DIALOG. I.

WEll met, and welcome beloved Cousin. I am glad you are still alive; can you make shift to live in that new way of living that you have taken up at Natik? I am glad of your coming, because I shall thereby have an opportunity to be i [...]formed truly of your wayes and what your doings be, about which there be such v [...]rious reports, some co [...]mending, some con­demning, some deriding, some wondering; but so far as I see few desire to imitate you.

I am very glad that God hath guided my way so well, as that I should meet you, whom I have longed to see: you are my friend whom I purposed first to look out, and [...]o God hath order­ed us to meet each other, at my first coming to y [...]r Town. Like­wise I am glad that you are so desirous to speak with me about our Religion, and praying to God, for that is the very Errand I come upon, that I might perswade you to do as we do. I am live a friend that have found honey, and plenty of f [...]od▪ and I come to call my friends to come partake with me. But what noise is this that I hear?

I perceive you have quite [...] o [...]f th [...]se delights and [...] that your Country men use, and [...] you were in your young time accustomed to, because you have forgot the meaning of such noises. There is a great Dancing, and Sacrifice, and Play▪ and that is the noise that you hear.

You say right, we have indeed quite left off and cast a­way t [...]ose works of darkness for we have great [...]ight shi [...]ing a­mong us▪ which discovers the fil [...]h and folly of those things; as when a light is set up in a dark room▪ in a dark night▪ it discover­eth all the dirty corners of the house▪ and all the evil actions that are wont to be done in the dark, without discovery. We plainly see the sinfulness of our own former, and o [...] your still continued wayes; and I desire that God would help me to open among you some of the Divin [...] Light which G [...]d hath shewed us, that it may [...]ame you from such filthy pra [...]tices and [...]hine them away for ever, as the ri [...]ng Sun doth d [...]ssipite a [...]d drive away all the darkness [...]s of the nig [...]t▪ and maketh Wolves▪ Bears▪ and all other w [...]lde bea [...]ts hide them [...]elves in thickets, and not dare to be seen in the day­light.

Will you go with me unto them, and see what they do? I will give you this enc [...]ur [...]gement to persw [...]de you to it, because you shall [...] many of your friend [...] and kindred.

I cannot serve two Masters: I have undertaken and pro­mised to serve God, and therefore I cannot now go back again and serve the Devil. I have found that Jesus Christ is a good M [...]ster, and I come to perswade you to come and be his Servant: Far be it from me that now I am come among you, I should forsake my Ma­ster, and serve the Devil; or that I should so far grieve my Ma­ster, as to go unto those Games which his Soul hateth.

And whereas you say▪ that many of my friends are there, the more is my grief. I desire that I were able to pull you all out of that deep pit and filthy puddle; which to perform, I should ut­terly be disabled, if I should go in my self, and so be defiled with the same filth, which I perswade them to forsake and cast away.

Let us go unto my house, that you may take there some refreshment of food after your weary journey, and there we shall have liberty to discourse fully of these matters. And while we are in the way, let me ask you of the estate and welfare of our friends and kindred at Natik; doth your praying to God exempt you from Sicknesses, Poverty, Nakedness? will praying to God fill you with food, gladness, and garments?

Our friends at Natik were when I left them in good state of health, peace and comfort: for which we give God thanks, who is the Father of all mercies.

Touching your question, Whether praying to God doth exempt us from Sicknesses, Poverty, and fills us with food and garments: I answer, If praying to God did bring with it outward plenty and worldly prosperity, then all carnal people would pray to God, not because they love God, or praying to God, but because they love themselves, and love food, clothing, and worldly pleasures; but the benefits of praying are spiritual and heavenly, it teaches us to know God, and the evil of sin; it teacheth us to r [...]pent of sin, and seek for pardon, and it teacheth us to forsake sin for ever: and if we are loth to part with sin, God will chastise us with Sick­nesses, Poverty, and other worldly crosses, to call us to repentance, and therefore many times we fare worse in the world, then wicked men do, that thereby we might be weaned from the world, and brought and taught to love and long for heav [...]n. And yet I fur­ther tell you, that Religion doth teach the right way to be rich and prosperous in this world, and many, English especially▪ have learn­ed that way. For Religion teacheth us to be diligent in labour six dayes, and on the seventh day to rest, and keep it an holy Sabbath; and God hath promised that the dil [...]gent hand shall make rich: and when we walk with God in godline [...]s and obedience, he will give us the blessing of this life, so far as is best for us, he will withhold no good thing from us; if any thing be withheld from us, or ta­ken away from us, it is because it is not good for us: Our Father better knoweth what is good for us, then we our selves know.

If your praying to God do indeed teach you the true way of being rich, as you say, how then cometh it to pass that you are so poor still? for you have prayed to God these twenty years and more, and I do not see that you have increased in riches very much, you are still poor: where be your Riches? where be your flocks and herds of Cattel? where be your Clothes? what great Houses have you built? where be your fields of Corn, Barns and Orchards? Alas, you are not like the English; and therefore I doubt upon this point, it is not as you say, that praying to God teacheth you the right way to be rich.

This is one of the least, the last, the lowest of those things that our Religion teacheth us. There be two sorts of riches; Earthly riches, of which onely you speak, and Heavenly riches, which Gods Word calleth true riches. These Earthly riches are but temporary, and shall soon perish, but the true riches are hea­venly, and eternal, they last for ever. And we have spent these twenty Years in seeking chiefly after heavenly riches, for so God commandeth us in his Word, Seek first the Kingdome of Heaven, as for these earthly riches they shall be added to you, so much as you need. And the Word of God commandeth us to be content if we have food and clothes; Now we have food and clothes more then we were wont to have before we prayed to G [...]d, and we have con­tented our selves therewith, and have bent our mindes more to look after heavenly riches, and in those things we have increased more, then in earthly riches.

I pray tell me what are those heavenly riches of which you speak so highly, and upon which you do bestow your chief care and pains, and so much prefer before earthly riches, which we ac­count so much of, and think to be the best things attainable in this world?

The true riches which we spend our time to seek after, are, 1. The knowledge of the great God, who hath made this vast World, and governeth the same by his Wisdome and Power, and who hath made Man, and governeth us by his holy Laws and Commandments.

2. The knowledge of our selves, to be miserable sinners, and do daily offend and sin against God, provoking his wrath against us, to punish us for our transgressions against his holy Laws and Com­mandments.

3. The knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, who hath in unspeakable love took a course to deliver us from the wrath of G [...]d: for whereas we have by our sins deserved Death & Damnation, Christ became a Man, and died for us, and thereby hath pacified the Justice and Wrath of God, and opened a way of Salvation for us, obtaining a Pardon for us▪ and offering grace unto us, whereby we may be saved, and be brought to eternal glory and happiness.

[Page 5]4. The knowledge of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, whereby he bringeth us to repent of our sins, to convert and turn from all our evil wayes, and to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to walk with God in the wayes of holiness and righteousness before him.

5. The knowledge of the Means of grace, the Ordinances of God; whereby we walk with God in wayes of Civil Government, in wayes of Justice, and good Order. And in the Ordinances of Worshipping God, in the sanctifying of the Sabbaths, and walking in the Communion of Saints, by the Word of God, and Prayer, and Singing of Psalms.

6. In the knowledge of the estate of all men after death; how the godly men that penitently believe in Christ, go to Heaven when they die; and the wicked, that refuse to repent and believe, they go to Hell, and there abide till the Day of Judgement: at which day or time, when it cometh, all men shall rise again and be judged according to their deeds in this life; and then shall the godly go with Christ to eternal Glory, and the wicked shall be cast into Hell Soul and Body, and there be tormented with the Devils for ever.

These are great and strange things you speak of, I un­derstand them not, but yet me▪ thinks there is a majesty and glory in them. I am amazed at what you say, though I do not under­stand them distinctly.

You see then that we are grown rich with Riches that are above your capacity; and these are the true Riches, and about these things we spend most of our time. And as for these world­ly Riches, we less regard them, as being poor, low, little, small, contemptible things, in comparison of those heavenly riches about which we spend our time; and in which we have increased and gained, by [...] grace in Christ, so much as doth make you admire at us, though we know but little of what is to be known, but you ca [...]ot perceive the glory and excellency thereof.

A [...]d indeed it is the wisdome and love of God unto us, that sett [...] rather to grow in these riches, which the eyes of world­ly men cannot see, then to grow rich in earthly and worldly riches, which the carnal world can see: because if we should abound in earthly riches, we should be thronged with multitudes of carnal persons, who love the world, and love not God, who would be a cumber and temptation to us. And it is a sign that our wayes are good and godly, and above the world, because so few (in compa­rison) come unto us, but rather fly from us; because they love to live in wayes and deeds of darkness, and hate the light and glory that is in our wayes. But I pray Cousin whose house is that before us, where I s [...]e so many going in and out, and standing about in every place?

That is my house; and I am glad there be so many of our friends together, who may have [Page 6] the opportunity of hearing this good Discourse.

I had rather that my actions of love should testifie how welcome you are, and how glad I am of this your kinde visi­tation, then that I should say it in a multitude of words. But in one word, You are very welcome to my heart; and I account it among the best of the joyes of this day, that I see your face, and enjoy your Company in my habitation.

It is an addition to the joyes of this day, to see the face of my loving Kinsman: and I wish you had come a little ear­lier, that you might have taken part with us in the joyes of this day, wherein we have had all the delights that could be desired, in our merry Meeting, and Dancing.

And I pray Cousin how doth your Wife, my loving Kinswoman, is she yet living? and is she not yet weary of your new way of praying to God? And what pleasure have you in those wayes?

My wife doth remember her love to you, she is in good health of body, and her Soul is in a good condition, she is entred into the light of the knowledge of God, and of Christ; she is en­tred into the narrow way of heavenly joyes, and she doth greatly desire that you would turn from these wayes of darkness in which you so much delight, and come taste and see how good the Lord is.

And whereas you wish I had come sooner, to have shared with you in your delights of this day; Alas, they are no delights, but griefs to me, to see that you do still delight in them. I am like a man that have tasted of sweet Wine and Honey, which have so al­tered the taste of my mouth, that I abhor to taste of your sinful and foolish pleasures, as the mouth doth abhor to taste the most filthy and stinking dung, the most sowre grapes, or most bitter gall. Our joyes in the knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ, which we are taught in the Book of God, and feel in our heart, is sweeter to our soul, then honey is unto the mouth and taste.

We have all the delights that the flesh and blood of man can devise and delight in, and we taste and feel the delights of them, and would you make us believe that you have found out new joyes and delights, in comparison of which all our delights do stink like dung; would you make us believe that we have neither eyes to see, nor ears to he [...]r, nor mouthes to taste? Ha, ha he! I appeal to the sense and sight and feeling of the Compa­ny present, whether this be so.

You say very true. Ha, ha▪ he!

Hearken to me, my friends, and see if I do not give a clear answer unto this seeming difficulty. Your dogs take as much delight in these Meetings, and the same kindes of delight as you [Page 7] do; they delight in each others company; they provoke each o­ther to lust, and enjoy the pleasures of lust as you do; they eat and play and sleep as you do: what joyes have you more then d [...]gs have? to delight the body of flesh and blood.

But all mankinde have an higher and better part then the body, we have a Soul, and that Soul shall never die: Our Soul is to converse with God, and to converse in such things as do concern God, and Heaven, and an eternal estate, either in happiness with God, if we walk with him and serve him in this life, or in misery and torment with the Devil, if we serve him in this life. The service of God doth con [...]st in Virtue, and Wisdome, and delights of the Soul, which will reach to Heaven, and abide for ever.

But the service of the Devil is in committing sins of the flesh, which defile both body and soul, and reach to Hell, and will turn all to fire and flame to torment your souls and bodies to all eter­nity.

Now consider, all your pleasures and delights are such as defile you with sin, and will turn to flame, to burn and torment you; they provoke God to wrath, who hath created the Prison of Hell to torment you, and the more you have took pleasure in sin, the greater are your offences against God, and the greater shall be your torments.

But we that pray to God repent of our old sins, and by faith in Christ we seek for, and finde a pardon of what is past, and grace and strength to reform for time to come. So that our joyes are Soul-joyes in godliness, and virtue, and hope of glory in another world when we die.

