THE Clear Sunshine of the Gospel BREAKING FORTH UPON THE INDIANS IN NEW-ENGLAND.  
OR, An Historical Narration of God's Wonderful Workings upon sundry of the INDIANS, both chief Governors and Common-people, in bringing them to a willing and desired submission to the Ordinances of the Gospel; and framing their hearts to an earnest inquiry after the knowledge of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World.  
By Mr. THOMAS SHEPARD Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Cambridge in New-England.  Isaiah 2 2, 3. 
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the bills; and all Nations shall flow unto it.  
And many people shall go and say, Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  
London, Printed by R. Cotes for John Bellamy at the three golden Lions in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange, 1648.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS & COMMONS Assembled In High Court of Parliament.  
Right Honourable,  
THese few sheets present unto your view a short but welcome discourse of the visitations of the most High upon the saddest spectacles of degeneracy upon earth, The poor Indian People: the distance of place, (if our spirits be right) will be no lessening of the mercy, nor of our thankfulness, That Christ is glorified, that the Gospel doth any where find footing; and success is a mercy as well worthy the praise of the Saints on Earth, as the joy of the Angels in heaven. The report of this mercy is first made to you, who are the Representative of this Nation, That in you England might be stirred up, to be rejoicers in, and Advancers of these promising beginnings. And because to You an account is first due of the success of the Gospel in those dark corners of the World, which have been so much enlightened by Your favour, enlivened by Your resolutions, encouraged by Your fore past endeavours for God, & hope still being parts of Yourselves, to be further strengthened by Your benign aspects and bountiful influences on them.  
The present troubles have not so far obliterated and worn out the sad mispressions which former times have made upon our spirits, but we can sadly remember those destructive designs which were on foot, and carried on for the Introduction of so great evils both into Church and State; In order to which it was the endeavour of the Contrivers and Promoters of those designs, to waste the number of the godly, as those who would never be brought to comply in such destructive enterprises; which was attempted by banishing and forcing some abroad, by burdening and afflicting all at home. Among those who tasted of the first, I say not the worst sort of their cruelty, were these our Brethren, who to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel, were content to sit down, and pitch their tents in the utmost parts of the Earth, hoping that there they might be out of the reach of their malice, as they were assured they were beyond the bounds of their love. God who doth often make man's evil of sin, serviceable to the advancement of the riches of his own Grace; The most horrid act that ever was done by the sons of men, the ●●rther of Christ, God made serviceable to the highest purposes of Grace and mercy that ever came upon his breast; That God doth show that he had merciful ends, in this their malicious purpose: as he suffered Paul to be cast into prison, to convert the 
Act 16. 30, 33, 34. Acts. 8. 1. 11  Jailor, to be ship wracked at Melita, to preach to the barbarous, so he suffered their way to be stopped up here, and their persons to be banished hence, that he might open a passage for them in the Wilderness, and make them instruments to draw souls to him, who had been so long estranged from him.  
It was the end of the adversary to suppress, but Gods to propagate the Gospel; theirs to smother and put out the light, Gods to communicate and disperse it to the utmost corners of the Earth; that as one saith of Paul, his blindness gave light to the 
〈…〉  whole World, so we hope God will make their distance and estrangedness from us, a means of bringing many near and in to acquaintance with him.  
Indeed along time it was before God let them see any farther end of their coming over, then to preserve their consciences, cherish their Graces, provide for their sustenance: But when Providences invited their return, he let them know it was for some farther Errand that he brought them thither, giving them some Bunches of Grapes, some Clusters of Figs in earnest of the prosperous success of their endeavours upon those poor outcasts: The utmost 
〈…〉  ends of the earth are designed and promised to be in time the possessions of Christ; And he sends his Ministers into every place where he himself intends to come, and take possession. Where the Ministry is the Harbinger and goes before, Christ and Grace will certainly follow after.  
This little we see is something in hand, to earnest to us those things which are in hope; something in possession, to assure us of the rest in Promise, when the ends of the earth shall see his 
Psal. 22. 27. Rev. 11. 15. Psal. 72. 8, 9, 10, 11.  glory, and the Kingdoms of the world shall become the Kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ, when he shall have Dominion from Sea to Sea, and they that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. And if the dawn of the morning be so delightful, what will the clear day be? If the first fruits be so precious, what will the whole harvest be? if some beginnings be so full of joy, what will it be when God shall perform his whole work, when the whole earth shall be full of the knowledge 
Isa. 11. 9 10.  of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea, and East and West shall sing together the song of the Lamb?  
In order to this what doth God require of us, but that we should strengthen the hands, encourage the hearts of those who are at work for him, conflicting with difficulties, wrestling with discouragements, to spread the Gospel, & in that, the same and honour of this Nation, to the utmost ends of the earth? It was the design of your enemies to make them little, let it be your endeavour to make them great, their greatness is your strength. Their enemies threatened their hands should reach them for evil, God disappointed them; And let your hands reach them now for good; there is enough in them to speak then fit objects of your encouragement, they are men of choice spirits, not frighted with dangers, softened with allurements, nor discouraged with difficulties, preparing the way of the Lord in those unpassable places of the earth, dealing with such whom they are to make men, before they can make them Christians. They are such who are impressed for your service in the service of Christ, can stand alone, but desire to have dependence on you, they fear not the malice of their enemies, but desire the countenance and encouragement of their friends; And shall your Honours in consideration of their former sufferings, their present service, and real deservings, help the day of small things among them; shall you interest them in your assistances, as you are interested in their affections, you will thereby not only further these beginnings of God by encouraging their hearts, and strengthening their hands to work for him, but also (as we humbly conceive) much add to the comfort of your own accounts in the day of the Lord, and lay greater obligations on them yet more to pray for you, to promote your counsels, and together with us your unworthy servants to write down themselves,  
Yours humbly devotedin the service of the Gospel. 

Stephen Martial  
Jeremy Whitaker  
Edm. calamy  
William Greenbill  
John Downam  
Philip Nye  
Syd. Symptson  
William Carler  
The. Goodwin  
The. Case  
Simeon Asbe  
Samuel Bolton.     

TO THE Godly and Well affected of this Kingdom of England; who pray for, and rejoice in, the thrivings of the Gospel of our LORD JESUS  
Christian Reader,  
IF ever thou hadst experience of this day of power, these visitations of Christ upon thine own spirit; I suppose thee to be one who hast embarked many prayers for the success of the Gospel in these dark corners of the earth to strengthen thy faith, enlarge thy heart, and assure thy soul that God is a God hearing prayers: An account is here given to thee of the conquests of the Lord jesus upon these poor outcasts, who have thus long been estranged from him, spilt like water upon the ground and none to gather them. Formerly thou had, The , some dawnings of light, after along and black night of darkness, here thou seest the sun is up, which we hope will rejoice like the strong man to run its race, scattering those thick clouds of darkness, and shining brighter and brighter till it come to a perfect day. These few sheerts give thee some footing for such thoughts, and some further encouragements to wait & pray for the accomplishment of such things. Here thou mayst see, the Ministry is precious, the feet of them who bring glad tidings beautiful, Ordinances desired, the Word frequented andattended, the Spirit also going forth in power and efficacy with it, in awakening and humbling of them, drawing forth those affections of sorrow, and expressions of tears in abundance, which no tortures or extremities were ever observed to force from them, with lamenting: we read here, their leaving of sin, they forsake their former evil ways, and set up fences never to return, by making laws for the punishment of those sins wherein they have lived, and to which they have been so much addicted. They set up prayers in their family's morning and evening, and are in earnest in them; And with more affection they crave God's blessing upon a little p●rched corn, & Indian stalks, than many of us do upon our greatest plenty and abundance. They rest on the Lord's day, and make laws for the observation of it, whereinthey meet together to pray & instruct one another in the things of God, which have been communicated to them. They renounce their diabolical Charms and Charmers, and many of those who were practitioners in these sinful and soul-undoing Arts, being made naked, convinced and ashamed of their evil, forsake their may, and betake themselves to prayer, preferring the Christian 
Ma. 26. 16. Incantario, mushtatio. ler. 8. 17. Ecclef. 10. 11.  Charm, before their diabolical Spells: herein God making good that promise Zeph. 2. 11. I will famish all the Gods of the earth, (which he doth by withdrawing the worshippers, and throwing contempt upon the worship) And men shall worship me alone every one from his place, even all the Isles of the Heathens.  
