understand those things? and hesaid, yes. He then asked him if he did beleeve them? but hee could not get any answer from him that way, but did seeme to take them into more serious thoughts. He then asked him, why they did not learn of Mr. Williams who hath lived among them divers yeers? and he so­berly answered that they did not care to learn of him, because hee is no good man but goes out and workes upon the Sabbath day; I name it not to shew what glimmerings nature may have concerning the observation of the Sabbath, but to shew what the ill example of English may doe, and to see what a stumbling block to all Religion the loose observation of the Sabbath is, however mans shifting wits may find out evasions, to get loose from out of that net.

But this may serve to satisfie your own or others desires con­cerning the progresse of the Gospel among the Indians: the Lord Jesus seemes at this day to bee turning upside down the whole frame of things in the world, Kings Parliaments, Ar­mies, Kingdomes, Authorities, Churches, Ministers, and if out of his free grace hee looks not upon these hopefull beginnings, these will be so turned also; for opposition there is from men and devils against it, and I have feared in my own heart that within these few moneths there hath been some coolings among the best of these Indians; but wee find it so also among ma­ny people that are English in their first work, but the Lord Jesus revives again; and therefore Mr. Eliot of late having told them that hee was afraid that they began to bee weary. they took it to heart, and propounded in my hearing at a late Indian La­cture at Noonanetum many profitable questions, viz. When they [Page 32] prayed and heard the Word aright? and how they might know when they were weary of them? And what time it might bee before the Lord might come and make them know him? And what the first sinne of the Devils was? (Hee discoursing to them about the danger of Apo­stasie) At this time they are (as you may perceive by Mr. Eliots writings) about fencing in their ground and Town given them some hundreds of Acres, with a stone fence, for which end Mr. Eliot provides them Mattocks, Shovels and Crowes of Iron, &c. and to encourage their slothfulnesse, promised to give a groat or six pence a rod, if they would thus farre attend their own good, and work for themselves: all the poor Indians at Noonane­tum are generally clad with such cloths as wee can get them, and the Wigwams of the meanest of them equallize any Sachims in other places, being built not with mats but barks of Trees in good bignesse, the rather that they may have their par­titions in them for husbands and wives togeather, and their children and servants in their places also, who formerly were never private in what nature is ashamed of, either for the sun or any man to see. It's some refreshing to thinke that there is (if there was no more but) the name of Christ sounding in those darke and despicable Tartarian Tents; the Lord can build them houses in time to pray in, when hee hath given unto them bet­ter hearts, and when perhaps hee hath cursed and consumed theirs who have disdained to give that worship and homage to Christ in their seiled houses, which poor Indians rejoyee to give to him in their poor Tents and Wigwams: I desire you to gather what stock of prayers you can for them. I had almost forgot to tell you of Mr. Eliots going up the Country lately with Mr. Flint, Captain Willard of Concord, and sundry others, towards Merrimath River unto that Indian Sachim Passaconna­way, that old Witch and Powwaw, who together with both his sons, fled the presence of the light, and durst not stand their ground, nor be at home when he came, pretending feare of be­ing killed by a man forsooth that came only with a book in his hand, and with a few others without any weapons only to bear him company and direct his way in those deserts, but in it you may see the guilt of the man, & that Satan is but a coward in his Lyons skin even upon his own dunghill, as also the hatred and [Page 33] enmity against the Word which is in some, which argues that the attention which others give to it, is a power of God, and not meerly to flatter and get favour with the English: but the rest of Passaconnawaies men attended to the things which were spo­ken and asked divers questions, the Indians in our parts accom­panying Mr. Eliot and giving blessed examples to the others herein, as also in saying Grace before and after meat, praying in their Wigwams with them, and some of them singing of Psalmes, which they have learnt among the English: discoursing also with them about the things of God. It is somewhat observable (though the observation bee more cheerfull then deep) that the first Text out of which Mr. Eliot preached to the Indians was about the dry bones, Ezek. 37. where it's said, Vers. 9, 10. that by propbesying to the wind, the wind came and the dry bones lived; now the Indian word for Wind is Waubon, and the most active Indian for stirring up other Indians to seek after the knowledg of God in these parts, his name is Waubon, which signifies Wind, (the Indians giving names to their children usually according to appearances of providences) although they never dreamt of this, that this their Waubon should breathe such a spirit of life and incouragement in­to the rest of the Indians. as hee hath indeavored in all parts of the Countrey, both at Concord, Merrimeek and elsewhere; but some of the Indians themselves that were stir'd up by him took notice of this his name and that Scripture together, and the Eng­lish also have much observed him herein, who still continues the same man, although we thinke there be now many others whom he first breathed encouragement into that do farre exceed him in the light and life of the things of God: Mr. Eliot also professing that he chose that Text without the least thought of any such application in respect of Waubon.