Your joyes are bodily▪ fleshly, such as Dogs have, and will all turn to flames in Hell to torment you.

If these things be so, we had need cease laughing, and fall to weeping, and see if we can draw water from our mournful eyes to quench these tormenting flames. My heart trembles to hear these things: I never heard so much before, nor have I any thing to say to the contrary, but that these things may be so. But how shall I know that you say true? Our fore fathers were (many of them) wise men, and we have wise men now living, they all de­light in these our Delights: they have taught us nothing about our Soul, and God, and Heaven, and Hell, and Joy and Torment in the life to come. Are you wiser th [...]n our fathers? May not we rather think that English men have invented these Stories to amaze and scare us out of our old Customes, and bring us to stand in awe of them, that they might wipe us of our Lands, and drive us into Corners, to seek new wayes of living, and new places too? and be beholding to them for that which is our own, and was ours, before we kn [...]w them.

You say right.

The Book of God is no invention of English-men, it is the holy Law of God himself, which was given unto man by God, be­fore English-men had any knowledge of God; and all the know­ledge which they have, they have it out of the Book of God: and this Book is given to us as well as to them, and it is as free for us to search the Scriptures as for them. So that we have our instru­ction from an higher hand, then the hand of man: it is the great Lord God of Heaven and Earth, who teacheth us these great things of which we speak. Yet this is also true, that we have great cause to be thankful to the English, and to thank God for them, for they had a good Country of their own, but by Ships sailing into these parts of the World, they heard of us, and of our Country, and of our nakedness, ignorance of God, and wilde condition; God put it into their hearts to desire to come hither, and teach us the good knowledge of God; and their King gave them leave so to do, and in our Country to have their liber­ty to serve God according to the Word of God. And being come hither, we gave them leave freely to live among us: they have pur­chased of us a great part of those Lands which they possess; they love us, they do us right, and no wrong willingly; if any do us wrong, it is without the consent of their Rulers, and upon our Complaints our wrongs are righted. They are (many of them, especially the Ruling part) good men, and desire to do us good. God put it into the heart of one of their Ministers (as you all know) to teach us the knowledge of God, by the Word of God, and he hath Translated the holy Book of God into our Language, so that we can perfectly know the minde and counsel of God: and out of this Book have I learned all that I say unto you, and there­fore you need no more doubt of the truth of it, then you have cause to doubt that the Heaven is over our head, the Sun shineth, the Earth is under our feet, we walk and live upon it, and breathe in the Air; for as we see with our eyes these things to be so, so we reade with our own eyes these things which I speak of, to be writ­ten in Gods own Book, and we feel the truth thereof in our own hearts.

Cousin, you have wearied your legs this day with a long Journey to come and visit us, and you weary your tongue with long Discourses. I am willing to comfort and refresh you with a short Supper.

Ha, ha, he: though short, if sweet, that has good savour to a man that is weary. Ha, ha, he.

You make long and learned Discourses to us which we do not well understand, I think our best answer is to stop your mouth, and fill your belly with a good Supper, and when your bel [...]y is full you will be content to take rest your self, and give us leave to be at rest from these g [...]stering, and heart-trembling dis­courses. [Page 9] We are well as we are, and desire not to be troubled with these new wise sayings.

You say true. Ha, ha, he.

It is good to be merry and wise. I am an hungry and weary, and willing to eat. God hath appointed food to be a means of sustaining, relieving and repairing our spent strength: This be­ing a work above the power of the food we eat, or of our selves that eat it, and onely in the power of God himself to bless it, for such great uses; therefore God hath taught us, and it is our custome, among all that are godly, to pray to God for a bleding before we eat: and therefore I intreat you to have so much pa­tience and compliance, as to give me the quiet liberty to pray to God before we eat.

I pray do, and we shall with quietness and silence at­tend to such a service unto God.

Let us lift up our eyes and hearts to God in heaven, and say, Almighty, glorious, merciful and heavenly Father, thou dwellest in the high Heavens, and fillest both Heaven and Earth with thy pre­sence; thou takest care of, and governest us here on earth: we are poor worms under thy feet, thou feedest every living Creature, and makest our food to be like a staff to sustain our faint and weary bo­dies; thou renewest our strength every day: and though we are sinners in thy sight, yet thou art merciful to us, and with long pa [...]ience d [...]st call us to repentance. We confess all our sins before thee, and pray thee for Jes [...]s Christ his sake, who died for sinners, to have mercy on us▪ and freely to pardon and forgive us all our sins. Bless us at this time, and this food which is set before us, let it be blessed to us, make us wise to receive it at thy hand, and to use the strength we get by it to the glory of thy Name, through Jesus Christ. And bless all our Souls, feed them by thy Word and Truth, and guide our Tongues to speak wise words, that may minister grace to the hearers; and help us all to rejoyce in the Lord through Jesus Christ. Amen. Now let us eat and rejoyce together, for God filleth our bodies with food, and our souls with gladness.

When the body is full of meat, and the head full of wit, and the mouth full of words, there will be wise discourse.

Adde but one thing more, If the heart be full of grace, then the discourse will be both wise and godly.

You talk much of a belly full, I wish we have victu­als enough to fill them.

H [...], ha, he. They be not half full yet. Ha▪ ha, he.

What News do the Ships bring from beyond Sea?

They say wicked men are bold, and that good men who pray to God are hated, vexed, troubled, persecuted, and not suf­fered to pray to God according to the Laws of Gods Word, but by the Laws of men.

It is an ill time for you to come to perswade us to pray to God, when praying to God is so opposed, hated and hindred; you may be more like to prevail with us, when praying to God is of credit, honour, and good esteem.

Such as will turn to God onely at such times when pray­ing is in credit, leave themselves under a doubt, whether it be for the love of God and his wayes, that they pray, or for love of them­selves and their own credit.

But when men will take up praying to God in evil times, when they must expect hard measure from the world for it, this is a sign that they love God, and love praying to God, better then they love themselves, and that they deny themselves for Christ his sake. Therefore I have taken the fittest time to try you, and to sift you, to catch none but the good Corn, and to let go and lose all the dust and chaff.

Some speak of very many English people killed with Thunder, and many burnt in their houses: is it so indeed?

It is so indeed, and in many parts of the Country, at Boston, and in many other places. Very lately, there were in one Winter eight or nine persons burnt to death in one house, five in another, one in another. Sicknesses are often sent of God among them, which kill many: Their Corn is Blasted, and they are pu­nished by God many wayes, by Sea and Land, in these late years.

These are but cold and weak Arguments to perswade us to take up the English fashion, and to serve their God, when you tell us how sharply he dealeth with his Servants.

You say right: we are better as we are.

We know there be many sins among the English, which provoke God to be angry with them, and to punish them, to the end he might bring them to repentance. When we exhort you to pray, and to serve the God of the English, we call you to imitate the virtues and good wayes of the English, wherein you shall be acceptable to the Lord: We do not call you to imitate their sins, whereby they and you shall provoke the anger and displeasure of the Lord. And what though God doth chastise his people for their sins? it is his wisdome, faithfulness and love so to do: a Child will not run away from his wise and loving Father, because he cha­stises him for his faults, but will love him the better, fear him the more, and learn thereby to be a good Childe. The wise English love God the more, for his wise Chastisement of them for their sins. And why may not I use it as an Argument to perswade you to choose him to be your God, who will love and encourage you in all virtue, and love and punish you for all sins, that he might bring you to repentance and amendment of life. Gods Rods have more encouragement to a wise heart, then discouragement in them.

Cousin, had you not a great Thunder and Lightning [Page 11] to day as you came, and were you not afraid? We had it so with us, and I was very much afraid, and especially since I have heard of so many English stricken and killed by it, and cannot refrain my self from fear.

I perceived the Thunder to be more this way, then it was in the place where I was at that time travelling. Touching the fear of Thunder, the Word of God saith it is terrible, and the bruit Beasts tremble at it: it is sometime called The Voice of God, by reason of the terribleness of it; and the reason of its terrour to man is, because we are great sinners, and have deserved Gods wrath, and it should move our hearts to repentance for our sins, and take heed of provoking the anger of that God, who is able to utter so terrible a voice, and can dash down destroying fire upon us worms, who are no wayes able to defend our selves.

Would you not lye down now you have eaten, and take some rest after your long journey?

Nay, we must first return to God, and give Thanks to him for our food, and health and strength by the same.

I pray tell me why you are so careful to pray unto God before and after meat?

Let us first give Thanks, and then we will discourse that point. Attend all. We do give humble thanks unto thy holy Name, O Lord our God, for our life, health, food, raiment; and for this pre­sent food whereby we are refreshed. We thank thee, O Lord, for the l [...]ve we finde among our friends, and for our freedome in good dis­course for the good of our Souls: We do pray for a blessing upon both, that our food may strengthen our Bodies, and our discourse may do good to our Souls. Help me so to declare thy Word and thy Works, that I may win their Souls to love thee, and to forsake their sins, and turn unto the Lord by true Repentance. These, and all other mercies we pray for, in the Name, and for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. All Tabat, tabat, tabat.

Now my Kinsmen and Friends let us discourse a little about the Question propounded, Why we pray unto God before and after Meat? Our Lord Jesus Christ did so before meat, as it is written of him in many examples; and we are not to doubt but he did the same after meat, because the Lord hath commanded the same so expresly, saying, When thou hast eaten and art full, then be­ware lest thou forget the Lord.

And to shew you what great reason we have thus to do, consider that God doth some of his chief works in this world, in the matter of our eating, which no creature can do: for take you a Tray of meat, and ask, Who can turn this into blood, and flesh, and sinews, and bones, and skin? and who can give every part of our bo­dy its due proportion, that one part shall not overgrow the other, but every part alike? Who but God can do this? And [Page 12] who but God can make our bodies to grow to such an appointed stature, and then to grow no more? And who but God can pre­serve our health, and turn away sicknesses? Now these marvellous things God doth for us every day, and every time we eat, and therefore is it not very good reason that we should pray and give thanks to God at such time as he doth such great and obliging things for us?

Again, God provideth all our food for us; he provideth Corn, not we our selves, we do but a little towards it, the great work is Gods: all that we do is to put our Corn into the ground, and k [...]ep the ground clean about it, but God makes it to grow, he gives it a root, a blade, a stalk, and ears, whereby one Corn shall become three or four or five hundred. Who but God can do this? there­fore Corn is of his providing.

Again, who provideth water, and watereth the Corn? is it not God? for when Springs and Rivers are dried up, what can men do, but cry to God? and then God will bring Clouds, like great Bottles full of water, and drop them down upon the withered and parched Earth, and thereby make the Corn and Grass, and all fruits to grow. Who but God can do this?

Again, God provides Flesh for us to feed upon, for he maketh the grass and herbs to grow, and when the beasts do feed thereon, he doth turn those Leaves into blood, flesh, sinews and bones; and this he giveth us for food, and turneth it into blood, flesh, sinews and bones in us. All these wonderful works God doth, in the matter of feeding us; and therefore is it not good reason we should then pray to him?

I never heard so much before, nor thought of these things; but now you declare and teach them, my heart saith, that all is true which you say, and I now see great reason for this pra­ctise of you that pray to God, to pray and give thanks both before and after meat: and I see not but that there is good and just rea­son so to do, every time we drink, and take in any sustenance, at least to lift up our hearts to God, who hath so eminent an hand in doing us good thereby, or hurt if he will.

Your acceptance and approbation of what I say, and of what we do in this point, is a great argument that God doth bow your heart to pray unto God; for you acknowledge it to be our duty so to do, and the neglect of it would be against the light of your own Reason: so that this Conviction hath cast a chain upon your soul, to binde you to pray unto God. What say you my friends?

We cannot say any thing against what you say, but what we shall do, we cannot yet tell: we must first consider of it, for we are ignorant and foolish, we cannot do as you do.

Bend your hearts to it, and God will teach you by his [Page 13] Word: for we were at first as ignorant as you are, but God helped us to hear the Word, and do what we could, and you see what God hath brought the matter unto. We now walk in the light, and now we call you to come into the light: therefore I say, Awake you that sleep, stand up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.

We shall tire you with these discourses after your long and weary journey; it is time for you to go to rest.