All these are hopeful presages that God is going out in his power and grace to conquer a people to himself; That he gins to cast an owning look on them, whom he hath so long neglected 
Act. 14. 16. Acts 17. 30. 〈◊〉  & despised. And indeed God may well seek out for other ground to sow the seed of his Ordinances upon, seeing the ground where it hath been sown hath brought forth no better fruit to him, he may well be peak another people to himself, seeing he finds no better entertainment among the people he hath espoused to him, and that by so many mercies, privileges, indeerments, engagements. We have as many sad symptoms of a declining, as these poor outcasts have glad presages of a Rising Sun among them. The Ordinances are as much contemned here, as frequent there, the Ministry as much discouraged here, as embraced three; Religion as much derided, the ways of godliness as much scorned here, as they can be wished and desired there; generally we are sick of plenty, we surfeit of our abundance, the worst ofSurfets, and with our loathed Manna and disdained food, God preparing them a Table in the wilderness; where our satieties, will be their sufficiencies; our complaints, their contents; our burdens, their comforts; if he cannot have an England here, he can have an England there: & baptise & adopt them into those privileges, which we have looked upon as our burdens. We have sad decays upon us, we are a revolting Nation, a people guilty of great defection from God. Some fall from the worship of God to their old superstitions, and corrupt worship, saying with those in jeremy, It was better with us then now. Some fall from the doctrine of grace to errors, some to damnable, others to defiling some to destructive, others to corruptive opinions. Some fall from professed seeming holiness, to fin & profaneness: who like blazing comets did shine bright for a time, but after have set in a night of darkness. We have many sad symptoms on us, we decay under all the means of nourishment, are barren under all God's s; owing, dry under all the dews, droppings showers of heaven, like that Country whereof Historians speak, where drought causeth 
〈◊〉 dat 〈◊〉, imbres pulverem.  dirt, and showers causeth dust. And what doth God threaten herein, but to remove the Candlesticks, to take away the gospel, that precious Gospel, the streams whereof have brought so many ships laden with blessings to our shore, that Gospel under the shadow whereof we have sat down and been refreshed these many years? where the power is lost, God will not long continue the form, where the heat is gone, he will not long continue the light. The temple did not preserve the laws when their hearts were the Synagogues of Satan, nor shall any outward privilege hold us up, when the inward power is down in our spirits. God hath forsaken other Churches as eminent as ever England was: where are the churches of Asia, once famous for the gospel, for general Counsels, now places for Zim and Ochim, their habitation desolate? where are those ancient people of the Iews who were (segulla micol hagnamim) his peculiar and chosen people of all nations? they are scattered abroad as a curse, and their place knows them no more. And shall I tell you? God hath no need of us, he can calthem Gnammi, his people, who were Lo gnammi, not his people, and them beloved, who were not beloved. Indeed he hath held up us, as if he had not known where to have another people, if he should forsake us we have been a Goshen, when others have been an Egypt, a Canaan, when others an Akeldama, the garden of God, when others have been a wilderness, our fleece hath been wet, when others have been dry: But know, God hath no need of us, he can want no people if he please to call; If he speak, all the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and 
〈◊〉 27, 28. etc. 11 Esa 9 10.  all the kindreds of the Nations shall worship before him. If he set up his standard, to him shall the Gentiles flock, and the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. It is not for need but for love that God abides with England, and there is nothing out of himself the incentive of this 
Amat●●●, ●●● aliunde ●●● habet, sed ip s●●● unde an at. Aug.  love: there can be no reason given why God should fence us, and suffer other places to lie waist, that we should be his Garden, and other places a Wilderness, that he should feed us with the bread of Heaven, and suffer others to starve, men of the same mould, his offspring as well as we, and such (did he conquer to himself) were likely to do him more service, bring him more glory than we have done. We see something here done in order to such a work, our Harvest is much over, we see little incomes, there we see the fields are ripe for harvest; here the ministry is contemned, there the feet of them that bring glad tidings are beautiful; we have outlived the power and efficacy of Ordinances, there God goes forth with life and power we can outfit the most speaking and winning discoveries of Christ, there every notion, breeds motion in them; the glory of the Lord is much departed from us, there his rising is conspicuous and glorious. The blind man found it good to be in the way where Christ came: And who would be in Egypt when there is light in Goshen? Oh that England would be quickened by their rise, and weep ever her own declinings! What a wonder is it that they should do so much, and we so little, that they should be men in their infancy, and we such Children in our manhood, that they so active, we so dead? That which was Hieroms complaint may be ours, O that Infidelity should do that which those who profesle thenmselus 
Healquo● p●●●●●at in●●delu as, quod non ●●● 〈◊〉 sides. Ignis qui in paren●●●s suit Cali●lus, in nobis ●ucidus.  believers cannot do! We have the light of former times, but want the heat, knowledge abounds as the waters cover the sea, but we want the salt, we have a form of Godliness, but want the power: And it will be small comfort should God continue to us the form, and carry to others the power, to suffer us to waste our selus with unnecessary brangles (which are the sweat of thetimes) and in the mean to carry the life and power of Religion unto others.  
Let these poor Indians stand up incentives to us, as the Apostle set up the Gentiles a provocation to the jews: who knows but 
Rom. 11. 14.  God gave life to New England, to quicken Old, and hath warmed them, that they might heat us, raised them from the dead, that they might recover us from that consumption, and those sad decays which are come upon us?  
This small Treatise is an Essay to that end, an Indian Sermon, though you will not hear us, possibly when some rise from the dead you will hear them. The main Doctrine it preacheth unto all, is to value the Gospel, prise the Ministry, loathe not your Manna, surfeit not of your plenty, be thankful for mercies, fruitful under means: Awake from your slumber, repair your decays, redeem your time, improve the seasons of your peace; answer to calls, Open to knocks, attend to whispers, obey commands; you have a name you live, take heed you be not dead, you are Christians in show, be so indeed: lest as you have lost the power, God take away from you the form also.  
And you that are Ministers learn by this not to despond though you see not present fruit of your labours, though you fish all night and catch nothing God hath a fullness of time to perform all his purposes. And the deepest degeneracies, & widest estrangements from God, shall be no bar or obstacle to the power and freeness of his own grace when that time is come.  
And you that are Merchants, take encouragement from hence to scatter the becames of light, to spread and propagate the Gospel into those dark corners of the earth; whither you traffic you take much from them, if you can carry this to them, you will make them an abundant recompense. And you that are Christians indeed, rejoice to see the Curtains of the Tabernacle enlarged, the bounds of the Sanctuary extended, Christ advanced, the Gospel propagated, and souls saved. And if ever the love of God did centre in your hearts, if ever the sense of his goodness hath begot bowels of compassion in you, draw them forth towards them whom God hath singled out to be the objects of his grace and mercy; lays out your prayers, lend your assistance to carry on this day of the Lord begun among them. They are not able (as Moses said) to bear the burden of that people alone, to make provision for the children whom God hath given them; & therefore it is requisite the spiritual community should help to bear part with them. Many of the young ones are given and taken in, to be educated & brought up in Schools, they are naked and must be clad, they want all things, and must be supplied. The Parents also, and many others being convinced of the evil of an idle life, desire to be employed in honest labour, but they want instruments and tools to set them on work, and cast-garments to throw upon those bodies, that their loins may bless you, whose souls Christ hath clothed. Soine worthy persons have given much; and if God shall move the heart of others to offer willingly towards the building of Christ a Spiritual temple, it will certainly remain upon their account, when the smallest rewards from God, shall be better than the greatest layings out for God. But we are making a relation, not a collection; we leave the whole to your Christian consideration, not doubting but they who have tasted of mercy from God, will be ready to exercise compassion to others, & commend you unto him who gave himself for us, that he 
〈◊〉 9 14.  might redeem us from all iniquity, and parisie as well as purchase unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  
Stephen Martial jer. Whitaker Edmund Calamy William Greenbill john Downam Philip Nye Sy. Simpsan Williamer Cart. The Goodwin The. Case Simeon Asbe Samuel B●k●n.   

THE CLEAR SUNSHINE OF THE GOSPEL, Breaking forth upon the INDIANS in New-England.  
Much Honoured and dear Sir,  
THat glorious and sudden rising of Christ Jesus upon our poor Indians which began a little before you set sail from these shores, hath not been altogether clouded since, but rather broken out further into more light and life, wherewith the most High hath visited them; and because some may call in question the truth of the first relation, either because they may think ●● too good news to be true, or because some persons maligning the good of the Country, are apt, as to aggravate to the utmost any evil thing against it, so to vilify and extenuate any good thing in it: and because yourself desired to hear how far since God hath carried on that work, which your own eyes saw here begun; I shall therefore as faithfully and as briefly as I can, give you a true relation of the progress of it, which I hope may be a sufficient confirmation of what hath been published to the world before, having this as the chiefe end in my own eye, that the precious Saints and people of God in England, believing what hath been and may be reported to them, of these things, may help forward this work together with us by their prayers and praises, as we desire to do the like for the work of Christ begun among them there. I dare not speak too much, nor what I think about their conversion, I have seen so much falseness in that point among many English, that I am slow to believe herein too hastily concerning these poor naked men; only this is evident to all honest hearts that dwell near them, and have observed them, that the work of the Lord upon them, and (what ever it be) is both unexpected and wonderful in so short a time; I shall set down things as they are, and then yourself and others to whom these may come, may judge as you please of them.  
Soon after your departure hence, the awakening of these Indiani in our Town raised a great noise among all the rest round about us, especially about Concord side where the 
* An inferior Prince.  Sachim (as I remember) and one or two more of his men, hearing of these things and of the preaching of the Word, and how it wrought among them here, came therefore hither to 
* An Indian town so called.  Noonanetum to the Indian Lecture, and what the Lord spoke to his heart we know not, only it seems he was so fare affected, as that he desired to become more like to the English, and to cast off those Indian wild and sinful courses they formerly lived in; but when divers of his men perceived their Sachims' mind, they secretly opposed him herein; which opposition being known, he therefore called together his chief men about him, & made a speech to this effect unto them, viz That they had no reason at all to oppose those courses the English were now taking for their good, for (saith he) all the time you have lived after the Indian fashion under the power and protection of higher Indian Sachems, what did they care for you? they only sought their own ends out of you, and therefore would exact upon you, and take away your skins and your Kettles & your Wampam from you at their own pleasure, & this was all that they regarded: but you may evidently see that the English mind no such things, care for none of your goods, but only seek your good and welfare, and in stead of taking away, are ready to give to you; with many other things I now forget, which were related by an eminent man of that town to me. What the effect of this speech was, we can tell no otherwise then as the effects shown it; the first thing was, the making of certain Laws for their more religious and civil government and behaviour, to the making of which, they craved the assistance of one of the chief Indians in Noonanetum, a very active Indian to bring in others to the knowledge of God; desiring withal an able saithful man in Concord to record and keep in writing what they had generally agreed upon. Another effect was, their desire of 
Teacher of the Church of Roxbury, that preacheth to the Indians in their own Language.  Mr. eliot's coming up to them, to preach, as he could find time among them; and the last effect was, their desire of having a Town given them within the bounds of Concord near unto the English. This latter when it was propounded by the Sachim of the place, he was demanded why he desired a town so near, when as there was more room for them up in the Country. To which the Sachim replied, that he therefore desired it because he knew that if the Indians dwelled far from the English, that they would not so much care to pray, nor would they be so ready to hear the Word of God, but they would be all one Indians still; but dwelling near the English he hoped it might be otherwise with them then. The Town therefore was granted them; but it seems that the opposition made by some of themselves more malignantly set against these courses, hath kept them from any present settling down: and surely this opposition is a special finger of Satan resisting these budding beginnings; for what more hopeful way of doing them good then by cohabitation in such Towns, near unto good examples, and such as may be continually whetting upon them, and dropping into them of the things of God? what greater means at least to civilize them? as is evident in the C●sco and Mexico Indians, more civil than any else in this vast Continent that we know of, who were reduced by the politic principles of the two great conquering Princes of those Countries after their long and tedious wars from these wild and wand'ring course of life, unto a settling into particular Towns and Cities: but I forebear, only to confirm the truth of these things, I have sent you the orders agreed on at Concord by the Indians, under the hand of two faithful witnesses, who could testify more, if need were, of these matters: I have sent you their own Copy and their own hands to it, which I have here inserted.  

