THe encouragements I met withall touching the Indians con­version, Mr. Mayhews Letter from Capawack, Novemb 18, 1647. next unto Gods glory, and his gracious promises was, the notable reason, judgement, and capacitie that God hath gi­ven unto many of them; as also their zealous enquiring after true happinesse, together with the knowledge I had of their tongue, besides severall providences which hath advantaged my progresse therein; as for instance:

1. There was one Ieogiscat about 60. years of age, who was sick of a consuming disease, insomuch as the Indian Pawwawes gave him over for a dead man: Upon which resolution of all the Such as cure by devil'i [...]h sorcery, and to whom the devil appeares sometimes. Pawwawes in the Island, the sick distressed Heathen upon a Lords day came unto mee (the rest of the English being then pre­sent) to desire me to pray unto God for him: And so when I had by reasoning with him convinced him of the weaknesse and wickednesse of the Pawwaws power; and that if health were to be found, it must be had from him that gave life, and breath, and all things; I commended this case unto the Lord, whereof he rejoyced, gave me thanks, and he speedily recovered unto his for­mer strength.

2. In this present year 1647. the eldest sonne of one Vakapen­essue, a great Sagamore of the Island, being very sick, took occasi­on to send for me to come unto him; and when I came unto him, I found him not more weak in body, then strong in earnest de­sires, that I should pray unto God for him; so I instructed him, and prayed for him: And when I had ended, of his own accord he spake these words, Taubot mannit nu [...] quam Cowin. viz. I thank thee God, I am heavy to sleep; and so I left him holding forth good affections: But shortly after he was changed altoge­ther, [Page] and contrary to the perswasion of other Indians of severall Townes, sought againe unto Witches. The Heathen seeing this, they forsook the The Indians so call their houses. Wigwam, saying, We leave the house for the Devill and them that would tarry. This newes being brought me, I much mervailed thereat, yet sent him this message, viz. Tell Saul: (for the sick man was by the English so called) that when I was with him, I thought as then I told him, that he would live, because he sought for life unto the living God, where if any where it was to be found: But tell him now, that I think he will dye. I also added the example of Ahaziah, who because he had the knowledge of the great God, and sought unto an inferiour God; God was angry with him, and killed him: And so for that this Saul was informed of the true God, and is fallen from him to the earthen gods here below; that God will kill him also; and so it shortly came to passe.

3. Not long after a A Prince or Ruler amongst them. Sagamore, called, Towanquattick; had his eldest sonne, whose name is Sachachanimo, very sick of a Feaver; this young man sent for me to come unto him; and when I came, his father and himself desired me to pray for him, the which I did in their owne language, and promised to come againe unto him very shortly, if he mended not, and use some other meanes also for his recovery: When I came againe unto him, I found him very ill, asked him (together with his friends) whether they were willing I should let him blood? acquainting them that we used so to do in such cases. After some consideration, they consented thereunto, notwithstanding the Pawwaws had told them before, that he should dye, because he sought not unto them: so I bound his arme, and with my Pen-knife let him blood; he bled freely, but was exceeding faint, which made the Heathen very sad; but in a short time, he begun to be very cheerfull, whereat they much rejoyced, &c. So I left them, and it pleased the Lord the man was in a short time after very well.

In these providences the Lord hath manifested both mercy and judgement, and it is, that he may raise up the Tabernacle of Da­vid that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and raise up its ruines, and build it as in the dayes of old, that they may pos­sesse the Covenant of Edom, and of all the Heathen which are cal­led by my Name, saith the Lord that doth this.

[Page] But I pray you take notice of a speech of Towanquatticks (beingthe Father of the young man recovered) who lamenting the losse of their knowledge said unto me, *An indian speech worthy our considera­tion. That a long time agon, they had wise men, which in a grave manner taught the people knowlege, but they are dead, and their wisedome is buried with them: and now men live a giddy life in ignorance till they are white headed, and though ripe in yeares, yet then they go without wisedom unto their graves. He also told me; that he wondred the English should be almost thirty yeers in the Country, and the Indians fools still; but he hoped that the time of knowledge was now come; wherefore himself with others desired me to give them an Indian meeting, to make known the word of God unto them in their own tongue. And when he came to me to accomplish his desire thereabout, he told me, that *The better sort of them are full of such like expressi­ons, affecting to speak in Parables. I should be to them, as one that stands by a running River, filling many vessels: Even so should I fill them with everlasting knowledge. So I undertook to give them a meeting once a moneth; but as soon as the first exercise was ended, they desired it oftner then I could well attend: but once a Fortnight is our setled course. This I present to your consideration; entreating you to present us unto the Lord for wisedom, to preach unto the Heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ, that so the root of Iesse standing for an Ensigne of the people, the Gentiles may seek unto it, and his rest shall be glori­ous, Amen.