This discourse is better to me then meat, drink and sleep, if I may do good to your Souls, and turn you unto God.

But before we go to rest and sleep we must pray unto God, for it is God that giveth rest and sleep unto his Servants.

Do all you praying Indians thus do when you are weary and tired with labour, or travel, or hunting, &c. do you pray be­fore you go to rest? what is the reason of your so doing?

We alwayes do so: and if any should at any time through sloth and sleepiness fail so to do, we judge our selves for our sin, & repent, and confess our sin unto God, and beg pardon and mercy for Christ his sake.

And there is great reason thus to pray unto God before we go to rest; for be [...]des what I said that God giveth us rest, and therefore it is fit humbly to ask it of him; There be many other Reasons why we should thus do: for

1. VVe must give God thanks for all the mercies we have re­ceived all the day, which are more then the moments of the time that we live.

2. VVe must pray for Gods protection of us when we are asleep, we lye like so many dead men, and how easily might mischief be­fall us, either by Fire, or by an Enemy, if God did not defend and keep us; but when God is our keeper we may rest quietly, in safe­ty without fear, under the covert of his hand: and by faith in Gods protection we sleep quietly without fear, whereas you that do not pray, nor believe, nor commit your selves to God, you do alwayes sleep in fear and terrour.

3. Moreover, our sleep and rest is a great reparation of our strength and spirits, and preservation of our health. VVhile we sleep our food is boiled up within us, and digested into all parts of our body, and new spirits are extracted out of our food, and sent up both to our head, heart, and all parts of our body, so that we are fresh and strong in the morning after a good nights rest. Now all this is the special work of God, beyond the power and skill of man to perform for us, and therefore it is great reason to pray for this blessing when we go to rest.

VVhat you say is plain, clear and true in every bodies ex­perience, though I did never hear nor consider so much of it be­fore: if therefore you will pray we will attend you.

Let us all appear before God reverently and with godly [Page 14] fear; let none lye along or sit, which are postures of unreverence, but either stand like servants, or kneel like sons and daughters be­fore the Lord; and so let us pray. O merciful Lord God, &c.

I perceive that you pray for all our Countrymen, who do not yet pray unto God; it is your love so to do. But what is the effect of your prayers? there are not many, that I hear of, that pray unto God; and you that do pray unto God, what do you get by it? wherein are you bettered by your praying to God?

These are two great Points which you have propounded. I am willing to speak to both. First, for the numbers that pray to God: At first this a [...]ter of praying to God was a little thing, like a Cloud in the VVest of the bigness of a mans hand, but now the Cloud is great and wide, and spreadeth over all the Country. Nop and Nantuket, and Paumenuk Islands, Mahshepog, and many parts of the main Land, to the utmost bounds of this Country Eastward. And VVestward, not onely all the Massachusets pray, but also a great part of Nipmuk; yea and the fields are ripe unto the harvest in many places more, whom I will not name until they have given up themselves to the Lord, to forsake their vanities, and to pray unto God. The Church of Christ at Natik have sent forth many into many parts of the Country, to call them in unto Jesus Christ. I am sent unto you, and I have good hope that God will bow your hearts to pray unto God. So that the praying Indians are many, and like to be more every year: And our hope is the greater, be­cause the Lord hath raised up sundry of our young men (who were children when we first prayed unto God) unto good know­ledge in the Scriptures, and are able to teach others the good knowledge of God, and are fit to be sent forth unto all parts of the Country, to teach them to pray unto God.

Husband, what do you mean to withhold our Friend from rest so long, so late? Alas Cousin, you had need be at rest; I pray tire not your self with these long discourses.

I thank you for your care of me. There is but one thing more that I am to speak to, viz. the second part of your question, What we have gained and got by praying to God? Of which Point we discoursed before we came into the house, and therefore I shall but touch it now.

1 We are come into the light, and it is an heavenly light, which leadeth us to God, and to the eternal enjoyment of happiness by Jesus Christ.

2. VVe have attained to some measure of the true Riches, by faith in Jesus Christ, and love to God and his people.

3. VVe are content with that portion of food and raiment which God giveth us.

4. VVe enjoy the Lords Sabbath dayes for our Souls good, and communion with God.

[Page 15]5. VVe have Government, and all Gods Ordinances in peace.

6. VVe can lie down in peace, and sleep quietly without fear.

In all which, and many more respects, our condition doth far exceed what we were and had afore we prayed to God, or what you have or enjoy unto this day. And now let us lie down in Gods bosome, and take our rest.

DIALOG. II. About calling home poor INDIANS.

HO, well met friend: how far travel you this way?

I am going to Nipmuk, a Town where Nish [...]h­ko [...] [Page 25] is Sachem: with him I have some business, which occasioneth my going thither.

Ha! you and I are both alike in sundry things, I wish we might be both alike in one thing more. The things wherein we are alike, are these; We are both tall men, We are m [...]t in the same way, We are going to the same place, Our business is unto the same person, the Sachem of the place.

Ha, ha, he. I acknowledge wh [...]t you say: but I pray what is that wherein you desire we might agreed for I do not under­stand that you have yet named that, and I the more desire to know that, b [...]cause you do seem to put more weight upon that, then up­on all the rest which you have named.

You judge ri [...]ht touching my opinion of that thing which I have not mentioned, but I doubt that you will not be of my minde if I should speak it, and for that reason I did conceal it. Wise men will cover and hide their Jewels▪ and not expose them to every bodies sight for they know some will lightly esteem them, because they know not their worth: but if they fall in company with such as know the worth of their Jewel, they will be content to let them see it, and take a full view of it.

Your discourse doth the more inflame my desire to know what this matter is that is so precious in your eyes▪ and so doubt­ful to finde esteem with me. I confess I am foolish, but I hope you shall finde me one that would be wise, and love the company of the wise, and willing to learn of others that wisdome which I want; and therefore though I de [...]ire not to know other mens se­crets, yet if this other matter you intimate be such as I may know, my desire is raised high to know it.

Your words are good and wise, and give me hopes that what I have further to say unto you, will find [...] acceptance with you according to my desire. I will therefore open to you the truth of the matter. I am a praying Indian, I have left our old Indian Customs, Laws, Fashions, Lusts, Pauwauings, and whatever else is contrary to the right knowledge of the true God, and of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. It repenteth me of all my [...]-past life, the lusts, vanities, pleasures, and carnal delig [...]ts that were formerly very sweet and delightful to me, are now bitter as [...]ll unto me, I hate and loath them. All the works of d [...]rkness in which I was wont to take pleasure, I do now forsake and abandon. I am come into the light, I now see things as they are indeed▪ and nor as they seemed to be in the dark. I now know the VVord of God which sheweth me the way of eternal Life. I now know God who made all the world, against whom mankinde are turned re­bels and sinners. I know the Law of God which I have broken, and by my sins I have deserved eternal damnation in the world that is to come. I now know Jesus Christ, who hath died for us, to [Page 26] procure a pardon for us, and to open a door and way to eternal life and salvation for us. Into this way I have entred, herein I walk, and I have promised to God, that I will live and walk in this way all the dayes of my life.

And not onely so, but my desire is to perswade all others into the same way which I have entred, because I do certainly and ex­perimentally know that my former wayes were darkness, sin, and led unto hell and damnation; and this way whereinto I am now entred, is a way of light, life, holiness, peace, and eternal salva­tion: therefore do I earnestly perswade all that I meet with to be wise, and turn from the wayes of darkness, and come into this way of light and glory. And this is the thing which I did mean, when I said, that there is another thing wherein I wish that we may be alike. I do therefore exhort and intreat you that you would do as I have done, forsake your old wayes of sin, of which you have cause to be ashamed, and turn unto God, call on God, be numbred among the praying Indians.

Oh I am surprized, I am amazed, you have ravished my Soul, you have brought a light into my Soul. I wonder at my self: where have I been? what have I done? I am like one raised out of a dark pit; you have brought me forth into the Sunshine. I begin to see about me: if I look back, and down into the pit where I have been all my dayes, I wonder at my self what a dead dark thing I have been; when I look upon you, I see you like an Angel of light. I have heard of this business of praying to God, some have spoken ill of it, some have spoken favour [...]bly I could not tell what it was, but now by your discourse I begin to see what an excellent thing it is: it changes men, and advances them into a condition above other men. You have dealt with me like as the Fishers do by the fish, you laid a Bait for me to make me de­sire it, and bite at it, but I saw not your hook, until you had catch'd my Soul; and now I am catch'd, I see it was not for my hurt, but for my great good. The light which I do already see is a beautiful and desireable thing, and therefore I pray you go on, and tell me more of this new way.

The two first things you are to consider of now you are come into the light, and your heart willing to attend unto this great work of praying to God, are these:

• 1. To know God.
• 2. Our selves.

Of God, know his Greatness, Goodness, VVisdome, and Power. He hath made all things in this great world; all things above us are his works, he made the Heavens, the Sun, Moon, Stars, Clouds, &c. and all things below, the Seas, the Earth, and all things that are in them: he made Man, and gave him dominion over all his works in this world, and a Law of Life, under the penalty of [Page 27] damnation: and all this God did in six days; so great is God above man. The Law which he gave to man is holy, just and good: but man by the temptation of evil Angels, who by their sin became to be Devils, I say man broke the Law which God gave him, and sin­ned against God, turned Rebel against God, and served the Devil: and in this rebellion all the children of men go on to this day.

Gods Law is in Ten Commandments, wherein he requireth of man to know and worship God, fear his Name, and keep his Sab­baths; and other Laws forbid Lust, Murther, Stealing, and all other evils. Moreover, God hath annexed unto his Law a great Promise, Do and live, with a just Punishment, Sin and die eternally; namely, that all the breakers of this Law, and sinners against him, shall be punished in hell fire with eternal torments. And this is the condition of all mankinde, and it is our estate, that by our sins against God we have deserved to die, and then to be cast away down into hell fire, to be tormented among the Devils, who tempt­ed us to sin, and whom we have served in our life time: now toge­ther with them we must be tormented for ever.

Oh you have now killed me again: By the first light you shewed me, I thought you had made me alive, and I joyed in the light, but I understood it not. Now your light is become a sword, it hath pierced through my heart, by it I now see I am a dead man. Alas, I have been a sinner all my dayes, I am guilty of more sins then I have lived dayes, many sins in a day have I committed: Night and day have I offended God, and broke his Law. I have served the Devil and not God, I have done nothing that God com­mandeth, I have only served the Devil, and committed sin; there­fore I have deserved to be damned in hell, and to be tormented among the Devils for ever, whom in this life I have served with so much delight; And now poor miserable I, what shall I do? These Trees under whose shade we sit, why fall they not upon me and crush this rebellious worm in pieces, and send me away to the place of eternal torment? These Rocks and hills about us, why fall they not upon me and break me into dust and powder, and send me away unto perdition? will God regard these complaints of mine? what are these tears of mine? can they quench hell fire? nay, will they not rather be oyle unto those flames? I am in mi­sery, help I can finde none; the greatness of Gods Majesty and power, against whom I a finite poor worm have sinned, doth most amaze me. I pray help me further to understand the great majesty of God.

For this purpose this young man with us shall reade unto you some part of the VVord of God. Reade the 40 Chapter of Isaiah, begin at the 12 verse, and reade unto the 27. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand? and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in measure, and [Page 28] weighed the mountains in s [...]ales, and the hills in a ballance? &c. [...], reade some Chapters of Job, Chap. [...]7, 38.39.40. VVhen these Chapters were read, Waban proceeded and said, Moreover, such is the Omniscience and Omnipresence of God, that we cannot hide from his sight any sin, or thought, nor yet can we hide our selves, or escape out of his hand. For this purpose reade Psal. 139. ver. 2, [...]0 14. Thou knowest my down-sitting and up rising: thou understan [...]est my tho [...]ghts [...] off, &c. [...]lso God is Unch [...]nge­able: f [...]r that reade M [...]l 3.6. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. And without shedding blood there is no remission, Heb. 9 22.

