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Las diagrammas suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 f • It ,. / II «> I i ] '■'■I i, . THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF CHRISTIANITY: AN ESSAY, ORIGINALLY IMTSHDED FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. Which will likewise be of use to all such who are called Christians, but have not well considered the meaning of the Religion they profess ; t or, who profess to know God, but in works do deny Him. :Vl)l IN TWENTY DIALOGUES. TOOXTHER WITH DIRECTIONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE HEATHEN WORLD— MISSIONARIES — CATECHUMENS — PRIVATE PERSONS — FAMILIES — OF PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN — FOR SUNDAYS, &C. BY THE LATE RIGHT REV. FATHER 11^ OOD, THOMAS WILSON, D.D. LORD lilSHOP OF SODOR AND MAN. NEW EDITION. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON, Booksellers to the Society^ ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL. 1 [184] 1835. \ CONTENTS. Dialogue Page I. Part I. Wliich is in order to Christian Bap- tism 1 II. Of the corruption of our Nature . . • 7 III. The proofs of the Christian Religion 13 IV. The wonderful success and progress of the Gospel, when it was £rst preached to the world 19 y. Objections against the bad lives of Christians answered 26 \J* The Holy Scriptures both necessary and suffi- cient for the salvation of men 32 VII. An account of the fall of man, and what fol- lowed thereupon till the coming of Christ . . 39 VIII. Jesus Christ the Mediator and Saviour of the world, and the head of all Christians 46 IX. Being an abstract of the former dialogues and instructions 55 Part II. Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, explained 65 X. Of Baptism ibid. XI. The conditions required of such as are to be baptized 72 XII. The Articles of the Christian Faith practically explained • • 83 XIII. The Commandments of God practically ex- plained. Part 1 99 XIV. Part II 107 XV. Duty towards God explained 117 XVI. Duty towards our neighbour explained 122 XVII. XVIII. Of Prayer and Thanksgiving, being the means and conditions of obtaining the grace and blessing of God 129, 136 ^ 3D oVo CONTENTS. Dialogue Page XIX. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper explained 144 XX. The delusion, the danger, and the mischief, of being Christians without Christianity . . 1 54 Select Scriptures and Prayers 167 A supplication on behalf of the Heathen world 168 A Missionary's Prayer 169 A Prayer proper for such as desire to be instructed in the Christian Religion ibid. Private and Family Prayers, &c 173 A seasonable introduction ibid. The duty and benefit of Morning Prayer for any per- son in private 175 Morning Prayer ibid. Some short Meditations for such as are well disposed, and have time to spare 177 The duty and benefit of Evening Prayer for a person in private 179 An Evening Prayer ibid. ^ Short Meditations for such as have time, and are well disposed ^180 Morning Prayer for a family 182 Proper Meditations for such as have time, and are de- voutly disposed 184 Parents for children 186 Evening Prayer for a family ibid. Select Scriptures, and Meditations upon them ; which may teach us how to profit by reading the Scrip- tures : 188 A short and necessary instruction for the Lord's Day in the morning 190 A short Prayer at coming into Church 191 A short Prayer before leaving Chjirch 192 A Prayer for Sunday Morning • 193 A plain and useful instruction for Sunday Evening . . ibid. A Prayer for Sunday Evening 195 A short Admonition to all, and especially to Masters of Families 196 Grace before our meals 197 Grace after meals 198 AH ESSAY TOWARDS AN INSTRUCTION FOR THE INDIANS. PART I. Which is in order to Christian Baptism* DIALOGUE I. INDIAN. * Why are you so earnest in persuading me to be- come a Christian ?' Missionary, Because I know for certain, that it is the only sure way to preserve you from misery, and to make you happy both here and hereafter, Ind, * I shall be very thankful, if you will be so kind as to explain what you say concerns me so very much.* Miss. That I will most freely do : for my heart's desire is, that all persons may have the same know- ledge of God, and his will, as we Christians have ; and besides, by instructing you, I myself shall be a very great gainer. B v'«r-" ^ » An Instruction ^^' iv Ind, * I do not understand what you mean by that.* Miss. I will tell you then: The great God, whom we Christians worship, he who made the world, and all things in it, and in wliose hands our breath and life is \ and who would have all his creatures to be happy, — he has promised an exceeding great re- ward to all such as shall endeavour to make him, ,and his glorious perfections, and his most gracious pur- poses known unto men, especially to such unhappy people as you, who know not for what end you were made and sent into this world ; who know not what duties you owe to your Maker, nor on what conditions he will keep you from misery, and make you for ever happy when you die. Jnd, * Be pleased then to tell me what you know more than we do, concerning the God you worship ; for we know and believe that there must be some Great Pqwer above us, who made us, and does govern ail things here below.' Miss* But we Christians know much more of that Great Power above, than you in your present state of ignorance can possibly do. We were indeed once as ignorant of him (and of our most unhappy condition on that account) as you now are ; but he has been so good as to make himself and his will known to us, to our very great comfort and happiness ; and we cannot but desire that every one may be happy, as all true; Christians are in knowing their Maker's will, and honouring him, as reasonable creatures ought to do. Ind. 'May I ask you one thing? — Why did not that good Being, whom you call your God, make all ^his known to us as well as to you V Miss, I must tell you once for all, that we poor creatures ought not to expect that the Great God should give us an account of every thing he has thought fit to do \ It is enpugh for us to know for 1 Dan. V. 23. 2 Job xxxiii. 13. r^ Ban by ' God, ! world, " hreath bures to reat re- Im, ,and us pur- inhappy 3U were )t what nditions for ever lu know rorship ; \e some nd does of that state of once as Dndition been so o us, to i cannot all true irill, and to do. did not nakeall we poor he has :now for far the Indians. S certain, that he is aood and jtut in every thing he does or permits to oe done. — And be assured, that sooner or later, every tongue shall confess, and every soul acknowledge, tne justice and equity of God s proceedings with mankind. — At present it concerns you much more to know what we Christians believe of God, and his will, according to the account which he himself hath ^ven us. Ind. 'This Sir, is what I now desire you to in- struct me in.* Miss. That I will most gladly do ; for the know- ledge and belief of God is the foundation of all true religion, and of the happiness of men« First, then, we know the God we serve to be the most perfect of all beings ; and that there is no other God beside to he feared, loved, or worshipped. That it is he who made the worJd ; and that he preserves and governs, and orders all things by his wonderful wisdom and power. That amongst other creatures he made man to be partaker of his happiness ; in order to which, he gave him reason that he might understand and adore, and. obey his Maker. And that men might know him more perfectly, and love and fear him as they ought, he has given an ac-^ count of his government of the world ever since he made it. — By which account it appears, — that he is Almighty — i. e, is able to do whatever he thinks fit ; — that he is exceeding wise, and good, and just ; and therefore can command nothing but what is for our advantage ; and will most surely reward such as com-^ ply with his laws, and punish those that disobey them. We thereby also know, that he is a most Holy Being, and has ever been displeased with wicked men. He is also most kind and compassionate to those, who having offended him, are truly sorry for it, and re- turned to their duty ; — that he sees and knows all the actions of men, whether good or bad ; and that even our very thoughts are known to him ; — that he not b2 ¥' ; 4 ^n Instruction only knows things past and present, but even all things which shall ever happen hereafter : — lastly ^ that he is most faithful to his word, so that whatever he has promised, he will most surely make good ; and what- ever he has threatened, he will as surely execute. Ind, * I confess this account of the Great and Good God seems most agreeable to reason ; now you have put me upon considering it so particularly.* Miss, But there are other truths of the greatest moment, which God has also in that account made known to us, and which our reason could never have clearly discovered ; such as these that follow ; — that there will be another life after this ; — and that the true happiness or misery of men will not be fully known till after they are dead. Ind, * Till after they are dead, Sir ? — Why do you Christians really know what shall become of men after they are dead V Miss, Yes, we do, and that most certainly, — we know that this short life is only a life or state of trial, in order to change and amend our corrupt nature, that we may be fit for a much better world when we die ; and be for ever happy there, if we behave ourselves as we should do, while we live here, — For God has made known to us, that after death, the souls of all good people go to a place of rest, and peace, and hap- piness : — and the souls of wicked people to a place of sorrow and misery, there to remain till the end of this world, and the day of judgment. Ind, * Pray, what do you mean by the .end of the WORLD, and by the day of judgment?' Miss, Why, God has assured us, that this world should have an end ; that then there will be a resur- rection of the dead, both of the just and unjust *, both of good and bad men : that all who have ever lived shall then be raised to life, and give an account for whatever they have done in this world, whether good * Acts xxiv. 16. for the Indians, . 5 > or evil : — and that such as have done good shall be made happy for ever; — and such as have done evil, that is, nave led wicked lives, and have not repented in due time, shall be for ever miserable. Ind, 'These indeed are truths which we know no- thing of; and if they be really true, it certainly con- cerns me, and every man living, to think of them in good earnest, and to order his life accordingly. — But let me ask you, — do all you Christians know these things, and believe them to be true ?' Miss, It is at the peril of their souls if they do not. — But I know why you ask that question, and I pro- mise to answer and satisfy you upon that head here- after. — In the mean time it is certainly your best and wisest way to take care of yourself, in an affair of the highest importance to you ; and not to neglect this opportunity, which God of his mercy and goodness gives you by me, of coming to the knowledge of your Maker, and of the duties you owe to him, to yourself, and to all others, lest they should be hereafter for ever hid from you, to your eternal ruin and destruction. Ind, * I hope I shall take your good advice. But in the mean time you will give me leave to ask you, — how did God make these things known unto you Christians V Miss, That you shall know in due time, for you cannot know all things at once. — And these few truths only I have told you, at this time, that you may know and consider what you have to do ; that you may in good earnest desire to be further taught, and told how you may be for ever happy (if it is not your own fault) ; and how you may avoid the danger and misery which you and all men are exposed to, who are not very se- riously concerned for their own safety. — For once and again I must assure you, as certain as there is a God, that you and every man living shall be happy or mise- rable when they die. — We therefore {knowing these things,) — and that we must all appear before tJie judg- ment-seat of God, and receive a sentence according to b8 / e An Instruction what we have done in the body, whether it he good or had^, we, knowing these iutan^, endeavour to persuade men to be afraid of themselves, and to live an holy and virtuous life here, so as to escape being miserable hereafter. What therefore I would recommend to you at pre- sent, (for I would not overburden your memory at once) is this: — that you would pray to God to give you an heart disposed to hearken to the truth : for he has promised to enlighten the understanding, and open the hearts, of those who humbly and devoutly pray to him for his direction and assistance. Ind. * I hope I shall follow your advice ; and I be- lieve I shall hardly forget the things you have told me. Miss. Farewell, for the present ; and may Grod keep you in this good disposition, and give you a teachable temper ; and for this purpose join with me in the following prayer. THE PRAYER. Enlarge thy kingdom, O God, and deliver the world from the dominion and tyranny of Satan, — Hasten the time, which thy Spirit has foretold, when all nations, whom thou hast made, shall worship thee, and glorify thy name. — Bless the good endeavours of those who strive to propagate the truth, and prepare the hearts of aU men to receive it. To the honour of thy holy name. Amen, > 2 Cor. V. 10. for the Indians. DIALOGUE II. Of the Corruptions of our Nature, INDIAN. * I AM come again, kind Sir, for your further in- struction. Your last words have made me very thoughtful and uneasy, when you told me with so much earnestness — That happiness or misery WILL BE THE CERTAIN PORTION OF EVERY ONE AFTER DEATH !' Miss, I told you nothing but the truth ; and I am not sorry for your uneasiness ; since that may prove in its consequence the greatest blessing of your life. Ind, * I do not understand how that can be.' Miss, But this you can easily understand, — thai they who are in healthy and think themselves in no dan» ger, will not look out for a physician and other help; hut they that are sick, and sensible of their disease, will be glad of advice, and will be apt to follow it *,— when once you are sensible, that of yourself you are 4in ignorant, helpless, sinful creature^, incapable of either knowing or performing the will of your Maker, or of reconciling yourself to him, whenever you have offended him. Besides, I must tell you another truth, — that the moie you are afraid for yourself, the more will the great God be disposed to pity you, and to deliver you from the danger you are justly afraid of* ; and to enable you to attain the end for which you were made, and sent into the world. Ind, * Will you be pleased to let me know what the end is for which God made us, and sent us into the world r Miss, God made man, that he might have a crea- Matt. ix. 12 a Rev. ii. 17. B 4 ' Isa. IxTi. 2. / m 8 An Instruction ture upon earth endued with reason, and capable of adoring his Maker, and of imitating his perfections ; and fit to partake of his bounty and happiness. Ind, * Pray what is the happiness you speak of?' Miss, It is the happiness of going to a place of per- fect knowledge f goodness, love, joy, and peace, which is to last for ever. As nothing is more desirable than life, nothing should more forcibly work upon human nature, than the hopes of everlasting life. Which life God himself hath set forth to us by all such things as we are most commonjy affected with ; As a CROWN, a kingdom, a treasure, an in- heritance undefiled, that fadelh not away ; and a STATE of everlasting joy and pleasure. Ind, * If God originally designed men for this hap- piness, how came they to forfeit their title to it V Miss, They do it by being guilty of sin ; that is, — by transgressing the law which God has given them. Ind, * Has God given us any law V Miss, Yes, surely. — He hath given you and all men reason, which is instead of a written law or rule, by which you ought to live, and may in some mea- sure know what is good, and what is evil ; what will please, and what will displease, an holy, just, axidigood God. Ind, * But it is too plain that people do not always observe this rule or law.' Miss, It is so, and that is their sin, by which they displease God, and debar themselves of his greater favours, and are in danger of being miserable, even beyond what they can imagine. Ind. * But is not this the case of manv Christians, as well as of us V Miss, It is surely so, — and they must suffer se- verely for it ; God having given them plainer rules, and greater helps, to overcome and cure that corrup- tion of nature^ which is one great occasion of all the wickedness which we see in the world. for the Indians, 9 Ind. * Pray what do you mean by the corruption:. OF OUR NATURE * V Miss, That I will now tell you; — and what by your own reason and experience you must acknow-^ ledge to be true. By the corruption of nature we meanv a strong inclination to evil, which we not only see and blame in other people, but very sensibly /ee? in our- selves; that is — something within us, which often op- poseth our reason (and the other laws which God hath given us) ; so that we are often tempted and pre- vailed upon to do what our own judgment condemns us for, at the time of doing it. Ind, *This indeed is too plainly the case. — Men follow not their reason, but their passions, their incli' nations, and their own perverse wills ; and which too often they have cause to repent of.' Miss. You cannot but have observed, that this in- clination to evil is often so violent, that men commit all iniquity with greediness ; and this is the occasion of all the wickedness which we see and hear of. — All the cruelty, the oppression, the pride, the injustice, the malice, the covetousness, the lewdness, the impurity, murders, drunkenness, and all other sins, by which men dishonour their Maker, and themselves, and are a plague to others ; insomuch that it is found necessary to have severe laws made, even by men, to hinder wicked people from hurting one another ; — of which laws there would be no occasion, if reason had been sufficient to govern men ; which sad experience shows it is not ; there being too many, whom no reason, no advice, no prospect of danger, no hopes of happiness^ can keep from ruining themselves and others. Ind, * I confess there is truth in what you say, — but sure this is not the case of all people.* Miss, I must tell you, — that the wickedness of others shows us plainly what all men are by nature. ^ It is our religion which has first taught, — That man is born in sin ; no s ect of philosophers ever said this, and therefore no sect ever said the trut h. — Mons. Paschal's Religious Thoughts, p. 63. b5 / I i M ! 10 An Instruction All men have the seeds of evil within themselves, which would spring up and appear upon every temp- tation if not hindered by something more than their own reason; and that they are not so wicked as others, may be thankful to a Power above, who restrains them ; — And your own heart and experience must tell you, that such as are not so wicked as these we have been speaking oi, are forced to strive hard against the temptations they meet with, before they can follow what their reason tells them they ought to do or avoid; — that they are but too often unwilling to follow the LIGHT of REASON, which God hath given them ; and too often make use of it only to hurt and over^ reach one another. — All which shows, that our nature is strangely corrupt — so that no man can say he is free from sin, or not guilty before God. Ind, * I must confess, indeed, that, according to my l)est understanding, there is truth in every thing you have told me.' Miss, Well, then, let this truth sink deep into your heart; for without a fibrm belief of this, you will never have any true notion of the goodness, justice, or mercy of God to men ; nor will you ever know the value of Christianity. Ind, * But how man, the creature of so holy and good a God, should come to have a nature so corrupt and disordered, and prone to evil— This indeed sur- prises me.' Miss, Far be it from any man to imagine, that a good and holy God, who hateth sin, should be the cause of this corruption of our nature, and of the evil it occasions ! — No, — He made man at Jirst upright, holy, just, and good, and capable of doing every thing that became a reasonable creature ; but how he feU into this wretched and distempered condition you shall know in due time. Ind, * But since sin and wickedness are displeasing to God, why does he suffer sin and sinners to be in the world?' for the Indiiam, If * Miss, You do not consider, that, all men being sin- ners, God must either suffer sin to be i i the world, or destroy the sinners ; that is, all the race of men. — But when you come to know the Christian Religion, and what God has done to cure this great disorder of our nature, you will find that God can take occasion from the sins of men to display the greatness of his mercy and compassion for sinners ; and you will have reason to admire and adore his wonderful wisdom, and mercy ^ and goodness t to all such as shall lay hold on the of- fers of grace, — as well as dread his just displeasure against such as despise his mercy. And this is one reason that I have taken so much pains to convince you of the corruption of our nature^ and of the danger we are in on this account that you may have no ease in your mind, until you know how to be delivered from so bad a bondage, and the fears which ought to attend it. There is another danger which we are all exposed to, and which you ought to know ; — and that is, the power and malice oiEvil Spirits, Ind, ' What do you mean by evil spirits V Miss, God has made known to us, that there are creatures, both good and bad, which we call Angels or Spirits, and which are ever about us, though we do not see them, they having no bodies as we have.— The Good Spirits are appointed by God, to take care of his servants ; and the Evil Spirits are such as have rebelled against their Maker, and, having utterly lost his favour, strive to tempt men to all manner of vnck- edness, that they may be as miserable as themselves. And through their temptations the wickedness of the world was grown so great, that God was provoked at one time to drown all the people of the earth ex- cept ONE GOOD MAN, NOAH, and his HOUSEHOLD S* and at another time, to destroy several great towns, 1 Gen. vi. 7, 8, &c. b6 12 An Instruction " il ll' Sodom and Gomorrah, ytiih fire from Heaven, for the wicked/ness of them that dwelt in them \ Ind. * These indeed are reasonable proofs of the power which EVIL SPIRITS may have over wicked men, and of the great danger we are in of being ruined by it.