Christen make not CHRISTIANS, OR A Briese Discourse concerning that name Heathen, commonly given to the INDIANS.  
As also concerning that great point of their CONVERSION.   a bare-chested woman with headdress, bow and arrow, standing in the country, under a bright moon 
Published according to Order.  
London, Printed by jane Coe, for I. H. 1645.   

A Brief Discourse concerning that name HEATHEN Commonly given to the Indians.  
As also concerning that great point of their conversion.  
I Shall first be humbly bold to inquire into the name Heathen, which the English give them, & the Dutch approve and practise in their name Heydenen, signifying Heathen or Nations.  
How oft have I heard both the English and Dutch (not only the civil, but the most ded bauched and profane) say, These Heathen Dogs, better kill a thousand of them then that we Christians should be endangered or troubled with them; Better they were all cut off, & then we shall be no more troubled with them: They have spilt our Christian blood, the best way to make riddance of them, cut them all off, and so make way for Christians.  
I shall therefore humbly entreat my countrymen of all sorts to consider, that although men have used to apply this word Heathen to the Indians that go naked, and have not heard of that One-God, yet this word Heathen is most improperly, sinfully, and unchristianly so used in this sense. The word Heathen signifieth no more than Nations or Gentiles; so do our Translations from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in the old and New Testament promiscuously render these words Gentiles, Nations, Heathens.  
Why Nations? Because the jews being the only People and Nation of God, esteemed (and that rightly) all other People, not only those that went naked, but the famous BABYLONIANS, CHALDEANS, MEDES, and PERSIANS, GREEKS' and ROMANS, their stately Cities and Citizens, inferior to themselves, and not partakers of their glorious privileges, but Ethnic, Gentiles, Heathen, or the Nations of the world.  
Now than we must inquire who are the People of God, his holy nation, since the coming of the Lord jesus, and the rejection of his first typical holy Nation the jews.  
It is confessed by all, that the CHRISTIANS the followers of jesus, are now the only People of God, his holy nation, etc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 1. Pet. 2.9.  
Who are then the nations, heathen, or gentiles, in opposition to this People of God? I answer, All People, civilised as well as uncivilized, even the most famous States. Cities, and the Kingdoms of the World: For all must come within that distinction 1. Cor. 5. within or without.  
Within the People of God, his Church at CORINTH: Without the City of CORINTH worshipping Idols, and so consequently all other People HEATHENS, or NATIONS, opposed to the People of GOD, the true jews: And therefore now the natural jews themselves, not being of this People, are Heathens Nations or Gentiles. Yea, this will by many hands be yielded, but what say you to the Christian world? What say you to Christ endome? I answer, what do you think Peter or john, or Paul, or any of the first Messengers of the Lord jesus; Yea if the Lord jesus himself were here, (as he will be shortly) and were to make answer, what would they, what would he say to a CHRISTIAN WORLD? TO CHRISTENDOM? And otherwise then what He would speak, that is indeed what he hath spoken, and wili shortly speak, must no man speak that names himself a Christian.  
Herdious in his Map of lus CHRISTIAN WORLD takes in all Asia, Europe, a  part of Africa, and a great part also of America, so far as the Pope's Christen have reached to.  
This is the CHRISSION WORLD, or Christendom, in which respect men stand upon their terms of high opposition between the CHRISTIAN and the TURK, (the Christian shore, and the Turkish shore) between the CHRISTIANS of this Christian WORLD, and the JEW, and the CHRISTIAN and the HEATHEN, that is the naked American.  
But since Without is turned to be Within, the WORLD turned CHRISTIAN, and athe●ttle stock of JESUS CHRIST hath msorvelllously increased in such wonderful conversions, let me be bold to ask what is Christ? What are the Christians? The Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will tell us that Christ was and in the Anointed of God, whom the Prophets and Kings and priests of Israel in their anointings did presigure and type out; whence his followers are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 christians, that is Anointed also: So that indeed to be a christian implies two things, first, to be afollower of that anointed one in all his Offices; secondly, to partake of his anointings, for the Anointing of the Lord Jesus (like to the anointings of AARON, to which none might make the like on pain of death) descend to the skirt of his garments.  