There have been many difficult questions propounded by them, which we have been unwilling to engage our selves in any an­swer unto, untill wee have the concurrence of others with ns.

First, suppose a man before hee knew God, hath had two wives, the first barren and childlesse, the second fruitfull and bear­ing him many sweet children, the question now propounded was, which of these two wives he is to put away? if hee puts away; the first who hath no children, then hee puts away her whom God and Religion undoubtedly binds him unto, there [Page 34] being no other defect but want of children: if hee puts away the other, then he must cast off all his children with her also as illegitimate, whom hee so exceedingly loves. This is a case now among them, and they are very fearefull to do any thing crosse to Gods will and mind herein.

Secondly, suppose a man marry a Sqaw, and shee deserts and flies from her husband, and commits adultery with other remote Indians, but afterward it come to passe that shee hearing the Word, and sorry for what shee hath done, she desires to come to her husband againe, who remaines still unmarried; Whether should this husband upon her repentance receive her againe? and whether in be not bound thereunto so to doe?

At the last Lecture at Noonanetum this September, there were divers questions asked: one was propounded by an old Sqaw, a Widow; viz. If when men know God, God loves them, why then is it that any one are afflicted after that they know him? I shall men­tion no more, but conclude with the solemn speech of a sober and hopefull Indian at this Lecture, whose name is Wampooas, who in stead of propounding a question fell into these expressi­ons, viz. ‘That because wee pray to God, other Indians abroad in the countrey hate us and oppose us, the English on the other side suspect us, and feare us to be still such as doe not pray at all; but (saith he) God who knowes all things, he knowes that wee do pray to him.’ To which speech Mr. Eliot replyed, that it was true indeed, that some of the English did so far suspect them for sundry reasons; but I doe not so, and others of us, who know you and speake with you, we do not so think of you; and then gave them gracious and serious incouragements to goe forward and make more progresse in the things of God. This their own testimony of themselves being propounded with much sweetnesse and seriousnesse of affection, may be the last, although it be the least confirmation of some inward worke among them; which I looked upon as a speciall providence that such a speech should be spoken and come to my eare just at such a time as this, wherein I was finishing the story, to confirme in some measure what hath been written; the Lord himself I beleeve and no man living, putting these words into their own hearts, to give this mo­dest testimony concerning themselves. The beginning of this enlargement of Christs Kingdome should inlarge our hearts with [Page 35] great joy. If I should gather and summe up together the seve­rall gracious impressions of God upon them from what hath been scattered here and there in the story, I thinke it might make many Christians ashamed, who may easily see how farre they are exceeded by these naked men in so short a [...] ime thus wrought up­on by such small and despicable means. My brother Eliot who is Preacher to them, proselling he can as yet but stammer out some peeces of the Word of God unto them in their own tongue; but God is with him, and God is wont to be maximus in minimis, and is most seene in doing great things by small meanes. The Sword of Gods Word shall and will pierce deep, even when it is half broken, when the hand of a mighty Redeemer hath the laying of it on: and the Scripture herein is, and must be fulfilled, that as soon as the heathen heare Christ they shall submit, Psal. 18. 43, 44. and such nations whom Christ knew not shall run unto him, Isai. 55. 5. The fall of the unbeleving Jewes was the rising of the Gentiles; my prayer to God therefore for Europe is, that the fall of the Churches, (little bettered by the devouring Sword which is still thirsty) may not bee the rising of these Ame­rican Gentiles, never pitied till now. I wish that Alsted ius pro­phesie Alsted in Ap [...]t, herein may never prove true; but rather that the rising of these may be a provoking and raising up of them, especially of the English, to lament after that God whom they have forsaken; and to lament after him, together with us, for these poor Indi­ans who never yet knew him.

Sir, I had ended these relations once or twice, but the stay of the Vessell increaseth new matter; which because [...]is new and fresh, you shall have it as I heard of it from a faithfull hand: There were sundry questions propounded at the Indian Lecture at Noonanetum this Octob. 13. by the Indians: the first was pro­pounded to Mr. Eliot himself upon occasion of his Sermon out of Ephes. 5. 11. Have no fellowship with unfruitfull workers of darknes, viz. What English men did thinke of Mr. Eliot because be came among wicked Indians to teach them?

Secondly, Suppose two men sinne, the one knowes be sinneth, and the other doth not know sinne, will God punish both alike?