* Miss, But it is necessary that you should know these things ; for whoever is not a worshipper of the only true God, whom Christians serve, is a slave to these evil spirits, and too often is a worshipper of them, though he does not know it. When you con- sider these things you will have reason to be con- cerned and afraid for yourself. Ind, * And so indeed I shall be, if this is our own case.* Miss, This is, in truth, the case of every one who is ignorant of the true God, and of the way of salva- tion which he has revealed to his unhappy creatures,' the way by which they may be prevented from ruin- ing themselves, and losing that happiness which he has provided for such as love and obey h:m. Ind. * I do most earnestly entreat you that at your leisure you would give me an account of the Christian religion, which you say is the way that God has re- vealed to save all men from ruin.' Miss. That I will do through the favour of God, the next time we meet: In the mean while remember —what I assure you of — * that this life is the time, in which you are to choose whether you will be happy or miserable for ever : and that your happiness or misery will depend upon your embracing or rejecting the offer now made you, by Almighty God, of becom- ing a Christian.' You ought therefore to pray to the Great God, to enable you to lay hold of this oppor- tunity of being happy. I !i jl THE PRAYER. r^. .n : ^^ i O God, the foundation of all wisdom, I most humbly 1 Gen. xviii. 19. fw the Indians, 13 n, for power 1, and .y it/ know of the lave to per of u con- e con- ncase.' e who salva- atures,'' L ruin- lich he it your iristian las re- God, ember time, happy less or ecting Decom- to the oppor- besecch thee to enlighten my mind, that I may come to the knowledge of thee and of thy goodness. Give me a serious, an understanding, and a religious heart, that as I grow in years, I may grow in grace. — Bless all the means of salvation which thou hast afforded me, and especially this instruction^ that it may sink into my heart, and bring forth in me tbe fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy holy name. Amen, umbly DIALOGUE III. The Proofs of the Christian Religion, ^ INDIAN. • * I AM come again. Sir, to trouble you sooner, I be- lieve, than you expected. You said, that it was good for me, that I was in fear for myself; I cannot choose but be so, since you told me, ** That my happiness or misery will depend upon my embracing or rejecting the offer now made me of becoming a Christian.'* I own I am not satisfied with my present condition ; I am convinced by my reason, as well as by what you told me, that we were made to he an honour to the Being that made us, by living according to that light and reason which he hath given us. — For my own part, I fear I have not done so ; and if he shall be displeased with me, I know not how to help myself, or make my mind easy.' Miss^, Assure yourself this is the case of every thoughtful person, who has no knowledge of Christ- ianity. And therefore our great and good Creator, in compassion to those unhappy men who labour under such doubts and fears, has graciously pointed out the way by which they may be freed from them ; viz, — By embracing the Christian Religion, * Heb. xii. 15. I 14 An Instruction Ind, * What does the Christian religion propose to us, to cure us of those fears V Miss, I will first tell you in short, and afterwards explain myself more fully. In the first place, — It '.vill lead you to the knowledge of the true God, the Maker of the world, and convince you of his great love for his unhappy creatures, and of his earnest endea- vours to keep them from ruining themselves. It shows us also how we must answer the end for which God made us and sent us into the world. It sets before us the miserable circumstances into which we are sunk by nature, the dangers we are liable to, and teaches us the way to escape them. It makes known to us those laws by which God will judge the world ; that men may 6rder their hearts and lives accordingly. It shews us how we may be restored to the favour of God. It gives us all rules necessary to make us happy when we die, and promises us all necessary assistance to observe those rules. It directs us in the course of our lives, how we may obtain the pardon of God, whenever we shall have been so unhappy as to have offended him by our sins which/ we are but too apt to do. It assures us, that God is a bountiful rewarder of all such as seek to please him ^. In short, Christ^ ianity is the only remedy to cure all the disorders and danger Si and miseries, which we are subject to in this life; to support us in the hour of death, and secure our happiness in the future state ; in short, it is the only sure means, where it is seriously embraced, of correcting and reforming this world, and leading men to a better. Ind, 'This is, Sir, a most desirable account you have given me of the Christian religion. Will you be pleased, as you promised, to explain these tilings more fully V Miss, You must know, then, that we are called Christiansi from professing ourselves to be the disci- » Heb. xi. 6. for tlhe Indians* 15 pies and followers of a most holy and divine person, Jrsus Christ, who being the Son of God, was sent by him from heaven to make his will and gracious purposes known unto men. In order to this, he being a pure spirit, it was ne- cessary that he should take a body like one of ours, that he might be seen by and converse with men. He therefore submitted to be born of a woman, and he took the soul and body of a man, and in that na- ture he lived among men, and made known to them the things which I have already mentioned to you. Particularly he gave them a clear knowledge of their Maker ; and by his most perfect, innocent, and hoh/ life, showed what an excellent creature man was, when he was first made, before he felF into sin, and became prone to evil as he now is. He assured them that he came as a peace-maker betwixt God and his rebellious creatures, who by their disobedience had lost his favour : and forfeited the happiness he had prepared for them. And in order to reconcile them to God, and to the duty and obedience which they owed to him, he brought them this most gracious message : — * That all such as became sensible of their error and misery, and were willing to give themselves up to the Son of God as their Lord and Saviour, should, through his merits and mediation, receive a full and free pardon for all their past offences, be restored again to his &vour, and obtain that happiness which they had forfeited by their offences.' Ind. ' These are, indeed, wonderful proofs of the great goodness of God.' Miss, But then you are to know that all such as despise this surprising goodness of God, are not only to be deprived of his favour, but are to be punished with torments exquisite beyond all we can now ima- gine. For you must never forget what I told you before, and what Jesus Christ has assured u:? of, — * That this short life is only a passage to anotherj te An Instruction which is to last for ever :* and where every man is to be rewarded or punched according to his behaviour in this world. Ind, * I have not forgot that. But give me leave, Sir, to ask you one question : how are you Christians sure that this extraordinary person was the Son OF God, and came from him with this message to men V Miss, It is necessary that every one who intends to be a Christian should have the greatest assurance of it ; for on this truth the Christian Religion is founded. You must know, then, that this divine person, in order to give men all possible assurance, that he was what he Ifleclared himself to be, performed be- fore their eyes such wonderful works, as showed that in him dwelt all the fulness of the godhead hodily. For example, — He healed all manner of sickness and disease with the word of his mouth. He gave sight to such as were born blind. To such as were dumb and deaf he gave the power of speech and hearing ; and he made the lame to walk. He fed and satisfied the hunger of many thousands of people more than once with a few loaves and small fishes, which they saw multiplied before their eyes, so that thousands were at one time all eye-witnesses of this miracle. He commanded the winds, the storms, and the seas, and they obeyed his word. He raised to life those that had for some time been dead. He convinced those with whom he conversed, that he kpew the very thoughts of their hearts, which none but God can do. Lastly, — the great God himself did more than once, by a voice from heaven, declare, that he !was his be- loved Son; and commanded, that as such, he should be heard and obeyed, Ind, * Indeed, these are most sure proofs that this divine person was what he said he was ; and that whatever he taught must be true.' Miss, But I have other evidences to give you, in for the Indians, 17 order to confirm your faith or belief in this divine fer^ son, and his message. — Amongst many other things . which he foretold his followers, this strange thing was one ; that notwithstanding the wonderful works which he had done before their eyes, his enemies would put him to death ; but that within three days he should rise again to life. Accordingly, after they had treated him with all the evil usage that spite and malice could invc '., they did most barbarously murder and crucify him. And after three days he rose again from the dead, and conversed with his disciples and followers, with no less than five hundred at one time, many of whom lived very long after, and bore witness of his resurrection, at the expense of their lives. Ind. * I should be glad to know some more par- ticulars relating to so divine, holy, and wonderful a person,* Miss, Jesus Christ, after having conversed with his disciples many weeks, and in the sight of many of them, ascended into heaven. But, before his de- parture from them, he promised them, that he and his Father would send another divine person (not in the form or fashion of a man, but) as a pure spirit to dwell in them ; to guide and comfort, to inspire them with all truth necessary to be known by them, and to enable them, for the confirmation of such truths to others, to do all such mighty works as he had done among them : — according to which promise, ten days after he had ascended into heaven, that divine SPIRIT descended upon them after a most wonderful manner, and enabled them to understand and speak all the languages of the then unknown world, to which they went in order to carry those good tidings; whereby we and many other nations were brought out of error, ignorance, and darkness, into the clear light and true knowledge of God, and of his S(m Jesus Christ, and of that Holy Spirit, which enabled them to preach this joyful doctrine to all the world : that Phrist has made our peace with God, if we sub- la An Instruction mit to be goremed by him, and by his laws, and put our whole trust in him. Ind. * Well, Sir, you have given some ease to my mind. / beUeve, that what this holy person said must be certainly true : and I suppose all that know these things are Christians.' Miss. Indeed they arc not : and you will not won- der at it, when you consider what it is that hinders people from being Christians. There are many who never think of their Maker, or what must become of them when they die. Many indeed hear these things ; but their affections are so set upon this world, its plea' sures andprq/itSf that they do not lay them seriously to heart. And too many are so fond of their own per- verse ways, to which they have been long accustomed, that they see not the truth of what is proposed to them. Besides all this ; — the apostle taught many things which wicked people would not hear with pa- tience : for example, that murderers, drunkards, adul- terers, oppressors, covetous persons, the proud, mali- cious, and revengeful people, all lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, that all such who were guilty of those things, must forsake them, in order to become Christians. Ind. * Well, Sir, I am convinced that notwithstand- ing the proofs of the truth of the Christian religion, there might be people who would not become Chris- tians. But I should be very thankful, if you would let me know, how the Christian religion did prevail at the time the apostles of Christ made it known to all nations.' Miss. That you shall know when you come again to me. In the mean while, forget not to beg of God to give you an heart always disposed to receive the truth ; which you may do in some such short prayer as this following. THE PRAYER. Merciful God, and lover of mankind, enliven my mind with saving faith ; enable me to withstand the for the Indiant, 19 id put to my I must these t won- tinders ly who ome of things; ;s plea" riously vnper- itomedy 3sed to t many ith pa- s, aduh I, malt" )leasure 10 were >rder to ;hstand- eligion, ; Chris- t would prevail lown to (le again of God eive the t prayer Eiyen my and the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with a pure heart to follow thee, the only true God| and thy only Son the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. DIALOGUE IV. The toonderful tuccess and progress of the Gospel, when it was first preached to the world, INDIAN. * When I left you last. Sir, you promised to let roe know what followed the descent or cominq down of that Holy Spirit upon Christ's apostles ; and how the Christian religion was received in the world.* Miss, You must know then, that when this hap- pened, there were people out of all nations at Jerusa^ tern, the city to which they were come to worship the great God . — Now when all these heard the apos« TLES of Christ (who before that time knew no lan- guage but their own) declaring the wonderful works of God, in the language of every nation then present, they were astonished : and being convinced that such men must have been divinely inspired, they therefore gave heed to them, while they declared God'^ most gracious purposes — of mercy , pardon, and hapuiness, to all such as would obey the message he had sent to them by his Son : — insomuch that no less than three THOUSAND embraced the Christian religion that very day, and five thousand more immediately after; and these converts became so many witnesses of these wonderful things to the several nations, from whence they came thither to worship. — After this the Apos- tles went into all nations, making known this jojrful message of God to men, — * That he would have all * Acts ii. 20 An Instruction b;' m men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth,' or the Christian faith ; — that he was ready to be reconciled to all such as had offended him ; and that he would make them happy for ever, if they would be persuaded io forsake their evil ways, believe in Jesus Christ, and be governed by such rules he had given them. — So that, in all nations, all such persons as were truly concerned for themselves, and disposed to receive the truth, became Christians ; and very great was their number every where. — And indeed Christ himself foretold it would be so ; — though at that time it seemed the most unlikely thing in the world, — that all nations should receive a religion opposed by their RULERS and philosophers, upon the preaching of a few poor strangers, who had no worldly power, riches, or learning, to induce people to believe and fol- low them ; and who at the same time required all men to forsake the customs and religion of their forefathers, to embrace the salvation proposed by this divine Mes- senger Jesus — to restrain their appetites, and govern their passions, — to leave their impious ways of living, — and to lead sober, honest, and good lives, and to suffer death rather than deny the truths they told them : — now does not the miraculous success they met with in propagating such a religion, under such cir- cumstances, demonstrate it to be the work of the Great God ? Ind. ' Pray will you inform me how I may be sure that these miracles were performed by the apos- tles OF Christ V Miss, The miracles recorded in the New Testa- ment recommend themselves to our belief upon many accounts. They were wrought by persons who appealed to God, and declared beforehand that they would per- form them. They were performed in a public manner, and by persons known to be of a low condition, destitute of great friends and powerful patrons. for the Indians. 21 of the idy to i that lid be Jesus given )ns as jed to great Christ t time — that r their ing of power, ndfol' II men athers, 2 Mes- govern living, and to jv told ey met 3h cir- of the 3e sure 1 APOS- Testa- i many aled to Id per- and by itute of They were wrought in a learned age, before enemies or unbelievers, who were not easily to be imposed upon, or deceived. The writers of the New Testament, when they re- late the miracles, o^ en name the time, the place, the occasion, the diseases that were removed, the persons healed or raised from the dead, the persons who were present, and the things that were said and done, by friends and foes, on the occasion, giving men a fair opportunity to inquire into the facts, and to disprove them, if they were able. These miracles were wrought for no worldly ad- vantage, but on the contrary, subjected the apostles of our blessed Lord to many injuries, afflictions, per^ secutions, and cruel deaths. They were wrought in confirmation of doctrines good and useful to mankind, and were intended to de- stroy, — all atheism, idolatry, profaneness, and immo* raUty, They prevailed upon many people to quit the reli- gion in which they had been educated, to forego ease and pleasure, and worldly conveniences, and to leave their friends, relations^ and country, and to suf- fer all kinds of temporal evils, and often the loss of life itself. These miracles were likewise attested by proper witnesses. — The disciples of Christ saw the miracles of their Master, and died in confirmation of the truth of them, particularly of his resurrection from the dead. They were foretold ages before by the prophets, that they were such miracles as the Jews expected, and had reason to expect, from their Messiah, when he did appear. Lastly the persons whose miracles are recorded in the Gospel foretold many events, some of which did not come to pass till a considerable time after the books of the New Testament were written, and the writers themselves were dead. — And this is a still stronger X li se An Instruction confirmation of the truth and certainty of the miracles related in those books. Ind. * Pray, Sir, what became of these apostles after this V Miss, As they had taught all others to suffer death, rather than deny the truths which they had received from God hy Jesus Christ, so most of them laid down their lives for those truths they had preached. — But, before they suffered, they appointed others to succeed them in publishing these truths to all nations ; — ^by which Christianity has continued unto this day ; — and we are assured, by Christ himself, will continue unto the world's end. — And a very great change ibr the better has been made in all nations where it has been received. Ind, ' You will oblige me, if you will let me know in what the world is become better by this reli- gion ?' Miss, In the first place, it gave the thoughtful and penitent satisfaction how their sins might be forgiven, and their persons accepted and saved by a righteous and holy God.— They who then embraced the Chris- tian religion professed that they were strangers in this world, and therefore looked upon this life only as a journey to a much better, which they expected after death. — This made them content with any condition, which God should think fit to place them in. — This kept them from being covetous, or over-much con- cerned for the things of this world ; they believed, that if they were poor or in misery, God would abun- dantly make up in the next life, what was wanting, or they had suffered in this, — Their great rule given them by Christ was this, — that they should deal "WITH all others AS THEY THEMSELVES WOULD DESIRE TO BE DEALT WITH. — This made them very just in all their actions, and careful not to wrong or oppress any person. — Defrauding, cheating, and lying, were not so much as known among them. — Their reli- gion obliged them to be at peace with all men as much \ racles 3TLE6 leath, ;eived down -But, cceed ;— by —and unto )r the i been know i reli- ul and :given, hteous Chris- in this [y as a d after idition, —This ih con- jlieved, I abun- ting, or J given ) DEAL WOULD m very rong or Alyinff, eir reli- is much for the Indians. ^ as possible. So that quarrels, and wars, and murders, were utterly abhorred. On the contrary, they were kind and compassionate even to their enemies ; never return- ing evil for evil. They had always a tender compas- sion for such as were in want, or in misery ; clothing the naked, feeding the hungry/, and lodging the stranger, according to their ability. As to themselves, they were exceeding sober and temperate, not given to gluttony or drunkenness, which they knew God would be highly displeased with. They were chaste and mo- dest, both men and women ; all kept strictly to their own wives and husbands, as God had appointed, who had declared that no adulterer or whoremonger, must hope for heaven or happiness. — And then in their strictest conformity to these rules of uprightness, they humbly acknowledged their many failings, and great unworthiness ; and — lastly, they suffered all manner of torments, and even death itself, rather than they would renounce the religion which they had embraced on a full conviction that it came from God. Ind. * Indeed, Sir, this is a most wonderful account of those who first professed the Christian religion. — One cannot, surely, imagine, that such good men should have any enemies.