To come nearer to this Christion world, (where the world becomes christian holy, anointed, God's People etc.) what saith john? What saith the Angel? Yea, What saith jesus Christ and his Father (from whom the Revelation came Revel 1.1.?) What say they unto the Beast and his Worshippers Revel. 13.  
If that beast be not the Turk, north Roman Emperor (as the grossest interpretbut either the general counsels, or the catholic church of Rome, or the Popes or Pacy (as the most refined interpret) why then all the world, Revel. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wonders after the Beast, worships the Beast, followeth the Beast, and boasts of the Beast, that there is none like him, and all People, Tongues, and Nations, come underthe power of this Beast, & no man shall buy nor sell, nor live, who hath not the mark of the Beast in his Forehead, or in his hand, or the number of his name.  
If this world or earth then be not intended of the whole terrestrial Globe, Europe, Asia, Africa and America, (which sense and experience denies) but of the Roman earth, or world, and the People, Languages, and Nations, of the Roman Monarchy, transferred from the Roman Emperor to the Roman Popes, and the Popish Kingdoms, branches of that ROMAN-ROOT, (as all history and consent of time make evident.)  
Then we know by this time what the Lord jesus would say of the Christian world and of the Christian: Indeed what he saith Revel. 14. If any man worship the Beast or his picture, he shall drink etc. even the dread fullest cup that the whole Book of God ever held forth to sinners.  
Grant this, say some of Popish Countries, that notwithstanding they make up Christendom, or Christian world, yet submitting to that Beast, they are the earth or world and must drink of that most dreadful cup: But now for those nations that have withdrawn their necks from that boastly yoke, & protesting against him, are not Papists, but Protestants, shall we, may we think of them, that they, or any of them may also be called (in true Scripture sense) Heathens, that is Nations or Gentiles, in opposition to the People of God, which is the only holy Nation.  
I answer, that all Nations now called Protestants, were at first part of that whole Earth, or main (ANTICHRISTIAN) Continent, that wondered after, worshipped the Beast, etc. This must then with holy fear and trembling (because it concerns the KINGDOM of GOD, and salvation) be attended to, Whether such a departure from the Beast, and coming out from ANTICHRISTIAN abominations, from his marks in a false conversion, and a false constitution, or framing of NATIONALL CHURCHES in false MINISTERIES, and ministrations of BAPTISM, Supper of the Lord, Admonitions, Excommunications as amounts to a true perfect Island, cut off from that Earth which wondered after and worshipped the Beast: or whether, not being so cut off, they remain not Peninsulâ or necks of land, contiguous and joined still unco his Christendom? If now the bodies of Protestant Nations remain in an unre-Pentant, unregenerate, natural estate, and so consequently fare from hearing the admonitions of the Lord Jesus, Math. 18. I say they must sadly consider and know (lest their profession of the name of Jesus prove at last but an aggravation of condemnation) that Christ Jesus hath said, they are but as Heathens and Publcanes', vers. 17. How might I therefore humbly beseech my counry men to consider what deep cause they have to search their conversions from that Beast and his Pisture? And whether having no more of Christ then the name, (beside the invented ways of worship, derived from, or drawn after Rome's pattern) their hearts and conversations will not evince, them unconverted and unchristian Christians, and not yet, knowing what in is to come by true Regeneration within, to the true spiritual Jew from without amongst the Nations, ●hat is Heathens or Gentiles.  
How deeply and eternally this concerns each soul to search intol yea, and much more deeply such is profess to be Guides, Leaders, and Builders of the HOUSE of GOD.  
First, as they look to Forms and Frame of Buildings, or Churches.  
Secondly, as they attend to Means and Instruments, etc.  
Thirdly, as they would lay sure Foundations; and lasting groundsels.  
Fourthly, as they account the cost and charge such buildings will amount unto.  