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

1. THat every one that shall abuse themselves with wine or strong liquors, shall pay for every time so abusing themselves, 20 s.  
2. That there shall be no more Pawwowing amongst the Indians. And if any shall hereafter 
* Pawwows are Witches or Sorcere●s that cure by help of the devil,  Pawwow, both he that shall Pawwow, & he that shall procure him to Pawwow, shall pay 20 s. apiece.  
3. They do desire that they may be stirred up to seek after God.  
4. They desire they may understand the wiles of Satan, and grow out of love with his suggestions, and temptations.  
5. That they may fall upon some better course to improve their time, then formerly.  
6. That they may be brought to the sight of the sin of lying, and whosever shall be found faulty herein shall pay for the first offence 5 s. the second 10 s. the third 20 s.  
7. Whosoever shall steal any thing from another, shall restore fourfold.  
8. They desire that no Indian hereafter shall have any more but one wife.  
9 They desire to prevent falling out of Indians one with another, and that they may live quietly one by another.  
10. That they may labour after humility, and not be proud.  
11. That when Indians do wrong one to another, they may be liable to censure by fine or the like, as the English are.  
12. That they pay their debts to the English.  
13. That they do observe the Lordsday, and whosoever shall profane it shall pay 20 s.  
14. That there shall not be allowance to pick Lice, as formerly, and eat them, and whosoever shall offend in this case shall pay for every louse a penny.  
15. They will wear their hair comely, as the English do, and whosoever shall offend here in shall pay 5 s.  
16. They intent to reform themselves, in their former greasing themselves, under the Penalty of 5 s. for every default.  
17. They do all resolve to set up prayer in their wigwams, and to 
A Wigwam is such a dwelling house as they live in.  seek to God both before and after meat.  
18. If any committhe sin of fornication, being single persons, the man shall pay 20 s. and the woman 10 s.  
19 If any man lie with a breast he shall die.  
20. Whosoever shall play at their former games shall pay 10 s.  
21. Whosoever shall commit adultery shall be put to death.  
22. Wilful Murder shall be punished with death.  
23. They shall not disguise themselves in their mournings, as formerly; nor shall they keep a great noise by howling.  
24. The old Ceremony of the Maid walking alone and living apart so many days 20 s.  
25. No Indian shall take an English man's 
* A Canooe is a small Boate.  Canooe without leave under the penalty of 5 s.  
26. No Indian shall come into any English man's house except he first knock: and this they expect from the English.  
27. Whosoever beats his wife shall pay 20 s.  
28. If any Indian shall fall out with, and beat another Indian, he shall pay 20 s.  
29. They desire they may be a town, and either to dwell on this side the Bear Swamp, or at the East side of Mr. Flints Pond.   
Immediately after these things were agreed upon, most of the Indians of these parts, set up Prayer morning and evening in their families, and before and after meat. They also generally cut their hair, and were more civil in their carriage to the English then formerly. And they do manifest a great willingness to conform themselves to the civil fashions of the English. The Lord's day they keep a day of rest, and minister what edification they can to one another. These former orders were put into this form by Captain Simond Willard of Concord, whom the Indians with unanimous consent entreated to be their Recorder, being very solicitous that what they did agree upon might be faithfully preserved without alteration.  
Thomas Flint. Simon Willard.   

These things thus wrought in a short time about Concord side, I look upon as fruits of the ministry of the Word; for although their high esteem bred lately in them, especially the chief and best of the English, together with that mean esteem many of them have of themselves, and therefore will call themselves sometimes poor Creatures, when they see and hear of their great distance from others of the English; I say, although these things may be some causes of making these orders and walking in these courses, yet the chief cause seems to be the power of the Word, which hath been the chief cause of these Orders, and therefore it is that until now of late they never so much as thought of any of these things.  
I am not able to acquaint you very much from my own eye and care witness of things, for you know the near relation between me and the fire side usually all winter time, only I shall impart two or three things more of what I have heard and seen, and the rest I shall relate to you as I have received from faithful witnesses, who testify nothing to me by their writings, but what is seen in the open Sun, and done in the view of all the world, and generally known to be true of people abiding in these parts we live in.  
As soon as ever the fierceness of the winter was past, March. 3. 1647. I went out to Noonanetum to the Indian Lecture, where Mr. wilson, Mr. Alleu, of Dedham, Mr. Dunster, beside many otherChristains were present; on which day perceiving divers of the Indian women well affected, and considering that their souls might stand in need of answer to their scruples as well as the men's; & yet because we knew how unfit it was for women so much as to ask questions publicly immediately by themselves; we did therefore desire them to propound any questions they would be resolved about by first acquainting either their Husbands, or the Interpreter privately therewith: whereupon we heard two questions thus orderly propounded; which because they are the first that ever were propounded by Indian women in such an ordinance that ever we heard of, and because they may be otherwise useful, I shall therefore set them down.  
The first question was propounded by the wise of one Wampooas a well affected Indian, viz. whether (said she) do I pray when my husband prays if I speak nothing as he doth, yet if I like what he saith, and my heart goes with it? (for the Indians will many times pray with their wives, and with their children also sometime in the fields) she therefore searing lest prayer should only be an external action of the lips, enquired if it might not be also an inward action of the heart, if she liked of what he said.  
The second question was propounded by the Wise of one Totherswampe, her meaning in her question (as we all perceived) was this, viz. Whether a husband should do well to pray with his wife, and yet continue in his passions; & be angry with his wife? But the modesty and wisdom of the woman directed her to do three things in one, sor thus she spoke to us, viz. Before my husband did pray he was much angry and froward, but since he hath begun to pray he was not angry so much, but little angry: wherein first she gave an honourable testimony of her husband and commended him for the abatement of his passion; secondly, she gave implicitly a secret reproof for what was past, and for somewhat at present that was amiss; and thirdly, it was intended by her as a question whether her husband should pray to God, and yet continue in some unruly passions; but she wifely avoided that, l●st it might reflect too much upon him, although we desired her to express if that was not her meaning.  
At this time (beside these questions) there were sundry others propounded of very good use, in all which we saw the Lord Jesus leading them to make narrow inquiries into the things of God, that so they might see the reality of them. I have heard few Christians when they begin to look toward God, make more searching questions that they might see things really, and not only have a notion of them: I for bear to mention any of them, because I forget the chief of them; only this we took notice of at this day's meeting, that there was an aged Indian who proposed his complaint in propounding his question concerning an unruly disobedient son, and" what one should do with him" in case of obstinacy and disobedience, and that will not hear" Gods Word, though his Father command him, nor will not" forsake his drunkenness, though his father forbidden him? Unto which there were many answers to set forth the sin of disobedience to parents; which were the more quickened and sharpened because we knew that this rebellious son whom the old man meant, was by God's providence present at this Lecture: Mr. Wilson was much enlarged, and spoke so terribly, yet so graciously as might have affected a heart not quite shut up, which this young desperado hearing (who well understood the English tongue) instead of humbling himself before the Lord's Word, which touched his conscience and condition so near, he was filled with a spirit of Satan, and as soon as ever Mr. wilson's speech was ended he broke out into a loud contemptucus expression; So, saith he: which we passed by without speaking again, leaving the Word with him, which we knew would one day take its effect one way or other upon him.  
The latter end of this year Mr. Wilson, Mr. Eliot, and myself were sent for by those in Tarmoutb to meet with some other Elders of Plimoutb patent, to hear and heal (if it were the will of Christ) the difference and sad breaches which have been too long a time among them, wherein the Lord was very merciful to us and them in binding them up beyond our thoughts in a very short time, in giving not only that bruised Church but the whole Town also a hopeful beginning of settled peace and future quietness; but Mr. Eliot as he takes all other advantages of time, so he took this, of speaking with, and preaching to the poor Indians in these remote places about Cape Cod: in which journey I shall acquaint you with what all of us observed.  
We first found these Indians (not very fare from ours) to understand (but with much difficulty) the usual language of those in our parts, partly in regard of the different dialect which generally varies in 40. or 60. miles, and partly and especially in regard of their not being accustomed unto sacred language about the holy things of God, wherein Mr. Eliot excels any other of the English, that in the Indian language about common matters excel him: I say therefore although they did with much difficulty understand him, yet they did understand him, although by many circumlocutions and variations of speech and the help of one or two Interpreters which were then present.  
Secondly, we observed much opposition against him, and hearing of him at the day appointed, especially by one of the chiefest Sacbims in those parts, a man of a fierce, strong and surious spirit whom the English therefore call by the name John: who although before the day appointed for preaching, promised very fair that he would come and bring his men with him; yet that very morning when they were to be present, he sends out almost all his men to Sea, pretending fishing, and therefore although at last he came late himself to the Sermon, yet his men were absent, and when he came himself, would not seem to understand any thing, although he did understand as some of the Indians themselves then told us, when Mr. Eliot by himself and by them inquired of him if he understood what was spoken: yet he continued hearing what was said with a dogged look and a discontented countenance.  
Thirdly, not withstanding this opposition we found another Sachim then present willing to learn, and divers of his men attentive and knowing what was said: and in the time which is usually set apart for propounding questions, an aged Indian told us openly, That these very things which Mr. Eliot had taugh: them as the Commandments of God, and concerning God, and the making of the world by one God, that they had heard some old men who were now dead, to say the same things, since whose death there hath been no remembrance or knowledge of them among the Indians until now they hear of them again. Which when I heard solemnly spoken, I could not tell how those old Indians should attain to such knowledge, unless perhaps by means of the French Preacher cast upon those coasts many years since, by whose ministry they might possibly reap and retain some knowledge of those things; this also I hear by a godly and able Christain who hath much converse with them; that many of them have this apprehension now stirring among them, viz. That their forefathers did know God, but that after this, they sell into a great sleep, and when they did awaken they quite forgot him, (for under such metaphorical language they usually express what eminent things they mean:) so that it may seem to be the day of the Lords gracious visitation of these poor Natives, which is just as it is with all other people, when they are most low, the wheel than turns, and the Lord remembers to have mercy.  