* Miss, But indeed they had, and very many : — for those EViip SPIRITS, which I told you of before, tempted all sorts of wicked people to destroy them and their religion, if possible : and would certainly have done it, but that the great and all-powerful God hindered it : — and caused, that the more it was per- secuted the more it increased, — All such as had been brought up in any other religion became their mortal enemies, especially such as worshipped idols, false gods, or evil spirits, which the greatest part of the world then did, and too many do to this day. — Be- sides these, men of wicked lives, hated and persecuted those who professed the Christian rehgion, because they declared that God would most surely call them to an account, and judge them to a misery that \ 24 An Instruction would never end, if they did not forsake their sing, and lead better lives. On these, and on many other accounts, Christians were every where persecuted, and vast numbers were most barbarously murdered: which grievous suffer- ings they patiently endured, in a full assurance of a better life, which God, who cannot deceive them, had promised. Ind, * Pray, Sir, are Christians still used after this cruel manner V Miss. No; — for in time the kings and princes of the world became Christians ; and when they fa- voured and protected that religion, their subjects fol- lowed their example, though it was not always in order to save their souls, but for other unworthy and worldly ends. And it was then, that many began to call themselves Christians, who in their hearts and lives were far from being such — by which Christianity became extremely corrupted, and men outwardly pro- fessed the Christian religion, at the same time as they lived in those sins, which it forbids on pain of damna- tion. Notwithstanding this, -he Christian religion, where it is truly professed, is still the same ; and it is the only method of restoring men to the favour of God, and bringing them to the happiness which we all wish to enjoy. We have the same just and holy God to worship, that i\io^e first Christians had ; a God who loveth the good and pious, and hateth the wicked ; who will most surely call all men to an account, judge them accord- ing to their works, and reward or punish them as they have deserve^. — And we have the same Jesus for a Saviour, who is able to save us to the uttermost ; — so that every man who has any concern for himself, and would escape the anger of an offended God, will not only be a Christian in name, but in good earnest will live as a true Christian ought. Ind, * I most heartily thank you, Sir, for this ac- for the Indians, 25 count you have given me of the Christian religion.— Now one would hope, that, if our people knew these things, they might be prevailed on to become Chris- tians as easily as those nations were who first em- braced Christianity/ Miss, We may wish and pray for this ; but there are some reasons, which you may know hereafter, that we fear may, for the present, hinder so general a con- version and blessing to your people ; but a time will certainly come, when you will all know and worship the true God, the Maker of heaven and earth, and HIS ONLY Son, whom he has ordained to he the Judge of the living and the dead, — In the meanwhile take you care for yourself, and beg of God that you may not lose the favour which is offered you at this time by me, one of his unworthy servants. Ind, * I hope I shall do so, and shall not forget what you have said to me at this time. — And I believe I shall very soon wait on you again for your further instruction* Miss. In the meantime join with me in the follow- ing prayer. THE PRAYER. O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger John the Baptist to prepare thy way before thee, grant that the ministers of thy holy word may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the vnsdom of the just: that at thy second coming to judge the world, we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen, An Instruction \ DIALOGUE V. Objections against the had lives of Christians answered. MISSIONARY. I EXPECTED, as you promised, to have seen you sooner. Has any thing extraordinary hindered you from ccming to be further instructed ? Ind. ' Why, truly, Sir, since I was with you, I have met with such discouragements as have given me great doubts and scruples, and had almost made me resolve against troubling you any more.* Miss. I shall be exceedingly sorry if any thing should make you do yourself so great an injury. — Pray, what are the discouragements you have met vnth? Ind, * I will tell you the truth. — After I had parted with you, upon what you had said to me, I told our people chat I had some thoughts of becoming a Chris- tian: for that I had met with one who had convinced me, that my condition at present was not so safe as I imagined, and that I should certainly lose the greatest happiness which the heart of man can desire, if I refused, now it was offered me, to be instructed in the knowledge oi myself, and of the true God, and how ta live and die in his favour. — I told them also, that you assured me from the mouth of God himself, that eveiy man after death will certainly be happy or miserable for ever : this ^hort life of ours being only a time oT trial, and a passage to a state of happiness or misery, which is to last for ever. I told them moreover, — that Christians were assured that God had appointed a day in which he would judge most righteously, even all that have ever lived in this world; and that, such as had served and obeyed, God would be happy for for the Indians* 27 ever; and such as had lid wicked lives, and did not repent of arid amend them, should he punished with everlasting fire : — and that, in order to this great ac- count and judgment, God lias given us, and all men, reason, wherehy to know good from evil, that they might choose the one, and leiase the other; — hut that, beside this, he had given unto Christians, by His OWN Son, sent from heaven, a revelation of his will^ which, if they embrace, and according to that revela-^ tion, if they repent of their sins, and believe in. this Son of God, and walk according to the holy rules he has given them, they shall be made partakers of hap- piness with them for ever. Then I told them, that for my own part I was persuaded of the truth of all this; which I thought then all Christians believed as surely as any thing they see with their eyes.* Miss, And so, I assure you, all true Christians do» But what did they say against your purpose of be- coming a Christian ? Ind, ' Though I am almost afraid to tell you, yet I must do it, both to ease my mind, and to know whether any thing can be said to their objections. * In the first place, they made a jest of my purpose^ but I told them, that if what I had been taught was true, as I did believe it was, it concerned me so much, that I should not be laughed out of my intention. • Then they told me plainly, the Christians would have you believe ¥diat they do not believe themselves. — For is it likely that people, who are ftiliy persuaded of such things as they tell you, would lead such lives as they commonly do ? What, said they, does it sig- nify to know the God whidi diey worship, and the good rules he has given them, if those rules are not able to make them better than other people ? — Are they not as careless as if they were sure that nothing is to be feared or hoped for after this life ? — ^You may be certain, that if Cliristians did really believe what tiiey told yoa, there would not be a wicked man among them ; — and yet maoy of them are as bad, if c2 2S An Instruction not worse, than those who know nothing of the reli- gion they pretend to, or of the happiness or misery they speak of. Are not the same wickednesses seen among them as among the worst of us ? — They make no conscience to cheat and defraud even one another ; and where they have power, they oppress without pity — whoredom and drunkenness ^ falseness and deceit, ly^ ingy cursing J and swearing, and calling upon the God they worship to damn each other, upon every foolish occasion : — These and many others are the crimes common among these very people, who tell you that the GREAT God will call all men to account, and re- ward or punish them according to their works. Can you think that they themselves believe this V Miss. Well, what answer did you give them ? Ind, * Why, indeed, I gave them no answer. I considered, that what they said had too much truth in it, and I held my peace, and doubted with myself, whether I should trouble you any more or not.* Miss, I hope, however, that you will change your mind, when you have heard what we have to say to the objections. In the first place, all good Christians know this, and are grieved to see how much the Christian reli- gion must suffer by the bad lives of such people, by whose evil doings, the name of God and of Christ is blasphemed. However suffer not yourself to be too soon discou- raged : nor judge oi our religion by the disorderly lives of those people you have mentioned ; for assure yourself, that all are not true Christians who go under that name. There are too many who live in a shame- ful ignorance, both of the truths and duties of Chris- tianity ; and will not be at any pains to consider the religion they profess, nor the sad danger they them- selves are in. And many there are, who have been instructed in the way that leads to everlasting happi- piness ; but the cares of this world, the deceitfithess of riches, or the love of worldly pleasures, have blotted for the Indians, the remembrance of the truths they had learned out of their minds. NaVf there are too many, who even strive to forget suen truths, because they condemn their unsodly lives. They therefore endeavour to cast off all fear of God, ana provoke him to give them up to a mind void of judgment, to commit all iniquity with greediness. Lastly, many profess to know God, but in their works do deny him. These, and all such as these, are au abomination in the sight of God, and a grief to all true Christians. Ind, * But you know, Sir, that these will take it ill, if they are not called Christians,^ Miss, They will so ; but that is, because they think it a name of credit and respect in the place where they live ; and they content themselves with the name, without thinking seriously what it is to be a Christian. Ind, ' Since so many go under the name of Chris- tians, and are not such, how shall we know who are true Christians V Miss, The God whom Christians worship hath given them a rule, by which every one may know who are true Christians. The rule is this: — *Let every ONE THAT NAMETH THE NAME OF ChRIST DEPART FROM INIQUITY*.' Whocvcr docs not do so is no true Christian in the account of God: — and they, and they only, are true Christians who not only believe the truths, but also obey the laws, of the Chris- tian religion. That is, such as love the God that made them, with all their hearts, and fear to displease and offend him ; who love, obey, and trust in Jesus Christ his Son, their Saviour, and their Lord; and bring forth the fruits of the ffoly Ghost in all kinds of goodness, righteousness, and truth ; and lastly, such as having always a conscience void of offence, towards God and men, dare not for all the world be guilty of those vices which you just now mentioned. > 2 Tim. iil 19. c3 30 An Instruction But then, that you may not be offended with the infirmitiesi &ults, and failings, of those that are even good Christians, you must remember what I have already often told you, concerning the weakness and corruption of human nature. For the best of Chris- tians are men of like passions with others, and may, through the weakness of their nature, or for want of consideration, be sometimes overtaken in a fault, of which they afterwards truly repent. But a true 'Christian will not, cannot Hve or continue in any known sin, or bad way of life. Ind. * Pray then, good Sir, what answer shall I give to our people, who to be sure, will endeavour to dis- suade me again from hearkening to your instructions, fay such arguments as I have already mentioned V Miss. Ask them, whether the great . God has not given every one of them reason and understanding , in order to judge betwixt good and evil ? Surely they will not say, that reason^ the good gift of God^ is in fault when many of their own people do such vncked things as their reason forbids and condemns. No more ought they to blame the Christian religion, be- cause some that call themselves Christians lead such lives as are a reproach to Christianity. Ind. * It may be, they will tell me, that if neither reason nor Christianity can keep people from being wicked, I need not be at the pains of learning the Christian religion, or hearkening to reason.* Miss. Well then, I will show you in a few words, that of all means the Christian religion is most likely (even better than reason itself ever can he in its present state) to make men wise and good, unto their salva- tion and happiness. \st. Your nature is corrupt and prone to evil ; and experience convinces you, that your reason alone can- not mend and cure this corruption : — but the Chris- tian religion, where it is sincerely embraced, will most surely do this. 2dly, Your reason will indeed accuse and condemn for the Indians. 31 L the even have IS and )hri8- may, ant of It, of true any you when you do amiss, but cannot give you any cer- tain assurance of God's pardon, but the ChritHan religion will show you a sure way to be forgiven and restored to the favour of your Maker, wnenever you have offended him. 3dli/, We are but too apt to think every thing very reasonable to which we have a great inclination ; and this is the occasion of very much evil and mischief in the world, when men make their own will the measure of what they ought to do ; but the Christian religion, and that only, will inform you \fhat is right in the sight of God, and what you must do, on pain of his most severe displeasure. Lastly, Your reason cannot inform you what will become of you when you die : but the Christian reli- gion can assure you, as I have shown you already, that such as live according to the rules of that rdigion, will be happy for ever ; and that such as do not so, shall be L.ost unhappy and miserable : and this will be a very powerful means of obliging you to live as becomes a good Christian. Ind, *Sir, I do most heartily thank you. — ^You have given me great ease of mind, and I hope I shall meet with no more such discouragements from hear- ing your instructions. But some few things I have to ask you for the confirmation of the truths I am to believe.' Miss, Come when you will, I shall be ready to in- struct you. And may God bless my endeavours with success ; and do you pray for yourself in the following words : THE PRAYER. Lord, the frailty of man without thee cannot but fail : — In all temptations, therefore, I beseech thee to succour me, that no sin may ever get the dominion over me : give me a salutary dread of the corruption of my own heart ; make me truly sensible of the end of sin, and mindful of my own infirmities ; make me c4 32 An Instruction afraid of thy iudgments, and give me grace and strength to break my bonds ; correct me in mercy when I go astray ; make me ever mindful of my latter end, and fix in my heart a lively sense of the happiness and misery of the world to come. Amen. DIALOGUE VI. The Holy Scriptures both necessary and sufficient for th^ Salvation of Man, INDIAN. *You have convinced me, Sir, — that our reason alone is not sufficient to make known to us the things which you say are most surely believed among Chris- tians ; that reason cannot tell us with what worship the GREAT God will be pleased, nor give us any certainty of the happiness or misery of the life to come ; which, to be sure, makes men less concerned how they lead their lives here. You have told me, and I am con- vinced of it, that our ^reason alone cannot assure us upon what terms the great God vniJl pardon us, when we have offended him, as all men are apt to do ; and we know and feel, how hard it is even to follow what our reason tells us we ought to do. Of what use then is reason to us ?* Miss, Of very great use most certainly : it will keep you from being imposed upon, when any thing is pro- posed to your belief, as coming from God ; you will be able to judge whether you have sufficient proof to re- ceive it as such : and then, if you find you have, your reason will convince you, that it must be necessary for your happiness, because a God of truth and good- ness cannot deceive his creatures, or requiu any thing of them but what must necessarily be for their good. Ind. * It is on this very account, Sir, I am now come to you, not only to learn from you, by what other ways . God has made his will known unto Christians; but to and when r end, IS and for the Indians, inquire, whether those ways be such as no man of com- mon sense and reason ou^ht to call in question.* Miss* I hope I shall give you all the satisfaction in those things, that unprejudiced reason can desire. You will remember then what I told you before, that the GREAT God, in coinpassion to his poor bewildered creatures, sent his own Son to let them know how far they were * departed from the ways of reason and truth ; and that they would be for ever miserable, if they did not return to the duty they owed their Maker: and, lastly, that God wasHn Christ reconciling the world unto himself, and would pardon mankind upon condition of their faith in him, their repentance and future obedience, I told you also, that he gave them such evidences, that this message came fi'om God, as could not be justly called in question by any man, and, among the rest, this very extraordinary one ; he declared, and his enemies knew it, they will put me to death, and after three days I will rise again from the dead ; which also came exactly to pass. Jnd, * I do remember all this. But how can you be sure that this was really sq, it being so very long since these things were done V Miss, You yourself shall judge. You must know then, THAT Divine Person, when he was on earth, appointed seyeraX persons to be witnesses of every thing which he did, said, taught, or suffered; and that the most necessary of these things were put in writing, and published by some of them, even at the time when great numbers were alive, who had been witnesses of his words and actions, and while his enemies, who had put him to death, were also alive; and yet no one charged them with having written any thing that was not true. Now, these writings we call the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament. Ind, * But how are you sure, that the people did set down in writing that message of God to men, and all other things, just as that Divine Person had done and told them V c5 Si An Instruction Miss, We are well assured they did so ; because they were directed and assisted to write those things by God himself, wJw bore them witness, hy signs, and wonders, and miracles, and other gifts of the Holy Spirit, that he was with them *. And they were them- selves so well convinced of the truth of what they had written, and what they taught, that they chose to suf- fer any death, rather then be silent, or deny what they had seen with their eyes, and heard with their ears, Ind, * Pardon me for asking you one question more, how can you be assured, that those writings which you now have and call the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, are the very same which those persons who conversed with Christ, did then write ? May they not have been altered since that time V Miss, We have this assurance, that they are the very same, and that they have not been altered : — Those writings were copied at that time, by many Christians, and cairied with them into divers coun- tries, and distant nations, which had no knowledge one of another, and were put into their several lan- guages ; and they all pontinue to be the same in suh- stance, wherever they are found, to this day. And that these facts were so, as they are reported to us, we have the credible relation of those who were eye- witnesses of them, and who approved themselves to be faithful historians, lovers of truth, even where it showed their own great weaknesses ; delivering all things plainly and naturally without any the least ap- pearance of disguise. They mentioned these facts with all the circumstances of time and place, and so soon after the death of their Lord and Master Jestjs Christ, that if they had not been exactly true, they would have been then contradicted: they published these relations in the country, where these mighty wonders and mi' racles were performed ; and at a time when their very profession lay under the severest reproach; when they I Heb. ii. 4. for the Indians, S5 mt- were so fax from even the remotest prospect of ad- vantage, that they were sure of persecution, and an ignominious and cruel death ; which they might have avoided, if they could have prevailed upon themselves to be silent, or even prevaricated in the least d^ree. The commands they prescribed were contrary to the prevailing ^amows and corrupt «^c^io«* of mankind; the rewards they promised were, for the most part^ to be enjoyed in another world, and therefore would not have prevailed much, without the strongest evi- dence of their being divine : — and yet this Gospel of SALVATION was received and believed by the world, — though it was preached at first by mean instruments, and, for the most part, unlearned men, who had neither eloquence to recommend, power to force, or riches to bribe their followers. And what could all this be ascribed to, but to the mere truth and evidence of its divinity, and to the mighty power of God ? , Besides all this, from that very time to this, there was also one day in seven appointed, and very strictly observed by Christians, on purpose, amongst other things, to read these Sq^iptures in public, and to keep up the memory of these things which I have told you of, so that if any body had attempted to add or alter any thing of moment, it would have immedi- ately been taken notice of by all good Christians. Ind, ' Indeed, Sir, a man must be very unwilling to believe these things who will not be satisfied with this account of the truth of these writings, especially if they contain nothing but what is highly worthy of the GREAT God to command his reasonable creatures.* Miss, That you will be convinced of, when you come to know what he has commanded them to be- lieve and do. Ind, ' But is it true, Sir, that Christians themselves are not agreed about them?' Miss, Pray consider, that as long as men have corrupt hearts, and different capacities and incUna^ tions and interests, they will differ with one another, ' c 6 •f 36 An Instruction ^ not only in >vhat concerns Christianity, but in all other Matters. But assure yourself, that all Chris- tians are agreed in these necessary things : that these Scriptures are the very word and will of God, being the revelation of his Holy Spirit. Ind, * In what is it then that they differ among themselves?' Miss, Some differ about words only, and often about matters of no great moment. Many are of a contentious spirit, and exercise their wits about/oo&sA questions^ which minister strife ^ rather than the de- sign of God in his word, which is to save us from ruin. Many take upon them to be teachers of others^ without understanding what they say, or whereof they affirm ^. Many will expound the Scriptures as will best suit with their own private opinions, or corrupt ways, inventing ways of serving God, which he has not commanded. And, lastly, too many are brought up in gross ignorance, and either are not permitted, or will not be at the pains, to see and know the truths which concern their salvatioij. These and many such are the causes of Christians differing among them- selves. But be assured of this, that an all-wise and good God can make these very differences serve most blessed ends; his glory and the good of his chosen and faithful servants, for hy these he tries their faith, whether they will give credit to his word, or to the delusions of those evil spirits, which lead the simple into error. By these he makes his true servants more careful of their ways, and to place their whole depend- ence upon him, and his grace, which they therefore pray for more earnestly. — Lastly, these differences have had this good effect, that forasmuch as all par- ties of Christians do acknowledge these Scriptures to be from God, they have ever been jealous of one another, that nothing be added, omitted, or altered, by any party of Christians. And remember what I tell you for a certain truth, J 2 Tim. ii. 23. 