Still I am m [...]re and more confounded: who is able to de­liver a w [...]etched rebellious worm out of his Almighty hand? where shall I hide my self from his eye? Oh that the Rocks and Mountains would fall upon me, and hide me from the stroke of his wrathful hand! And yet I see that my wish is vain, there is no escaping from his wrathful vengeance. O [...] wretched I, what shall I do! had I a world to give, I would freely give it, to be saved out of those flames, which are ready prepared for me, and I have so justly deserved. And yet I see that I have no such thing to give in ransome for my Soul; or had I such a thing to give, would it be accepted? God hath no need of my gifts or s [...]crifices. Oh what shall I do? my miserable Soul must die.

I am in the same condition with you, and so are we all: but I have rest and quiet in my Soul, because I have found a ran­some, with which God is well pleased, his wrath is pacified, and I am delivered; I have escaped the danger of those deserved flames.

Your speeches [...]re some stay to my distressed Soul, it breed­eth some hope in me to hear that there is a ransome to be found, and that you have f [...]und it; may there be hope that I also may finde the s [...]me?

Yea, there is hope in Israel touching this matter; it is as free for you as me.

Oh that you would shew me this Remedy. You have shew­ed me my mis [...]ry and danger, effectually; may it please the Lord to make you as successful to shew me the Remedy. But my Soul is still drowned in doubt and fear: Oh how I long to hear where this Remedy is to be found. I would go to the worlds end to finde it, I would take any pains to obtain it; but my trembling heart saith you and I both may be deceived, for what Creature in all the world is able to deliver a Soul from the hand of this Omni­po [...]ent and All-seeing God, whose Justice and Law are Unchange­able, and nothing save blood and death can satisfie it.

True, no Creature is able to deliver us, vain is the help of Man or Angel in this case. As you said before, your mournings, cries and tears cannot do it, none but God himself can do it; and [Page 29] your heart will say and yield that God himself can do it: Isa. 55.9. As heaven is above earth, so are Gods thoughts above ours.

Yea, that I can freely yield unto, that God himself can do it; what cannot he do? but will the offended just and holy God pacifie himself for my offences, and pardon so great a sinner [...]s I? God is just and holy, and how can it stand with his holy Justice to pardon a vile sinner, without satisfaction to his holy Justice? will the holy God cease to be just? will he abrogate and disanul his holy Law, which I have so often, so deeply, so rebelliously broken? I have some hope, because you say it is so, but I see not yet how it can be, for God is Unchangeable.

It is true that you say, God will never deny his own Ju­stice, nor abrogate his holy Law for our sakes: But our God is a merciful God, and infinite in wisdome, and by his infinite wisdome he hath found out a way to satisfie the Justice of his own Law, and to deliver poor sinners from the condemnation of the Law.

But how can that be? Can man, or any Creature for him, satisfie the Justice of the Law of God? Oh I am in the dark about this matter, you speak of impossibilities.

Nothing that is holy just and good is impossible with God; and therefore to shew you God hath done this, know, that God hath done it himself, and whatever God hath done is holy just and good.

But I pray tell me how this can be: Oh how I long to hear of this way of deliverance of a poor sinner out of the hands of Gods holy Justice and unchangeable Law.

I will (as well as I can) declare it unto you. God is One in Three; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: which we must believe and admire, though we cannot demonstrate. I shall at this time say no further of that point, onely thus much; God one in Es­sence, in his infinite Wisdome and Understanding, conceiveth the Image of himself as the onely adequate object of his infinite wis­dome. God conceiving is the Father: God conceived is the Son; this intellectual act of conceiving, is called Begetting: God con­ceiving, and God conceived, by an infinite act of volition, loveth himself; and this Love is the holy Ghost, proceeding from the Fa­ther and the Son. God as he is Father hath made all things, and given man a Law. God in the dispensation of the Covenant of Works hath agreed within himself that the Son of God should as­sume unto himself an humane Nature, which is subject unto the Law of God. This glorious Person is God and Man in one Per­son, named Jesus Christ. This glorious Person Jesus Christ, is a Person of more worth then all Mankinde beside. This glorious Person Jesus Christ came into this world, and offered to God by Covenant his own life in our stead▪ and died for us to satisfie divine Justice for the sin of man: with this Sacrifice God hath said he is [Page 30] satisfied for the sin of man. Thus Jesus Christ hath honoured Gods Law, by satisfying of divine Justice, and now Jesus Christ hath power to pardon whom he will.

These are strange and deep things which you say: in this way I do see that a person is found that is able to pay a ransome to God, and satisfie his Justice. But still I am in the dark about my self, how shall I be interested in this Redemption wrought by Je­sus Christ? If you have obtained it, I have some hope that so may [...] I pray tell me how I may be made partaker of this great Redemption, from the condemnation of sin pronounced against me by the Law of God.

According to my poor ability, as well as I can I will tell you, and I will tell you [...]ow I have obtained it, and in the same way you also may obtain it.

O how this hope, by your experience, beginneth to raise my heart I pray go on and declare it to me.

God hath made a new Covenant of grace which he hath opened in the Gospel, and Jesus Christ hath published it to all the world: and the sum of it is this; That whosoever shall penitently turn from sin towards God, and believe in Jesus Christ, he shall have a pardon of all his sins, and be partaker of eternal life, through the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ. John 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his onely begotten Son, that who­soever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This puts me into another great difficulty: can I penitent­ly turn from sin, and believe in Jesus Christ? Alas, I know not how to go about such a work, much less do I know how to accom­plish the same; therefore I still am under great straights, a [...]d know not what to do.

You say true, it is a work past your ability to do: But Jesus Christ hath undertaken two great works in the salvation of sinners. The first is to pacifie Gods Justice, and satisfie the Law, and to reconcile God toward us; and that he hath done and finish­ed effectually, when he was here on earth 2. Christ hath under­taken to conquer the world or all Gods Elect (for it is onely the Elect of God whom Christ hath undertaken for) and the Father and the Son have sent forth God the holy Ghost to effect this work: for none but God himself is able to convert a Soul, and create faith in the heart of man. We cannot do it of our selves▪ neither you nor I can do it, but by the assistance of the Spirit of God, by the Word of God.

Still the difficulty lyeth before me, I am at a loss, and know not what to do. I fully believe I am not able to do it my self.

I will help you as well as I can; and the Lord help you by his Word and Spirit. Your heart is now (in some measure) al­ready [Page 31] turned away from sin; that part of the work is wrought in your heart, which I will demonstrate to you thus: I ask you, will you hereafter live and walk in the wayes of sin as you have former­ly done?

Oh no, no: I hope God will keep me and help me; I will never live again as I have formerly done, I will binde my self from it. I abhor to do so, I will forsake them for ever: Lord help me so to do

Well; therefore you are now converted from your sins: and who wrought this great Change in you? it was not your self did it, nor was it I that did it; I onely opened unto you the word of God, but the Spirit of God, by the conviction of the Law, and by the word of God, hath wrought this work in you.

I cannot gainsay you, I yield to what you say, and wonder at it.

In the same manner the Spirit of God by the word is able to create Faith in you to believe in Jesus Christ. This work the Lord useth to work in us by the Promises of the Gospel. Now I will propound unto you at present but one Promise, Mat. 11.28, 29. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall finde rest unto your souls. Now I ask you, Are you weary and heavy laden with your sins?

O [...] yes, God knows I am so; I never felt the like distress in my Soul since I was born, sin is the bitterest thing in the world to my Soul.

Then hearken to this call of Christ, for he calls you in particular to come to him, and this coming is believing: are you willing to come to Christ, and ask a pardon of him, and beg his mercy?

Yea, with all my heart. Lord help me.

Then see the next words, what he promises, I will give you rest.

Oh Lord let it be so, according to thy Word and Promise, thy will be done.

Well, wait here, and see if God doth not quiet your Soul, and give you rest. Mean while I will further ask you in the next words, Are you willing to take upon you Christ his yoke, and this yoke consisteth of two parts: 1. The yoke of Commandments, to do whatever he commandeth. And 2. his yoke of Sufferings in this world for his Name sake: for now that you are converted, the carnal world will hate you, mock you, injure you, speak all evil against you, and it may be if they can they will kill you▪ as they did Christ; but are you willing to suffer all for Jesus Christ his sake, who hath died for yo [...]? And further, are you willing to learn meekness of Jesus Christ? for they are the next words; and I [Page 32] do assure you, that you will have great need of patience, when you have done all the duties he commands, to suffer patiently what God himself shall inflict upon you by sicknesses, crosses and tempta­tions, or what wicked men shall inflict upon you.

These things which you speak are against the flesh and frame that I used to be in; and I do finde that they are not so fully kil­led, but that they have a little stirring in them when you propound these cases to me.

But the experience I have now found of the love of God, and of Jesus Christ to my Soul, doth lay such an engagement upon my heart, that I will, by his grace and assistance, be for him onely, serve him onely, do all that ever he shall command me, suffer whatever he shall impose upon me; I will no more be for my self, but for him, who hath done all this for me. Oh what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits to my poor Soul!

We are surprized by the night, we must rest under these Trees this night. I do account this day well spent, though we have made but little progress toward the place of our intendment: but I have been about the work I came abroad upon, though not the persons I intended. Thus God doth over-rule the wayes of men; he foreseeth and ordereth that which we had no thoughts upon: and therefore in that we have spent this day in such Con­ference and Discourse, wherein we have seen so much of the pre­sence of Christ with us; let us now spend this night in prayers and praises unto the Lord, who hath found us before we sought for him. You were going about another business, you little thought of find­ing Jesus Christ by the way, and finding mercy to your Soul, a par­don of your sins, and to become a praying Indian.

Your discourse doth heighten my admiration. I acknow­ledge God hath thought of me when I thought not of him; he had a care of my Soul when I had no care of my self; God hath pluck­ed me out of darkness, and brought me into a most wonderful light, that I should be forced to see the wonderful things of Gods Law, & of my eternal condemnation by it, my helpless and hopeless condition that I was in.

And then, that the Lord should open unto me a possibility of escape, that a ransome and remedy might be found by the infinite wisdome and mercy of God; and that Jesus Christ had not onely accomplished that great work, but offered the fruit and benefit of it to me▪ and called me to rest in him, and to be trust my Soul with him for pardon of all my sins, and for eternal life in Jesus Christ. These things are matter of my admiration, and shall be to all eter­nity. My life remaining shall be spent in admiring, and in obeying and suffering, as you have now taught me; I shall account nothing too dear for Christ, who hath not accounted his own most precious life too dear for me. Whereas I am now instructed, that he being [Page 33] God and Man in one person, his life was of more value then all the lives of all mankinde; and that he did not forbear to offer that precious life for me; I must, I will, by his grace assisting, admire at this mercy for ever: and therefore the motion that you made of spending this night in prayer and praises unto his holy Name, it is a most acceptable motion to my heart. My experience suggest­eth unto me matter abundantly to pray and praise his Name, but my ignorance is such as that I cannot tell how to utter my minde in words of knowledge suitable unto so great mercies as I have now experienced.

Your discourse doth lead me out to inform you in a great point of the grace and kingdome of Jesus Christ, and that is the gift and grace of Prayer, which the Spirit of Jesus Christ teach­eth every new born Soul to perform: for so the Scripture saith, Rom 8.15. He hath given the Spirit of his Son, whereby we cry, and crying is an earnest manner of praying; and the matter of our cry is to say Abba, Father, that is, to call God our Father, and to ask him a Childes portion in the Name of Jesus Christ, as he hath pro­mised, that whatever we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, it shall be surely granted, either the same thing or a better; for we are foolish children, and know not what is best for our selves, but our Father doth: and therefore when we make our prayers and request to God, we must leave the matter to his love & wisdome, to give us what, and when, and how he will.

And because we are ignorant what to pray for, therefore the Spi­rit of God who dwelleth in our heart, he is called the Spirit of Grace and of Supplication; and Rom. 8.26, 27. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit, because he maketh interces­sion for the Saints, according to the will of God. Where we see that our weakness is supplied by the assistance of the Spirit, and he help­eth us to pray for such things as please God, and in such a manner as pleaseth God. And this is the condition of every true convert­ed believer, that he can pray, and desires to pray, and is ever lift­ing up his heart to G [...]d in prayer: and therefore I like it well that my motion of spending this night in prayer, is so acceptable to you, a good sign it is that the Spirit of Jesus Christ hath taken possession of your Soul.