YOur cordiall and faithfull endeavours, &c. I am bold now Mr. Eliots 2. Letter in 48. concern­ing the pro­gresse of the Gospel among the Indians. by the way of Virginia, to trouble you with a few lines, to expresse the thankfulnesse of my heart unto you, for that one part of your care, love, and labour in furthering this work of preaching Christ to these poor Indians, and declaring to them the way of eternall life and salvation; which work I blesse the Lord goeth on not without successe, beyond the ability of the Instru­ments: It is the Lord, the Lord only who doth speak to the hearts of men, and he can speak to theirs, and doth, (blessed be his name) so effectually, that one of them I beleeve verilyis gone to the Lord; a *A precious testimony of an indian wo­man concei­ved to dye a Christian. woman, who though she was not the first that came into the knowledge of Christ and the Gospel, yet she was the first of ripe yeares that hath dyed since I taught them the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, and the onely one. And though of the living I will not say much, yet of the dead I may freely speak; After I began to preach unto them, her husband and she did quickly come in; and after she came, she was a diligent hearer; and out of desire to live where the word of God was taught, they fetched all the corne they spent, sixteen miles upon their backs from the place of their planting: She was industrious, and did not goe about to English houses a begging, as sundry doe, (though it is well reformed now with many of them) but kept home, kept her children to labour, making baskets to sell, &c. She quickly learned to spin well (for I got some wheels, but want meanes to supply them and order them.) Her life was blamelesse after she submitted to the Gospel, and was exemplary: She was the first woman that asked a questi­on (by another man propounded for her) which was this; When my Husband prayeth in his house, my heart think [...]th what he prayeth; whether is this praying to God a right or no? I thought it a sit question for a woman. She dyed of a sicknesse she took in childbed: I seve­rall times visited her, prayed with her, asked her about her spi­rituall estate? She told me she still loved God, though he made her [Page] sick, and was resolved to pray unto him so long as she lived, and to re­fuse powwawing. She said also, that she beleeved God would pardon all her sins, because she beleeved that Iesus Christ dyed for her; and that God was well pleased in him, and that she was willing to dye, and beleeved to goe to Heaven, and live happy with God and Christ there.

It may be you may mervell at, and scarce credit such expressions: but they are the points of Catechisme which I constantly teach the Children; and the Children can very readily answer me in them; and they be truths now familiarly known by the attentive hearers, whereof she was one. And moreover of her own accord, she cal­led her children to her, especially two up-grown daughters, which she had before she married this man, and said to them, I shall now dye, and when I am dead, your Grand-Father and Grand-mother, and A precious dy­ing speech of an indian wo­man to her children. Unckles, &c. will send for you to come live amongst them, and promise you great matters, and tell you what pleasant living it is among them; But doe not beleeve them, and I charge you never hearken unto them, nor live amongst them; for they pray not to God, keep not the Sabbath, commit all manner of sinnes and are not punished for it: but I charge you live here, for here they pray unto God, the word of God is taught, sins are suppressed, and punished by Lawes; And therefore I charge you live here all your dayes. And soon after this she dyed, and it fell out indeed as she had said, for there was earnest sending and soli­citing for the maids to live with them: so that the case was pro­pounded to me on a Lecture day; and their Father in law oppo­sed it, not only as adjudging it evill, but because of their mothers charge; and by this meanes I came to know the Story. And though they doe, as you know, abhor the remembrance of their dead friends; yet when I take occasion to speak of her, and my reasons of hope that she is gone to heaven, they entertian it with joy, and sometimes with teares: I have been too tedious in this Story, yet I doubt not but it will be acceptable unto you.