2 1 Tim. i. 7. for the Indians, 87 all iris- Ihese )eing V long that the differences amongst Christians are not always of such a nature as to deprive men of God's favour. — For he knows all our hearts, and the reasons of men's mistakes ; — and no doubt will pity and pardon such errors and mistakes as are not wilful, and do not plainly tend to deprave their own manners, or the lives of other people. Ind, * I have only one favour more to ask you con- cerning these Scriptures : — What is the great use and necessity of them ?* Miss. In the first place, thei/ are graciously given by God to supply the defects of or" reason, and to hinder us from abusing and pc verting that great blessing and gift of God, which, through our lusts and passions, we are but too apt to do, to the hurt of ourselves and others. In the next place, be assured that you can have no full and true knowledge of the great God, or of his will and purposes, and gracious designs, but from his own Son, and from what he has made known to us in these Scriptures \ By these Scriptures, as in those of the Old Testa- ment, wherein holy men spake and acted, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, we learn how sin and wick" edness, sickness, miseries, and death itself came into the world ; — and how men lost their innocence, and for- feited that happiness for which God made them. — And in the Scriptures we have also a most particular account, how God in mercy to his unhappy creatures, in his own good time, sent His own Son, to show poor sinners their miserable condition; to deliver them out of it ; and by the most wonderful way, as I shall show you hereafter, to reconcile God to them, and them to God. — And in order to awaken all who come to the knowledge of these things, and engage their attention to them, these Scriptures give them the ut- most assurance, — that God has prepared for them » Matt. xi. 27. 3S An Instruction who believe in his Son, and are willing to receive sal- vation at his hands, and who can make this appear by loving him, and obeying his commands, a happi- ness which passeth man's understanding; and that such as will not regard these things, shall be miser- able for ever. — And forasmuch as in the issue, this happiness and misery will depend upon man*s good or bad behaviour in this life, — these Scriptures con- tain that law by which God has determined to judge the world, that all men may order their Uves accord- ingly. — They teach us what service is due from rea- sonable creatures to their Maker : — ^how we must live so as to please him ; — what is truly just, and good, and acceptable to his Divine Majesty ; — as also, what is wrong, and what he has forbidden, upon pain of his everlasting displeasure. — They contain many won- derful examples of God's care of those that love and obey him, and of his displeasure against such as neglect or despise his commands. In short, these Scriptures are a most invaluable blessing, without which we should be ignorant of those things that are of the greatest concern to the glory of the great and eternal God, and our own everlasting welfare. Ind, * Well, Sir, you have raised in me a very great desire of knowing more of these Scriptures, which contain things wonderful and unknown to us indeed.* Miss, You must give God the thanks for that de- sire, if it be sincere. — I can only speak to your ears; it is God alone that can speak to your heart. Forget not, therefore, to beg of him to make himself and his will known to you, and to bless the endeavours of such as desire to instruct you in the ways of truth and happiness. THE PRAYER, Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scrip- tures to be written for our learning; grant that I may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and in- wardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of sal- )pear appi- that Jot the Indians, 89 thy holy word, I may embrace, and ever hold fiist, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given me, in my Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen, con- judge !Cord- won- DIALOGUE VII. An Account of the Fall of Man, and what followed thereupon, till the Coming of Christ, INDIAN. * You assured me, Sir, when I was last with you, that God had made known to you many things, which our reason cannot account for : — I am now come to put you in mind of one difficulty, which I beg you would explain to me : — " How man the creature of an holy and good God, came to have such a strangely disordered nature, and so prone to evil ?" * Miss, I am obliged to do so ! for, without the knowledge of this, you can have no true notions of the justice, and mercy, and goodness of God. What, therefore, he has made known to us in the Holy Scriptures, is : — That after he had made this world and all things in it, in six days, and that he might have creatures capable of praising him for his wonderful works, he made one man and one woman, called Adam and Eve, determined to make of one blood all nations of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth * / all which are the offspring of that one man and woman. He has also made known to us, that these two persons were at first made after the likeness of their Creator, being endued with reason in perfection, and other heavenly gifts. We learn also, that these our first parents, being thus made perfect and good, and capable of living for ever^, were placed in a happy state, called Paradise, with a promise of 1 Acts xvii. 26. a Wisd. ii. 23. 40 A.i Instruction life and happiness, as long as they continued obedient to their Maker s commands. Now these two persons where in a state of trial and probation, as we all are at this day, though in a manner quite different from ours: — For they, coming out of their Maker's hands per- feet, that is, endued with clear and strong apprehen- sions of their indispensable obligation to perform all the great points of morality, could not well be sup- posed to lie under any temptation of violating that chief part of their duty. It was therefore necessary, that some other test suitable to the place and circum- stances they were in, should be required of them, to prove what was in their hearts; and whether they would choose, under the most tempting offers, to break an express commandment of God, their Creator, Preserver, and Governor, even though the reason of such a commandment wa^s not made known unto them. — A positive injunction of this kind God was pleased to give them; — at the same time enforcing their obedience to it, by threats of a most dreadful penalty, if they should ever transgress it. And we are to consider the command given to Adam concerning the forbidden tree, not as if God only spoke concerning that, but he herein commanded him this one thing, — obey my voice:— This is, you are to do whatever I shall declare to be the duties of your life : — For it was necessary that man should obey the Divine Being, and never be left to his own guidance, but to be always kept in the hand of God's counsel. How long our first parents continued in their duty, we are no where told; but at length, by yielding to the temptation of an evil spirit, and not regarding the com- mand of their Maker S they did fall from that holy and happy condition they were in ; and by that most grievous crime (for so it appears by the punishment a most righteous God inflicted on them for it) they highly displeased their Maker, who left them to them- y ^ Gen. iii for the Indians, 41 Idient Irsons ire at lours: per- lehen- rmall sup- that selves; — and, having lost their innocence, and that image of God in which they were created*, their nature became sadly changed for the worse. — And the children which they afterwards begot, being born of sinful parents, became even like their parents, dis- obedient, and prone to evil, as you see they are at this day : — All which these first parents of MANKIND brought upon themselves and their pos' terity. It was thus that sin and evils of every kind, and death at last, entered into the world, as the just pun- ishment of their disobedience to the commands of God; by which aU right to his free promise of eternal life and happiness yr?is forfeited and lost, Ind, ' This is indeed a plain account how sin and wickedness entered into the world ; and we ought to believe it to be a just account, since God has made it known to you in his revealed will.' Miss, As to the corruption of our nature, and the sin that does so easily beset us, your own experience will convince you of the truth of it. And no other reasonable account can be given how it came into the world. — And you will learn by what followed this act of disobedience, how displeasing to God it was, and the punishment it deserved. Ind, ' Will you be so kind as to let me know what followed this sad calamity V Miss, You will easily conceive how miserable the conditions of these our first parents was now become : — They knew that they had failed in their duty to their Maker : — Their reason could not inform them how to help thenosehes : — The loss of their innocence, and of their Maker's favour ; — their forfeiture of the happiness they had enjoyed,— with their dreadful apprehensions of that death which Was threatened ; — the sense of these things would most certainly have overwhelmed them, had not the goodness of God * Gen. V. 42 An Instruction immediately interposed to keep them from despair. — For though his perfect holiness could not hut hate the sin, yet his goodness inclined him to have compas- sion on the sinner ; and from thence he took occasion to make known another of his most glorious perfec- tions, his infinite mercy, Ind» * I am most desirous to hear how that was done.' Miss, Why as a remedy for what had been done amiss, and could not be undone, their Maker was pleased to enter into a new covenant with them : — so that neither they, nor any of their posterity, should on account of their disobedience, be ruined, except it was purely their own fault. Ind, * That was indeed a most kind offer of their offended Maker; — pray, what was that covenant?' Miss, It was this: — That on account of one, who would in due time satisfy his divine justice for their offence (and take vengence on that evil spirit, that had tempted them to disobey his command) he would restore them to his favour upon certain conditions; and would appoint them means, by which they, and their posterity, might upon their repentance, obtain his pardon, when they should do amiss, as since their fall they would be but too apt to do \ Ind, * You may now be so kind, as to let me know what followed this promise of God to his sinful crea- tures.' Miss. You must know then — that some of their children and posterity, exercising themselves in re- pentance of sin, depending on this promised Saviour, keeping up a sense of these things, and an expecta- tion of this promise, lived in the fear of God ', — But many others of them, through the corruption of their nature, became exceeding wicked : one of their own wns murdered his brother; for which God, to keep others from comitting such horrid crimes, banished ^ John iii. IG, and 1 John iv. 9, 1 0. ^ Gen. V. 24. for the Indians. 43 hiin from his presence, and he spent his days in misery. At last wickedness increas'e to such an height, and became so general, that God was provoked to destroy the whole race of men by a f^ A (except one upright man, whose name was Noah \ together with his little family) as I hinted to you before. By this good man and his family, the whole earth was again filled with people, as it is this day. — And while his good instructions, and the memory of that dreadful judgment lasted, men lived in the fear of God ;— but too soon fell into wickedness again : — And most of these, losing the knowledge of the true Gt>d, fell into idolatry, a sin which God principally abhors as most dishonourable to his nature, authority, and glory, and as leading men into all other wickedness \ Ind, * Pray what is that sin of idolatry, which God so hateth V Miss. It is the giving that honour and worship which is only due to the true God, to his creatures^ to the sun and moon, and to evil spirits — and to the images representing these. Notwithstanding this, — God never left himself with- out witness ' ; but gave continual proofs of his hatred against wickedness, and of his favour and protection of good men, in all ages, and amongst all nations, even unto this day. And thus it is, — that calamities of aU kinds are brought upon the earth ; that one nation makes war upon another; these being only instru- ments in the hands of God, and by his wise and just appointment, for the punishment of their sins. Ind, * VTBLji had any of these nations ever after- wards an opportunity of coming to the knowledge of the true God, and of the worship due to him V Miss, Yes, indeed they had. For the Holy Scrip- tures inform us, that God made choice of a certain person, whose name was Abraham *", and called him * Gen. vii. ^ Rom, i. 28. ' Acts xiv. 17. * Gen. xiii. 44 An Instruction and his family from the midst of a nation given to idolatry ; t^at to this man he made himself and his glorious perfections known; and for his encourage- ment to persevere in his duty, he promised — that out of his loins in due time the Deliverer of the world from sin and death should proceed, and that in the mean while he would make his descendants a great and nume- rous people: — All which was made good in a most wonderful manner. His posterity increased exceed- ingly ; and wherever they travelled — they communi' cated the knowledge of the true God, — and told men how he ought to be feared and worshipped ; so that many nations might have known these things, had it not been their own fault ; — for God caused them often to wander, that they might make him known amongst men, and cure them of their wikedness and idolatry. It was in the time of that good man, that God showed his hatred of wickedness, and his displeasure against great and bold sinners, after a manner the most frightful and astonishing — there were several considerable cities, the chief of which were Sodom and Gomorrah, the inhabitants of which, through pride, fulness of bread and much idleness, fell into all manner of wickedness ; which provoked God to make them an example of his displeasure against such sins : — for he reigned down fire and brimstone upon them *, and utterly destroyed both them, their towns, and their wliole land, the dreadful marks of which are to be seen at this day. — At the same time, God, to show his care for those that feared him, sent his angels, and delivered one good man, whose name was Lot, and hh family, out of that fearful destruction'. After this the children of Abraham, to whom the promise was made, multiplied exceedingly ; to whose posterity God gave very particular laws and direc- tions, how they might live so as to please their Maker, and not hurt one another' — and wrought most won- * Gen. xix. 24, * Gen. xix. 3 Exod. XX; for the Indians, a mean derful things before their eyes, when he delivered them dut of a most cruel bondage ; — to convince them and all other nations, that should hear of these things, — that the idols and evil spirits, which they worship- ped were no gods — and that there was no God, but the God of this people. Ind, ' Pray what were the laws and directions that God gave this people and nation V Miss, The chief of them were these that follow : — That they should neither have nor worship any other God but him who had done such wonders for them ; that they should not make any visible image or repre^ sentation of him : — that they should not profane his holy name : that they should keep holy one day in seven, to preserve the remembrance of him and his works : — that they should love and honour their pa- rents ^. That they should love one another as being all the creatures of a good God ; — and neither hate nor murder any oni; ; — that they should not commit adultery, or be guilty of any lewdness : — that they should not steal, or He, or bear false witness, or covet, or set their hearts upon what was another marHs, — And remember what I tell you, — the substance of these laws was given soon after the flood to Noah and \C\% family, from whom the present race of man- kind is derived, though the greatest part of their posterity soon forget them. Soon after God had given his peculiar people these laws, he settled them after a most wonderful manner^ and in a fruitful land, which he had long before pro- mised to Abraham their ^xQdkt forefather , and blessed them exceedingly while they observed his laws. — But even these people, through the corruption of nature, often transgressed his commands, and were as often punished, and upon their repentance pardoned ; — till, at last they growing incurably wicked, he permitted their enemies to destroy most of them, their cities, 1 Exod. XX. 12. 46 An Jpjtruction tbeir landj and their place of worship ; — and they are at this day dispersed over the face of the earthi with- out any sure settlement. Now a few years before this happened, the time was come when the Great God was pleased to send into the world, — * that Person or Prophet, whom he had pron Jsed to our first parents, and who had engaged to make satisfaction to the Divine Justice for their great offence.' — But a particular account of this person and blessing will take up more time than I believe you now have to spare : — I shall, therefore, defer it till you come next to me. In the meantime pray earnestly to God, that he may not suffer your heart to be heardened, but that you may ever believe his promises and stand in awe of his jud^ents. THE PRAYER. I BELIEVE : Lord increase my faith, and give me grace that with a holy life I may adorn the religion I profess. — Keep me stedfast in this faith, that no errors may separate me from thee : — ^but that thy love, O merciful God : thy grace, blessed Jesus ; — thy feUowship, O Holy Ghost, may defend and comfort me in all dangers and adversities, until I attain the end of my faith, even the salvation of my soul. Amen, DIALOGUE VIII. Jesus Christ, the Mediator and Sayiour of the World, and the Head of all Christians, INDIAN. ' You showed me. Sir, when I waited on you last, how man came to fall from the upright and happy con- dition in which he was created ; and how he, and all his posterity, became subject to sin, to misery, and to death : — As also how their Maker spared the lives of for the Indians* 4ff our first parepts, although they had deserved imme* diate death, on account of One who was enffaged to satisfy the Divine Justice for their transgressions and for the offences of all their posterity, upon the most merciful conditions. And I left you with a more earnest desire of knowing more of that Sacred Per- son, who was to come into the world for that end ;— and as you intimated to me, did come about that time, when God had, for their sins, cast off that people whom he had so long and so remarkably favoured and protected above the other nations of the world.' Miss, I told you before, — that this Divine Person, knowing into what a miserable condition the two first parents of mankind had brought themselves and their posterity, by their disobedience to their Maker ; — ^how dreadfully sad their punishment would be, and of what an invaluable happiness they would be deprived; — he, by God's irost gracious appointment, undertook to satisfy the Divine Justice, by submitting to such sufferings as God was pleased to accept by way of atonement for the sins of men. Ind. * Pray, Sir, how did Jesus Christ do this V Miss, As I told you before, he, out of love to his otherwise lost creatures, took the perfect nature of a man, both body and soul, into union with his divine nature, and was born of a pure virgin, that he might be seen and converse with men, and in their nature be capable of suffering for the sins of men. Now, in that body here upon earth, in the first place he let mankind know God's wonderAil goodness, and his readiness to forgive offenders, even the greatest offenders upon their repentance, belief in him and his undertaking, and return to their duty ; as also, how they ought to live so as to please God, and be an honour to their Maker. — And by his most wise and holy life, and doctrine, and example, he showed what an excellent creature man was, before he lost his inno- cence, and fell into a state of sin and corruption ; as also how hateful to God sin must be, since so divine 48 An Instruction a Person, which you will see hereafter was the Son of the Most High God, was ooliged to come down from heaven, to satisfy God's justice, and to save men from the punishment it deserved. For his divine nature, though it could not suffer, yet being thus divinely united to his humility, gave such a virtue and value to the sacrifice, as rendered it a proper and sufficient atonement to the Divine Justice for our sins. After he had in his public ministry fully declared the design of his coming, and performed such miracu- lous things as were sufficient to convince all well dis- posed people, that he was the Son of God, and sent by him to declare his Father's will to men ; — after this, that, as Son of God, he might make fall satisfaction to the Divine Justice, since no less a sacrifice could do it, he willingly laid down his own life for his otherwise undone creatures. Ind, * I begin now to understand what before I was amazed at, wh^ God would suffer his own. Son to be put to death by wicked men ; and why his Son would choose to be so dealt with, when he could have hin- dered it : I suppose it was because he had undertaken the cause of sinners, and suffered death to make an atonement for them, and to satisfy the justice of his offended Father, who therefore permitted him to be put to death.' Miss. You understand it right. — And the great God, to convince the world that his justice was satis- fied by this most worthy sacrifice, raised him from the death the third day after he had been crucified and buried ; — by which he was in the most convincing and powerful manner f declared to be the Son of God ^ ; of all which the Holy Scriptures give us a particular ac- count; and, for our comfort, declare, that God had laid on him the iniquity of us all ' ; that he tasted death for every man ', ». e, for every penitent sinner, from the first man that was made, to the last that shall be * Rom. i. 4. * Isa. liii. G. Heb. ii. 9. fm the Indians, bom into the world ; lastly, that he has saved us by his blood f out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation \ Ind, * It seems, then, that we also have an interest and right in the blessings which he has purchased by his death.' Miss. Most certainly you have ; for so he hath de- clared, — that the Gentiles, such as were strangers to the true God, should be fellow heirs with his chosen people, and of the same body, and partakers of his pro^ mise in Christ ^, Ind. * Pray what is meant by the Gentiles being of the same body ?' Miss. The meaning is this : — That you should be of the same holy society with God's chosen people ; and that as we are the creatures of one and the same God, and children of one and the same Father, and redeemed by the same Saviour, you shall now be made members of the same body, an holy society, which is called the Church of God, of which Jesus Christ is the Head and Goyernor. Ind. ' I should be very thankful if you would ex- plain that to me more particularly.' Miss. You must know then, — that after the Son of God had by his death made an atonement for the sins of mankind, he commanded his Apostles to offer the blessings he had purchased unto all the nations of the earth, in order to take out of them a people for the glory of God ' ; — and to let all men know the merci- ful favours which the Great God offered them by his Son, which were, — repentance on men^s part, and for- giveness of sins on the part of God; and that this should be preached in his name among all nations *; and that all such as would receive him as their Re- deemer, and Law-giver, should be entered into one society, called the Church or body of Christ, because he is the Head of this body and Governor of this » Rev. V. 9. ' 2 Eph. iii. 6. ' Acts XV. 14. 