This little sight and experience I have, hath so filled my heart with a sense of my own vileness, that I see matter of endless confession; and I see so much nothingness in my self, that I see end­less matter of petition and supplication; and I see my self so in­finitely obliged to God for the riches of his free-grace to me a re­bellious worm, that I see infinite matter of praise, thanksgiving [Page 34] and admiration: My heart also longeth after others, that they may be as I am. I pray tell me, what is my duty in that respect to pray for others? my Relations, my Friends, my Neighbours, and for all?

Christ hath taught us, When thou art converted, then strength­en thy brother, Luke 22.32. therefore you must pray for all the Church of God; you must especially pray for them that are weak, and tempted, and afflicted; and you must pray for them that are not yet converted, and for all Gods people, and for all Gods cause in all the world, and for the fulfilling of all Gods Promises. There is a world of matter to pray for: and for King [...] and Rulers in a special manner.

I feel my heart to answer your words like an eccho; my heart answers, All these things I desire to pray for. But alas, I am ignorant of fit words in prayer, and therefore I do request of you, first do you pray, and set me a pattern.

Many whole nights have I spent waking, sometime in hunt­ing, sometime worse, in dancing and other sinful revels; but I never spent a night so well in my life before: it is the first night of my new life; I have begun to live well, oh how f [...]ll of fear, and care and desire my heart is, that I may go on according to this good beginning. I hope the sweet [...]avour of this good beginning to live well, shall abide with me, and I desire your help and coun­sel how I may so perform it.

Our state in this world is not perfect, corruption is killed but in part; there be old roots remaining, which upon occasion offered will still be stirring, acting, appearing, as a tree that is cut down, the old roots will be growing, which must be kept down with a speedy cutting off. A field that is well weeded, will quick­ly produce new weeds again, out of that natural propensity of the earth to bring forth weeds; but a watchful and diligent husband­man will be often weeding over his Corn fields: and so will our hearts be sending forth new weeds of sin, but we must be daily di­ligent to watch and weed them out; our hearts have a natural pro­pensity to sin, and therefore must be kept with all diligence. And therefore that is the first counsel that I give you, out of the expe­rience of my own naughty heart.

Your word [...] do put a fear into my heart, I know that old customes of sin are very hardly left, and I have been so long ac­customed to sin, that I am afraid of my self.

Fear is a good watchman; Happy is the man that feareth alwayes: and let this put you on to a second Counsel that I give you, Be much and often in prayer, and that not onely among others in Family [...]worship, and Publick-worship, but also, and most fre­quently in secret prayer, for so Christ hath commanded, Ma [...]. 6. and Christ himself hath set us an example, who spent whole nights in prayer.

The night spent in prayer hath let me finde a sweet taste in it, though I do already finde that it is a weariness to my flesh. I thank you for this Counsel, I desire I may remember and do it. What further Counsel will you give me?

You must be much conversant in the Word of God, and though you cannot yet reade the Word, yet you must get the help of others, and learn the word of God by heart; and you must meditate upon the same night and day, for so David did, Psal. 1.2. And the meditation on the Word will sanctifie the heart, and kill corruption, and will mightily help you to subdue it.

I doubt it will be difficult for me to learn to reade, I am dull of capacity.

A strong desire, diligence and constancy, will obtain any thing: and you must pray God to teach you, and to open your heart to learn: Jam. 1.5. If any of you lack wisdome, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and up▪ raideth not, and it shall be given hi [...]. And for a further help to you, my fourth Counsel is, That you diligently learn the Catechize, and by learning to reade that, you will learn to reade and understand the whole Bible.

I see my self very ignorant, and therefore I am very desi­rous to learn Catechism, because I have heard and do perceive that is the foundation of all knowledge in Religion, being wisely gathered out of the Scripture.

You say right about Catechism; we do therefore teach it our Children, that the principles of good knowledge may be sown and rooted in them from a Childe: and for that reason also do we send them to School, to learn to reade the Word of God, that they may be acquainted with the Word from a Childe.

Oh what a loss is this to me, that I am to begin to learn Catechize and the Word of God now I am a man, which I might have been acquainted with from a Childe, had I been brought up among the praying Indians. How happy are your Children that are thus brought up. I suppose you are very diligent in this matter in Training up of your Children.

We have great cause to judge our selves for too much negligence in this point. A fifth Counsel I give you is, That you be constant and diligent in the exercise of the Worship of God in your Family, in these points: 1. You must Morning and Even­ing pray in your Family, and teach them in Catechism, and read­ing of the Scriptures. 2. Alwayes before and after Meat you must pray and give thanks to God.

Oh what an holy life do the praying Indians live. Lord teach me and help me thus to do. VVhat further Counsel do you give me?

A sixth Counsel I give you is, That you do carefully re­member the Sabbath-day to keep it holy, and to come to the pub­lick [Page 36] Assembly both Forenoon and Afternoon, constantly and time­ly, and there diligently to attend the worship of God.

Oh how my heart approveth of this Counsel. Have you any further Counsel to give me?

One thing more; Let all your Conversation be a good example to others, & labour on all occasions to do good to others.

I request this of you, that as we travel this day in our journey, you would teach me the Principles of Catechism.

I do well like of your motion, its a good subject of dis­course as we are in our way.

Thus are they imployed till they come at their journeys end.

DIALOG. III:

SAchem, we salute you in the Lord, and we declare unto you, that we are sent by the Church, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to call you, and beseech you to turn from your vain conversation unto God, to pray unto God, and to believe in Jesus Christ for the pardon of your sins, and for the sal­vation of your soul. We do unto you, according to the holy Ex­ample which we finde, John 1.40, to 47. where Andrew called Pe­ter, and Christ himself called Philip, and Philip called Nathaniel. So we are come this day unto you, in the Name of Jesus Christ, to [Page 44] call you to come unto the Lord, and serve him. This Argument we perswade you by, because we hear that many of your people do de [...]re to pray to God, only they depend upon you. We pray you to consider, that your love to your people should oblige you to do them all the good you can. In this point, it lieth in your hand to do the greatest good in the world unto them, to do good to their souls as well as to their bodies, and to do them good to eternity, as well as in this present world. All this good you will do to your pe [...]ple, if you will accept of this offer of mercy; you will not only your self turn from sin unto God, to serve the true and living God, but all your people will turn to God with you, so that you may say unto the Lord, Oh Lord Jesus, behold here am I, and all the people which thou hast given me: we all come into thy service, and promise to pray unto God so long as we live. Oh how wel­com [...] will you be [...] to the Lord? And oh how happy and joyful will [...]ll your people be, when they and their Sachem are all owned by God, to be in the number of his Children and Servants. It will be a joy to all the English Magistrates, and Ministers, and Churches, and good people of the Land, to hear that Philip and all his people are turned to God, and become praying Indians. We reade in Luke 15.7. t [...]at there is joy in heaven over one po [...]r sinner that repenteth ▪ and turneth unto God; what great joy will it then be in heaven▪ when so great a number as you and your people be, are tur [...]d unto the Lord, and become praying Indians!

Often have I [...]eard of this great matter of praying unto God, and hitherto I h [...]ve refused. Mr. Eli [...]t junior, while he was alive▪ attempted it, but I did not hearken unto his perswasion. Old Mr. Eli [...]t himself did come [...]nto me, he was in this Town, and did perswade me; but we were then in our Sports, where­in I have much delighted, and in that temptation. I confess, I did neglect and despise the offer, and lost that opportunity. Since that time God hath afflicted and chastised me, and my heart doth begin to break, and I have some serious thoughts of accepting the offer, and turning to God, to become a praying Indian, I my self, and all my pe [...]ple. But I have some g [...]eat Objections, which I cannot tell how to get over, which are still like great Rocks in my way▪ over which I cannot climb; and if I should, I fear I shall fall down the precipice on the further side, and be spoiled and un­done: by ve [...]turing to climb, I shall catch a deadly fall to me and my posterity

The first Objection that I have is this, Because you praying In­dians do rej [...]ct your Sachems, and refuse to pay them Tribute; in­somuch that if any of my people turn to pray unto God. I do reckon that I have lost him, he will not longer own me for his Sa­chem, nor pay me any Tribute. And hence it will come to pass, that if I should pray to God, and all my people with me, I must [Page 45] become as a common man among them, and so lose all my Power and Authority over them, This is such a t [...]mptation as n [...]it [...]er I, nor any of the great Sachems can tell how to get over: were this temptation removed▪ the way would be more easie and open for me to turn praying Indian. I begin to have same good likance of the way, bu [...] I am lo [...]h to buy it at so dear a rate.

Though I am younger then my Brother with whom I am se [...]t, yet I know my self to be in a clearer cap [...]city to answer to this case, [...]hen my Brother is, b [...]cause Catsha [...]oquin, the first great Sac [...]em that prayed to God, and after him Chik [...]atabuk, and after him M [...]squ [...]mog, were Sachems in the Town where I live, and they w [...]re my Sachems, and I well know how the praying Indians did carry the matter towards them.

And first, I say, if any of the praying Indians should be disobe­dient (in lawful things) and ref [...]se to pay Tribute unto their Sa­chems, it is not their R [...]ligion and praying to God that teaches them so to do, but their Corruptions; it is a sickness that need­eth P [...]ysick to cure it, and not allowance and countenance to de­fend it. I am sure the Word of God commandeth all to be sub­ject to the higher powers, and to pay them Tribute, Rom. 13.1, [...] 3, 4, 5 6 7. A [...]d Christ Jesus hath commanded to gi [...]e unto Cesar the things [...]hat belong to Cesar, and to God the things that belong to God. And [...]hus we have been taught. All the time that Cutsham [...]quin lived, our Town did alwayes honour, obey, and pay Tribute unto him; and so far as I know, so did all the praying India [...]s which belonged to his Jurisdiction After his decease we chose Josias, or Chikkatabuk, but not until he had promised before the Gover­nour and Magistrates of the Massachusets at Boston, To pray unto God, and to d [...]fend and govern us in praying to God all the dayes of his life. And though he fell back from his promise, yet our Town alwayes owned him. And when he began to recover himself a little before his death, the people were ready to adhere unto him, and acknowledge him. In his life time we accepted his Bro­ther, at his request; and Msquammog his leaving us, is his own act and not ours. And therefore, beloved Sachem, let not your heart fear that praying to God will alienate your people from you; nay, be assured it will more firmly oblige their hearts unto you. This I know by experience, for the more beneficent you are unto them; the more obligation you lay upon them. And what greater bene­ficence can you do unto them, then to further them in Religion, whereby they may be converted, pardoned, sanctified and saved.

All that my Brother hath said I second, and can bear wit­ness unto it; onely I will adde one thing more▪ of which I know more then he doth, because it was acted in the Town where I live▪ There was some subtile endeavour to have mingled the praying and non-praying Indians, and to have reduced the praying Indians un­der [Page 46] the power of non praying Indians, contrary to publick and evident Conditions. Against this, did some of the wiser sort (who saw the Trap) firmly stand; giving this Reason: The Fox came to the Lambs door, and would fain come in, but the Lambs refused. Then the Fox desired to let him put in but one Claw; the Lambs refused, saying, If he get in but one Claw, he will not rest till he have wringled in his whole body. Stop waters while they be small and superable. And this I say unto you, beloved Sachem, you shall finde none truer to you then praying Indians: but know withall, that G [...]d teaches them by his Word to be wise, and they will not easily be abused.

I [...] that be true which you say, all is not true that is talk­ed against the praying Indians; and indeed I do see that they are the worser sort of men that do speak so ill of them, the wiser sort are not so minded. I have nothing within the compass of my knowledge, to gainsay that which you have spoken; and I know not but that a course m [...]y be taken to oblige both sides, as you took a course to oblige your Sachem. I am ready to think that the Go­vernour and Magistrates of the Massachusets would as well oblige you to him, as him to you.

Yea, yea, so it was, and most equal that it should be so.

I have another Objection stronger then this; and that is, If I pray to God, then all my men that are willing to pray to God will (as you say) stick to me, and be true to me; but all such as love not and care not to pray to God, especially such as hate praying to God, all th [...]se will forsake me, yea will go and adjoyn themselves unto other S [...]chems that pray not to God: and so it will come to pass, that if I b [...] a praying Sachem, I shall be a poor and weak one, and easily be trod upon by others, who are like to be more potent and numerous; and by this means my Tribute will be small, and my pe [...]ple sew, and I shall be a great loser by pray­ing to God. In the way I now am, I am full and potent, but if I change my way and pray to God▪ I shall be empty and weak.