For the further progresse of the work amongst them, I doe Note what hinders the progresse of the Gospel amongst them. perceive a great impediment; Sundry in the Country in divers places would gladly be taught the knowledge of God and Iesus Christ, and would pray unto God, if I could goe unto them, and teach them where they dwell: but to come to live here among or neer to the English, they are not willing, because they have nei­ther [Page] tooles, nor skill, nor heart to fence their grounds; and if it be not well fenced, their Corne is so fpoyled by the English Cattell, and the English so loath to restore when they want fence, that its a very great discouragement to them and me; so that few come to dwell at the neer places where I ordinarily teach, onely some strangers do come to hear, and away again: So that I plainly see, the way to do them good must be this. A place must be found (both for this and sundry other reasons I can give) some what remote from the English, where they must have the word constantly caught, and government constantly exercised, meanes of good subsistance provided, incouragements for the industrious, meanes of instructing them in Letters, Trades, and Labours, as building, fishing, Flax and Hemp dressing, planting Orchards, &c. Such a project in a fit place, would draw many that are well minded to­gether: but I feare it will be too chargeable, though I see that God delighteth in small beginnings, that his great name may be magnified.

Few of our Southern Indians incline this way, onely some of Tihtacuit. Young Ousamequin is an enemy to praying to God, and the old man too wise to look after it. Our Cutshamoquin hath some subjects in Marthas Vineyard, and they hearing of his pray­ing Examples in Superio [...] ve­ry prevalent. to God, some of them doe the like there, with some other ingenious Indians, and I have intreated Mr. Mahew (the young Scholler, son to old Mr. Mayhew) who preacheth to the English, to teach them; and he doth take pains in their Language, and teacheth them not without successe, blessed be the Lord. And truly I think all the Ministers that live neer them should do well to do the like. I have earnestly solicited many so to do, and I hope God will in his time bow their hearts thereunto. But I perceive our Western Indians up into the Inland do more earnestly em­brace the Gospel. Shawanon the great Sachym of Nashawog doth embrace the Gospel, and pray unto God. I have been foure times there this Summer, and there be more people by far, then be a­mongst us; and sundry of them do gladly hear the word of God, but it is neer 40. miles off, and I can but seldom goe to them; wher­at they are troubled, and desire I should come oftner, and stay longer when I come.

There is a great fishing place upon one of the Falls of Merimack [Page] River called Pautucket, where is a great confluence of Indians every Spring, and thither I have gone these two yeares in that season, and intend so to doe the next Spring (if God will.) Such confluences are like Faires in England, and a sit season it is to come then unto them, to teach them to know God, and Iesus Christ, and call upon his name. For whereas there did use to be gaming and much evill at those great meetings, now there is praying to God, and good conference, and observation of the Sabbath, by such as are well minded; and no open prophanesse suffered as I heare of, and my comming amongst them is very acceptable in out­ward appearance. This last Spring I did there meet old Papassa­connaway, who is a great Sogamore, and hath been a great Witch in all mens esteem (as I suppose your self have often heard) and a very politick wise man. The last yeare he and all his sonnes fled when I came, pretending feare that we would kill him: But this yeare it pleased God to bow his heart to heare the word; I prea­ched out of Malachi I. 11. which I thus render to them; From the rising of the Sun, to the going down of the same thy name shall be great among the Indians, and in every place prayers shall be made to thy name, pure prayers, for thy name shall be great among the Indians. Whence I shewed them, what mercy God had promised to them; and that the time was now come wherein the Lord did begin to call them to repentance, and to beleeve in Christ for the remission of their sins, and to give them an heart to call upon his name, for­saking their former wayes of pawwawing, and praying to the De­vill, &c. And when I had done preaching, they began to pro­pound questions, and one of them propounded this; If it be thus as you teach, then all the world of Indians are gone to hell to be tormented for ever, untill now a few may goe to Heaven and be saved; Is it so? These principles of a twofold estate after this life, for good and bad people, Heaven and Hell, I put amongst the first questions that I instruct them in, and catechise the children in; and they doe readily embrace it for a truth, themselves by their own traditions having some principles of a life after this life, and that good or evill, according to their demeanour in this life. After a good space, this old Papassaconnoway speak to this purpose, that indeed he had never prayed unto God as yet, for he had never heard of God before, as [Page 10] now he doth. And he said further, that he did beleeve what I taught them to be true. And for his owne part, he was purposed in his heart from thenceforth to pray unto God, and that hee would perswade all his sonnes to doe the same, pointing at two of them who were there present, and naming such as were ab­sent. His sonnes present, especially his eldest sonne (who is a *The same sig­nignification with Sagamore viz one b [...]a­ring [...]le a­mong them. Sachim at Wadchuset) gave his willing consent to what his fa­ther had promised, and so did the other who was but a youth. And this act of his was not onely a present motion that soon va­nished, but a good while after he spake to Capt. Willard, who tradeth with them in those parts for Bever and Otter Skins, &c. that he would be glad if I would come and live in some place thereabouts to teach them, and that Capt. Willard would live there also: And that if any good ground or place that hee had would be acceptable to me, he would willingly let me have it. I doe endeavour to engage the Sachims of greatest note to accept the Gospel, because that doth greatly animate and encourage such as are well-affected, and is a damping to those that are scoffers and opposers; for many such there be, though they dare not ap­peare so before me.