11^ ♦ Luke xxiv. 47. 50 An Instruction society, which is made up of all true believers in all nations of the world ; that as he had redeemed them, he might protect, and govern, and keep them in the way of life and happiness ; and lastly, that the great thruths of Christianity, and the Holy Scriptures, in which they are contained, might be preserved, being to be constantly read, explained, and preached among them. Lid. * But, good Sir, how can people, of so many distant nations, and different laws and languages, be one society ?' Miss. They are all of one society, as they all agree in one faith, and profess to be governed by one law of Jesus Christ; — as they all engage to renounce the devil, and all the ways of an evil world, and to worship the one and only true God; — as they all profess to receive the Holy Scriptures to be the only rule of both iheix faith and maniiers;- — as they are all redeemed by the same sacrifice ; — as they all pray to one and the same God, in the name and for the sake of the same Mediator and Advocate ; — as they are all received into the same society, by one and the same ordinance of haptism ; and are under the direction and influence of the same Holy Spirit ; — and as they all hope to meet together hereafter in the same place of joy and feli- city, the kingdom of heaven, hid, * I think I understand you very well. I should be thankful, therefore, if you would let me know what are the privileges or blessings of being a member of this society.' Miss, The blessings are many and great, — such as these following : — You will be enabled to answer the end for which we were made and sent into the world. If you enter into this society with true repentance of your sins, true faith in Jesus Christ, and a sincere pur- pose of living as a Chris llan ought to do, all your past sins will be forgiven you; and, if you afterwards fall into sin (as you will be but too apt to do) you will have Jesus Christ an Advocate with his Father for your par- for the Indians, 51 don, upon your repentance and return to your duty \ — Besides this, you will be under the special care and protection of God; — you will have the ministers of Christ to instruct you, and God's all-powerful Spirit to direct, support, and comfort you in all your distresses. — ^You will have an interest in all the prayers and blessings of that society throughout the world ; every member of that society being bound to seek the good of the whole body, to relieve the necessities of such as are in want or in misery, and all being mutually obliged to pray for each other. — Lastly, you will have a most sure title to eternal life and happiness after death. Ind, * There is no man, sure, who is in his right mind, but would most earnestly desire to be a member of such a society, if he could hope to do what will be required of him .s a Christian. For, as I remember, you told me, tii? * Christian has many enemies and difficulties to stri '~ vith.* Miss, That is true. — But then take this most cer- tain truth along with you, — that a righteous and good God will not require any thing of his creatures, but what he will enable them to do, if they will but use their own endeavours; — every person, who sincerely proposes to become a Christian, having a most sure promise of being assisted by God's Holy Spirit to please his Maker, and to keep his commands. And, forasmuch as we must be made holy, as ever we hope to happy, it is this good, and Holy Spirit, that must make us so. — Which he doth, by putting into our hearts good desires and purposes of pleasing God, and a fear of offending him ; by convincing us, that nothing is required of us but what is absolutely necessary for our good and happiness, — by helping our good endeavours, and defending us against the malice and power of evil spirits ; — by setting home upon our hearts the joys and happiness that are pro- * 1 John i. 9. ii. 1. D 2 52 An Instruction posed to us, and the dreadful misery which will be the portion of such as despise them : — All which that Holy Spirit doth perform in us by a sure, though an invisible power. Ind, * How can you be sure of this, since you say he is not to be seen V Miss. Can you see the wind ? Ind, *No.' Miss, How can you be suie there is such a thing? Ind. * Because I hear the sound of it, and feel the force of it upon myself.' Miss, Are you sure that you have a soul or spirit within you, which governs all your actions ? Ind, ' I cannot but be sensible and sure of that, because I feel something within me, sometimes accus- ing, sometimes excusing, according as I do what is good or otherwise.' Miss, Yet you never saw that power : you are sure of it only by its effects. Ind, * Pray make that plain to me.' Miss, Do not you know a tree by the fruit it bears ? — Doth not a good tree bring forth good fruit? — Doth not a corrupt tree bring forth bad fruit ^? — Just so when a good spirit governs any person, you see it plainly by his life and conversation ; — as also, when you see any man lead an evil life, you may be sure he is governed by an evil spirit. Ind. ' I understand you very well ; — and would be thankful, if you would let me know what are, the fruits which distinguish a good spirit from one that is evil V Miss, The sure signs, that the Holy Spirit of God governs any man, are these following fruits : a love of Godf and of men for his sake ; — living in peace as much as possible, with all others ' '.—forgiving those that have injured us, as we hope to be forgiven our many offences against God ; — a readiness to do good » Matt. vii. 17. 3 Gal. V. 27. for the Indians, 53 to all men : — a constant endeavour to mortify our cor- rupt affections, our lusts, and evil desires ; — being content with our condition ; — being humble^ meek, and temperate ; — and in all improvements in knowledge, faith, holiness, and obedience, making an humble acknowledgment of our unworthiness, giving Christ the glory of our salvation, and the Holy Spirit the honour of our improvement in these things : — These, and such as these, are sure signs that a man is go- verned by the Holy Spirit of God \ On the other hand, — the sure signs of a man*s not being under the influence of the good spirit, are such evil fruits as these following : adultery ^ fornication, idolatry, witchcraft, envy, hatred, and malice ; a dispo- sition to revenge and murder, drunkenness, revellings, hardness of heart, unbelief, and contempt of the Gos- pel, and such sins as these : — God having expressly declared, that they who do such things shall never be happy, but shall have their portion with those evil spirits, by whose wicked suggestions they had been seduced to commit them. Ind, * One would think that such as know the dreadful punishment denounced against wickedness, would never persist in it, but immediately endeavour to escape from so dangerous a condition.' Miss, They certainly would do so; — but having wilfully forsaken the ways of God, they have grieved the Holy Spirit, and forced him to depart from them, and to leave them to themselves : — so that their hearts are hardened, and their minds are void of under- standing. Lid, * If I remember well, you told me, that all men are subject to sin, even Christians, as well as others, though they have received that Holy Spirit for a principle of a new life.' Miss. I told you so, and I told you nothing but the truth ; for so they are, until, by the influence of ^ Rom. viii. 14. D 3 54 An Instruction that good Spirit, they are made completely holy, which is not to be expected till we die, and go to heaven. — I told you also another truth ; — that a Chris- tian is not one who has no failings ; — but he is one, who, by the power and favour of that Holy Spirit, watches and strives against the corruption of his na- ture continually, so as never to live in any known sin whatever. Ind, * I remember you told me so before; and I am convinced of the truths you have now explained to me. And I must beg of you at your leisure to let me know, what will be required of me in order to my being baptized, and made a member of that society, to which you have convinced me so many blessings have been promised by the Great God.' Miss, That 1 will very willingly endeavour to do the next time you come to me. — In the meantime, forget not to beg of God to give his blessing and success to such as desire and strive to instruct you in the ways of life and happiness, and to give you grace to follow their godly instructions and admonitions, in words to the following purpose. THE PRAYER. O MERCIFUL God, and lover of souls, bless the pious endeavours of such as are appointed to instruct me in the ways of truth and godliness : — leave me not to my own choice, but give me a heart always open to receive the truth, and a constant resolution to ob- serve and obey it ; and that I may remember thee, my Creator, all my days, cheerfully embrace salvation by thy Son our Lord, and submit to his government, — let thy Holy Spirit ever accompany me, and inspire me with sound principles of virtue, religion, and holi- ness, for thy mercy's sake in Christ Jesus. Amen, for the Indians, 55 DIALOGUE IX. Being an Abstract of the former Dialogues and Instructions, INDIAN. * Kind Sir, I am come to put you in mind of your promise to instruct me, how I may become a member of that society to which you * M so many blessings do belong* Miss, I would now do it, but upon second thoughts I am of opinion, it will be best for you, that I put you again in mind of the truths you have already learned, and assented to, that you may be able to answer it to your own reason, and to every one who shall ask you, — * Why you choose to be a Christian?' — And that yoiir faith being surely established, you may be con- vinced that it is your interest, as well as duty, to make such a choice ; and that you may not hereafter become a scandal to the Christian religion, or be tempted to forsake it, on account of any difficulties you may meet with, or the bad examples of wicked men who pro- fess it. Ind. ' I heartily thank you for so kind a proposal ; and I will hear you most willingly.' Miss, You have declared already that you are fully convinced, that there is but one God of all the nations of the world; — that is, — a Being, most wise, most powerful, most holy, most jv>st, and good, — who, after he had made the world, and all things in it, by his great power, made man, and endued him with reason and understanding, to the end he might have a crea- ture on earth capable of knowing and honouring his Maker. Ind. ' X am most fully convinced of this, and do most firmly believe it.' Miss, How then do you think it comes to pass, that so many people endued with reason are so far from D 4 56 j4n Instruction being an honour to that God on whom they depend for life and breath, and all things which they enjoy or hope for, — that they neither fear nor love, nor ho- nour, nor are concerned to please him ? Ind, * I have not, Sir, forgotten the account you gave me, — how this came to pasb ; — how the first parents of mankind came to fall from that happy temper and condition in which they were made, — by yielding to the temptation of an evil spirit, and breaking a strict command which their Maker had given them for a trial of their obedience. — And what a sad change and disorder was thereby made ir* their nature, and in the world, inasmuch that both they, and their posterity, which inherited their corrupt nature, became prone to evil, and subject to sin, and death, and to all the sorrows, miseries, and afflictions, which lead to death ; — and that this was the true occasion of all the mischiefs and wickedness which we see and hear of in the world.' Miss, I am very glad you remember this so well. — For indeed, without the knowledge of this unhappy fall of man, and the corruption of our nature, which followed, you can never fully understand, nor truly value, the wisdom, the justice, the mercy, and the good- ness of God; nor would the Christian religion appear to you so great a blessing as it really is. Ind. * You will be so kind as to explain this to me a little more particularly ; that I may embrace it with full satisfaction, and never forsake it.* Miss, You will remember then what I told you be- fore: — that we know and are assured of this by a writing which came from God, of which we have most undoubted proofs, and by which we are informed how merciful God was in sparing the lives of these our unhappy parents, which they had forfeited by their great offence, and this for the sake of his beloved Son, who undertook to see his justice fully satisfied, and to use all proper means to make men senrible of their offences, and bring them back to the duty they owe to their Maker. for the Indians, 57 That in order to this his Son, who his called Christ, and from whom we Christians have our name^ came down froni heaven to earth, and was made man, and conversed with men : — and declared unto them, as he was the Son of the Most High God, and had a tender compassion for poor sinners, so he had under- taken to be a Peace-maker between God and them ; — and that he was a messenger sent from him to make his will known unto men ; — and that God had com- mitted the government of all mankind to him. All which God himself confirmed by a voice from heaven \ — And his Son, when on earth, convinced all who were disposed to receive the truth, that these things were true by his doing such wonderful works as none but God could do; — by the holiness of his life ; — by the most righteous laws which he gave unto menr-and above all, by his rising again from the dead, after he had, by wicked hands, been murdered. Ind, * All this I remember, and only desire you will repeat the messtige which this Wonderful Person brought from God to men. Miss, In the first place he made known to them their miserable condition by nature and practice : and that it was yet a condition not without hope — that as his justice could not let sin go unpunished, — so his goodness would not let his unhappy creatures be ruined, except they obstinately refused to accept of the merciful terms proposed to them. " That therefore God had been pleased, for his Son's sake, to promise, — that all such as should be made sensible of their bad condition, and would return to the duty which they owe to their Maker, should have all their past offences pardoned, should be received into his favour again, and be made for ever happy with him ; — but that all who knew this, and would not re- ceive, and thankfully comply with, so kind an offer, should die in their sins, and be punished without mercy. » Matt. iii. 17. d5 581 An Instruction In a word, that their happiness or misery would de- pend upon their good or bad behaviour in this world. For tha- \Jod had appointed a day in which he would judge the world most righteously, — reward the truly penitent and good, and punish those that continue obstinate and wicked \ Ind, *Will you now, Sir, be so good as to let me know the way which this wonderful person did make use of to prevail with men to embrace this most kind message of God to men V Miss. In the first place, — he showed them, what a tender compassion God had for his unhappy creatures, who were wilfully going on in the way of ruin, without Eerceiving it : — and that he was so good as to send is own Son from heaven to save them from de- struction. He told them further — that the sins of men were so many, so great and universal, that no less a satisfac- tion would be accepted for their pardon than the death of his own Son; that therefore he had taken upon himself the cause of sinners, and put himself in their place and stead, that he might suffer and die for them. And God, to show men how well he was satisfied with his Son's sufferings for the sins of men, raised him from death, and set him at his own right-hand ; where he lived for ever, to make intercession for all such as come unto God by him^. Ind. * All this I remember, and I cannot but admire the great love of God and Christ for such unworthy creatures. — Pray, have any other ways been taken of bringing men to a sense of the duty they owe to their Maker, and of promoting their happiness V Miss. I hope you have not fcirgot wliat I told you, — that Christ, after his ascent into heaven, sent down the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles in a most won- derful manner, who established that society v;hich we ' Acts xvii. *U. 2 Heb. vii. 25. /or the Indians, 59 call the Church of Christ, as the most proper means of bringing men to the knowledge of the true God — of salvation by his Son, — and of engaging in the regular and faithful discharge of the several duties they owe to God, to themselves, and to all mankind. For in that society he has appointed certain persons his ministers, who are to watch for the souls of men as Ihey that must give account of them * ; — to let them know what they must do to be saved ; — to minister to men the means of g: ice and salvation ; — to instruct the ignorant ; — to comfort and help the weak, and raise up them that fall ; — to offer up to God supplica" tions, prayers, intercessions, and thanks for all men ; •—and, in one word, to endeavour that all men may attain that happiness, which Jesus Christ has pur- chased by his most precious blood. Ind, * This I have not forgot : — nor what you told me further, — that forasmuch as God Lad determined to judge mankind according to their behaviour in this life, he has given to Christians certain laws and rules, by which they shall be judged to happiness or misery, at that great day ; and that these laws and rules are to be found in that book which you call the Word of God, because it was written by men appointed of God. May I beg you to give me a short account of that book V Miss, In the first part of those Scriptures, called the Old I'estament, we have an account of the creation of the world, and of God's infinite power, wisdom, justice, and goodness in the government of it : — we have there an account, as I told you, of the original happiness of our first parents, and of their sinful fall from that condition ? — we have also encouraging notices of the recovery of mankind from this sad con- dition, — and are informed how, in all ages, God has often protected and blessed the good, and punished the wicked ; — in order to convince men, that he sees 1 Heb. xiii. I7. d6 60 An Instruction and orderetli all things for his own glory, and the good of his creatures. In that part of the Scriptures which we call the Gospel^ — we have a particular account of the life of Christ ; — his most perfect example ; — his most holy precepts; — some of his numberless and wonderful miracles: — how he was approved of God to be his Son, and the Messenger of his will to men : how he was by wicked hands crucified and slain : that he died, was buried, and that all these his sufferings were a proper atonement for our sins ; — that he rose again the third day from the dead; — conversed with his fol- lowers, and in their sight ascended into heaven ; from whence he sent down the Holy Ghost, who enabled them to speak all manner of languages ; — that they might by this astonishing miracle prove their mis- sion, and be able to teach all men these wonderful things, and bring them to the knowledge of the truth, that they might be saved : — and lastly, how great number of all the then known world embraced the Christian rehgion ; — that is, all such as feared God, and were concerned to save themselves from that wicked generation, saw plainly, that the Christian religion was most agreeable to reason, and the bless- ings it proposed to men, greater than all the world besides could give them. Ind, * Will you be so good as to repeat again the chief of those great truths, and the blessing you speak of?* Miss, The truths which it concerns us to know, and which the Christian religion, and that only, teaches us, are such as these : — Tliat we are fallen under God's displeasure, and yet may be restored to his favour, and have all our offences pardoned through the satisfaction of our Lord Jesus Christ : that our life here is only a state oPlrial, and a passage to a life either of happiness or misery, which is to last for ever ; that this happiness or misery will be according to our behaviour here, — and that we should so live, for the Indians. 61 as to glorify God, and be blessings to ourselves and others. In short, — the Christian religion proposes a re- medy for all the evils we arc subject to, which we either feel or fear ; and is designed to restore men to that holy temper which is absolutely necessary to fit them for heaven and happiness ; — that is, to make them truly good and just, wise for themselves, kind, sober, chaste, and temperate, peaceable, and useful in their generation. — And it will be purely their own fault if they are not such ; for this religion affords them all the encouragement and assistance, that theii case can possibly demand, or their hearts can reason- able desire. Ind, *You have, Sir, fully convinced me of the great blessing of being a Christian; for which I heartily t^ank you.' Miss. Give God the thanks ; it is he only can open your eyes, to see both your danger, and your interest. Ind. * If I shall not be too troublesome, I would only ask you at present, what answer I shall give to such of our people as shall press me to tell them, — Why lam resolved to become a Christian?