I confess that this is a strong temptation, and requireth much Self-denial and Faith to conflict with it. I pray consider what Counsel Jesus Christ giveth in this case, Matth. 16.24. Let a man deny h [...]mself take up his cross, and follow me. I confess that this is harsh Doctrine to flesh and blood; but I will tell you a Cordial against it, Matth. 19.29 Every one that hath forsaken Hou­ses or Brethren, or S [...]sters, or Father, or Mother, or Wife, or Chil­dren, or Lands for [...] Names sake, shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life. Trust God in this Promise, and see if he do not perfor [...] it. And be assured, it is better to trust God in a way of well doing, then to trust to wicked and vile men in a way of sin. If God will punish you, all your men, especially the worst of them, cannot save you; but if all your men should for­sake [Page 47] you, and yet you choose Christ, and be true to him, then Christ will certainly t [...]ke care of you. And further, this is but a fear that humane Reason maketh; try the Lord, it may be he will make all your men to stick the closer to you. You think the better sort will stick to you, it is but the loss of the worser sort, at the worst, and if you trust in the Lord, he can over-rule the hearts of the worst of men, and they shall no [...] forsake you. Besides you may put it to the trial, put it to the publick Vote; if you should do so, I do think that they will all promise to stick unto you if you pray to God: and then this Objection is cut off in the beginning of the work. Consider also what Christ hath said, Mat. 11.29, 30. he commands such as come to him, to take up my yoke, and learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly of heart, and ye shall [...] rest to your souls: For my yoke is easie, and my burthen light. You fear that this will be burthensome, heavy, and to your loss; try the Lord if he do not make this Objection easie and light unto you: and see if it do not prove that you are more afraid then hurt. Christ will not suffer any body to lose by him, at last. Nay you shall be a certain and a great gainer by it, both in this world, and in the world to come.

As my Brother hath said, I acknowledge this to be (in ap­pearance at least) a strong temptation. This was the temptation of Josias, that drew him to his Apostacy, he forsook his praying people, and adhered unto those who did not pray to God: but this was because his own heart did not love praying to God▪ and did better like of the wicked wayes of the non praying Indians. But what got he at last by adhering to the worst sort of his Sub­jects? When he was in distress they all f [...]rsook him, which his praying Subjects would not have done, if he would have adhered unto them. Likewise this very thing which you propose, was a temptation to Cutshamoquin; His praying to God did make such of his people as loved not that way, to waver in their subjection to him, and it did begin to make him waver in the matter of pray­ing to God: but God did mercifully preserve him, and kept him stedfast to his dying day. But this he did, he went sometimes a­mong them, he used them kindly, [...]e treated them with gentle per­swasion, without compulsion; by such wayes be so carried the matter, that they forsook him not. And I do not doubt but that the matter may be so ordered and carried, that you may be secured from that danger, which seemeth to lie in your Objection. But indeed the true Reason why sundry of Cuts [...]moquin his men left him, whereby he fell under poverty, was this, He sold unto the English all our Lands which lay by the Sea-side and Salt water▪ save onely one Field; and then it was, that they went to such other places as they liked better. And this one Field also, Josias sold away; and the Inland place, where we now live, Mr. Eli [...]t pro­cured [Page 48] for us, after we prayed to God.

But let the worst of your fears come to pass, suppose all your Subjects that hate praying to God should leave you, what shall you lose by it? y [...]u are rid of such as by their sins vi [...]iate others, and multiply transgression, and provoke the wrath of God against you and yours. But consider what you shall gain by praying [...]o God: Do not trouble your self by p [...]ring upon what you shall lose, which at most is but a very s [...]ll matter Turn your eye to the other side, and look what y [...]u shall gain; you lose a few wicked men which hate praying to G [...]d; bu [...] if you pray to God, all the praying Indians will rej [...]ice at i [...], and be your friends, and they are not a few, now, by the gr [...]ce and blessing of Jesus Christ; all t [...]e Massa [...]husets Indians will be your friends; all the praying In­dians [...] N [...]pmu [...] Country will be your friends; all the praying Indians of N [...]p will be your [...]; all the praying Indians of Nan­tuket will be your friends; all the pray [...]ng In [...]ians of Mahshepeg, and all Eastward from them as far [...]s Cape [...]od; all these w [...]ll be your friends: and what comparison is betwixt these, and those you lose?

Again, suppose you lose a few Subjects that hate praying to God, but yet you shall gain a more i [...]tim [...]te love of the Gover­nour, and Magistrates, and g [...]od people of Plimouth, who were ever good friends to your [...] Onsamequin, and to you hitherto; but if you pray to God, you sh [...]ll finde di [...]erence, they will more honour, respect and love you, then [...]ver they did; they will em­brace you as a Brother in Christ J [...]sus. Yea farther, the Gover­nour and Magistrates of the M [...]ssa [...]husets will own you, and be fa­therly and friendly to you. The Commissioners of the United Colonies will own you. Yea more, the King of England, and the great Peers who are Heads of t [...]e C [...]rporation there, who yearly send over Means to encourage and promote our praying to God, they will take notice of you: and what are a few of your Subjects that hate praying to God, in co [...]parison of all these? Yea moreover, and above all these Considerations, that which is said, Luke 15.7. I tell you, there shall be joy in heaven [...]ver one poor sinner that repent­eth; So that God in heaven, Jesus C [...]rist, the holy G [...]ost, and the holy Angels in heaven, will j [...]y at your turning to God. Cease therefore these vain fears of losing a few sinful people, who possi­bly may fors [...]ke you, if you pray unto God.

I am drowned and overwhelmed with the weight of your Reasonings: I know not what to answer you at the present; yet I fear, that when I am out of the sun-shine of your wise discour­ses, I shall ag [...]in be plunged into the pit of doubting, by my ma­nifold fears t [...]at do i [...]ompass me.

Go on therefore a [...]d produce all your doubts, let us see what weight is in them. Sands are heavy when many are laid to­gether, [Page 49] but bring them out one by one, and they will be fou [...]d light, and of no value. Our desire is to deal fully with you, and hear all that you have to say: Cobwebs m [...]y seem thick and strong until they be handled, but when they be touched and opened, they will be found alt [...]gether we [...]k.

I perceive that in your pr [...]ying to [...], and in your Churches, all are brought to an equality; Sachems and people they are all fellow-brethren in your C [...]urches; Poor and Rich are e­qually priviledged; the Vo [...]e of the lowest of the people, hath as much weight as the Vote of the Sachem. Now I doubt that this way will lift up the he [...]rt of the poor to too much boldness, and debase the Rulers too low: this bringing all to an equality, will bring all to a confusion.

This also I confess is a great and weighty Point, and must be looked upon with much prudence and caution. The weight of a Vote lieth not so much in the man, as in the matter wherein he Vo [...]eth. A poor wise man m [...]y give a better Reason then a rich man, or a Rul [...]r, and then it is the Reason that prevaileth, not the man. We must all be ruled by the Word of God, both Sachems and people. The Word of G [...]d in the mouth of a po [...]r man must be regarded for the W [...]rds [...]ake, a [...]d not for the mans sake, be he rich or poor. The management of Church Liberties is a narrow edge, and may easily be miscarried, and [...]rove hurtful; which difficulty must be helped by good conduct: the well-ordering of a Church is a point of great wisdome and care; but we must not therefore fly off from a Rule, because it is difficult, but it must be acted with the more fear, care and prayer.

There is such a Rule in the Gospel way of the Churches, as E­quality of Vote among Believers in the matters of Jesus Christ: And herein is a great point of Self denial in Sachems and chief men, to be eq [...]al to his Brethren in the things that appertain to Christ, who is no respecter of persons: So it is said, Col. 3 11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, Circumcision nor Vncircum­cision, Barbarian, Scy [...]h [...]an [...]ond nor free, but Christ is [...] and in all. And as Faith [...]akes all Believers equal in Christ, so doth t [...]e Order of the Gospel: all that are in Gospel order, are equally concerned in the [...]ffairs of Jesus Christ. And this should [...]ot be a trouble, but a comfort and j [...]y to every one; and therefore it is said, Jam. 1.9, 10. Let the brother of law degree rejoyce in that he is exalted; but the rich in that he is made law: for by both these Christ is exalted and in that we must rejoice.

All that my Brother h [...]th said is weighty: I will adde a word further to the edge of your Objection. Church-Order doth not abolish Civil Order, but establish it; Religion teacheth and commandeth reverence and obedience to Civil Rulers: and when a religious Ruler doth deny himself for Christ his sake, to be equal [Page 50] with his Brethren in Church Order, it obligeth all godly hearts the more to honour him in his Civil O [...]der. 1 Tim. 6 2 the Lord saith, And they that have believing Masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but the rather do the [...]service, be [...]use they are faithful and [...], partakers of the benefit. These things [...] and exhort. Do not fear any lots of honour, by su [...]m [...]ting to Gospel Community in Church-Order; but know, that it is the rightest way to true honour. The hearts of all will honour those Rulers that are humble and holy.

And when you shall do this for the honour of Christ, then Christ will take care to honour such Rulers; for God hath promised, 1 Sam. 2.30. Them that honour me, I will honour. Believe the word of God, for you shall finde it true.

What second thoughts may come into my minde I cannot tell, but at present I finde nothing in my minde to oppose against what you say. But yet there is another thing that I am much a­fraid of, and that is your Church Admonitions and Excommuni­cations: I hear that your Sachems are under that yoke. I am a sinful man as well as others, but if I must be admonished by the Church, who are my Subjects, I know not how I shall like that. I doubt it will be a bitter Pill, too hard for me to get down and sw [...]l [...]w.

Still your Objections are great and weighty. Sin is the sic [...]ness of the soul, even as diseases are the sickness of the body. Admonitions in the Lord, by the holy Scriptures are the Physick of the Soul, even as outward Medicines are P [...]ysick to the body. Now if your body be sick, you will no [...] refu [...]e Physick because it is bitter or sharp, and difficult to bear. No, but you will bear it patiently, because you know it is wholesome, a [...]d a means to cure your sickness. The same I say about the sickness of your soul, that Medicine which God hath appointed to purge awa [...] your sin, you must patiently submit unto, because it is wholesome and good for your soul. Yea, and you must be so much the more care­ful and willing to submit thereunto, by how much the danger of soul-sicknesses are deeper and greater then bodily sicknesses be. A bodily sickness, at the worst, doth but kill the body but soul-sicknesses, if not cured, do damn both body and soul in hell, with the Devil and his Angels for ever. It is a desperate danger to let soul sicknesses go uncured. It is pleasant and delightful to the flesh to sin without controll, but remember wh [...]t the end of it will be. Solomon that wise King saith, Eccles. 11.9. Rejoyce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in thy you [...]h, and walk in the wayes of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. This is a trembling word. Felix a great Ruler trembled when he heard that word, Acts 24.25. It is therefore against all wisdome to refuse [Page 51] to be subject to soul-physick. It is a great mercy when God giveth a skilful Physician to cure our bodies, but it is a greater mercy to have a skilful Physician to he [...]l and cure our souls. This there­fore is so fa [...] from being a discouragement from praying to God, as that it is rather an encouragement. Make hast [...] to come into that way which provideth well for your souls health, because eternal salvation dependeth upon it.

I am willing to adde a word or two by way of lenitive. Though the matter be harsh and bitter, yet the manner of applying must be with all reverence, gentleness, meekness, tenderness, and love, so as to avoid all [...]xasperation or provocation. So the Lord hath commanded, Galat. 6.1. If a man [...]e overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual▪ restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, con­sidering thy self lest thou also be tempted.