Thus you see by this short intimation, that the sound of the Word is spread a great way; yea, farther then I will speake of; and it appeareth to me, that the Fields begin to look white unto the Harvest. Oh that the Lord would be pleased to raise up many labourers into this Harvest! But it is difficult, not only in respect of the language, but also in respect of their barbarous course of life and poverty; there is not so much as meat, drink, or lodging for them that go unto them to preach among them, but we must carry all things with us, and somewhat to give unto them: So that the comming of Jesus Christ into these parts of the world, is not as he formerly came amongst the Gentiles, a poore underling, and his servants poore, living upon the Gospel where it was ac­cepted among the rich Gentiles: But Christ will come unto these, rich, potent, above them in learning, riches, and power; and they shall flock unto the Gospel, thereby to receive externall benifi­cence and advancement, as well as spirituall grace and blessings. And thus I bend my selfe to doe to my poor ability: I never go unto them empty, but carry somewhat to distribute among them; [Page 11] and so likewise when they come unto my house, I am not willing they should go away without some refreshing, neither do I take any gratuity from them unrewarded; and indeed they doe ac­count, that they have nothing worth the giving unto me; onely once when I was up in the Countrey, a poore creature came to me as I was about to take Horse, shaking me by the hand, and with his other hand thrust somthing into my hand, I looked what it was, and it was a penny-worth of *A beade they make, and is highly estee­med among the Indians, equal to mo­ney with u [...]. Wampom, upon a strawes end; I seeing so much hearty affection in so small a thing, I kind­ly accepted, onely inviting him to my house, that I might there shew my love to him.

There is another great fishing place about threescore miles from us, whether I intend (God willing) to go next Spring, which be­longeth to the forenamed Papassaconnaway; which journey, though it be like to be both difficult and chargeable for horse and men, in fitting provisions, yet I have sundry reasons which bow and draw my heart therennto. I desire your prayers to the Lord for me and for them, that the Lord would open my mouth to speak in his Name to their understandings, that with their hearts they may embrace that message which from the Lord I shall bring unto them.

They have no meanes of Physick at all, onely make use of Pawwawes when they be sick, which makes them loath to give it over: But I finde, by Gods blessing, in some meanes used in Phy­sick and Chyrurgery, they are already convinced of the folly of Pawwawing, and easily perswaded to give it over utterly as a sin­full and diabolicall practise: but I much want some wholsome cordialls, and such other medicines as I have here mentioned in the in closed.

The Indians about us which I constantly teach, do still diligent­ly and desirously attend, and in a good measure practise (for the outward part of Religion, both in their families and Sabbaths) according to their knowledge; and by degrees come on to la­bour. I should be over-tedious and troublesome to you to runne into particulars, onely let me give you a taste of their knowledge by their Questions, a few whereof I did sometimes set downe, though I have slipped many, and very materiall ones; these que­stions [Page 12] being asked at sundry times, and at sundry meetings of the Indians.

Quest. How many good people were in Sodome when it was burnt?

I know not how to pray to Christ and the Spirit, I know a little how to pray to God?

Doth the Devill dwell in us as we dwell in an house?

When God saith, Honour thy Father, doth he mean three Fathers? our Father, and our Sachim, and God.

When the Soule goes to heaven, what doth it say when it comes there? And what doth a wicked Soule say when it commeth into Hell?