* Miss. After what you have already learned, you can tell them the truth, that you found you wanted some- thing which you had not in yourself, to make your mind easy, and your condition safe ; — that your own reasoii convinced you, that such a creature as O! m could not be made, and sent into the world, only to eat and drink, and live and die, as the beasts of the field ; — that you had often wished to know for what end the Great God made men ; what service they owe him : — whether the way you were in was pleasing or displeasing to him ; — and often wished to know, — What becomes of men after they die, and leave this world. You can tell them, that none with whom you had conversed could give 'you any reasonable satisfaction concerning these matters, until, meeting with sober 62 An Instruction people among Christians, you have been convinced, — That you and many other people and nations had lost the knowledge of the only true God, who made the world, and all things in it ; — and that Christians have among them a writing, which gives them a full and most worthy account of that great and good Being; — how he made of one blood all the nations of the earth * : — what excellent and innocent creatures he made the first parents of mankind ^ ; and how they and their posterity came to be changed so much for the worse, and subject to such evil dispositions, to so many miseries and afflictions as now we see they are. By whose writings you can tell them. Christians are assured how wonderfully good and kind God will be to such as diligently seek him ^, and desire to please him ; and that all who are not enemies to themselves may be as happy as their own hearts can wish. You can tell the^ moreover, — that God has made known in these writings, what men endued with rea- son ought to do, and what to avoid, if they hope to please their Maker and their Lord ; what great hap- piness they will deprive themselves of, if they strive not to know, and do his will ; for that such as repent of their sins, believe in the Saviour he has sent, and obey his commands, will, when they die, be happy for ever ; — free from fear ; from the malice of their ene- mies, from pain, from sorrow, from cares, from oppress sion, from sickness, and from misery after deaths : and enjoy all the blessedness of which their nature is capable. — And that such as have not been careful to please their Maker, shall be condemned to everlasting misery. If they ask you, as to be sure they will, how Christ- ians can be assured, that these writings and truths came from God ? — You may assure them, that, if any man sincerely desires to know God's will, he shall find such pr.iofs as shall convince him that these writings, am of' * Acts xvii. 26. 2 Gen. i. ii. iii. 3 Heb. xi. G. for the Indians. 63 and the doctrines they contain, are from God, and not of men ^, If they tell you, as they did before, that many who call themselves Christians live as if not one word of those Scriptures were true : you may assure them, that all good Christians are much concerned for the offence these give to you and to others ; that indeed they are not true Christians, but such as, being unwilling to for- sake their sins, u id resolved to follow their lusts with- out disturbance, strive to forget the truths they have learned, because the remembrance of them makes them uneasy; and being by a just judgment of God left to themselves, they have at last lost all sense of the dreadful punishment which hangs over their heads ; — that this falling away of Christians from their holy profession, and turning the grace of God, which teaches them to deny all ungodliness^ and worldly lusts, into wantonness^ is so far from being an objection to the truth of Christianity, that it is an argument for it; since this was foretold by the divinely inspired penmen of the Holy Scriptures, that there would be some, who would hold the truth in unrighte- ousness, and others that would draw hack to perdition^ and quite forsake the holy commandments. Ind, ' Kind Sir, your repetition of these things, for which I am most thankful, has confirmed me in my earnest desire and purpose to become a Christian, — and I beseech you once more to instruct me what will be reqliired of me in order to be made a member of that society, which you call the Church of Christ.' Miss. That I will gladly do when you come to me again. And may that Good Spirit, which has put this purpose into your heart, keep you in this good disposition ; and do not yourself forget to beg of God that he may perfect the good work which he has be- gun in you. * John vii. 17. 64 An Instruction for the Indians, THE PRAYER. Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, grant me grace to withstand the temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh, that I may never follow, nor be led by them. Keep it ever in the heart of thy servant, that it is in- deed an evil and bitter thing to forsake the Lord, that I may never return to the sins I have repented of. Make me ever mindful of my infirmities, that I may look up to thee for help and assistance; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may, by thy mighty aid, be defended and com- forted in all dangers and adversities, through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. — Amen, AN ESSAY TOWARDS AN INSTRUCTION FOR THE INDIANS. PART II. Of Baptism, and the Lord's Supper ; tJie Creed, ike Lord's Prayer, and the Commandments, explained. DIALOGUE X. Of Baptism, missionary. I AM glad to see you here again so soon. It is a good sign that you are in earnest, and sincerely de- sirous of becoming a Christian. Ind, * Indeed, Sir, so I am. You have convinced me, that it is my interest as well as duty to be a Christian.' Miss, I must not suffer you to be under such a mistake : — It was not I alone that could convince you ; — It was the good Spirit of God, who is always ready to enlighten the minds, and open the hearts, of such as are in fear for themselves, and would gladly know the 66 An Instruction will of God, and the way to please him. I am only his messenger to you, and I hope, for your everlasting good. Ind * I hope so too ; — and therefore am now come to be instructed, — " How I may be admitted into the society of Christian people." * Miss, You must know, then, that Christ the Son of God, and the Head and Governor of that society, has appointed two holy ordinances, which we call SACRAMENTS, to be of perpetual use in his Church, — as SIGNS, SEALS, and pledges of God's fulfilling his promises of blessing upon our compliance with the rules of our duty ; and by which he has determined to bestow his favours and blessings on such as are worthy of them : — The one is called baptism, or the ivashing of water, a figure of regeneratio7if by which all that are well disposed and qualified are to be received into his church, which is the society of all Christian people throughout the world : the other sacrament is called, the Lord's Supper, and appointed by Christ himself as an especial means by which that society is to keep up the remembrance of what he has done and suffered to redeem them from misery. By the sacrament of baptism, God is graciously pleased to enter into covenant with his poor crea- tures, whereby he promises, on his part, to take them under his especial protection, and to give them all that is necessary to tit them for heaven and happiness, when thy die ; and Christians, on their part, bind themselves to become Christ's faithful servants unto their lives' end. Ind, ' Sir, you often mention your being God's servants, and serving God ; — Does God want any ser- vice that we can do him V Miss. No, truly; he stands in no need of our prayers, our praises, or our services. — They cannot profit him : but he having given us certain commands about our addressing ourselves to him in adorations, supplications, and thanhsgivings ; when we obey these for the Indians, 67 ,m only rlasting iw come into the :he Son society, we call urch, — ling his ith the oined to worthy ivashinff all that ved into I people s called, himself to keep suffered aciously )r crea- e them all that Dpiness, t, bind Xs unto God's my ser- of our cannot imands rations, y these commands, (though purely for our own good) he is graciously pleased to deem it serving, honouring, and glorifying him, though in truth, we only profit our- selves hereby. Ind, * You will be pleased to let me know when and how Christ appointed the sacrament of baptism V Miss. Just before he left this world, he gave his Apostles, who were his ministers, this command, — * Go ye, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you \' Now here are several things which I would havS you carefully observe and remember : — First, the ab- solute necessity of believing and receiving the message which God sent to the world by his Son : — Secondly, the necessity of being joined to his Church by baptism, when that blessing can be obtained: — Thirdly, the dreadful condition of such as obstinately continue in their unbelief, when the Gospel is preached to them : — And lastly, observe the very strict command of Christ to his ministers, first to teach, but then to teach only^ whatever he has commanded ; by which true ministers of Christ are to be known from false teachers. Ind. ' How is baptism administered V Miss. By dipping the person under water, or pouring or sprinkling water upon him, at the same time pro- nouncing these words : * I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ?* Ind. * What do you mean by being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and of the Holy Ghost V Miss, It is to show that men, who through the cor- ruption of their nature are no more worthy to be called the children of God, are by the washing of regenera- tion, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, born as it were again, and made new creatures, and thus admitted into a new covenant, on condition of their entering into a solemn engagement to believe and obey whatever is » Matt, xxviii. 10, 20. 68 An Instruction commanded in the Gospel of Christ, in the name or by the authority of God the Father, who created them ; of God the Son, who redeemed them ; and of God the Holy Ghost, who enlightens and sanctifies them. Ind, * Are all persons capable of baptism V Miss. Yes : — both infants and grown persons. Ind. * What is required oi those persons who are grown to years of discretion, in order to their baptism V Miss. Faith and repentance ; that is, to believe sin- cerely all the doctrines of the Gospel, and to repent of all former sins. Ind. * But what if he fall again into sin ?' * Miss. It is then necessary that he should restore himself to the benefits of his baptism by a renewal of his repentance. Ind. * But why are infants baptized, who are not capable of these qualifications V Miss. Though they are not capable of faith and repentance, they are capable of being admitted into covenant with God, as the children of the Jews were, b}^ the especial appointment of God, by circumcision. Ind. * What is meant by washing with water such as are baptized V Miss. It is an outward sign or token, signifying, and assuring us, from Christ himself, that as our bodies are made clean by water, so surely the souls of all who are true believers and penitents, being thus dedicated to God, are cleansed from all past sins, and are put into the way of salvation, by being admitted into the church of Christ, and made members of his mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people. — And lastly, — we are by the words used in this ordi- nance, made to understand, how our salvation is brought about; that is to say, — bg God the Father who loved us, even after we had rebelled against him ; — Eg his Sou, who purchased salvation for us ; — and bg the Holg Ghost who sanctified us. Ind. * Pray, Sir, explain this a little clearer and fuller to me.' Miss. You must know then, that — the washing with for the Indians, 69 le or by them ; rod the 1. iS. ho are ptism V 3ve sin- repent restore ewal of are not Ith and ted into s were, ftcision. }r such ng, and bodies all who dicated )utinto church body, ople. — ordi- tion is Father ;t him ; ; — and 3r and ig with water in the name of the Father ^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghost , confirms and seals to the person thus washed, the covenant of repentance for the remission of sins, of which covenant Christ is the Mediator ; for by him only we have access to the Father : — We are horn in sin, and liable to the displeasure of our Maker ; but by embracing and complying with the terms of the Gospel, we become children of God, according to the new covenant^ ; and by outward sensible signs or sacra- ments, are confirmed in the hopes of eternal life, the free gift of God, through Jesus Christ ou: Lord : Ijut then remember, if you do not endeavour to live in obedience to the commands of your heavenly Father, it will be no profit to you at all to be called the child of God. Lastly, by baptism you are admitted into the hope of everlasting happiness, and to a title to the inheritance of the saints, upon your believing, embracing, and obeying the gracious terms of the Gospel of the blessed Jesus. God will then treat you as a father does the child he loves; — he will, upon your hearty repent- ance, and sincere return to your duty, pity your mani- fold infirmities, smA. forgive all your past offences. He will correal you in mercy when you do what would hurt yourself; and will upon your prayers, for the sake of his Son Jesus Christ, give you the grace of his all-powerful Spirit, to guide, assist, comfort, and sup- port you in the way leading to everlasting life. Lid. * Had I no right to these blessings before I was baptized V Miss, — Consider what favours they are, and you will find nothing in yourself that can deserve such ^. Can sinful dust and ashes pretend to heavenly privi- leges, the favour of God, and the graces of his Holy Spirit ? Can corrupt nature think of deserving, or be capable of glory, and honour, and immortality ? Endeavour to know yourself better, that being truly * Gal. iv. 7> Rom. viii. 15. 2 Rom. iii. 23. 70 An Instruction humbled with a sense of your own vileness and misery, you may thankfully accept of help and mercy from God. — For they that are whole need not a physician^ hut they that are sick \ And seeing God has promised to do so much for you, be persuaded to do somathing for yourself. Ind. *What can so miserable a creature do for himself?' Miss, You can lament your own unworthiness, and pray God to pity you.— You can use the graces he bestoweth upon yr^^ and be thankful for his favours. — You can do your best, and his goodness will expect no more. Ind. * Was the sacrament of baptism ordained by Christ himself?' Miss, It was, in these words — Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost ^, — Which command the Apostles of Christ observed : — they preached the Gospel, and as many as believed, them they baptized '. By this sacrament, adding to the Church such as should be saved*, — Holding it necessary to baptize with water even those that had received the Holy Ghost^, — Teaching us that this command of Christ, where it may be duly observed, is not to be neglected on any account whatever. Ind. *What further use am I to make of this sacrament ?' Miss, It ought always to bring to your remem- brance, that you are a Christian : that you have a Qiew name and new powers, given you, on purpose that you may become a 7iew creature. If you are indeed a child of God, you will think what a dutiful child ought to do. — You will fear his ' Matt. ix. 12. ♦ Acts. ii. 47. Matt, xxviii. 19. ^ Acts ii. 41| 5 Acts X, 47. for the Indians. 71 misery, y from fsician, uch for >• do for ss, and r^^ and expect led by ach all er, and served : ilieved, uch as )aptize Holy [Jhrist, lected >f this mem- tiave a e that think ar his displeasure, and trust in his love : you will pray to him for what you want, and be thankful to him for what he gives ; and you will own his affection when he corrects f as well as when he smiles upon you. If you look for an inheritance in heaven, your thoughts will be often thfire : for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also \ And you will not be too eager or anxious for the things of this world — you will neither be much afraid of its troubles, nor too fond of its vanities, remember- ing that both will soon have an end. — And as you ever hope to go to heaven, you will en- deavour to Jit yourself for that glorious place : — Re- membering, — that without holiness no man shall see the Lord '\ The sure promise of God will not suffer you to de- spair : — and the joy that is set before you will en- courage you to press forwards. You will be thankful to God for calling you to this state of salvation ; — and gladly undertake the condi- tions he requires of you. What these conditions are, you shall know the next time I see you. But first, with a thankful heart, say, THE PRAYER. Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, I give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call me to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee, increase this knowledge, and confirm this faitli in me evermore. Heal all the evil inclinations of my soul ; and create in me a hearty love unto holiness, that continuing thy servant, I may attain thy pro- mises, and be made a partaker of thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, » Matt. vi. 21. 2 Heb. xii. 14. 11. 72 An Imtmction DIALOGUE XI. The conditions required of stick as are to be haptir.ed. INDIAN. * The last time I waited upon you, you were pleased to promise to instruct me in those conditions that persons are required to know, and promise to perform, in order to be baptized.* Miss. I shall gladly do this. — As Christ will most surely keep the promise he has made of many great and valuable blessings : — so you must on your part promise, To renounce the devil and all his ivorks : The world and all its evil ivays and customs : And the fleshy and all its sinful lusts. And secondly, That you tihH receive and believe the truths and message which God sent unto men by his Son, which are contained in the Holy Scriptures of the New Tes~ tamenfi and summed up in what we call the Apostles' Creed. - . And lastly. You must promise to use the utmost diligence, and sincere endeavours^ to keep the commands of God all the days of your life. And here, on one hand, I would not discourage you, so on the other, i must tell you the truth, — that these things are not so easily performed as promised. Ind. ' I see I must give you the trouble of explain- ing yourself further : — I shall be glad, therefore, to know what sort of life is required of a person that is come to years of discretion, after he is baptized, that I may not promise what I do not perfectly understand, nor undertake more than I am able to perform.' Miss. You remember, I hope, what I have often told you, — * That this life is a state of trial;* — that God having prepared the greatest happiness for such as b hem heh theii hear triah by s< and the fore for the Indians, 73 thed. were itions ise to most great jr)art f and vhick Tes^ )stles' and d all irage -that 3d. )lain- •e, to lat is that tand, often -that such as believe in him, love^ honoiiTy and obey him, — that lie may make them fit for the reward he intends them, he hath determined to try their faith, their love, and their obedience, — Not that he is ignorant of their hearts and their sincerity : but his design is by these trials to shew them to themselves, and to humble them by seeing how much they must depend upon his grace and help; — and to shew the power of his grace over the greatest adversaries of their souls, — He has ^here- fore permited evil spirits to make this trial, by tempt' ing men to the sins which they renounced at their baptism. Ind, * I remember what you told me concerning the DEVIL and his evil spirits ; — that they are such as rebelled against their Maker, and for that sin were cast out of heaven ; — that their evil nature leads them to tempt and draw men from the true God ; — and that God permits them to try the faith of Christians, and to execute his judgments upon sinners. — Besides these enemies of our souls, I remember what you told me, and what I find true by experience, that we have an enemy within ourselves, even our own corrupt na- ture, very prone to evil ; and that we have also an evil world, and evil examples, to lead us to forget or to neglect God, and our own promise.* Miss, I am glad you remember these things so well. — I must, therefore, now give you the necessary advice, which our Lord Christ has given to all such as design to become Christians ; — that is, to do what all wise men will do, who have any thing of moment to under- take. — * To sit down and consider, what it is to be a Christian ^,' lest afterwards you expose to shame and disgrace the religion you profess, as too many do. Tnd. * I heartily thank you. Sir, for this caution and advice : — and beg you will let me know the sins I may be tempted to ; — and how I may oppose and avoid falling into them/ , , » Lukexiv.28. i ■ * E 74 An Instruction Miss. The sins to which the devil and his evil spirits are most eagerly bent to tempt men, — are first of all, to forsake the true and only God, to trust in them- selves, and to fear and worship other beings. — This is called IDOLATRY, and provokes God to give such per- sons up — to a mind void of judgment y — to commit all iniquity with greediness *, — This is the sad case of all the nations of the world, who worship not the true God. — They are under the power of Satan, his angels, and his agents; and so are you, until, through the favour and mercy of God, and in the proper exercise of faith and obedience, you are received into his church and family. Revenge, and murder that too often follows it, are Satan s darling temptations : b}' which millions of souls have been sent out of this world. — This is what you must resolve against as a sin more especially hated of God. — If you are injured or oppressed, you must leave your cause to God: — He, and he only, knows what punishment every injury and injustice re- quire : and will call offenders to an account in his own proper time. It is true, revenge is sweet and tempt- ing to our corrupt nature ; but corrupt nature you must not follow, if you resolve to be the servant of God. Another sin, which the devil tempts men to, is lying; HE IS THE FATHER OF LIES, and would have all men like himself; because he knows that God has declared, that such as love and make lies *, shall have no in- heritance in his kingdom. This you will consider and resolve against, as you hope for the favour of God. There is another very dangerous error, to which men are strongly tempted : that is, — to be proud, and to have a high conceit of their own reason, wisdom, and ability to know and to do what is good, and best for themselves. Nbw this pride and self-conceit takes men off from their dependence upon God, his ivill and » Rom. i. 28. 