The Light appearing more and more towards the perfect Day. OR,

A farther Discovery of the present state of the INDIANS

I N

New-England,

Concerning the Progresse of the Gospel amongst them.

Manifested by Letters from such as preacht
to them there.

Published by Henry Whitfeld, late Pastor to the Church of Christ at Gilford in New-England, who came late thence.

Zeph. 2.11. The Lord will famish all the gods of the earth, and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the Iles of the Heathen.

London, Printed by T. R. & E. M. for John Bartlet, and are to be sold at the Gilt Cup, neer St. Austins gate in Pauls Church-yard. 1651.

To the Right Honorable

THE

PARLIAMENT

OF

England

And the

COUNCEL of STATE.

Right Honorable,

Hand raised the resolutions of this present Parlia

abundantly the Lord hath enlarged the hearts,

ment to serve him, the many good things, and great things done by you, sufficiently witnesse, and will be acknowledged, at least in another generation. It is not the smallest in the eyes of those that look up to God for you, both in Old England and New, that you have so readily contributed your power, upon the first notice of the manifestation of Gods gracious work upon the Indians, by an Act published by you, for promoving the same.

In order whereunto I crave leave in all humility to represent (having lived some yeers in the Countrey, and lately came thence) how happily the Lord carrieth on his work there, which I have done in this small Treatise following.

And for your more full satisfaction, give leave to remove such false surmises and aspersions, suggested on purpose to retard the work. Some are heard to question the affections of New-England towards the Parliament, and present state; To which I must answer, that the Magistrates, Ministers, and generally the people of NewEngland, so farre as I know or have observed; or can learn, have been faithful and cordial to the Parliament

V

from the first, and do own this present Government, and Common-wealth, giving in this as a reall argument, in being your Honours Remembrancers at the throne of grace, both praying to God for you in your straits, and praising God for the enlargment of his good hand upon you. Others endeavour more directly to prejudice the work, by suggesting that the charity of the wel-affected hath been abused, in that there is no such work, or that there is a greater noise made of it in the world then there is cause; To this I can safely answer, that there hath been, I beleeve in no mans observation, greater faithfulnesse found in any businesse, both for truth of relation in what hath passed, or disposing what hath been contributed; the persons that are concerned in it, whether they be the Corporation established by you, or that have the managing of it in New-England, being persons of known integrity, and much honoured of all that know them, in this very respect; Most of these accounts I have seen, both what monies have been received and disbursed, both what, how, and to whom. These also are ready to give your Honours satisfaction about this, if need require, and it will be an ease, and an honour to them to be called to such an account.

And now the way being thus cleared, I proceed to make it my humble request to your Honours, that you would be pleased to accept of this my humble acknowledgment, and thankful remembrance of what you have already done; and that it would not be troublesome to you to be intreated, and stirred up by my meannesse, to proceed in the continuance of your favour, as to the whole Country, so especially towards this work, that your hands may be still held up to the farther advance, and perfecting these happy beginnings. And as you have given it feet, so you would give it wings, that it may get above al difficulties, which may be cast in the way. Truly the work is honorable, and worthy your care, and inmost affections, and to be laid in your bosomes, that it may feel the warmth and influence of your favour, and best respects, it tending so much to the good of the souls of these poor wild creatures, multitudes

of them being under the power of Satan, and going up and downe with the chains of darknesse ratling at their heels. This I may also say for your Honours encouragement, there is farre greater cause of promoting this work then formerly, there being more persons, and places which have received the Gospel amongst them. Our Lord Christ and his truth gets ground, and the Devil loseth, they daily break from him, and renounce him, and all his cursed works of darknesse, as you will find in this following Narrative. And lastly, let me adde but this, The Lord hath given the uttermost ends of the earth to Jesus Christ for his inheritance, let therefore your hands go on (Noble Worthies) to help him in taking the possession of his own, who hath kept you in yours with an out-stretched arme. But I shall be no farther troublesome to your Honours; The most wise and strong God, for Christs sake, strengthen your hearts and hands, sit amongst you in your daily assemblings, and help you to guide the Ship of this Common-wealth, under your care, in these tossing and troublesome times, that there may be peace and safety found for such as are quiet in the Land; and let me have the favour to be looked upon by you, as

Your Honours to serve you

in the things of Jesus Christ,

Henry Whitfield.

VOL. IV. THIRD SERIES.

14