Fourthly, a fourth and last observation we took, was the story of an Indian in those parts, telling us of his dream many years since, which he told us of openly before many witnesses when we sat at meat: the dream is this, he said That about two years before the English came over into those parts there was a great mortality among the Indians, and one night he could not sleep above half the night, after which he fell into a dream, in which he did think he saw a great many men come to those parts in , just as the English now are apparelled, and among them there a risen up a man all in black, with a thing in his hand which he now sees was all one English man's book; this black man he said stood upon a higher place than all the rest, and on the one side of him were the English, on the other a great number of Indians: this man told all the Indians that God was moosquantum or angry with them, and that he would kill them for their sins, whereupon he said himself stood up, and desired to know of the black man what God would do with him and his Squaw and Papooses but the black man would not answer him a first time, nor yet a second time, until he desired the third time, and then he smiled upon him, and told him that he and his Papooses should be safe, and that God would give unto them Mitcheu, (i. e.) victuals and other good things, and so he awakened. What similitude this dream hath with the truth accomplished, you may easily see. I attribute little to dreams, yet God may speak to such by them rather than to those who have a more sure Word to direct and warn them, yet this dream made us think surely this Indian will regard the black man now come among them rather than any others of them: but whether Satan, or fear, and guilt, or world prevailed, we cannot say, but this is certain, that he withdrew from the Sermon, and although he came at the latter end of it, as hoping it had been done, yet we could not persuade him then to stay and hear, but away he fling, and we saw him no more till next day.  
From this third of March until the latter end of this Summer I could not be present at the Indian Lectures, but when I came this last time, I marvailed to see so many Indian men, women and children in English apparel, they being at Noonan●tum generally clad, especially upon Lecture days, which they have got partly by gift from the English, and partly by their own labours, by which some of them have very handsomely apparelled themselves, & you would scare know them from English people. There is one thing more which I would acquaint you with, which happened this Summer, viz. June 9 the first day of the Synods meeting at Cambridge, where the forenoon was spent in hearing a Sermon preached by one of the Elders as a preparative to the work of the Synod, the afternoon was spent in hearing an Indian Lecture where there was a great confluence of Indians all parts to hear Mr. Eliot, which we conceived not unseasonable at such a time, partly that the reports of Gods work begun among them, might be seen and believed of the chief who were then sent and met from all the Churches of Christ in the Country, who could hardly believe the reports they had received concerning these new stirs among the Indians, and partly hereby to raise up a greater spirit of prayer for the carrying on of the work begun upon the Indians, among all the Churches and servants of the Lord Jesus: The Sermon was spent in showing them their miserable condition without Christ, out of Ephes. 2. 1. that they were dead in trespasses and sins, and in pointing unto them the Lord Jesus, who only could quicken them.  
When the Sermon was done, there was a convenient space of time spent in hearing those questions which the Indians publicly propounded, and in giving answers to them; one question was, What Country man Christ was, and where he was borne? Another was, How fare off that place was from us here? Another was, Where Christ now was?  
And another, How they might lay hold on him, and where, being now absent from them? with some other to this purpose; which received full answers from several hands. But that which I note is this, that their gracious attention to the Word, the affections and mournings of some of them under it, their sober propounding of divers spiritual questions, their aptness to understand and believe what was replied to them, the readlinesse of divers poor naked children to answer openly the chief questions in Catechism which were formerly taught them, and such like appearances of a great change upon them, did marvellously affect all the wise and godly Ministers, Magistrates, & people, and did raise their hearts up to great thankfulness to God; very many deeply and abundantly mourning for joy to see such a blessed day, and the Lord Jesus so much known and spoken of among such as never heard of him before: So that if any in England doubt of the truth of what was formerly w●it, or if any malignant eye shall question and v●●●●e this work, they will now speak too late, for what was here done at Cambridge was not set under a Bushel, but in the open Sun, that what Thomas would not believe by the reports of others, he might be forced to believe, by seeing with his own eyes and feeling Christ Jesus thus risen among them with his own hands.  
I have done with what I have observed myself; I shall therefore proceed to give you a true relation of what I have heard from others, and many faithful witnesses have seen: and first I shall speak a little more of the old man who is mentioned in the story now in print; this old man hath much affection stirred up. by the Word, and coming to Mr. eliot's house (for of him I had this story) Mr. Eliot told him that because he brought his wife & all his children constantly to the Lecture, that he would therefore bestow some  upon him, (it being now winter & the old man naked:) which promise he not certainly understanding the meaning of, asked therefore of another Indian (who is Mr. eliot's servant and very hopeful) what it was that Mr. Eliot promised him? he told him that he said he would give him some ; which when he understood, he affectionately broke out into these expressions, God I see is merciful: a blessed, because a plain hearted affectionate speech, and worthy English men's thoughts when they put on their ; to think that a poor blind Indian that scarce ever heard of God before, that he should see not only God in his , but mercy also in a promise of a cast off worn suit of , which were then given him, and which now he daily wears. But to proceed;  
This same old man (as I think a little before he had these ) after an Indian Lecture, when they usually come to prepound questions; instead of ask a question, began to speak to the rest of the Indians, and broke out into many expressions of wondering at God's goodness unto them, that the Lord should at last look upon them and send his Word as a light unto them that had been in darkness and such gross ignorance so long; me wonder (saith he) at God that he should thus deal with us. This speech expressed in many words in the Indian Languages, and with strong actings of his eyes and hands, being interpreted afterward to the English, did much also affect all of them that were present this Lecture also.  
There were this winter many other questions propounded, which were writ down by Mr. Edward Jackson one of our Town, constantly present at these Lectures, to take notes both of the questions made by the Indians and returned by Mr. Eliot to them; this man having sent me in his notes, I shall send you a taste of some of them.  
1 Why some men were so bad, that they hate those men that would teach them good things?  
2 Whether the devil or man were made first?  
3 Whether if a father prays to God to teach his sons to know him, and he doth teach them himself and they will not learn to know God, what should such fathers do? (this was propounded by an old man that had rude children.)  
4 A 
* Indian woman.  Squaw propounded this question, Whether she might not go & pray in some private place in the woods, when her husband was not at home, because she was ashamed to pray in the Wigwam before company?  
5 How may one know wicked men, who are good and who are bad?  
6 To what Nation Jesus Christ came first unto, and when?  
7 If a man should be enclosed in Iron a foot thick and thrown into the fire, what would become of his soul, whether could the soul come forth th●●ce or not?  
8 Why did not God give all men good hearts that they might be good?  
9 If one should be taken among strange Indians that know not God, and they would make him to fight against some that he should not and be refuse, and for his refusal they kill him, what would become of his soul in such a case? This was propounded by a 
* They hold that their stout and vali● an● men have a reward after death.  stout fellow who was affected.  
10 How long it is before men believe that have the Word of God made known to them?  
11 How they should know when their faith is good, and their prayers good prayers?  
12 Why did not God kill the Devil that made all men so bad, God having all power?  
13 If we be made weak by sin in our hearts, how can we come before God to sanctify a Sabbath?  
There were many more questions of this kind, as also many Philosophical about the Sun, Moon, Stats, Earth and Seas, Thunder, Lightning, Earthquakes, etc. which I forbear to make mention of, lest I should clog your time with reading, together with the various answers to them: by these you may perceive in what stream their minds are carried, and that the Lord Jesus hath at last an enquiring people among these poor naked men, that formerly never so much as thought of him; which questionings and inquiries are accounted of by some as part of the whitening of the harvest toward, wherever they are found among any people, the good and benefit that comes to them hereby is and will be exceeding great.  
We had this year a malignant drunken Indian, that (to cast some reproach, as we feared, upon this way) boldly propounded this question, Mr. Eliot (said he) Who made Sack? who made Sack? but he was soon snibed by the other Indians, calling it 
* That is a childish question.  a Papoose question, and seriously and gravely answered (not so much to his question, as to his spirit) by Mr. Eliot, which hath cooled his boldness ever since, while others have gone on comfortably in this profitable and pleasant way.  
The man who sent me these and the like questions with their several answers in writing, concluded his letter with this story, which I shall here insert, that you may see the more of God among these poor people:  
Upon the 25. of April last (saith he) I had some occasion to go to speack with 
* An Indian S●●●●m.  Wabun about Sunrising in the morning, and staying some half an hours time, as I came back by one of the Wigwams, the man of that Wigwam was at prayer; at which I was so much affected, that I could not but stand under a Tree within hearing, though I could not understand but little of his words, and consider that God was fulfilling his Word, viz. The ends of the earth shall ●●member themselves and turn unto him; and that Scripture, Thou art 〈◊〉 God that hearest pro●er, unto thee shall all flesh come.  
Also this present September I have observed one of them to call his children to him from their gathering of Corn in the field, and to crave a blessing, with much affection, having but a homely dinner to eat.  
These things me thinks should move bowels, and awaken English hearts to be thankful, it is no small part of Religion to awaken with God in family prayer, (as it seems these do it early) and to crave a blessing with affectionate hearts upon a homely dinner, perhaps parched Corn or Indian stalks: I wish the like hearts and ways were seen in many English who profess themselves Christians, and that herein and many the like excellencies they were become Indians, excepting that name, as he did in another case, except his bonds: and that you may see not only how fare Religion, but civility hath taken place among them, you may be pleased therefore to peruse this Court Order, which is here inserted.   

The Order made last General Court at Boston the 26. of May, 1647. concerning the Indians, etc.  