Fifthly, so they may not forget the true spiritual matter and mateaials, of which a true House, City, Kingdom, or Nation of of God, now in the new Testament are to be composed or gathered.  
Now Secondly, for the hopes of CONVERSION, and turning the People of America unto God: There is no respect of Persons with him, for we are all the work of his hands; from the rising of the Sun to the going down thereof, his name shall be great among the nations from the East & and from the West etc. If we respect their fins, they are far short of European sinners: They neither abuse such corporal mercies for they have them not; nor sin they against the Gospel's light, (which shines not amongst them) as the men of Europe do: And yet if they were greater sinners than they are, or greater sinners than the Europeans, they are not the further from the great Ocean of mercy in that respect.  
Lastly, they are intelligent, many very ingenuous, plainehearted, inquisitive, and (as I said before) prepared with many convictions etc.  
Now secondly, for the Catholics conversion, although I believe I may safely hope that God hath his in Rome, in Spain, yet if Antichrist be their false head (as most true it is) the body, faith, baptism, hope (opposite to the true, Ephes. 4.) are all false also; yea consequently their preach, conversions, salvations (leaving secret things to God) must all be of the same false nature like wise.  
If the reports (yea some of their own Historians) be true, what monstrous and most inhuman conversions have they made; baptising thousinds, yea ten thousands of the poor Natives, sometimes by wiles and subtle devices, sometimes by force compelling them to submit to that which they understood not, neither before nor after such their monstrous Christening of them. Thirdly, for our New-england parts, I can speak it uprightly and confidently, I know it to have been easy for myself, long ere this, to have brought many thousands of these Natives, yea the whole country, to a far greater Antichristian conversion then ever was yet heard of in America. I have reported something in the Chapter of their Religion, how readily I could have brought the whole Country to have observed one day in seven; I add to have received a Baptism (or washing) though it were in Rivers (as the first Christians and the Lord jesus himself did) to have come to a stated Church meeting, maintained priests and forms of prayer, and a whole form of Antichristian worship in life and death. Let none wonder at this, for plansible persuasions in the mouths of those whom natural men esteem and love: for the power of prevailing forces and armies hath done this in all the Nations (as men speak) of Christendom. Yea what lamentable experience have we of the Turn and Turn of the body of this Land in point of Religion in few years?  
When England was all Popish under Henry the seventh, how easy is conversion wrought to half Papist halfe-Protestant under Henry the eighth?  
From halfe-Protestanisme halfe-Popery under Henry the eight, to absolute Protestanisme under Edward the sixth: from absoluer Protestation under Edward the sixth to absalute popery under Quegne Mary, and from absolute Popery under Queen Mary, (just like the Weathercock, with the breath of every Prince) to absolute Protestanisme under Queen Elizabeth etc.  
For all this, yet some may ask, why hath there been such a price in my hand not improved? why have I not brought them to such a conversion as I speak of? I answer, woe be to me, if I call light darkness, or darkness light; sweet bitter, or bitter sweer; woe be to me if I call that conversion unto God, which is indeed subversion of the souls of Millions in Christendom, from one false worship to another, and the profanation of the holy name of God, his holy Son and blessed Ordinances America (as Europe and all nations) lies dead i● sin and trespasses: It is not a suit of crimson Satin will make a dead man live, take off and change his crimson into white he is dead still, off with that, and shift him into cloth of gold, end from that to cloth of diamonds, he is but a dead man still: For it is not a form, nor the change of one form into another, a finer, and a sinner, and yet more fine, that makes a man a convert I mean such a convert as is acceptable to God in Jesus Christ, according to the visible Rule of his last will and Testament. I speak not of Hypocrites, (which may but glister, and be no solid gold as Simon Magus, Judas &c.) But of a true external conversion; I say then, woe be to me if intending to catch men (as the Lord Jesus said to Peter) I should pretend conversion) and the bringing of men as mystical fish, into a Church-estate, that is a converted estate, and so build them up with Ordinances as a converted Christian People, and yet afterward still pretend to catch them by an after conversion. I question not but that it hath pleased God in his infinite pity and patience, to suffer this among us, yea and to codvert thousands, whom all men, yea and the persons (in their personal estates converted) have esteemed themselves good converts before.  