2 Rev. xxii. 15» for the Indians, 75 wordt by which alone we can know what we must do to he saved; — upon what terms God will pardon a sin- ner ; and what will become of us when we die. Now nothing can provoke God more, than for us poor creatures to think, that wo want not his help, his grace, and light. Lastly, you must know, — that the devil hath his agents in every place : These are — men of wicked lives y and wicked principles: — who make a mock of sin ; who fear not to blaspheme that God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Now the Spirit of God has assured us, that conversation loith such persons will corrupt good manners \ Here then will be your trial ; and you ought to consider beforehand, whether the pleasure of such company should prevail with you to neglect the council of God; whicn is, to avoid them as you would avoid your own destruction : or whether you will run the hazard of being ruined for ever, by conversing with such wicked persons. The next thing, which at your baptism you promise to renounce is, * the world and all its evil customs and manners; — as, also, all the sinful lusts of the flesh, so that you will not follow, nor be led by them.' Ind. * I am afraid Sir, that, without your instruc- tions, I shall not understand this as I ought.* Miss, You will remember, that this is not the world for which you were chiefly made ; nor must you look for any true and lasting happiness here. Now you will meet with many things in the world which will tempt you with an appearance and show of happiness; and if you are not resolved to avoid them, they will turn your heart from the love of God and the care of your soul. Ind. * You will be so kind as to let me know what these are.' Miss, The Spirit of God will tell you : — They are * the lusts of the flesh.' — that is, all sinful, unchaste, 1 1 Cor. XV. 38. e2 76 An Instruction and impure pleasures, and whatever leads to such sins. Secondly i * the lust of the eyes,' that is, all sinful and covetous desires, and love of riches. And thirdly, * the pride of life ' ;' or an excessive value of them- selves, accompanied with an unreasonable desire of the esteem of the world. Ind. * Pray let me know more particularly what are the lusts " of the flesh," which I am to resolve against.' Miss. I will repeat to you the very words of God, that you may be convinced I do not tell you any thing but what will be necessary to your salvation. Now these worJcs of the flesh are mamfest ; that is, they may easily be known by an}' considering person, though never so unlearned, to be displeasing to a good and holy God. Such as adultery, whoredom, idolatry, ivitchcraft, drunkenness, hatred, malice, revenge, strife, seditions, murders, revelling^, and such like. Now however tempting many of these sins may be, — you must sit down, consider, and resolve against them, or never hope for the favour of God. Ind. ' You will now let me know what is meant by ** the lust of the eyes." ' Miss, ' I told you before that it is the eager and covetous desire of riches. And that you may be con- vinced how dangerous a sin that is, you may hear what Christ himself has said, — That it is very hard for rich men to he good Christians ^ ; because they are so much exposed to many evils and temptations, — such as these following: — They that have riches are apt to love them too much — to put their trust in them, and to forget their dependence upon God; to lord it over and oppress their inferiors ; and to make 2}rovision for the flesh, tofulfilfhe lusts thereof: and this may be the true reason, iv/iy our blessed Saviour says, it is so hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God ; because being exempted from all the toil and care of life, he is » 1 John ii. 16. 2 Gal. V. 19, 20, 21. 3 Matt. xix. 23. for the Indians. 77 apt to enter too far into the pleasures of it, and to say to his soul, soul, take thine ease, and enjoy the good things before thee; — whereas, our portion here is labour and exercise, not full enjoyment. The business of our salvation is a great work, which cannot be effected without diligence, and zeal, and earnest contention ; but he that his unacquainted with labour, will scarce take the pains that is required, towards working out his salvation, and making his calling and election sure. Besides all these, — great wealth is often attended with such cares as choke the good seed^ sown in the hearts of men, that is, the holy desires, and good reso- lutions, which are wrought in men by the Spirit of God, so that this good seed becometh unfruitful. And though riches may be made use of to good purposes, yet it will require a more than ordinary grace of God so to use them ; which extraordinary grace is seldom asked by, and therefore seldom given, to such whose hearts are possessed with the love of riches. Ind. ' One would conclude then, — that Christians ought not to desire riches so eager as generally they do ; — nor ought they who want them to think them- selves unhappy or not beloved of God.' Miss. That is very true. And they who will not be convinced of these truths, by what God has de- clared in his word, will one day be convinced by sad experience, when it may be too late to do them any service. Ind. * Must then every man Who would save his soul, renounce the thoughts of riches V Miss. No : riches may be used to many good pur- poses. A great Apostle of Jesus Christ tells you how ; — ' Charge (says he) them who are rich in this world, that they he not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, hut in the living God, ivho gives us richly all ^ Matt. xiii. 22. E 3 78 An Instruction things to enjoy : — That they do good, that they he rich in good works, ready to distributCt willing to commu- nicate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foun- dation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life \' But still they are dangerous things ; — they are fluctuating and precarious ; the means, not the end of happiness : — They may be in- struments of giving large scope to virtue ; great bless- ings in the hands of the upright ; to the good of his own soul, and the welfare of mankind ; — But they are thorns and snares in the ivay of the froward ^. Ind. * What advice will you give me, that I may neither desire nor enjoy them too eagerly V Miss, That you may not endeavour by unjust ways to better your condition, you will find these words of Jesus Christ in his Gospel; — What tvill it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own souP ? To moderate your desires, consider that the more you have, the more you must account for. To make you more contented, you must know, that men are not happy, because they have a great deal, but because God gives them power to enjoy what they have, be that more or less. That the favours of God may not tempt you to idleness, remember, — That slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep ; that is, it makes men insensible of what concerns the next world, and in this world — covers them with rags *. And, lastly, if you let no worldly business hinder you from serving God daily, it will keep in your mind a constant sense of your dependence upon him,, and make you set your thoughts upon another world, to which this is only a passage. Ind. * Pray instruct me how I may best avoid temptations.' ' 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19. '' Mark viii. 30. - Prov. xxii. 5. ' Prov. xxiii. 21. for the Indians. 79 Miss, The directions I give you shall be short and plain, and suited to your condition. Let this be ever in your mind, that sin is the worst of all evils, — for all other evils will have an end, at farthest when you die ; but sin will make you miser- able for ever. Remember that you are naturally inclined to sin, that the devil will tempt you to it, and that God only can save you. And then you will never trust in your own strength, but in the living God. To him therefore you will constantly pray for help, and if y 021 draw nigh to him, he will draw nigh to you^. And yet you must not expect God's assistance without using your own endeavours ; for that is to tempt the Lord, If sinners entice you, you must not consent unto them"^ : for they are the devil's instruments. If you fall into evil company, you must go out of it immediately, and not walk in the way with them, lest God forsake you. When the Holy Spirit of God puts into your mind good desires, or checks you for doing ill, you must obey the voice of God; and he will love you, and pre- serve you from your spiritual enemies, and from v jr- lasting death. Ind. ' You will now be pleased to explain io mo THAT PRIDE OF LIFE, wliicli a Christian renounces at his baptism.' Miss. By the pride of life, is meant, — that great opinion, which through the corruption of nature, all people are apt to have of themselves ; with an. eager, restless, and immoderate desire after every thing that may distinguish them from others, which may set them high in the esteem of the world. Now this jjride of life is the occasion of many evils. M James iv. 8, 2 Prcn-. i. 10. E 4 a 80 An Instruction which are highly displeasing to God, and must be resolved against by every good Christian. The evils are these that Ibllow : They who are under the power of this vice, are more concerned for the esteem of the world, than how to please God. They are, therefore, too often tempted to support the good opinion of the world, by laying that out on vanity, which should be the support of their families, or of the poor ; and they are too apt to despise the poor, as if they were not creatures of the same kind with themselves. They look upon all the advantages or blessings they have, whether in their persons, or in their possessions, as their due ; and are therefore ge- nerally unthankful to God, and roh him of the honour of his own gifts ; — in short, they are angry, when thoy are not valued as they think they deserve ; they are apt to be discontented, and to think that they deserve more than they have ; to repine at their misfortunes ; and overlook their own infirmities; and are therefore utter strangers to that humility, which nmst recom- mend them to the grace and favour of God ; For he resisieth the proud and giveth grace to tlie humhle^, hid. * Since this pride of life and heart is so natural to us, what can cure us of it ?' Miss. Nothing hut the grace of God, and possecs- ing your heart with things of greater moment. Consider, that you are liable to eternal misery ;— That your great business in this world is to prepare fo" a happy death, and the day of judgment ; and you will be very indifferent about several things which you now take too much pleasure in. For which reason you will neither study to be vain and foolish in your dress, nor singular nor conceited in your opinions, but imitate such as are sober- minded ; as knov/ing. That the ornament of a meek and humbt? spirit ^ is in the sight of God of great price, and should therefore be your great concern. J 1 Peter v. 5. 2 1 Peter iii. 4. for the Indians, 81 And then, if you remember, — that you have nothing that you have not received \ — nothing but what you must give an account for, you will have more reason tc fear, than to he proud of your advantages. Ind, * Well, Sir, I see sufficient reason why every one, who purposes to become a Christian, should re- nounce the devil, and all his works, — the vanities of the world, and the lusts of the flesh. — I am also convinced of the great advantage those will reap, who are able to overcome these difficulties. — But them I am dis- couraged exceedingly, when I see so many, who have undertaken to be Christians upon these conditions, in a manner renounce that religion afterwards, — either finding it impossible to observe these conditions, or thinking that they are not so very necessary to salva- tion as you say they are.* Miss. Believe not this because of our saying so 07ily ; but because the God of truth and mercy hath so said, who would have all men come to the knowledge of the truth, and requires nothing to be done or avoided by Christians, but what is absolutely neces- sary to their salvation ; and which he will enable them to perform, if it is not plainly their own fault. As for such as call themselves Christians, but do not the things which Christ ^as commanded, you must not judge rf the Christian religion hy them, but by your own sense, and wont of a Redeemer. The Christians you speak of have never duly considered the extreme danger they are in, nor what the Son of God has declared: — That it were better for them., that a mill-stone was hanged about their necks, and they cast into the sea, than they should be the occasion of offence to ivell-disposed people ^. And indeed none serve the designs of Satan more than such sort of Christians ; and who have no other choice, but a true and timely repentance, or everlasting misery. — And repentance, one would hope they would choose, if they would 1 1 Cor. iv. 7. £ 5 Luke xvii. 2. 82 An Instruction consider the ^rcat patience of God, which ought to fill their eyes with tears, and their hearts with that shame and sorrow which is the work of true repent- ance. Do but remember what I have told you before, that a true faith in God and in his ivord, will enable you to overcome all the difficulties you can possibly meet with. It is for this reason that every one, before he takes upon himself the Christian profession, is obliged to give an account of his/«i^/i, without which it is impossible to plen--e God. Ind Having given you so much trouble already, Imust _ ot now ask you to explain to me the parti- cular-, of he Christian /«i^A, but with your leave I will wait oil vou again very soon.' Mi'.", .S.S, soon as you can. In the mean time I must piiL you in mind — to beg of God to deliver you from the attempts of the devil and his wicked agents, who will try all ways to divert you from your good purposes — and may God keep you in the good dispo- sition you seem to be in. THE PRAYER, Almighty and most merciful Father, preserve me from all the temptations of my adversary the devil, who goeth about seeking whom be may be permitted to devour. Give me holy resolutions and a watchful spirit, that I may persevere > in tie way of godliness, and my life correspond with the purit3' f my faith. Oh ! let me never dishonour io excellent a title as that of Christian ; but do thou reign in my heart, by the spirit of grace guiding all my actions, and directing my intentions, that I may be the servant of thy divine will here, and be admitted to the holiness and glories of that state, where thou reignest for ever and ever, and art all in all. Amen. for the Indians, 83 DIALOGUE XII. The Articles of the Christian Faith practically ex- plained, INDIAN. * You told me, Sir, when I left you last — that with' out faith no man can please God^, nor ought to be ad- mitted into the society of Christians, — I am therefore now come to learn of you, what that faith iSf which Christians profess to believe, before they are baptized,' 3Iiss. You must know then, that there are many things which Christians believe, and which you will know hereafter, when you hear the holy scriptures read and explained. In the mean time there are cer- tain truths necessary to be known and believed, before you can be baptized. Jnd. * How shall I know what these truths are V Miss. For the benefit i.f young beginners, and for such as cannot read or remember many things, truths of the greatest moment, are contained in this follow- ing short account, which we call the creed, or the ARTICLES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH ; and I must pre- vail with you so to fix them in your memory, that you may not forget them as long as you live : for the be- lief of these will be a powerful means to make you holiji righteous, and happy, THE CREED, OR THE ARTICLES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth ; — and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, — who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, — born of the Virgin Mary, — suffered under Pontius PiJate, — was crucified, dead, and buried ; — he de- ,'scendcd into hell ; — the third day he rose again from » Heb. xi. 6. E G '***('■ 84 An Instruction the dead ; — he ascended into heaven ; — and sitteth at the right-hand of God, the Father Almighty ;—- from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead, I believe in the Holy Ghost; — the holy catholic Church ; — the communion of saints ; — the forgiveness of sins; — the resurrection of the body; — and the life everlasting. Amen. Ind. * I will endeavour to learn them by heart ; — and I hope I shall remember them as long as I live. And now I sliall be very thankful, if you would show me, — how the knowledge and belief of these things are necessaay to make men good, as you very justly say all Christians ought to be V Miss, Remember then, — that to believe in God, is oiot only to profess, that there is such a glorious Being, who made the world, and all things in it ; — but also to believe whatever he hath made known to us, either concerning himself, or the duties we owe to Him our^ selves, and others ; which is all contained in the holy Scriptures, written by the inspiration of God ', who can neither be deceived nor deceive us. Now in these Scriptures he hath made known to us, — that he never left himself ivithout witness ^ ; but hath given sufficient proofs of his almighty power, ivisdom, justice, goodness, and truth, in all ages of the world. — He hath made known to us, — that by his almighty 2^ower he created the world and all things in it ; — and that, by his most wonderful wisdom, he has governed and preserved it ever since it was made. That he is the author of our being, and of all the good we do or ever can enjoy ^. That he is perfectly holy, and requires all his ser- vants to be holy *. That he sees us wherever we are, and whatever we do, so that if we pray to him we are sure to be heard ; if we sin we are sure to be punished \ 1 2 Tim. iii. IG. 2 Acts xiv. 17. * I Pet. i. 15, 10. 3 Acts xvii. 28. Prov. XV. 3. for the Indians, 85 For his power is mighty to reward his faithful ser- vants, and punish the disobedient '. That he is just in all his ways ; commandeth no- thing but what is for the good of his creatures ; and never punisheth but when they truly deserve his dis- pleasure ^. That he is long-suffering, and ready to receive all that are sensible of their misery '. And, that he is a faithful God ; whatever he has promised, will certainly be performed; whatever he has threatened, will surely come to pass \ For he poverneth all things, both in heaven and earth ; and nothitig is too hard for him that he thinks Jit to do *. Now the belief of these truths is necessary to give us such worthy thoughts of the great and glorious God, as may humble us in our own eyes ; — and make us fearful of offending, and glad to please, one who has power to reward or punish such as please or offend him. — On the other hand, we shall be disposed to love him above all things, because we believe him to be the giver of all the good we either enjoy or ever hope for. — And he having made known to us, — that his eyes are in every place beholding the evil and the good " .• and that from him no secrets are hid ; — this consider- ation is proper to make us careful of our words and actions, and afraid of doing or saying any thing which may displease so great and holy a Being. — And for his justice we have the greatest reason to fear it ; be- cause he has in the Holy Scriptures made known to us many dreadful examples of his displeasure against those who have no regard to reason, or his commands ; by which we learn what we must expect, if we pro- voke him by our sins. — Lastly^ — when we sec, as we find it in his word, that this great God has been so good, as to spare men, even when they have deserved ^ Gen. xvii. 1. i Deut. vii. 9. - Gon. xviii. 25. * Jer. xxxii. 17- 3 2 Pet. iii. G. ^ Prov. XV. 3. 86 An Instruction punishment, we are hereby powerfully led to adore and admire his goodness and patience, ivhich dothy or ottyi! to lead men to repentance. Ind» * Why is God called the Father V Miss. Because he is the maker and preserver of all creatures, which, with the care and affection of a father, he watciies over continually. He is the fathci' of man, because he created hiv after his own image. Because he teacheth man knowledge ; — corrects him when he does a.iiiss ; — and rewards him when he does well. Ind. * What is meant by GodHs providence?^ Miss. Tli^ wisdom ixnd poioer of God, by which he knov fi and appoints how every thing in the world shall be, so that the wholr creation is taken care of: — not the meanest creal'ire can suffer without God's leave, either by malice or accident '. Ind. * Why then do evils befal men V Miss. Very often to piuish them, and to bring them io rc])pntance j but espi'cialhj to ivean our hearts from being t jo fond of this life ; and that we may think of, delight in, and prepare for a better. Ind. ' Doth God govern the seasons ? Do not summer and winter, spring and harvest ^, return cer- tainly at their appointed time V Miss. They do : — but then to put men in mind that they depend upon God 07ily, and not upon the seasons, for th^?ir daily bread, — the summer sometimes returns without its usual heat, and the harvest with- out its fruitfulness^. Ind, ' Have not wicked men, and wicked spirits great power of doing mischief?' 3Iiss, 'Tis true — God hath given them great power both to punish the wicked, and to try the faith of the righteous * : — But the word of God assures us, that neither men nor de'^ ils can do the least hurt, without » Matt. X. 29. 2 Hag. i. 10, 11. 3 Hag, i. 9, 10, 11. * 2 Sam. xvi. 10. for the Indians, 87 o adore iothy or rver of on of a ed him cts him he does liich ho Id shall f: — not J leave. ) bring r hearts ve may Do not rn cer- i mind on the le times t with- spirits power of the IS, that i^ithout . xvi. 10. the leave of God ; and this is the reason that there is not more mischief in the world, and that all things are not every where in confusion *. Jnd, * Of what use is it to believe, that God is our Father?