If one sleep on the Sabbath at meeting, and another awaketh him, and he be angry at it, and say, its because he is angry with him that he so doth, Is not this a sinne?

If any talk of another mans faults, and tell others of it when hee is present to answer, is not that a sinne?

Why did Christ dy [...] in our stead?

Seeing Eve was first in sinne, whether did she dye first?

Why must we love our enemies, and how shall we doe it?

How doth Christ redeem and deliver us from sinne?

When every day my heart thinks I must dye, and goe to hell for my sins, what shall I doe in this case?

May a good man sin sometimes? Or may he be a good man, and yet sin sometimes?

If a man think a prayer, doth God know it, and will he blesse him?

Who killed Christ?

If a man be almost a good man, and dyeth; whither goeth his soule?

How long was Adam good before he sinned?

Seeing we see not God with our eyes, if a man dream that he seeth God, doth his soule then see him?

Did Adam see God before he sinned?

Shall we see God in Heaven?

If a wicked man pray, whether doth he make a good prayer? or when doth a wicked man pray a good prayer?

If a man repent, doth God take away his sinnes, and forgive him?

Whether did God make hell before Adam sinned?

[Page 13] If two families dwell in one house, and one prayeth, and the o [...]her not, what shall they that pray do to them that do not?

Did Abimeleck▪ know, Sarah was Abrahams wife?

Did not Abraham sin in saying she is my sister?

Seeing God promised Abraham so many children, like the starres for multitude, why did he give him so few? and was it true?

If God made hell in one of the six dayes, why did God make Hell be­fore Adam had sinned?

Now the Indians desire to goe to Heaven, what shall we do that we may go thither when we dye?

How shall I bring mine heart to love Prayer?

If one man repent, and pray once in a day, another man often in a day; whether doth one of them go to Heaven, the other not? or what difference is there?

I finde I want wisdome, what shall I do to be wise?

Why did Abraham buy a place to bury in?

Why doth God make good men sick?

How shall the Resurrection be, and when?

Doe not Enlishmen spoile their soules, to say a thing cost them more then it did? and is it not all one as to steale?

You say our body is made of clay, what is the Sunne or Moone made of?

If one be loved of all Indians good and bad, another is hated of all saving a few that be good, doth God love both these?

I see why I must feare Hell, and do so every day. But why must I feare God?

How is the tongue like fire, and like poyson?

What if false Witnesses accuse me of murther or some soul sin? What punishment is due to lyars?

If I reprove a man for sinne, and he answer, why doe you speak thus angerly to me: Mr. Eliot teacheth us to love one another, is this well?

Why is God so angry with murtherers?

If a wise put away her husband because he will pray to God, and she will not, what must be done in this case?

If there be young women pray to God, may such as pray to God marry one that will not pray to God? or what is to bee done in this case?

[Page 14] Whether doth God make bad men dream good Dreames?

VVhat is Salvation?

VVhat is the Kingdome of Heaven?

If my wife doe some work in the house on the night before the Sab­bath, and some work on the Sabbath night, whether is this a sin?

If I doe that which is a sinne, and do not know it is a sin, what will God say to that?

VVhether is faith set in my heart, or in my minde?

VVhy did Christ dye for us, and who did kill him?

By these questions you may see they somewhat savour the things of God and Christ, and that their soules be in a searching condition after the great points of Religion and Salvation. And I will say this solemnly, not suddenly, nor lightly, but before the Lord, as I apprehend in my conscience, were they but in a setled way of Civility and Government cohabiting together, and I cal­led (according to God) to live among them, I durst freely joyne into Church-fellowship amongst them, and could finde out at least twenty men and women in some measure fitted of the Lord for it, and soone would be capable thereof: And we doe admit in charity some into our Churches, of our owne, of whose spi­rituall estate I have more cause of feare, then of some of them: But that day of Grace is not yet come unto them. When Gods time is come, he will make way for it & enable us to accomplish it. In the meane time, I desire to wait, pray, and beleeve. But I will proceed no further at this time to trouble you with these things, though I doubt not but they will be acceptable tidings to your heart, and will be an occasion of quickning your prayers for them, and for me also, that utterance may be given mee, and further knowledge of their language, wherein for want of converse, I can make but slow progresse. Thus commending you to the Grace, guidance and protection of God in Christ, I rest,

YOur faithfull and true love to Iesus Christ is expressed evi­dently to my heart, among other waies very much in your solicitous thoughts and care about the good of these poor Indians, and the furtherance of their conversion. God guided your discre­tion very seasonably in the Letters and Tokens you were pleased to send to those leading men, which reallity of love was very thankfully accepted by them, and they desire thanks to be retur­ned for it, &c.