But I question whether this hath been so frequent in these late years, when the times of ignorance (which God pleaseth to pass by) are over, and now a greater light concerning the Church, Ministry, and conversion, is arisen. I question whether if such rare talents, which God hath betrusted many of his precious Worthies with, were laid out (as they shall be in the Lords most holy season) according to the first pattern; I say, I question whether or no, where there hath been one (in his personal estate converted) there have not been, and I hope in the Lord's time shall be, thousands truly converted from Antichristian Idols (both in person and worship) to serve the living and true God.  
And lastly, it is out of question to me, that I may not pretend a false conversion, and false state of worship, to the true Lord jesus.  
If any noble Berean shall make inquiry what is that true conversion I intent; I answer first negatively.  
First, it is not a conversion of a People from one false worship to another, as Nebuchadnezzer compelled all Nations under his Monarchy.  
Secondly, it is not to a mixture of the manner or worship of the true God, the God of Israel, with false gods & their worships, as the People were converted by the King of Assyria, 2, Kin. 17. in which worship for many Generations did these Samaritans continue, having a form of many wholesome truths amongst them, concerning God, and the Messtah, joh. 4.  
Thirdly, it is not from the true to a false, as JEREBOAM turned the ten Tribes to then ruin and dispersion unto this day, 1. Kin. 12.  
Fourthly, it must not be a conversion to some external submission to God's Ordinances upon earthly respects, as JACOBS' sons converted the Sichemites, Gen. 34.  
Fiftly it must not be, (it is not possible it should be in truth) a conversion of People to the worship of the Lord jesus, by force of Arms and swords of steel: So indeed did Nebuchadnezzer deal with all the world, Dan. 3. so doth his Antitype and successor the Beast deal with all the earth, Rev. 13. etc.  
But so did never the Lord jesus bring any unto his most pure worship, for he abhors (as all men, yea the very Indians do) an unwilling Spouse, and to enter into a forced bed: The will in worship, if true, is like a free Vote, nec cogit, nec cognitur: JUSUS CHRIST compels by the mighty persuasions of his M●ssengers to come in, but other wise with earthly weapons he never did compel nor can be compelled.  
The not discerning of this truth hath let out the blood of thousands in civil combustions in all ages; and made the whore drunk, & the Earth drunk with the blood of the Sam●s, and witnesses of jesus.  
And it is yet like to be the destruction & and dissolution of (that which is called) the Christian world, unless the God of peace and p●●y lo●ke down upon it, and satisfy the soul's o● men, that he hath not so required. I should be far yet from unsecuring the peace of a City, of a Land, (which I confess aught to be maintained by civil weapons, & which I have so much cause to be earnest with God for;) Nor would I leave a gap open to any mutinous hand or tongue, nor wish a weapon left in the hand of any known to be mutinous and peace-breakers.  
I know (lastly) the consciences of many are otherwise persuaded, both from Israel's state of old, and other Allegations; yet I shall be humbly bold to say, I am able to present such considerations to the eyes of all who love the P●●ce of truth and Peace, that shall discover the weakness of all such allega●ions, and answer all objections, that have been, or can be made in this point. So much negatively.  
Secondly, affirmatively: I answer ingenerate, A true Conversion (w●●●●r of Americans, or Europeans) must be such as those Conversions were of the first pattern, either of the jews or the Heathens, That Role is the golden Mece-wand in the hand of the Angel or M●ssenger, rev. 11.1. beside which all other are leaden and crooked  
In particular: First, it must b● by the free proclaiming or preaching of R●penance & forgiveness of sins, Luk. 24. by such Messenger's ●s can prove their lawful sending and Commission from the Lord jesus, to make Disciples o●● of all nations: and so to baptise or w●sh them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the name or profession of the oly Trinity, Mat, 28.19 Rom. 10.14 15.  