And for your fu [...]ther encouragement, we finde in the Scripture that great Kings and rulers have meekly submitted to this soul-physick. David was sharply reproved by the Prophet, and he meek­ly submitted to it, 2 Sam 12. and so it was with Eli, 1 Sam. 2.27. Let it not therefore be unacceptable unto you, to imitate so great, so good Examples. If Sachems might sin, and no body might ad­monish them, because they be rulers, and the Ministers and people are the subjects, it were the most miserable condition in the world to be a Sachem or a ruler, they run to hell without controll, and no body may say unto him, Why do you so? It is said, Isa. 30.33. Tophet is ordained of old, yea for the King i [...] is prepared. If God have ordained hell for Sachems, then sure he hath ordained means to keep them out of it, as well as for other men; for God desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should repent and live. If therefore you desire to escape hell, and to go to heaven, submit your soul to such means as God hath appointed to bring you to repentance and s [...]lvation. When you put the Objection, you said you are a sinful man as well as others: therefore your own heart will tell you that you have need of such helps as God hath ap­pointed to bring you to repentance, else you cannot be saved.

I feel your words sink into my heart and stick there, you speak arrows; I feel that you wound me, but I do not think that you hurt me; nor do you mean me any hurt but good. I desire to ponder and consider of these things. I have more matters to object, but I will forbear at this time: and besides, it is time for you to eat, and to take rest, and therefore I will proceed no fur­ther at t [...]is time.

We thankfully accept your patience thus long, and your good accept [...]nce of what we say: God hath been present with us, and we perceive that the Spirit of God is at work in your heart, this putteth us in hopes of a good issue.

We have one request unto you, beloved Sachem, That while we [Page 52] [...]bid [...] in your house, we may have liberty to carry our selves like praying Indians; namely, that when we eat, we may pray and give thanks to God, before and after meal; als [...] before we lie down at night, and when we r [...]se up in the morning▪ we may pray and give thanks to [...]; and that discourses may be grave, and for edification; that there may be no Games or Sports, or such other things, w [...]ic [...] we have abandoned.

I d [...]li [...]e well what you say, all things shall be as you de­sire; it will be a g [...]od opportunity for us to see what manner of Conversation you praying Indians use. I will pr [...]p [...]se it unto so ma [...]y of my people as be here present, how they like of this last motion y [...]u [...], of allowing you free l [...]berty of all such Exerci­ses as you praying Indians practise. What say you, my friends, to this l [...]st [...] of theirs?

We like it very well, and shall willingly give attendance unto their [...]rayers. And besid [...]s it is not long to t [...]eir Sabbath, we desire they wo [...]ld stay the [...]abbath, and teach publickly, and let us see their S [...]bbath Convers [...]tion also. It may be we shall see so much be [...]uty and de [...]r [...]ableness in their wayes, that it may much he [...]ght [...]n and raise our affectio [...]s [...]o embrace and submit our selves [...]to this way of praying to God.

You go too fast, your answer goes beyond my proposal, or their request: we spake onely of private Conversation. I said no­thing of the Sabbath, nor of their publick Teaching, this is a greater matter. But go to, seeing you have made the motion, I will not refuse it. What say you my friends? you hear wh [...] these people desire, will you t [...]rry the Sabbath among us, and teach publickly amongst my people? for if you accept the motion, we shall take a course to give notice thereof to all parts of the Town.

We are sent by the Church in the Name of Jesus Christ, to call you up unto the way which leadeth to heaven. One part of this heavenly way, is to Keep holy the Sabbath day, by exercising our selves in the Word of God and prayer. I perceive the for­wardness of your people hereunto, and your own wary condescen­dence unto their desires, which amounteth unto more then a cal­ling unto us to attend the motion: it addeth encouragement and hope of good acceptance with man, and a divine blessing from heaven.

I Have so ordered my occasions, that they will give way to [...]y attendance to the matter you come about, therefore this Afternoon I have set apart, that we may have further Confe­rence about them.

The former points we discoursed, I am willing they should still lie soaking in my heart and minde. I am not ready to make Re­plies, or to draw forth any further speech about them. I choose rather to draw forth some of my other Doubts and Objections; unto which, if your Answers be as considerable and weighty, as they were to my former doubts, I shall then see cause to lay them up also a soaking, and pondering in my heart. Know this, that in the rowlings of my thoughts, the disquiet turnings and tum­blings of my minde, do oft-times molest me with variety of pas­sions. I am sometimes in grief and anguish of minde, especially when I over look my life past, and remember the many sins and follies that I have stained my life and honour withall, I think with my self, What a fool have I been, that for the love of a lust, which Dogs and brute Creatures delight in, that I, a Man, a Sachem, should be so besotted, as to stain my honour, wound my Soul, of­fend God, and expose my self to eternal damnation, and all this for a short delight that is gone with a blast, and leaves nothing be­hinde but shame and sorrow; and these are durable and indelible, a sad effect of sensual pleasures. Ah what a fool have I been▪ when I should have imployed my self in higher and greater mat­ters for the honour of God, and the good of my people. I have wasted my precious time and strength to sati [...]te my pleasures, which have left such a sting and torment in my soul, which all my Estate and Honour cannot ease me of, but they are like to torment me for ever. I am never without wicked company to draw me out unto such iniquities, but none of them can ease the torment of my minde and conscience, though some apply themselves so to do, I do finde their remedies are false and uneffectual.

But I have quite lost my self, I did not intend to open and pour out my minde and thoughts about these matters; but full vessels are ready to run over. I will come to that which I did intend.

Beloved Sachem, as the overflowings of your grief have interrupted your intended discourse, so let me take so much bold­ness to lengthen this your interruption, with a word of God▪ that may, by his blessing, be (at least) the beginning of a Cordial to your heart, and a Cure to your stain and wound. Sin is a shame to any Nation or person, but repentance is an honour. Your griefs [Page 54] have the right savour of repentance. It is said, 1 Cor. 3.18. Let a man become [...] feel, that he may be wise: you chide your self for your folly; y [...]u d [...] well [...]o to do, it is an act of wisdome so to do, go on in t [...]is fra [...]e of heart, and be constant, and you shall made rest. Christ calleth troubled souls to come unto him, Mat. 11.28. and he promis [...]h to give them rest, and he is [...]ble to per­form his promise. In his hand I leave this matter, and your tossed soul with inward griefs, that i [...] him y [...]u may finde rest.

My Brother hath presented you with a Cordial for your heart gri [...]f, I will present you with some Balm to heal your soul wounds. It is said Jer 8.22. Is there no Balm in Gilead? is there no Physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? Be [...]ld, in Gods Word we finde a Balm for w [...]unded souls, and that is the d [...]ath and blood of Jesus Christ, believed by faith: for Christ hath died for our sins, and rose again from the dead for our justification; he offereth a pardon for all your sins, and he will heal your soul, and quiet your heart from all those turmoiling troubles and griefs. Believe therefore in Jesus Christ, and he will pardon and save you.

I thank you for these comfortable words, I feel them in my heart, and I desire to lay them up among other things which I ponder in my heart.

And now I will proceed to open such other doubts which lie in my minde as impediments w [...]ich hinder me, and delay me from ac­cepting of this way of praying to God. I perceive in all your dis­courses, that you have a Book which you call The Word of God, and you reade it to me. I perceive also that in your worshipping of God morning and night, you reade in that Book: I pray tell me what Book that is, what is written in it? and how do you know that it is the Word of God? Many say that some wise English-men have devised and framed it, and tell us that it is Gods Word, when as it is no other then the words of wise men.

Hoh! we shall be interrupted in our discourse, for here cometh in a Sachem that hateth praying to God, and hath b [...]en a means of delaying my entrance into this way: but if he come up unto us, we will go on and let him be partaker of our discourse, if he like of it, and be willing so to do.

E [...]h, my friend, I pray come and sit down here, and hearken to our discourse. Here be some of the Massachuset praying Indians, who are soliciting me to pray unto God; and we are now discour­sing about a Book which they have, which they say is the Word of God: and I am row enquiring of them what is contained in that Book, and how it may be made appear that it is the Word of God? If you think good to joyn with us in this discourse, it will be ac­ceptable unto us to have your company, and to hear what you have to say about it.

I am willing to be present and [...]ear your discourse, bu [...] as for this new way [...]f praying to G [...]d, I like it not. We a [...]d ou [...] Forefathers have through all generations lived in [...] Religion, which I desire not to change; Are we wiser then our Forefathers? And I like not to suffer our people to reade that Book which they call the Word of God. If it be Gods Word, it is too deep for ignorant people to meddle withall; and it will fill them with new light and notions, which withdraws them from ou [...] obedience, and leadeth them to make trouble and disturbance unto us, in those old wayes in which we and our Forefat [...]ers have walked: and my Counsel is to suppress the reading of that Book.

With due respect unto you, Sachem, I shall thus answer unto what you say. If a great Sachem in a far Country should send unto you a writing, wherein he giveth you wise Counsel, would you not reade it? would you not hear what he saith? and would you not suffer your pe [...]ple to learn wisdome, but [...]ontinue in their ignorance and blindness? Sure you would shew so much respect to a man, a Sachem, that should do so kindly to you. Now so it is, that the great God who made these high heavens, and the great Lights that be therein; who made this Earth, and all this great World, and all things in it; who is King of king [...], and Lord of lords: I say this Great God, pittying to see the ignorance that all men are darkned withall, he hath sent us his VVord, which will make wise the ignorant, and will you not suffer your people to learn [...] [...]isdome? do you love darkness better then l [...]ght?

Besides, all Mankinde live in the wayes of sin, which lead them [...]o hell torments, where they shall be punished with eternal fire: [...] God pittying this miserable condition of man, h [...]th sent us [...] VVord of his, which sheweth us the way to escape hell tor­me [...]ts, and leadeth us into the way that leadeth us to eternal life, happiness and glory. And will not you suffer your people to learn this good way, when God offereth it unto us? Consider how your people will curse you, when they feel these torments, because you would not suffer them to learn the true way to heaven and [...]appi­ness▪ And what though we are not wiser then our Forefather [...], yet God can teach us such wisdome as our Forefathers did not know. I think, that we are bound to think that our fathers were so wise, that if Gods VVord had been brought and offered to them, [...] would have received it, and would have learned by it to be wiser then they were, and why therefore should not we b [...] so wise, as to do that which our wise fathers would have done, i [...] this light had shined unto them, as it now doth unto us. Let not the deepness of that wisdome in Gods VVord, hinder us that are i [...]norant from searching into it, for by reading of Gods word the ignorant may be made wise, Psal. 19 7. it maketh wise the simple: and [...]. The Word gives wisdome to the s [...]mple, and to the young man know­ledge [Page 56] and discretion. David learned to be wise by reading the word of God, Wiser then his Enemies, wiser then his Teachers, wiser then the Ancients, Psal. 119 98, 99, 100. and so may we. It is a vain word to say, They are ignorant, and therefore they may not reade the Word; the contrary to this is true, Because they are ignorant, therefore let them search and reade the word of God, be­cause that will make them wise. But you give the reason that lieth in the bottom of your heart, when you say, By reading of the word they will learn new light, which will molest and trouble them that love and walk in their old lusts, and deeds of darkness, and therefore you will keep them from the light. But I pray con­sider at what a dear rate you purchase your quiet in your old ways of sin and darkness, which lead you to hell, when you will compel all your people to live in sin and darkness, for fear lest when they finde the light of Gods Word, they should molest and trouble you in your lusts and sins.

I will adde a few words to what my Brother hath spoken. I have heard that in the other part of the World there be a certain people who are called Papists, whose Ministers and Teachers live in all manner of wickedness and lewdness, and permit and teach the people so to do: and these wicked Ministers will not suffer the people to reade the Word of God, and pretend the same reason as you do, Because they be ignorant. But the true reason is the same which you plainly speak out, lest by the knowledge of the VVord, they should have light to see into their vileness, and mo­lest them in their lusts and sins. And they are so cruel, that if they finde any one that readeth the word of God, they will kill him. They choose rather to lead all their people with them to hell, then to suffer them to see the light whereby they may be saved, lest when they see the light, they should discover their filt [...]iness, and [...]ouble them in their [...]ay to hell. But God doth account these men Murtherers, and [...]ath threatned to bring upon them fearful destruction, to revenge the blood of Gods people whom they have murthered. Therefore I pray you to consider, that the like ven­geance from God will fall upon you, if you will not suffer your people to search into, and learn the word of God.