Your project for their Apparell which you first mention, is ve­ry fitting, but all the difficulty will be to get so much cloath as you speak of: Yet this they doe; some old things I have gotten and given them, and some they buy; and they carefully keep them till meeting times, and many of them at such times are pretty handsome, both men, women, and children also: And whereas some good people may think fitting to send some gifts that way for them, you shall find directions here inclosed, what will best sute with their condition.

Your next project for imployment of them in planting Or­chards and Gardens, it suiteth very well with my apprehensions, and I have encouraged them that way, and have promised them many hundred trees, which I reserve in nurseries for them, & hope they shall set them out, or some of them the next Spring. The onely remora the fensing in of an Orchard, we yet being up­on the fencing in of a great Corne field, where they have made (I think) 200. rod of ditching already, setting two rayles in the top, and are to stone up the banks as they raise stones in planting: And when the field is fenced, then they shall fence Orchards, but they are hindred for want of Tooles, and by bad Tooles discoura­ged; their skill also being weak though the tooles were good, but of 30. or 40. I have scarce any left. But we must endeavour to get a Magazine for them of all manner of Tooles, &c. They had Saw­yers [Page 16] at work last winter, and will have more this winter (I hope) for they saw very good board and planke, and could I be amongst them oftner, they would both attend it better, and doe things more orderly.

They are willing to follow my advice in any reasonable thing▪ onely I am confident of what you write, they must not be bent too hard at first, and I find not many that do so duly consider that point as your self; but because they be not in all points of labour as the English be, think all is too little or no purpose. Its hard to look upon the day of small things with patience enough. I finde it ab­solutely necessary to carry on civility with Religion: and that maketh me have many thoughts that the way to doe it to the purpose, is to live among them in a place distant from the English, for many reasons; and bring them to co-habitation, Government, Arts, and trades: but this is yet too costly an enterprize for New-England, that hath expended it self so far in laying the foundation of a Common-weale in this wildernesse.

For their Schooling, a Gentleman in London (whose name I could never learn) did give ten pounds towards it the last yeare, which I thus disposed of; five pounds I gave to a grave woman in Cambridge, who taught the Indian children last yeare; And God so blessed her labours, that they came on very prettily. The other five pounds I gave to the Shcool-master of Dorcester, and thither the Children of those Indians that lived thereabout went, with a like good successe, it not better, because the children were bigger and more capable. This 10. l. bill Captain Harding paid here, and was to take it at London: but I heare nothing from him, no do I know whether the Gentleman will continue his gift: I feare for want of meanes both these Schooles will fall; and the Children like to lose all that they have gotten the first yeare, which is a work had need be closely followed: because they are to learn our language as well as to read; onely I take my constant course of catechising them every Lecture day, and I thank the Lord, they are (many of them) very ready in their answers in the principles of Religion. And in that exercise I endeavour also to use them to good manners.

Some of S [...]dbury Indians, some of Concord Indians, some of M [...]sti [...]k Indians, and some of Dedham Indians are ingenious, and [Page 24] pray unto God, and sometimes come to the place where I teach to heare the word. Linn Indians are all naught save one, who sometimes commeth to heare the word, and telleth me that hee prayeth to God: and the reason why they are bad is, partly and principally because their *Bad Gover­nour have an evill infl [...]nce upon the p [...]pl, Sachim is naught, and careth not to pray unto God: But I am overwearisome unto you, and therefore will go no further at this time; onely this one thing more, where­as it hath pleased you to allow 40. s. to the payment of a man who should direct the Indians about their labour, and in planting of Orchards; I shall be so bold as to appoint such as have deser­ved it to call for it, and it shall be employed God willing to their best furtherance as neer as I can. And thus desiring God, &c. I remaine.

