of their belief and practise. Here I helped my self by comparing the one with the other, and that in divers particulars. 1. These Indians are found (to speak of such whose hearts the Lord hath opened by his Word and Spirit) to prize Ordinances, and such as bring the Light to them, even that poor Indian, whose best clothing is a simple skin about him, of whom you read in the first Letter, yet they honour him for his works sake, and for those gifts, piety, and modesty they see in him; Here Ministers of Christ are despised, though many of them are eminent for parts, wisdome, and known integrity. 2. These Indians are plain-hearted seek for Christ to enjoy him for himself; they receive the Truth in the love of it, and obey it without shifting or gain-saying; Here men have their own ends to tend to in matter of Religion, take up the forme, and let the power lie, as not serving their turn, have evasions to get from under the authority of the truth, and the Majesty of the Rules of Christ; here is rending and tearing of wits, whilst we wrangle one another out of the truth, till love and peace be lost. 3. These Indians are industrious and pursue the things of their salvation, rest they cannot, have it they must, what ever it cost them, bearing up strongly against all opposition: We have weak and bed-rid dispositions, sunk down into a sottish and sensuall way; in many the kingdome of Hell suffers violence, and none can withstand them, but thither they will. 4. These mourn and weep bitterly, and are pained under the sight and sense of their sins, when convinced of them; that some of them have been known to have wet with their teares the places where they have [p. 46.] stood. We here for the most part, the Lord knowes, live with dry eyes, and hard hearts, and sleight spirits. 5. They are careful and constant in duties of worship, both in private and family prayer, hearing the Word, observation of the Sabbath, meet often together, and will pray together as occasion serves, converse lovingly together, are teachable, patient, and contented. O that there were such hearts in us! O that their example did not shame multitudes of us who are fearfully guilty of omitting what the very light of nature calls for from us! For this heart is sad, fearing that if the Lord do not mightily step in, the next generation will be betrayed to Ignorance of the Truth as it is in Jesus, to Delusions and Profanenesse, and be rendered odious to all our neighbour Nations; and that these Indians will rise up in judgment against us and our children at the last day. Brethren, the Lord hath no need of us, but if it please him, can carry his Gospel to the other side of the world, and make it there my to shine forth in its glory, brightnesse, power and purity, and leave us in Indian darknesse. And concerning these Indians, who have tasted how gracious the Lord is, though it cannot be expected but that the Devil should be like himself, by the counter-working of this blessed work, both by himself and his instruments, so as to cause many of them to totter, back slide, and fall away from what they have professed; yet I have ground to conceive and hope, that there is such a candle lighted amongst the Indians in those parts which shall not be put out till Christ comes to judgment, for the accomplishment of which he shall not cease to pray, who is Your loving friend in all Christian duties. HENRY WHITFELD. FINIS. OUT OF WEAKNESSE; Or a Glorious MANIFESTATION Of the further Progresse of the Gospel among the Indians in NEW-ENGLAND. Held forth in Sundry Letters from divers Ministers and others to the CANT. 8. 8. Wee have a little Sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we doe for our Sister, in the day that she shall be spoken for? LONDON; Printed by M. Simmons for John Blague and Shop in Popes-Head-Alley. 165 2. |