Upon information that the Indians dwelling among us, and submitted to our government, being by the Ministry of the Word brought to some civility, are desirous to have a course of ordinary Judicature set up among them: It is therefore ordered by authority of this Court, that some one or more of the Magistrates, as they shall agree amongst themselves, shall once every quarter keep a Court at such place, where the Indians ordinarily assemble to hear the Word of God, and may then hear and determine all causes both civil and criminal, not being capital, concerning the Indians only, and that the Indian Sachimsshall have liberty to take order in the nature of Summons or Attachments, to bring any of their own people to the said Courts, and to keep a Court of themselves, every month if they see occasion, to determine small causes of a civil nature, and such smaller criminal causes, as the said Magistrates shall refer to them; and the said Sachims' shall appoint Officers to serve Warrant, and to execute the Orders and Judgements of either of the said Courts, which Officers shall from time to time be allowed by the said Magistrates in the quarter Courts or by the Governor: And that all sins to be imposed upon any Indian in any of the said Courts, shall go and be bestowed towards the building of some meeting houses, for education of their poorer children in learning, or other public use, by the advice of the said Magistrates and of Master Eliot, or of such other Elder, as shall ordinarily instruct them in the true Religion. And it is the desire of this Court, that these Magistrates and Mr. Eliot or such other Elders as shall attend the keeping of the said Courts will carefully endeavour to make the Indians understand our most useful Laws, and the principles of reason, justice and equity whereupon they are grounded, & it is desired that some care may be taken of the Indians on the Lords days.  
Thus having had a desire to acquaint you with these proceed among the Indians, and being desirous that you might more fully understand, especially from him who is best able to judge, I did therefore entreat my brother Eliot after some conference about these things, to set down under his own hand what he hath observed lately among them: which I do therefore herein send unto you in his own hand writing as he sent it unto me, which I think is worthy all Christian thankful ears to hear, and wherein they may see a little of the Spirit of this man of God, whom in other respects, but especially for his unweariedness in this work of God, going up and down among them and doing them good, I think we can never love nor honour enough.   

The Letter of Mr. Eliot to T. S. concerning the late work of God among the Indians.  
Dear Brother,  
AT your desire I have wrote a few things touching the Indians which at present came to my mind, as being some of those passages which took principal impression in my heart, wherein I thought I saw the Lord, and said the finger of God is here.  
That which I first aimed at was to declare & deliver unto them the Law of God, to civilize them, which course the Lord took by Moses, to give the Law to that rude company because of transgression, Gal. 3. 19 to convince, bridle, restrain, and civilize them, and also to humble them. But when I first attempted it, they gave no heed unto it, but were weary, and rather despised what I said. A while after God stirred up in some of them a desire to come into the English fashions, and live after their manner, but knew not how to attain unto it, yea despaired that ever it should come to pass in their days, but thought that in 40. years more, some Indians would be all one English, and in an hundred years, all Indians here about, would so be: which when I heard, (for some of them told me they thought so, and that some wise Indians said so) my heart moved within me, abhorring that we should sit still and let that work alone, and hoping that this motion in them was of the Lord, and that this mind in them was a preparative to embrace the Law and Word of God; and therefore I told them that they and we were already all one save in two things, which make the only difference betwixt them and us: First, we know, serve, and pray unto God, and they do not: Secondly, we labour and work in building, planting, clothing ourselves, etc. and they do not: and would hey but do as we do in these things, they would be all one with English men: they said they did not know God, and therefore could not tell how to pray to him, nor serve him. I told them if they would learn to know God, I would teach them: unto which they being very willing, I then taught them (as I sundry times had endeavoured afore) but never found them so forward, attentive and desirous to learn till this time, and then I told them I would come to their Wigwams, and teach them, their wives and children, which they seemed very glad of; and from that day forward I have not failed to do that poor little which you know I do.  
I first began with the Indians of Noonanetum, as you know, those of Dorchester mill not regarding any such thing: but the better sort of them perceiving how acceptable this was to the English, both to Magistrates, and all the good people, it pleased God to step in and bow their hearts to desire to be taught to know God, and pray unto him likewise, and had not I gone unto them also, and taught them when I did, they had prevented me, and desired me so to do, as I afterward heard.  
The effect of the Word which appears among them, and the change that is among them is this: First, they have utterly fortaken all their Powwaws, and given over that diabolical exercise, being convicted that it is quite contrary to praying unto God; yea sundry of their Powwaws have renounced their wicked employment, have condemned it as evil, and resolved never to use it anymore; others of them, seeing their employment and gains were utterly gone here, have fled to other places, where they are still entertained, and have raised lies, slanders, and an evil report upon those that hear the Word, and pray unto God, and also upon the English that endeavour to reclaim them and instruct them, that so they might discourage others from praying unto God, for that they account as a principal sign of a good man, and call all religion by that name, praying to God; and beside they mock and scoff at those Indians which pray, and blaspheme God when they pray; as this is one instance. A sober Indian going up into the country with two of hissons, did pray (as his manner was at home) and talked to them of God and Jesus Christ: but they mocked, & called one of his sons Jehovah, and the other Jesus Christ: so that they are not without opposition raised by the Pawwaws, and other wicked Indians.  
Again as they have forsaken their former Religion, and manner of worship, so they do pray unto God constantly in their families, morning and evening, and that with great affection, as hath been seen and heard by sundry that have gone to their Wigwams at such times; as also when they go to meat they solemnly pray and give thanks to God, as they see the English to do: so that that curse which God threatens to pour out upon the families that call not on his name, is through his grace, and tender mercy stayed from breaking forth against them, and when they come to English houses, they desire to be taught; and if meat be given them, they pray and give thanks to God: and usually express their great joy, that they are taught to know God, and their great affection to them that teach them.  
Further more they are careful to instruct their children, that so when I come they might be ready to answer their Catechise, which by the often repeating of it to the children, the men and women can readily answer to.  
Likewise they are careful to sanctify the Sabbath, but at first they could not tell how to do it, and they asked of me how they should do it, propounding it as a question whether they should come to the English meetings or meet among themselves; they said, if they come to the English meetings they understand nothing, or to no purpose, and if they met together among themselves, they had none that could teach them. I told them that it was not pleasing to God, nor profitable to themselves, to hear and understand nothing, nor having any that could interpret to them. Therefore I counselled them to meet together, and desire those that were the wisest and best men to pray, and then to teach the rest such things as I had taught them from God's Word, as well as they could; and when one hath done, then let another do the like, and then a third, and when that was done ask me, etc. and to pray unto God to help them therein: and this is the manner how they spend their Sabbaths.  
They are also strict against any profanation of the Sabbath, by working, fishing, hunting, etc. and have a Law to punish such as are delinquents therein by a fine of 10 s. and sundry cases they have had, wherein they have very strictly prosecuted such as have any way profaned the Sabbath. As for example, upon a Sabbath morning Cutchamaquin the Sachim his wife going to fetch water met with other women, and she began to talk of worldly matters, and so held on their discourse a while, which evil came to Nahantons ear, who was to teach that day (this Nabanton is a sober good man, and a true friend to the English ever since our coming) so he bent his discourse to show the sanctification of the Sabbath, & reproved such evils as did violate the same; & among other things worldly talk, and thereupon reproved that which he heard of that morning. After he had done, they fell to discourse about it, and spent much time therein, he standing to prove that it was a sin, and she doubting of it, seeing it was early in the morning, and in private; and alleging that he was more to blame than she, because he had occasioned so much discourse in the public meeting: but in conclusion they determined to refer the case to me, and accordingly they did come to my house on the second day morning and opened all the matter, and I gave them such direction as the Lord directed me unto, according to his holy Word.  
Another case was this, upon a Lord's day towards night two strangers came to Wabans Wigwam (it being usual with them to travail on that day, as on any other; (and when they came in, they told him that at a place about a mile off they had chased a Rackoone, and he betook himself into an hollow tree, and if they would go with them, they might fallen the tree and take him: at which tidings, Waban being willing to be so well provide to entertain those strangers (a common practice among them, freely to entertain travellers and strangers) he sent his two servants with them, who felled the tree, and took the beast. But this act of his was an offence to the rest, who judged it a violation of the Sabbath, and moved agitation among them: but the conclusion was, it was to be moved as a question upon the next Lecture day; which was accordingly done, and received such answer as the Lord guided unto by his Word.  
Another case was this, upon a Lord's day their public meetting holding long, and somewhat what late, when they came at home, in one Wigwam the fire was almost out, and therefore the man of the house, as he sat by the fire side took his Hatchet and split a little dry piece of wood, which they reserve on purpose for such use, and so kindled his fire, which being taken notice of, it was thought to be such a work as might not lawfully be done upon the Sabbath day, and therefore the case was propounded the Lecture following for their better information.  
These instances may serve to show their care of the external observation of the Sabbath day.  
In my exercise among them (as you know) we attend four things, besides prayer unto God, for his presence and blessing upon all we do.  
First, I catechise the children and youth; wherein some are very ready & expert, they can readily say all the Commandments, so far as I have communicated them, and all other principles about the creation, the fall, the redemption by Christ, etc. wherein also the aged people are pretty expert, by the frequent repetition thereof to the children, and are able to teach it to their children at home, and do so.  
Secondly, I Preach unto them out of some texts of Scripture, wherein I study all plainness, and brevity, unto which many are very attentive.  
Thirdly, if there be any occasion, we in the next place go to admonition and censure; unto which they submit themselves reverently, and obediently, and some of them penitently confessing their sins with much plainness, and without shift, and excuses: I will instance in two or three particulars; this was one case, a man named Wampoowas, being in a passion upon some light occasion did beat his wife, which was a very great offence among them now (though in former times it was very usual) and they had made a Law against it, and set a fine upon it; whereupon he was publicly brought forth before the Assembly, which was great that day, for our Governor and many other English were then present: the man wholly condemned himself without any excuse: and when he was asked what provocation his wife gave him? he did not in the least measure blame her but himself, and when the quality of the sin was opened, that it was cruelty to his own body, and against God's Commandment, and that passion was a sin, and much aggravated by such effects, yet God was ready to pardon it in Christ, etc. he turned his face to the wall and wept, though with modest endeavour to hid it; and such was the modest, penitent, and melting behaviour of the man, that it much affected all to see it in a Barbarian, and all did forgive him, only this remained, that they executed their Law notwithstanding his repentance, and required his fine, to which he willingly submitted, and paid it.  