Secondly, such a conversion (so fare as man's judgement can reach which is fallible, (as was the judgement of the first Messengers, as in Sim●● Magus, etc.) as is a turning of the whole man from the power of Satan unto God, act. 26. Such a change, as if an old man become a new Babe joh. 3. vea, as amounts to Gods new creation in the soul, Ephes. 2.10.  
Thirdly, Visibly it is a turning from Idols not only of conversation but of worship, (whether P●g●●, Turkish, Jewish, or ANTICHRISTIAN) to the Living and true God in the ways of his holy worship, appointed by his Son, 1. Thes. 1.9.  
I know Objections use to be made against this, but the g●d●n Rule, if well attended to, will discover all crooked swervings and aberrations.  
If any now say unto me, Why then if this b● Conversion, and you have such a Key of Language, and such a door of opportunity, in the knowledge of the Covotry and the inhabitants, why proceed you not to produce in America some patterns of such conversions as you speak of?  
I answer, first, it must be a great deal of practice, and mighty pains and hardship undergone by myself, or any that would proceed to such a further degree of the Language, as to be able in propriety of speech to open matters of salvation to them.  
In matters of Earth men will help to spell out each other, but in matters of Heaven (to which the soul is naturally so averse) how far are the Ears of men hedged up from listening to an improper Language?  
Secondly my desires and endeavours are constant (by the help of God) to attain a propriety of Language.  
Thirdly, I confess to the honour of my worthy Countrymen in the Bay of Massachuset, and elsewhere, that I received not long since expressions of their holy desires and proffers of assistance in the work, by the hand of my worthy friend Colonel Humphreys, during 〈◊〉 abode there.  
Yet fourthly, I answer, if a man were as affectionate and zealous as David to build an house for God, and as wise and holy to advise and encourage as Nathan, attempt this work with u● a Word, a Warrant and Comimission, for matter, and manner, from GOD himself, they must afterwards hear a voice (though accepting good desires, yet reproving want of Commission) Did I ever speak a word saith the Lord? etc. 2. Sam. 7.7.  
The truth is, having not been without (through the mercy of God) abundant and constant thoughts about a true Commission for such an Embassy and Ministry. I must ingenuously confess the restless unsatisfiedness of my soul in divers main partionlars: As first, ☞ whether (since the Law must go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from jerusalem) I say whether God's great business between Christ jesus the holy Son of God and Antichrist the man of sin and Son of perdition, must not be first over, and Zion and jerusalem be rebuilt and reestablished, before the Law and word of life be sent forth to the rest of the Nations of the World, who have not heard of Christ: The Prophets are deep concerning this.  
Secondly, since there can be no preaching (according to the last Will and Testament of Christ jesus) without a true sending Rom. 14.15 ☞ Where the power and authority of sending and giving that Commission Math. 28. etc. I say where that power now lies?  
It is here unseasonable to number up all that lay claim to this Power, with their grounds for their pretences, either those of the Romish sort, or those of the Reforming or Re-building sort, and the mighty controversies which are this day in all parts about it: in due place (haply) I may present such sad Queries to consideration, that may occasion some to cry with DANIEL (concer- JERUSALEM'S desolation Dan. 9) Under the whole Heaven hath not been done, as hath been done to JERUSALEM: and with JEREMY in the same respect, Lam. 2.12. Have you no respect all you that pass by, behold and see if there were ever sorrow like to my sorrow, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce wrath.  
That may make us ashamed for all that we have done, Ezek. 43. and loath ourselves, for that (in whorish worships) we have broken him with our whorish hearts Ezek. 9 To fall dead at the feet of JESUS, Rev. 1. as JOHN did, and to weep much as he Rev. 5. that so the LAMB may please to open unto us that WONDERFUL BOOK and the seven SEALED MYSTERIES thereof.  
Your unworthy Countryman ROGER WILLIAMS.  
FINIS.