What you have said hath fully setled and satisfied my heart in this point. I will never hinder my people from the know­ledge of the word of God, and I wonder at those vile Ministers that do so wickedly abuse the people; and I wonder at the Sa­chems, that they will suffer such vile Ministers to abuse their peo­ple in that manner, why do they not suppress them? and why do they not Command their people to Print the Bible, and let it be free for any man that will buy them, and reade them? I wonder at these things; Can you satisfie me in the reason hereof?

I can say but little to it; onely thus much I have heard, [Page 57] Some Sachems are as bad as the Ministers, and of the same minde with their Ministers, they are lise minded as this Sachem is; o­ther Sachems that are wiser and better minded, yet they cannot help it, because their Ministers are so rich, and by that means have so many people dependin [...] on them, that their Sachems dare not m [...]ddle with them; and their Ministers take a cunning course to keep themselves and successors rich, for they will not suffer one an­other to marry, whereby they should have lawful Children to inhe­rit their riches, but when they die▪ the next Minister hath all, or most of the riches that he had. And to the end they may keep one another from marrying, they suffer one another to keep VVhores, so that they have Ba [...]tards good store, but no l [...]wful Children. And by this means they maintain themselves in very great wealth, so that the Sachems dare not meddle with them.

Dot [...] no body see these base doings of these Ministers?

O [...] yes, many; but if any body speak a word against them, they will kill him presently, so that partly by their wealth, and partly by their cruelty, keep every body in fear of them.

Oh strange! how many of these wicked Ministers be there, that they are so potent?

Oh, a great many. The Ministers of I know not how ma­ny Countries combine together, and be of one minde to uphold one onother; and they choose one Chief, and call him a [...]ope, and say that he has power to pardon men [...] sins, and will sel Pardons for Money, and by that means they get a great deal of wealth, for people are such fools as to think that he can pardon them, when as the Popes be as vile sinners as any body, and keep VVhores, and get Bastards. Other of these Ministers they call Cardinals; others Lord Archbishop; others, Lord Bishop; other, Lord Abb [...]t; o­ther Lord [...]ri [...]r, and I cannot tell how many more: and many of these as rich as Sachems, and leave their wealth to their succes­sors, because they have no lawful Children, onely keep VVhores, and get Bastards. And they will allow their Sachems▪ or any body else, to keep VVhores, and get Bastards▪ and the Pope will par­don them for money. And this that I tell you, is but a little of the filthiness that is among these wick [...]d Ministers. Now i [...] peo­ple should but look into the word of God, they would presently finde that no body can pardon sins but G [...]d; and they would pre­sently finde, that God has appointed no such Ministers as these, they are all of them the Devils Ministers, and not God's: and if Sachems and people knew this, they would buy no more Pardons of them, and the Sachems would suppress them, and take away their great riches, or imploy them to better uses. And for this reason they will not suffer any but themselves to re [...]de the Scri­pture▪ they will kill them if they do; and they have Lords Inqui­sitors, as they call them, to watch and search if any body have a [Page 58] Bible, or any other good Book, that opens and discovers their Villany, he shall be killed: And these Lords Inquisitors are as rich as Sachems. And thus they keep all men in subjection to them, and in fear of them, and Sachems are afraid of them, and they do what they list.

Here be Ministers with all my heart! are these the men that manage their Religion? These are worse then our Pauwaus. If any P [...]uwau in my dominions should be half thus vile, I would scoure him. I see that in some places of the world there be worse men then we Indians be. I do not think there is such vileness to be found among any of the Indians in all this Country, what may be further off I know not. And if all this vileness be maintained by ignorance of the word of God, it s [...]emeth to me, that it is a principal thing in Religion to know and be acquainted with the word of God; and therefore I desire that now we may go on with our intended discourse. And whereas I proposed two questions, me thinks that much may be gathered out of this discourse we have had, tending to shew what matter is contained in the word of God. But it is like you will speak more fully to it. I shall there­fore bend my minde to give attendance unto what you shall fur­ther say

This Question is one great Principle in Religion; and I cannot take a surer and better course to answer it, then by decla­ring the Answer that is given in our Catechism unto the Question, and by opening some of the Texts of Scripture, which are there brought for the proof and manifestation thereof.

The Question is, What is the Word of God? The Answer is, It is the Will of God written in the Bible, whereby he rightly guideth man, in every thing in this world, and whereby he bringeth us to eternal salvation. These are but few words, but full of weight, and proved by divers Scriptures.

What do you mean by Scriptures?

The word and will of God written in a Book, whereby we may not onely hear it with our ears, when it is spoken by others, but we may see it with our eyes, and reade the writing our selves. And this is a great benefit to us, to have Gods word and will writ­ten; for a word spoken is soon gone▪ and nothing retaineth it but our Memory, and that impression which it made upon our minde and heart; but when this word is written in a Book, there it will abide, though we have forgotten it, and we may reade it over a thousand times, and help our weak memories, so that it shall ne­ver be forgotten; yea, and such as cannot have an opportunity of [...]earing the word, yet they may alwayes have an opportunity of reading the word, because it is written in the Bible, which they have by them in their houses, and may reade in it night and day. We do therefore call the word of God Scripture, because it is written in a book.

I am satisfied in what you say: I pray go on to open those Texts of Scripture which the Catechism giveth for proofs.

The first Text I mention is Hos. 8.12. I have written to him the great things of my Law, but they were counted [...] a strange thing. Here God gives to man a Law, and he writeth this Law; and eve­ry thing in this Law is a great matter: though some things are grea­ter then other, yet every thing that God hath written is a great matter. But God doth blame men for counting them as strange things; we should be well acquainted with them.

Dan. 10.21. when an Angel spake to Daniel, he told him, that he would declare to him that which is n [...]ted in the Scriptures of truth. And we that teach others must carefully so do, we must teach no­thing but that which is noted in, and grounded upon the Scri­ptures of truth. And we need to teach nothing else, for all things needful for salvation are contained in the Scriptures, as appears 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. All Scripture is given by interpretation from God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correct [...]on, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, throughly fur­nished to [...] good works. The man of God here, meaneth, o [...] [...]ay be applied to any honest man that is willing to walk by the Rule of the word, be he a Sachem, or a Teacher, or a Father, &c. Every man may finde in the Scriptures a perfect rule to guide him in eve­ry thought, word or deed. So that the word of God is a perfect Law to guide every man, in every thing, all the dayes of his life. And the word of God is not onely a rule to guide us in this life but it also brings us to heaven; Acts 20 32. I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified: and James 1.21. Re­ceive with meekness the ingra [...]ed word, which is able to save your souls. Many such testimonies I might adde, to shew the fulness of perfection of the word of God: but I forbear at present.

I will adde a few words touching the perfection of the Scriptures. Deut. 12.32. Whatsoever I command you, observe to do it; thou sha [...]t not adde thereto, nor diminish from it. Here be two wayes of wronging the Scriptures; 1. By adding to it; 2. By taking from it. Now these Popish Teachers and Ministers of whom I did discourse before, they do most wickedly wrong the Scri­ptures, especially by adding to them. They say that their Offices are commanded in the Scripture, and that the Pope is Christ his Vicar, and that he hath power to pardon sin, and abundance more such rotten stuff they adde unto the Scripture.

Now this is another reason why they will not suffer people to reade the Scriptures, because then every body would finde out their false dealing; and therefore if any body finde them out, they will presently kill them. The great wrong they do unto the Scri­ptures of truth, is one of their great sins; they adde their own [Page 60] wicked inventions, unt [...] ▪ [...] and perfect word of God.

Your discourse doth [...] in my heart an admiration at that excellent [...]; and I find [...] my heart a longing desire to be acqu [...]inted with that Book, and with those excellent matters that are co [...]t [...]ined in it. But although my heart doth begin to reverence that Book for the sake of [...]he matter contained in it, yet I desire that you would proceed to give me your grounds why you believe that it is Gods word, because I shall t [...]en reverence the Word, not onely for the matters sake, but also for the Authors sake. Good words spoke [...] by a good man, do obt [...]in respect; much more may the words that God speaketh, command all reve­rence.

This Point also being a great Principle in Religion, I will take the same course in it, as I did in the former. I will shew you what Answer we are taught in our Catechism, and I will touch some of the proofs.

1. The first Reason to prove the Scriptures to be the Word of God, is, Because they teach us the first Creation of the World, and all things in it, which no man nor Angel doth know or can teach, onely God; and this is proved in the first Chapter of Gene­sis ▪ where we reade the wonderful work of God in the Creation of the World, where man was last made.

2. The second Reason is from the holiness and perfection of the word of God. No man or Angel could give so holy▪ pure and per­fect a Law, as G [...]ds Law is, Psal. 19.8, [...], 10, 11. also Psal. 12.6. The [...] the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth pur [...]ied [...].

3. The third Reason is, Because the word of the Lord is con­firmed by such Miracles, as onely God himself is able to perform. Moses the first writer of Scripture▪ did many great Miracles, in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the VVilderness; so did many other Prophets: but especially Jesus Christ did many wonderful Mira­cles, and s [...] did the Apostles▪ by which our Faith is confirmed, that their writings are the word of God.

4. Because the Scriptures doth reveal unto us Jesus Christ, and salvation by Christ, according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This no man or Angel could ever have found out, onely God▪ 2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, and hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation John 5.39. Sear [...]h the S [...]r [...]pt [...]res, [...] in them ye think to finde eternal li [...]e: and they are they that tes [...]ie of me. Therefore they are the word of God

5. Because the word of God doth convert the soul from sin and Satan, unto God. It sanctifiet [...] the soul, and doth lead mens souls in the wayes of life, unto s [...]lvation; it is the sword of the Spirit to conquer the Devil▪ Jam. 1.18. Of his own will bega [...] [...]e [...] with the word of truth. Joh▪ 17.17. Sanctifie them through the [Page 67] truth: thy word is truth. Ephes. 6.17. [...] the sword of the Spi­r [...], which is the word of God. Such grounds as these we are taught in our Catec [...]sm.

Who can oppose or gainsay the mountainous weight of the [...] Arguments? I [...] more then [...]tisfied, I am ashamed of my ignorance, and I abhor my self that ever I doubted of this point; and I desire wholly to give up my sel [...] to the knowledge of, and ob [...]dience to the word of G [...]d, and to abandon and [...]orsake these sins w [...]i [...]h the wo [...]d [...]f God reproveth and condemneth.

I will adde one Consideration further, to manifest that the S [...]riptures are the word of G [...]d; and that is, By the great Anti­quity of these writi [...]gs; which have been [...]xtant so many thousand years, and have [...] through to many enemies hands, who [...]ave used all ar [...] and f [...]rce to abolish them, or corrupt them, and yet they could never d [...] it. M [...]ses wrote t [...]e first Five Books of Scri­pture above a thousand a [...]d [...]our hundred years before Christ came, and it is above a thousand and [...] hundred years since Christ came, and si [...]ce the G [...]p [...]l, the last part of the Scripture, was written. Put these two Numbers together, and they make three thousand years. So long the Church have had the Scriptures: and all this while the Devil and wicked men have endeavoured either to abo­lish them, or corrupt them, but they could never do it; we have every w [...]rd of God perfect and pure unto this day▪ which cannot be said of any other writing in all the world. And this wonderful divine protection of this Boo [...], doth greatly manifest, that doubt­less it is God [...] own word, over which he hath bestowed such emi­nent care.

But how do you know all this? How do you know what was done so many thousand years ago?

The Scriptures themselves have kept a perfect Record of Times from the beginning of the World unto the coming of Christ, and out of that Ch [...]onologie we may perfectly know how long Mo­ses was bef [...]re Christ; and there be other sure wayes to know how many years it is since Christ came. And thus may we know certain­ly how long the Scriptures have been written.

I [...] this be so, the Reason is strong, the Antiquity of the Bo [...]k requireth reverence; and Gods constant care of it, sheweth he hath a divine influence in it.

But we are now called off from any further proceeding in our discourse at this time. Before we part, I have one motion and requ [...]st to propose unto you; To morrow is your Sabbath, and I have a desire that you two would teach us that d [...]y and let us see the manner how you worship God; it may please God to make more of his light to [...]hine among us. You remember what passed about this motion; I do now with more desire confirm [...]hat mo­tion.

We also are still of the same minde and purpose, and are the more confir [...]ed in our hearts, because we see that G [...]d is on the coming hand, to incline your heart unto the Lo [...]d.