WEre you not about the Lords businesse, an Instrument in his hand to manage some special affaires wherein his glory is much concerned, your long absence could not but be imbittered with manifold troubles to your own spirit, as it is like to be with losses and inconveniencies to your outward estate; but I trust the Lord will have a speciall regard to all, &c. I perceive others to be silent in giving you information about the progresse of the Lords work amongst the poor Indians, and therefore I thought it neces­sary to do it, knowing it will add to your comfort to heare that the Lord is still at worke, but I have done it more largely alrea­dy [Page 18] in Letters by Mr. Usher, by way of These Let­ters and Pas­sengers are not yet come n [...] England Maligo, as also by Mr. Bracket of Braintree, by the way of Virginia, in Letters both to your self, and also to Mr. Pel [...]am, &c. I only write now by this Ship, lest it coming in before the other Ships, you should receive some discouragement concerning the work, as if it were sunk in the beginning; but blessed be the Lord it is not so, although the progresse is yet small: It is a day of small things, an Embrio which the Lord expecteth should be furthered by the prayers of the Saints and Churches: And therefore I earnestly begg your prayers, that the Lord would thrust forth more Laborers into this Har­vest; and because the meanes is exceeding small and inconside­rable for so vast an enterprize as this is: there is the more emi­nent need of Faith and Prayer, that the Lord himself, by his spe­ciall grace, favour, and providence, would appear in this matter: for the Lord must raigne in these latter dayes, and more eminent­ly & observably, overtop all Instruments and meanes: And I trust he will mightily appear in this businesse, as in other parts of the world.

I have intimated in my other Letters, what good hopes I have of sundry of them, and that they begin to enquire after baptisme They shal ask the way [...] and Church Ordiuances, and the way of worshipping God as the Churches here do; but I shewing them how uncapable they be to be trusted therewith, whilst they live so unfixed, confused, and ungoverned a life, uncivilized and unsubdued to labor and order; they begin now to enquire after such things. And to that end, I have propounded to them that a sit place be found out for Co­habitation, wherewith they may subsist by labor, and settle them­selves in such a way: And then they may have a Church, and all the Ordinances of Christ amongst them. These and other things tending that way, I have propounded to them, and they seeme to me to accept them gladly, and the longer they consider, and the more they confer together of them, the more acceptable they are unto them: And I wayting to see how the Lord would carry on this work by the wise and gracious eye & hands of his providence, I took this to be one speciall and eminent smile of God, upon the ☞ work that he had stirred up, the Parliament of England to take it into consideration, and to order the Committee of Lords and [Page 19] Commons for forraign Plantations to think of some meet way how they might best advance it: And indeed the way you men­tion in your Letter which they have taken, (whcih I trust is per­fected long before this time,) I conceive to be a way of God, and not only very acceptable to me, but honourable to themselves, and the Nation, to be engaged in so pious and charitable a work, if meanes may hereby be procured to a thorow carrying on the same.

I have also intimated in my other Letters, and sent word again in this, what manner of It would be neither plea­sing n [...]r [...], and ther [...]o [...]e are l [...]t out. provisions of all sorts wil be necessary to be sent over, and that special care be had that the tooles for labour of all sorts may be of a good temper and well made; otherwise they will be discouraged; &c. the particulars as well for Phisick and Surgery, as for Cloathing and Instruments for labour of all sorts is inclosed therein: But I will trouble you no further at this time with what I have written in my other Letters, hoping the Lord will bring them to your hands: onely I shall intimate such things as have occurred since the writing of my former Letters.

There is an Indian living with Mr. Richard Calicott of Dor­chester, who was taken in the Pequott Warres, though belonging to Loug Island; this Indian is ingenious, can read; and I taught him to write, which he quickly learnt, though I know not what use he now maketh of it: He was the first that I made use of to teach me words, and to be my Interpreter. Now of late, the Lord hath stirred up his heart to joyn unto the Church at Dorchester, and this day I am going to the Elders, meeting, to the examination and Tryall of this young man, in preparation for his admission into the Church.

Likewise since I purposed to write to you of these matters, I have taken care to note such Questions as they propound, and I shall here set down such as have been propounded by them since my last Letters: For by them you may guesse at the progresse they make in knowledge.

SIR,

J Am now streightned in time, and must hasten away my Letters: I can proceed no further at present, and therefore with earnest desires of your Prayers, I commit you to the gracious protection of the Lord, who hath hitherto helped, and will never faile those that trust in him.