Another case of admonition was this, Cutshamaquin the Sachim having ason of about 14 or 15 years old, he had been drunk, & had behaved himself disobediently, and rebelliously against his father and mother, for which sin they did blame him, but he despised their admonition. And before I knew of it, I did observe when I catechised him, when he should say the ●ist Commandment, he did not freely say, Honour thy father, but wholly left out mother, and so he did the Lecture day before, but when this sin of his was produced, he was called forth before the Assembly, and he confessed that what was said against him was true, but he ●●h to accuse his father of sundry evils, as that he would have killed him in his anger, and that he forced him to drink Sack, and I know not what else: which behaviour we greatly disliked, shown him the evil of it, and Mr. Wilson being present laboured much with him, for he understood the English, but all in vain, his lenart was hard and hopeless for that time, therefore using due loving persuasions, we did sharply admonish him of his sin, and required him to answer further the next Lecture day, and so left him; and so stout he was, that when his father offered to pay his fine of 10 s. for his drunkenness according to their Law, he would not except it at his hand. When the next day was come, and other exercises finished, I called him forth, and he willingly came, but still in the same mind as before. Then we turned to his father, and exhorted him to remove that stumbling block out of his son's way, by confessing his own sins whereby he had given occasion of hardness of heart to his son; which thing was not sudden to him, for I had formerly in private prepared him thereunto, and he was very willing to hearken to that counsel, because his conscience told him he was blameworthy; and accordingly he did, he confessed his main and principal evils of his own accord: and upon this advantage I took occasion to put him upon confession of sundry other vices which I knew he had in former times been guilty of, and all the Indians knew it likewise; and put it after this manner, Are you now sorry for your drunkenness, filthiness, false dealing, lying, etc. which sins you committed before you knew God? unto all which cases, he expressed himself sorrowful, and condemned himself for them: which example of the Sachim was profitable for all the Indians. And when he had thus confessed his sins, we turned again to his son and laboured with him, requiring him to confess his sin, and entreat God to forgive him for Christ his sake, and to confess his offence against his father and mother, and entreat them to forgive him, but he still refused; and now the other Indians spoke unto him soberly, and affectionately, to put him on, and divers spoke one after another, and some several times. Mr. Wilson again did much labour with him, and at last he did humble himself, confessed all, and entreated his father to forgive him, and took him by the hand, at which his father burst forth into great weeping: he did the same also to his mother, who wept also, and so did divers others; and many English being present, they fell a weeping, so that the house was filled with weeping on every side; and then we went to prayer, in all which time Cutshamaquin wept, in so much that when we had done the board he stood upon was all dropped with his tears.  
Another case of admonition was this, a hopeful young man who is my servant, being upon a journey, and drinking Sack at their setting forth, he drank too much, and was disguised; which when I heard I reproved him, and he humbled himself, with confession of his sin, and tears. And the next Lecture day I called him forth before the Assembly, where he did confess his sin with many tears.  
Before I leave this point of admonition, if I thought it would not be two tedious to you, I would mention one particular more, where we saw the power of God awing a wicked wretch by this ordinance of admonition. It was George that wicked Indian, who as you know, at our first beginnings sought to cast aspersions upon Religion, by laying slanderous accusations against godly men, and who asked that captious question, who made Sack? and this fellow having killed a young Cow at your Town, and sold it at the College instead of Moose, covered it with many lies, insomuch as Mr. Dunster was loath he should be directly charged with it when we called him forth, but that we should rather inquire. But when he was called b●fore the Assembly, and charged with it, he had not power to deny it, but presently confessed, only he added one thing which we think was an excuse; thus God hath honoured this ordinance among them.  
Fourthly the last exercise, you know, we have among them, is their ask us questions, and very many they have asked, which I have forgotten but some few that come to my present remembrance I will briefly touch.  
One was Wabb●ko●ets question, who is reputed an old Powwow, it was to this purpose, seeing the English had been 27. years (some of them) in this land, why did we never teach them to know God till now? had you done it sooner, said he, we might have known much of God by this time, and much sin might have been prevented, but now some of us are grown old in fin, etc. To whom we answered, that we do repent that we did not long ago, as now we do, yet withal we told them, that they were never willing to hear till now, and that seeing God hath bowed their hearts to be willing to hear, we are desirous to take all the pains we can now to teach them.  
Another question was, that of Cutshamaquin, to this purpose, Before I knew God, said he, I thought I was well, but since I have known God and sin, I find my heartful of sin, and more sinful than ever it was before, and this hath been a great trouble to me; and at this day my heart is but very little better than it was, and I am afraid it will be as bad again as it was before, and therefore I sometime wish I might die before I be so bad again as I have been. Now my question is, whether is this a sin or not? This question could not be learned from the English, nor did it seem a coined feigned thing, but a real matter gathered from the experience of his own heart, and from an inward observation of himself.  
Another question was about their children, Wither their little children go when they die, seeing they have not sinned?  
Which question gave occasion more fully to teach them original sin, and the damned state of all men: And also, and especially it gave occasion to teach them the Covenant of God, which he hath made with all his people, and with their children, so that when God chooses a man or a woman to be his servant, he chooses all their children to be so also: which doctrine was exceeding grateful unto them.  
Another great question was this, when I preached out of 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10, 11. old Mr. Brown, being present, observed them to be much affected, and one especially did weep very much, though covered it what he could; and after that there was a general question, which they sent unto me about, by my man, as the question of them all, Whether any of them should go to Heaven, seeing they found their hearts full of sin, and especially full of the sin of lust, which they call nanwunwudsquas, that is, mad after women; and the next meeting, being at Dorchester mill, Mr. Mather and Mr. Wareham, with divers others being present, they did there propound it, expressing their fears, that none of them should be saved; which question did draw forth my heart to preach and press the promise of pardon to all that were weary and sick of sin, if they did believe in Christ who had died for us, and satisfied the justice of God for all our sins, and through whom God is well pleased with all such repenting sinners that come to Christ, and believe in him; and the next day I took that Text, Matih. 11. 28, 29. and this doctrine some of them in a special manner did receive in a very reverend manner.  
There is another great question that hath been several times propounded, and much sticks w●●● such as begin to pray, namely, If they leave off Powwawing, and pray to God, what shall they do when they are sick? for they have no skill in physic, though some of them understand the virtues of sundry things, yet the state of man's body, and skill to apply them they have not: but all the refuge they have and rely upon in time of sickness is their Powwaws, who by antic, foolish and irrational conceits delude the poor people; so that it is a very needful thing to inform them in the use of Physic, and a most effectual means to take them off from their Powwawing. Some of the wiser sort I have stirred up to get this skill; I have showed them the anatomy of man's body, and some general principles of Physic, which is very acceptable to them, but they are so extremely ignorant, that these things must rather be taught by sight, sense, and experiance then by precepts, and rules of art; and therefore I have had many thoughts in my heart, that it were a singular good work, if the Lord would stir up the hearts of some or other of his people in England to give some maintenance toward some School or Collegiate exercise this way, wherein there should be Anatomies and other instructions that way, and where there might be some recompense given to any that should bring in any vegetable or other thing that is virtuous in the way of Physic; by this means we should soon have all these things which they know, and others of our Countrymen that are skilful that way, and now their skill lies buried for want of encouragement, would be a searching and trying to find out the virtues of things in this country, which doubtless are many, and would not a little conduce to the benefit of the people of this Country, and it may be of our native Country also; by this means we should train up these poor Indians in that skill which would confound and root out their Pawwaws, and then would they be fa●re more easily inclined to leave those ways, and pray unto God, whose gift Physic is, and whose blessing must make it effectual.  
There is also another reason which moves my thought and desires this way, namely that our young Students in Physic may be trained up better then yet they be, who have only theoretical knowledge, and 〈◊〉 forced to fall to practise before ever they saw an Anatomy made, or duly trained up in making experiments, for we never had but one Anatomy in the Country, which Mr. Giles Firman (now in England) did make and read upon very well, but no more of that now.  
This very day that I wrote these things unto you, I have been with the Indians to teach them, as I was wont to do, and one of their questions among many other was to know what to say to such Indians as oppose their praying to God, and believing in Jesus Christ, and for their own information also, What get you, say they, by praying to God, and believing in Jesus Christ? you go naked still, and you are as poor as we, and our Corn is as good as yours, and we take more pleasure than you; did we see that you got any thing by it, we would pray to God and believe in Jesus Christ also as you do? Unto which question I then answered them. First, God giveth unto us two sorts of good things, one sort are little ones, which I shown by my little finger; the other sort are great ones, which I shown by my thumb, (for you know they use and delight in demonstrations:) the little mercies are riches, as , food, sack, houses, cattle, and pleasures, these are little things which serve but for our bodies a little while in this life; the great mercies are wisdom, the knowledge of God, Christ, eternal life, repentance, faith, these are mercies for the soul, and for eternal life: now though God do not yet give you the little mercies, he giveth you that which is a great deal better, which the wicked Indians cannot see. And this I proved to them by this example; when Foxun the Mohegan Counsellor, who is counted the wisest Indian in the Country, was in the Bay, I did on purpose bring him unto you; and when he was here, you saw he was a fool in comparison of you, for you could speak of God and Christ, and heaven and repentance and faith, but he sat and had not one word to say, unless you talked of such poor things as hunting, wars, etc. Secondly, you have some more  than they, and the reason why you have no more is because you have but a little wisdom, if you were more wise to know God, and obey his Commands, you would work more than you do, for to God commandeth, Six days thou shalt work, etc. and thus the English do: and if you would be so wise as to work as they do, you should have , houses, cattle, riches as they have, God would give you them.  
This day they told me this news, that some of them having been abroad in the Country at Titacut, divers of those Indians would be glad to know God, and to pray unto God, and would be glad if I would come and teach them, but some of them opposed and would not. They asked me this day, why God made the Rainbow. These things are now fresh in my mind, that makes me so large in them, but I'll forbear any more of their questions of this nature.  