Thirdly, Suppose there should be one wise Indian that teacheth good things to other Indians, whether should not he be as a father or brother unto [Page 36] such Indians he so teacheth in the wayes of God? This last question seemes to argue some motions stirring in some of their hearts to pity and teach their poor Countreymen; and surely then will bee the most hopefull time of doing good among them, when the Lord shall raise up some or other like themselves to go among them and preach the Word of life unto them with fatherly or brotherly bowels; and yet I limit not the most High, who can make use of what Instruments hee pleaseth for this work. I shall conclude therefore with a story I had both by writing and word of mouth, from a faithfull Mr. Edward Jackson. man which hee saw with his own eyes this Octob. 7. There was one of the Indians at Noonane­tum, hath had a child sick of a Consumption many a day, and at that time died of it; when it was dead, some of the Indians came to an honest man to enquire how they should bury their dead; the man told them how and what the English did when they buried theirs; hereupon rejecting all their old superstiti­ous observances at such sad times (which are not a few) they presently procured a few boards, and buy a few [...]yles of the English, and so make a pretty handsome Coffin, (for they are very dextrous at any thing they see once done) and put the child in to it, and so accompanied it to the grave very solemnly, about 40. Indians of them: when the earth was cast upon it and the grave made up, they withdrew a little from that place, and went all together and assembled under a Tree in the Woods, and there they desired one Tutaswampe a very hopefull Indian to pray with them; now although the English do not usually meet in com­panies to pray together after such sad occasions, yet it seemes God stird up their hearts thus to doe; what the substance of their prayer was I cannot certainly learn, although I have heard some things that way, which I therefore name not, onely I have and shall indeavour to get it, if it bee possible for the poor Indian to expresse the substance of it, and so shall send it if the ship stayes long, onely this is certaine by him who was occasionally an eye and care witnesse of these things, that they continued instant with God in prayer for almost half an houre together, and this godly mans words to mee (who understands a little of their lan­guage) are these; that this Tutaswampe did expresse such zeale in prayer with such variety of gracious expressions, and abundance [Page 37] of teares, both of himself and most of the company, that the woods rang againe with their sighes and prayers; and (saith he) I was much ashamed of my self and some others, that hav [...] had so great light, and yet want such affections as they have, who have as yet so little knowledge. All this he saw standing at some good distance alone from them under a Tree.

Thus you see (Sir) that these old obdurate sinners are not altoge­ther senselesse of Gods afflicting hand and humbling providen­ces; and though naturall affection may be much stirring in such times, yet you see how God begins to sanctifie such affections among them: and I wish that many English were not outstript herein by these poor Indians, who have got the [...]art I seare of many English, that can passe by such sad providences without laying them in this manner to heart. I confesse these and many such things which wee see in divers of them, do make some to thinke that there is more of God and his Spirit in some of their hearts then we yet can discover, and which they hope will break out in time.

Thus you have a true, but somewhat rent and ragged relation of these things; it may be most sutable to the story of naked and rag­ged men: my desire is that no mans Spectacles may deceive him, so as to look upon these things either as bigger or lesser, better or worser then they are; which all men generally are apt to doe at things at so great distance, but that they may judge of them as indeed they are, by what truth they see here exprest in the things themselves. I know that some thinke that all this worke among them is done and acted thus by the Indians to please the English, and for applause from them; and it is not unlikely but so'tis in many, who doe but blaze for a time; but certainly'tis not so in all, but that the power of the Word hath taken place in some, and that inwardly and effectually, but how far savingly time will declare, and the reader may judge of, by the story itself of these things. Some say that if it be so, yet they are but a few that are thus wrought upon; Be it so, yet so it hath ever been, many called, few chosen: and yet withall I beleeve the calling in of a few Indians to Christ is the gathering home of many hundreds in one, considering what a vast distance there hath been between God and them so long, even dayes without number; considering [Page 38] also how precious the first fruits of America will be to Jesus Christ, and what seeds they may be of great harvests in after times; and yet if there was no great matter seen in these of grown yeers, their children notwithstanding are of great hopes both from English and Indians themselves, who are therefore trained up to Schoole, where many are very apt to learne, and who are also able readily to answer to the questions propounded, containing the principles and grounds of all Christian Religion in their own tongue. I confesse it passeth my skill to tell how the Gospel should be generally received by these American Natives, conside­ring the variety of Languages in small distances of places; onely hee that made their eares and tongues can raise up some or other to teach them how to heare, and what to spake; and if the Gos­pel must ride circuit, Christ can and will conquer by weake and despicable meanes, though the conquest perhaps may be some­what long. The beginnings and foundations of the Spaniard in the Southerne parts of this vast continent, being laid in the blood of nineteene Millions of poor innocent Natives (as Acosta the Jesuite a bird of their own nest relates the story) shall certainly therefore bee utterly rooted up by some revenging hand; and when he is once dispossest of his Golden Mansions and Silver Mines, it may be then the oppressed remnant in those coasts al­so may come in. In the meane while if it bee the good pleasure of Christ to look upon any of the worst and meanest of these out­casts in these Coasts of New-England, let us not despise this day of small things, but as the Jews did of old, so let us now cry mightily to God and say, and sing, Let the people praise thee O God, yea let all the people praise thee, then shall the earth bringforth her increase, and God even our God will blesse us.

I have sent you two witnesses beside my own of the truth of the Indian story printed, you may publish them if you please as they have writ, and subscrib'd with their own hands.