There do sundry times fall out differences among them, and they usually bring their cases to me, and sometime such, as it's needful for me to decline; where I may, I advise them to some issue. One great case that hath come several times to me, is about such debts as they own by gaming, for they have been great gamesters, but have moved questions about it, and are informed of the unlawfulness of it, and have thereupon wholly given over gaming for any wagers, and all games wherein is a lot, only use lawful recreations, and have a Law against unlawful gaming; but other Indians that are of another mind, come and challenge their old debts, and now they refuse to pay, because is was a sin so to game, and they now pray to God, and therefore must not pay such sinful debts. Now the case being serious, and such as I saw a snare underneath, the first counsel they had was, who ever would challenge such a debt should come to our Governor, and he would take order to rectify the matter. But the Creditors liked not that way, and therefore soon after there came another case of the same kind, and an issue was very necessary; therefore I first dealt with the creditor, and shown him the sinfulness of such games, and how angry God was at them; and therefore persuaded him to be content to take half his debt, unto which he very willingly condescended; then I dealt with the debtor, and asked him if he did not promise to pay him all that debt? and he answered yea, he did so; then I shown him that God commands us to perform our promises, and though be sinned in gaming, he must repent of that, but seeing he hath promised payment, he should sin to break his promise: at which he was utterly silenced; but then I asked him, if he would willingly pay half, if I should persuade the other to accept it; yea said he very willingly, and so the matter ended: and in this way they usually end such cases since that time. Their young men, who of all the rest, live most idly and dissolutely, now begin to go to service, some to Indians, some to Fnglish; and some of them growing weary, broke out of their services, and they had no help among them for it; so that some propounded what they should do to remedy that evil; they were answered, that the English bring such servants to the Court, and our Magistrates rectify those evils; then they desired that they might have a Court among them for government, at which motion we rejoiced, seeing it came from themselves, and tended so much to civilize them, since which time I moved the General Court in it, and they have pleased to order a way for exercising government among them: the good Lord prosper and bless it.  
They moved also as you know for a School, and through God's mercy a course is now taken that there be Schools at both places where their children are taught.  
You know likewise that we exhorted them to sense their ground with ditches, stone walls, upon the banks, and promised to help them with Shovels, Spades, Mattocks, Crows of Iron; and they are very desirous to follow that counsel, and call upon me to help them with tools faster them I can get them, though I have now bought pretty store, and they (I hope) are at work. The women are desirous to learn to spin, and I have procured Wheels for sundry of them, and they can spin pretty well. They begin to grow industrious, and find something to sell at Market all the year long: all winter they sell Brooms, Staves, Elepots, Baskets, Turkeys. In the Spring, Cranebe●ies, Fish, Stawberies, in the Summer Hurtleberries, Grapes, Fish: in the Autumn they sell Craneberries, Fish, Venison, etc. and they find a good benefit by the Market, and grow more and more to make use thereof; besides sundry of them work with the English in Hay time, and Harvest, but yet it's not comparable to what they might do, if they were industrious, and old boughs must be bend a little at once; if we can set the young twiggs in a better bend, it will be God's mercy. Dear brother I can go no further, a weary body, and sleepy eyes command me to conclude, if I have not satisfied your desire in this little I have wrote, let me understand it from you, and I shall be willing to do my endeavour: and thus with my dear love remembered to yourself and your beloved yoakfellow, and desiring your prayers for God's grace and blessing upon my spirit and poor endeavours, I take leave at this time and rest  
Roxbury this 24. of Septemb. 1647. Tour loving brother in our Saviour Christ, JOHN ELIOT.   

Let me add this Postscript, that there be two reasons that make me believe the Lords time is come to make a preparative at least for the coming of his grace, and kingdom among them. First, that he hath bowed their hearts, who were as averse, and as fare off from God, as any heathen in the world; and their hearts begin to bow more and more. Secondly, because the Lord hath raised a mighty spirit of prayer in this behalf in all the Churches.  
This Relation of Mr. eliot's I know many things therein to be true, & all the rest I have heard confirmed by credible persons, eye & ear witnesses ofthese things, and they are familiarly known in these parts. I know also that Mr. Eliot writes (as his spirit is) modestly and sparingly, and speaks the least in sundry particulars; for in his story of the repentance and public admonition of his own man, page 23. he saith he manifested many tears in public, but I heard it from many then present that there were so many, as that the dry place of the Wigmom, where he stood was bedirtied with them, pouring them out so abundantly. Indians are well known not to be much subject to tears, no not when they come to feel the sorest torture, or are solemnly brought forth to die; and if the Word works these tears, surely there is some conquering power of Christ Jesus stirring among them, which what it will end in at last, the Lord belt knows. If Mr. Brigbtmans' interpretation of daniel's prophesy be true, that Anno 1650. Europe will hear some of the best tidings that ever came into the world, viz. rumours from the Eastern Jews, which shall trouble the Turkish tyrant and shake his Pillars when they are coming to repossess their own land, for which they will be wrestling (if my memory fails not, according to his notion) about 40. years; I shall hope then that these Western Indians will soon come in, and that these beginnings are but preparatives for a brighter day than we yet see among them, wherein East & West shall sing the song of the Lamb: but I have no skill in prophecies, nor do I believe every man's interpretation of such Scripture; but this is certain, God is at work among these; and it is not usual for the Sun to set as soon as it gins to rise, nor for the Lord to Jesus to lose an inch of ground in the recovering times of his Church's peace and his own eclipsed and forgotten glory, (if these be such times) until he hath won the whole field, and driven the Prince of darkness out of it, who is but a bold usurper of the Lord Jesus inheritance, to whom are given the utmost ends of the earth. When Charles the Great had broken the chief power of the barbarous and fierce Saxons in Germany, he made this the only article of peace, that they should entertain such a Gospel as good then as the degenerate Christian world could afford, and for that end admit of a Monastery among them of such men as might instruct them, and this course prevailed, if we may believe 
* Crantzius lib. ch. 1, 2.  Crantzius the Historian of those times, and shall we think that when the Lord Jesus hath set up not a Monastery of works but Churches of Saints in these toasts to encourage the ministry and this work of Christ, that his blessed Gospel cannot or shall not in these days take some effect since it hath broke so far? I dare conclude nothing, only it will be our comfort in the day of our accounts, that we have endeavoured something this way; and it may be this very endeavour shall be our peace. Gildas our British Historian observing that one cause why God let lose the Saxons to scourge and root out the Britain's, was their deep carelessness of communicating, unto them the Christian Religion, when they had their spirits at fit advantage: but I dare not discourse of these matters.  
One thing more I remember concerning Mr. eliot's conference with a Narraganset Sachim a sober man this year; after that he had taught this Sachim the Law of God and had shown Limb the means of salvation by Christ; he than asked him if he did know And understand those things? and hesaid, yes. He then asked him if he did believe them? but he could not get any answer from him that way, but did seem to take them into more serious thoughts. He then asked him, why they did not learn of Mr. Williams who hath lived among them divers years? and he soberly answered that they did not care to learn of him, because he is no good man but goes out and works upon the Sabbath day; I name it not to show what glimmerings nature may have concerning the observation of the Sabbath, but to show what the ill example of English may do, and to see what a stumbling block to all Religion the lose observation of the Sabbath is, however man's shifting wits may find out evasions, to get lose from out of that net.  
But this may serve to satisfy your own or others desires concerning the progress of the Gospel among the Indians: the Lord Jesus seems at this day to be turning upside down the whole frame of things in the world, King's Parliaments, Armies, Kingdoms, Authorities, Churches, Ministers, and if out of his free grace he looks not upon these hopeful beginnings, these will be so turned also; for opposition there is from men and devils against it, and I have feared in my own heart that within these few months there hath been some coolings among the best of these Indians; but we find it so also among many people that are English in their first work, but the Lord Jesus revives again; and therefore Mr. Eliot of late having told them that he was afraid that they began to be weary. they took it to heart, and propounded in my hearing at a late Indian Lacture at Noonanetum many profitable questions, viz. When they prayed and heard the Word aright? and how they might know when they were weary of them? And what time it might be before the Lord might come and make them know him? And what the first sin of the Devils was? (He discoursing to them about the danger of Apostasy) At this time they are (as you may perceive by Mr. eliot's writings) about fencing in their ground and Town given them some hundreds of Acres, with a stone fence, for which end Mr. Eliot provides them Mattocks, Shovels and Crows of Iron, etc. and to encourage their slothfulness, promised to give a groat or six pence a rod, if they would thus fare attend their own good, and work for themselves: all the poor Indians at Noonanetum are generally clad with such  as we can get them, and the Wigwams of the meanest of them equalise any Sachims' in other places, being built not with mats but barks of Trees in good bigness, the rather that they may have their partitions in them for husbands and wives together, and their children and servants in their places also, who formerly were never private in what nature is ashamed of, either for the sun or any man to see. It's some refreshing to think that there is (if there was no more but) the name of Christ sounding in those dark and despicable Tartarian Tents; the Lord can build them houses in time to pray in, when he hath given unto them better hearts, and when perhaps he hath cursed and consumed theirs who have disdained to give that worship and homage to Christ in their seiled houses, which poor Indians rejoice to give to him in their poor Tents and Wigwams: I desire you to gather what stock of prayers you can for them. I had almost forgot to tell you of Mr. eliot's going up the Country lately with Mr. Flint, Captain Willard of Concord, and sundry others, towards Merrimath River unto that Indian Sachim Passaconnaway, that old Witch and Powwaw, who together with both his sons, fled the presence of the light, and durst not stand their ground, nor be at home when he came, pretending fear of being killed by a man forsooth that came only with a book in his hand, and with a few others without any weapons only to bear him company and direct his way in those deserts, but in it you may see the guilt of the man, & that Satan is but a coward in his Lion's skin even upon his own dunghill, as also the hatred and enmity against the Word which is in some, which argues that the attention which others give to it, is a power of God, and not merely to flatter and get favour with the English: but the rest of Passaconnaways men attended to the things which were spoken and asked divers questions, the Indians in our parts accompanying Mr. Eliot and giving blessed examples to the others herein, as also in saying Grace before and after meat, praying in their Wigwams with them, and some of them singing of Psalms, which they have learned among the English: discoursing also with them about the things of God. It is somewhat observable (though the observation be more cheerful than deep) that the first Text out of which Mr. Eliot preached to the Indians was about the dry bones, Ezek. 37. where it's said, Vers. 9, 10. that by propbesying to the wind, the wind came and the dry bones lived; now the Indian word for Wind is Waubon, and the most active Indian for stirring up other Indians to seek after the knowledge of God in these parts, his name is Waubon, which signifies Wind, (the Indians giving names to their children usually according to appearances of providences) although they never dreamt of this, that this their Waubon should breathe such a spirit of life and encouragement into the rest of the Indians. as he hath endeavoured in all parts of the Country, both at Concord, Merrimeek and elsewhere; but some of the Indians themselves that were stirred up by him took notice of this his name and that Scripture together, and the English also have much observed him herein, who still continues the same man, although we think there be now many others whom he first breathed encouragement into that do fare exceed him in the light and life of the things of God: Mr. Eliot also professing that he chose that Text without the least thought of any such application in respect of Waubon.  
There have been many difficult questions propounded by them, which we have been unwilling to engage ourselves in any answer unto, until we have the concurrence of others with ns.  
First, suppose a man before he knew God, hath had two wives, the first barren and childless, the second fruitful and bearing him many sweet children, the question now propounded was, which of these two wives he is to put away? if he puts away; the first who hath no children, than he puts away her whom God and Religion undoubtedly binds him unto, there being no other defect but want of children: if he puts away the other, than he must cast off all his children with her also as illegitimate, whom he so exceedingly loves. This is a case now among them, and they are very fearful to do any thing cross to Gods will and mind herein.  
Secondly, suppose a man marry a Sqaw, and she deserts and flies from her husband, and commits adultery with other remote Indians, but afterward it come to pass that she hearing the Word, and sorry for what she hath done, she desires to come to her husband again, who remains still unmarried; Whether should this husband upon her repentance receive her again? and whether in be not bound thereunto so to do?  
At the last Lecture at Noonanetum this September, there were divers questions asked: one was propounded by an old Sqaw, a Widow; viz. If when men know God, God loves them, why then is it that any one are afflicted after that they know him? I shall mention no more, but conclude with the solemn speech of a sober and hopeful Indian at this Lecture, whose name is Wampooas, who in stead of propounding a question fell into these expressions, viz. That because we pray to God, other Indians abroad in the country hate us and oppose us, the English on the other side suspect us, and fear us to be still such as do not pray at all; but (saith he) God who knows all things, he knows that we do pray to him. To which speech Mr. Eliot replied, that it was true indeed, that some of the English did so far suspect them for sundry reasons; but I do not so, and others of us, who know you and speak with you, we do not so think of you; and then gave them gracious and serious encouragements to go forward and make more progress in the things of God. This their own testimony of themselves being propounded with much sweetness and seriousness of affection, may be the last, although it be the least confirmation of some inward work among them; which I looked upon as a special providence that such a speech should be spoken and come to my ear just at such a time as this, wherein I was finishing the story, to confirm in some measure what hath been written; the Lord himself I believe and no man living, putting these words into their own hearts, to give this modest testimony concerning themselves. The beginning of this enlargement of Christ's Kingdom should enlarge our hearts with great joy. If I should gather and sum up together the several gracious impressions of God upon them from what hath been scattered here and there in the story, I think it might make many Christians ashamed, who may easily see how fare they are exceeded by these naked men in so short a● i'm thus wrought upon by such small and despicable means. My brother Eliot who is Preacher to them, proselling he can as yet but stammer out some pieces of the Word of God unto them in their own tongue; but God is with him, and God is wont to be maximus in minimis, and is most seen in doing great things by small means. The Sword of God's Word shall and will pierce deep, even when it is half broken, when the hand of a mighty Redeemer hath the laying of it on: and the Scripture herein is, and must be fulfilled, that as soon as the heathen hear Christ they shall submit, Psal. 18. 43, 44. and such nations whom Christ knew not shall run unto him, Isai. 55. 5. The fall of the unbeleving Jews was the rising of the Gentiles; my prayer to God therefore for Europe is, that the fall of the Churches, (little bettered by the devouring Sword which is still thirsty) may not be the rising of these American Gentiles, never pitied till now. I wish that Alsted ius prophesy 
Alsted in Aped,  herein may never prove true; but rather that the rising of these may be a provoking and raising up of them, especially of the English, to lament after that God whom they have forsaken; and to lament after him, together with us, for these poor Indians who never yet knew him.  
Sir, I had ended these relations once or twice, but the stay of the Vessel increaseth new matter; which because ●●is new and fresh, you shall have it as I heard of it from a faithful hand: There were sundry questions propounded at the Indian Lecture at Noonanetum this Octob. 13. by the Indians: the first was propounded to Mr. Eliot himself upon occasion of his Sermon out of Ephes. 5. 11. Have no fellowship with unfruitful workers of darkness, viz. What English men did think of Mr. Eliot because be came among wicked Indians to teach them?  
Secondly, Suppose two men sin, the one knows be sinneth, and the other doth not know sin, will God punish both alike?  
Thirdly, Suppose there should be one wise Indian that teacheth good things to other Indians, whether should not he be as a father or brother unto such Indians he so teacheth in the ways of God? This last question seems to argue some motions stirring in some of their hearts to pity and teach their poor Countrymen; and surely then will be the most hopeful time of doing good among them, when the Lord shall raise up some or other like themselves to go among them and preach the Word of life unto them with fatherly or brotherly bowels; and yet I limit not the most High, who can make use of what Instruments he pleaseth for this work. I shall conclude therefore with a story I had both by writing and word of mouth, from a faithful 
* Mr. Edward Jackson.  man which he saw with his own eyes this Octob. 7. There was one of the Indians at Noonanetum, hath had a child sick of a Consumption many a day, and at that time died of it; when it was dead, some of the Indians came to an honest man to inquire how they should bury their dead; the man told them how and what the English did when they buried theirs; hereupon rejecting all their old superstitious observances at such sad times (which are not a few) they presently procured a few boards, and buy a few ●●yles of the English, and so make a pretty handsome Coffin, (for they are very dextrous at any thing they see once done) and put the child in to it, and so accompanied it to the grave very solemnly, about 40. Indians of them: when the earth was cast upon it and the grave made up, they withdrew a little from that place, and went all together and assembled under a Tree in the Woods, and there they desired one Tutaswampe a very hopeful Indian to pray with them; now although the English do not usually meet in companies to pray together after such sad occasions, yet it seems God stirred up their hearts thus to do; what the substance of their prayer was I cannot certainly learn, although I have heard some things that way, which I therefore name not, only I have and shall endeavour to get it, if it be possible for the poor Indian to express the substance of it, and so shall send it if the ship stays long, only this is certain by him who was occasionally an eye and care witness of these things, that they continued instant with God in prayer for almost half an hour together, and this godly man's words to me (who understands a little of their language) are these; that this Tutaswampe did express such zeal in prayer with such variety of gracious expressions, and abundance of tears, both of himself and most of the company, that the woods rang again with their sighs and prayers; and (saith he) I was much ashamed of myself and some others, that hav● had so great light, and yet want such affections as they have, who have as yet so little knowledge. All this he saw standing at some good distance alone from them under a Tree.  
Thus you see (Sir) that these old obdurate sinners are not altogether senseless of Gods afflicting hand and humbling providences; and though natural affection may be much stirring in such times, yet you see how God gins to sanctify such affections among them: and I wish that many English were not outstripped herein by these poor Indians, who have got the ●art I sear of many English, that can pass by such sad providences without laying them in this manner to heart. I confess these and many such things which we see in divers of them, do make some to think that there is more of God and his Spirit in some of their hearts then we yet can discover, and which they hope will break out in time.  
Thus you have a true, but somewhat rend and ragged relation of these things; it may be most suitable to the story of naked and ragged men: my desire is that no man's Spectacles may deceive him, so as to look upon these things either as bigger or lesser, better or worse than they are; which all men generally are apt to do at things at so great distance, but that they may judge of them as indeed they are, by what truth they see here expressed in the things themselves. I know that some think that all this work among them is done and acted thus by the Indians to please the English, and for applause from them; and it is not unlikely but so'tis in many, who do but blaze for a time; but certainly'tis not so in all, but that the power of the Word hath taken place in some, and that inwardly and effectually, but how far savingly time will declare, and the reader may judge of, by the story itself of these things. Some say that if it be so, yet they are but a few that are thus wrought upon; Be it so, yet so it hath ever been, many called, few chosen: and yet withal I believe the calling in of a few Indians to Christ is the gathering home of many hundreds in one, considering what a vast distance there hath been between God and them so long, even days without number; considering also how precious the first fruits of America will be to Jesus Christ, and what seeds they may be of great harvests in after times; and yet if there was no great matter seen in these of grown years, their children notwithstanding are of great hopes both from English and Indians themselves, who are therefore trained up to School, where many are very apt to learn, and who are also able readily to answer to the questions propounded, containing the principles and grounds of all Christian Religion in their own tongue. I confess it passeth my skill to tell how the Gospel should be generally received by these American Natives, considering the variety of Languages in small distances of places; only he that made their ears and tongues can raise up some or other to teach them how to hear, and what to spoke; and if the Gospel must ride circuit, Christ can and will conquer by weak and despicable means, though the conquest perhaps may be somewhat long. The beginnings and foundations of the Spaniard in the Southern parts of this vast continent, being laid in the blood of nineteen Millions of poor innocent Natives (as Acosta the Jesuit a bird of their own nest relates the story) shall certainly therefore be utterly rooted up by some revenging hand; and when he is once dispossessed of his Golden Mansions and Silver Mines, it may be then the oppressed remnant in those coasts also may come in. In the mean while if it be the good pleasure of Christ to look upon any of the worst and meanest of these outcasts in these Coasts of New-England, let us not despise this day of small things, but as the Jews did of old, so let us now cry mightily to God and say, and sing, Let the people praise thee O God, yea let all the people praise thee, then shall the earth bringforth her increase, and God even our God will bless us.  
I have sent you two witnesses beside my own of the truth of the Indian story printed, you may publish them if you please as they have writ, and subscribed with their own hands.  
THOMAS SHEPHARD.   
FINIS.