* Miss. If you, indeed, believe this, you will take your Father's word for what he promiseth : be pleased for what he ordereth ; — cast all your care upon himy for he carethfor you ^ You will never abuse his goodness and lov(i -suffer' ing; for though he hath the compas^uon of father ^ yet if his children are obstinately disobedient is a God terrible in judgment ^. In all your afflictions you will have this comfort : His good for a man to be in trouble*, and to bear chas" teni/ig, if it so seemeth good to his all-wise and gracious Father ; not for his own pleasure, but our profit, as it may make us partakers of his holiness, and yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to them that are exer- cised thereby ^ Lastly, If God is your Father, your inheritance is in heaven ; which you ought frequently and seriously to think of. — ' That where your treasure is, there may your heart be also °.' Ind, * I am convinced, and do believe these per- fections of God : and I see how necessary they are to be known and believed, in order to make men /ear before him, and to love and obey him.' Miss. But you have not perhaps considered — what little comfort the belief of these things will be to a man who knows himself to be a sinner, and that as such he must needs be under the displeasure of this holy, just, and powerful God; — and yet knows not how tc be restored to his favour. Ind, * This is indeed a perplexing, tormenting thought : — and I remember what you told me before, 1 1 Job i. 11. * Psalm cxix. 7l« 2 1 Pet. V. 7. ■'■' Heb. xii. 5, &c. 3 Psalm xlvi. 3. 6 Matt. vi. 21. ^ \T 1^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 ^ 13.6 WiM I.I ■ 4.0 Hi 2.0 1 M |12S|U IJ4 < 6" - ► Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STRUT WEBSTKR.N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 N c i. ^ m An Instruction •—that, until God was pleased to let men know upon what terms he would accept of their repentance, and pardon them, the wisest men on earth could not find it out, so as to make the minds of sinners easy.* Miss, This will convince you of the great blessing of Christianity f and the great goodness and mercy of God in delivering mankind from the fear of deaths and what will certainly follow ; — which without the Gospel was the torment of sinners, and kept them in bondage all their life long ^. — How God has delivered us from this bondage, you will understand in the next article of the Christian faith. Ind, 'You will be so kind as to explain that to me.* Miss. That I will do. — But I must be obliged to repeat some truths of moment, which I have told you before; — That after the first parents of man- kind had lost their Maker's favour by their disobe- dience, and brought sin, and misery, and death into the world, — God in great pity promised them a Saviour ; one who would satisfy his justice, for the dishonour done to him by their sins, and vyould re- strain the power of that evil spirit, which had tempted them to so great a sin. Now this promised Saviour is the very person, in whom we Christians profess to believe, when we say, — We believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of our Lord. For when the world was grown exceeding wicked, and ignorant of the only true God, this his Son took upon himself the nature of man, by being born of a virgin, that as a man he might be capable of suffering for the sins or men, for which from the beginning of the world he hath engaged to suffer^, to save us from being lost for ever. Accordingly the rulers and the generality of the people of the Jews, amongst whom he was born and » Heb. ii. 15. 3 Rom. xiii. 8. for the Indians, 89 lived, being grown very corrupt and wicked, did not only reject him, and the message of salvation that he brought them from God, and the holy rules of living which he assured them were necessary to please God : but they also used him most barbarously, and at last prevailed with Pontius Pilate, the Rovmn governor, to put him to death, even against his conscience ; — which death the Son of God submitted to ; for he could easily have delivered himself out of the hands of his enemies. — Now by willingly offering himself to death, he became a sai^rifice acceptable to God for the sins of the whole world ; — and restored mankind to the favour of their Maker, upon most reasonable conditions. — And that all such as do believe in him might be assured of this, — God raised him the third day from the dead, and showed him openly. And by this most powerful proof, — declared him to he his Son; — and that whatever he had said, or done, or taught, was agreeable to his will and appointment. After this, in the sight of many, he ascended into heaven, and was set at the right hand of God: having all power granted him for the benefit of his church, to give eternal life to all such as shall believe in, and abey him \ — And lastly, we believe that this our Sa^ viour shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the living and the dead. Ind. * You will now be so good as to show me, — what effects this belief ought to have upon those that know these things.' Miss, You cannot but perceive the powerful in- fluence, which the belief of these things must needs have upon every thoughtful Christian. The person in whom we believe is the Son op THE MOST High God ; his true and proper, his only begotten, and dearly beloved Sofi. — Surely, said God himself, they will reverence my Son '. — And have not men all the reason in the world, to reverence and * John xvii. 2. 2 Matt. xxi. 37. 90 An Instruction obey him, since for us men, and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, — to redeem us, — to suffer for our sins, to declare to us his Father's readiness to pardon sinners, — and to put us in the way of salva- vation. In the next place, — we receive Jesus Christ for our Lord ; — we are therefore no longer our own mas- ters ; — but we are to do what he hath commanded. — Nor must we pretend to serve two masters^ that is, our Lordi and our own corrupt inclinations. Our Lordy is the Son of God, and as such, has all power given him in heaven and in earth ; — he is there- fore able to defend us in all assaults of our enemies ; nor need we fear the power of any adversaries of our souls. He was made man; — ^he knows, therefore, the tempt' ationSf the weaknesses, the miseries, we are subject to ; and will pity us, being as willing, as he is able, to help us in all our distress, when we call upon him. Bi/ his being obliged to suffer death in the place of sinners, — we learn how sad the condition of mankind was, since the justice of God would not be satisfied with a less sacrifice. — By this also we see the dread- ful nature of sin, how displeasing it is to God; and what punishment it must have, if it be not re* pented of. But then, for our comfort, we have this assurance, that though our sins be never so great, they cannot be greater than the price the Son of God has paid for our pardon, if we do repent and return to our duty. By the resurrection of Christ, and *"'<« ascension into heaven, our belief in him is confix J beyond any doubt ; — and he having all power with God — (for that is the meaning of sitting at his right hand) he is able to do for us more than we can ask or think. You believe that he died, was buried, and rose the third day from the dead. Then you are sure, that God can raise the dead: and therefore we hope, both for ourselves and friends, that \ shall If most for the Indians, 91 the that we shall live again for them that sleep in Jesus, shall God bring with him \ If God raised Christ from the dead, then are we most sure, that whatever he taught was true ; — what- ever he promised, will be performed; whatever he threatened, will c6me to pass ? otherwise God would not have raised him from death to life ; — for that would have been to have deceived his creatures. But further, the belief of his return from heaven to judge the world in righteousness, is a most powerful motive to awaken Christians, and oblige them to en- deavour to live answerable to their profession and belief; that their sins may not rise up in judgment against them at the great day of account. And will not this awaken you, and make you seriously prepare for that great day, by a timely repentance ? Can you think of judgment and wrath to come, and will not this terrify you from following your sins ? If the secrets of all hearts will then be disclosed, will not you be afraid to indulge such thoughts, and such designs, as will not bear the light and judgment of God ? And, above all, consider that you must then be judged, not as the world judgeth of things, but by the word of God : by which therefore, you must re- solve to live, and not according to the foolish opinions, and sinful customs of the world. Lastly, this belief hath comforts as well as terrors; for though we shall indeed be called to a strict ac- count, yet we are sure to be heard with favour, and treated with compassion, if our case will bear it : — For he who knows our infirmities, — he that died to save us, is to be our Judge. In one word you may see, that the Son of God has given Christians the greatest reason to love and ado re him, that they might have the greatest reason »1 Thess. iv. 14. 02 An Intruction to obey him, and trust in him as their Lord and Redeemer, and by doing so, by him be made happy for ever, Ind, * I am very thankful for what you have now told me. — But may I ask you this question ; — if Christ has redeemed Christians, are they not then safe and out of danger?* Miss. Yes, most surely, if it is not their own fault. Ind. * I wish you would explain to me what you mean by that.' Miss, It is very true, — Jesus Christ has redeemed us, and restored us to the favour of God. But then it is upon condition, that since we know God, and what he has done for us, we glorify him by our deeds, as well as by our words; — but if men call themselves Christians, and yet will not obey him in their practice, he deals with them as he did with the Heathens ; he gives them up to a mind void of judgment ^, to follow the desires of their own hearts, by which they will be ruined for ever. And this is the reason why you see so many even among Christians, — upon whom neither the fear of an Almighty and just God, — nor the hve of Christ his Son, who has saved them, has any power to keep them in their duty. — And although they have had the Holy Spirit to direct, sanctify, and govern them, yet him they grieved by their wilful sins, and forced him to forsake them, so that they commit all iniquity with greediness *. Ind. * You will now be so good as to let me know what Christians believe concerning the Holy Ghost.' Miss. I have already shown, that before Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, — he promised his dis- ciples to send another Divine Person, the Holy Ghost, to supply his place and presence with them. 1 Rom. i. 28. 2 Ibid. for the Indians. S3 — Accordingly, this Holy Spirit descended upon them in a most wonderful manner, and enabled them to speak all languages, as also to remember the truths which Christ had taught, and the works which he had done, and to write them truly for the benefit of mankind. He also assisted and directed the Apostles of Christ to lay the foundation of the society of Christians, which are now spread over the whole earth, and are called the Holy Catholic Church, because it con- sists of Christians of all nations and languages, who ought all of them to be holy. AH Christians, thus dedicated to God, are one hody^ under one Headt the Lord Christ ; and, as such, are obliged to hold communion one with another, as members of the same body ought to do. To every member of this society is promised the forgiveness of sins, upon his true repentance, and re- turn to his duty. To this church the same Holy Spirit has made known that all men shall rise again from the dead with their own bodies, and give account of their own works ; — and that after this will follow an everlasting life of happiness or misery. Ind. * Will you. Sir, now be pleased to make me understand, what are the natural fruits of such a faith, and what such a belief obliges Christians to do?' Miss, Remember, then, — that the Holy Ghost is he, to whom, with the Father and the Son, all Chris- tians are dedicated in baptism ; — that it is this Holy Spirit who is to fit men for heaven and happiness; — which he does, — by convincing all such as are disposed for eternal life, and will attend to his holy motions, — by convincing them that they are sinners, that, as such, they stand in need of a Redeemer ; — as also, by putting into their hearts the fear of God, — a love of his laws, — and a serious concern for their souls ; — by restraining them from evil, — and changing their dispositions from evil to good. 94 An Instruction Ind, * But it is plain, Sir, that this Holy Spirit doth not thus govern and direct all Christians.* Miss, That is too true ; — hut then, as I told you before, the fault is purely in themselves. — They neg- lect to use the means God has bestowed upon them, and the graces he has provided for them ; and then they become useless, and he often takes them away *, Too many grieve the Holy Spirit by their evil deeds, and force him to forsake them : — And very many, who are not so wicked, do yet never lay claim to that pro- mise of God, — that he will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ' .* — Whereas all good Christians do pray for this Holy Spirit, and do find the wonderful effects and blessing of his guidance and assistance. And here take notice of a truth I now tell you, that every soul of man is under the influence either of good or evil spirits : — But then these good spirits may be provoked by our evil lives to forsake us : and then the evil spirits are alway ready to take possession of such as they find forsaken of God, and not under his imme- diate protection. Ind. ' And pray. Sir, how is this to be prevented?' Miss, Every Christian must keep in his mind the promise he made when he was baptized ; and in every thing wherein he fails, he ought forthwith to beg forgiveness of God, lest, continuing in sin wilfully, he becomes a slave to Satan and his angles, instead of being a servant of God. I shall only mention another blessing which we receive from the Holy Ghost, and the effect it ought to have upon us. — It is from him we have the Holy Scriptures, which are therefore very truly called the WORD OF God ; — and the word of our salvation. These Scriptures, therefore, every one who would continue in the favour of God, must read, or hear them read, with the greatest reverence and attention, and conform his belief and practice strictly to them. was » Matt. XXV. 29. 2 Luke xi. 13. Jor the Indians, 95 Ind * I desire you would explain more particularly v;hat you mean by the holy catholic church, — and the communion of saints.* Ms8, It is plain from the Holy Scriptures, that it was the design "of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver to mankind the whole will of God, as far as their salva> tion was concerned in it. All these things which were thus revealed, are called the Christian religion: — And this religion was taught to the world by our Saviour, and by his Apostles : and this religion was put into writing by inspired men, and is now extant amongst us in the books of the New Testa- ment. It was our Lord's design, that all who should embrace this religion of his, should be united among themselves, and with this Head, Jesus Christ, and so become one Body by the means of one HolV Spirit, which should actuate and influence them. — And it was our Lord's design that all believers, all that profess his religion, should be admitted to the participation of this Spirit, and so be made members of this common body, by the sacrament of baptism, and receive continual influence from the same Spirit, by eating and drinking in the sacrament of the com» munion of his body and blood; or what we call the Lord's supper. By the church then is meant the whole multitude of those persons, whether Jews or Gentiles, that do embrace and profess the Christian religion, — and are joined together by the means of these sacraments, in one body or society, under one Head Jesus Christ, — This church was to extend throughout all the world, and to be made up of all nations. Ind, * Pray what is meant by the CathoUc Church ?* Miss, By catholic is meant universal, so that whenever we name or speak of the Catholic Church, we mean by those words, the whole multitude of Christians throughout the world, that profess the common faith, and enjoy the administration of the word and sacraments. — All these people, wherever 96 An Instruction they live, or by what name soever they call themselves, make up together, that one body of Christ, which we call the CATHOLIC church. The Church is called holy^ because every member of that society obliges himself, by the gracious assist- ance of God's Holy Spirit, — to he holy, — He that is not so, or does net immediately repent, and become such, is but a rotten member, and is in danger of being cut off. As to the communion of saints : — As every person owes something to the society of which he is a member, so especially in the society of Christians, every one is bound, by the laws of the Gospel, to use the talents and advantages which God has given him, whether of knowledge and learning, or power, or riches, or grace, for the good of the whole body : — To pray for them ; — to assist those that are in want ; — to in- struct the ignorant, and them that are out of the way; and to study the things that make for peace, and for mutual edification \ Ind. * You told me before, that in the church of Christ there is a promise of the forgiveness of sins/ Miss, And a mighty blessing sure it is, — that men who on account of their many sins, are liable to the displeasure of God, — may be assured, that in the Church of Christ they will obtain the forgiveness of their sins, upon most merciful conditions; — upon a true repentance, and return to their duty; — and a ready disposition to forgive others, as they themselves do hope for forgiveness from God. The resurrection of the body, and an ever- lasting LIFE AFTER DEATH — these are the truths which Jesus Christ has made known to his church ; — and they are as certain as God himself is true. And that that they may make the greater impression upon your heart, I will repeat to you the very words of Christ : ' Rom. xiv. 19. for the Tndians, 97 OP — * The hour is coming, in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life ; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damna- tion ^.' — So that all Christians who know this, may be assured, that this life is the only time to chuse, where and what they are to be for ever ; and may learn not to trifle away that precious time, which is chiefly allowed them to prepare for eternity. Ind, * Well, Sir, I plainly see the reason why every one who desires to be a Christian should believe these truths.' Miss, These things are true, and will at last be found to be so, whether men believe them or not. — And if a man is lost for ever, for want of giving credit to them, or for not considering them, it will signify little whether he was called a Christian or a Heathen, Ind, 'Indeed one would wonder, that so many Christians who know these things, can be so easy, and so careless of their salvation.* Miss, Be you careful for yourself, and continue so, when you are a Christian. — In the mean time, I tell you again, — the true reasons, why so many among Christians forget the promises they made at their baptism, are these : — Through tlie corruption of na- ture they fall into sin ; they do not what they ought to do, that is, rej)ent and turn to their duty immediately; — and continuing in sin, these truths are uneasy to them, because they put them in mind of their ingra- titude to the THE God who made them; — to God the Son, who died for them; — and to God the Holy Ghost, whom they had grieved by obstinately per- sisting in a vicious course of life. — They will not con- sider that ivithout holiness, i. e. without keeping the commands of God, and doing his will, no man can be saved : and besides this, these truths put them in mind of an endless life pf happiness, which they are » John V. 28, 29. F 98 An Ifutruction not disposed to prepare for,-— and of a miserable eter^ nity, which they have reason to fear above all things : — Therefore they strive to forget the truths they have known and believed: — and if the goodness and long- suffering of God does not lead them to repentance,*- *' These articles of their faith will be the articles of their (condemnation,^* Ind, * I am convinced. Sir, that these truths are most powerful motives, where they are known and believed, to oblige men to keep the holy will and commands of God, and to walk in the same all the days of their life : — Which you told me was another part of that promise which Christians make at their baptism, and which I hope you will explain to me when I come again.* Miss, That I will gladly do.^And for your part, I exhort you to beg of God to confirm your faith in him, and his Son Jesus Christ, and cause it to bring forth in you the fruit of good living, to his glory, and your own salvation. Amen. THE PRAYER. O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us, save us, we most numbly beseech thee. — Grant that the belief of these great truths may ever be present in our minds, — ^that we may die from sin, and rise again unto righteous- ness; — that we may with joyful hearts, ascend to thee, and with thee continually dwell ; — that we may jlidge ourselves, and that we may not be condemned, when thou comest to judge the world in righteousness* — O Lord, grant that we may expect thy coming with joy, and find mercy in the great day of recom- pence. Amen, ■♦ for the Indians, DIALOGUE XIII. The Commandments of God practically explained, PART I. INDIAN. * You told me, Sir, that my believing the truths of the Gospel will not qualify me to become a Christian, unless I promise to obey the will of God, and endea- vour to keep his commands.* Miss. I told you the truth: — For although we firmly believe, that it is only on the account of what his oon Jesus Christ has done and suffered for us, that God will pardon our sins, and receive us into favour ; — yet it is on this condition, that we repent and forsake our sins, and obey his commands. Ind, * I hope you will continue your kind instruc- tions, and let me know what his will and commands are.* Miss, We learn from the holy Scriptures, that, when almost all mankind had lost the knowledge of the true and only God, and the way of worshipping him, which he had appointed, it pleased him to make himself and his will known again, at first to one man, whose name was Abraham^, and afterwards to his most numerous posterity, after he had convinced them, that he was the true and only God, by many amazing miracles ond judgments upon their oppressors, and by delivering them out of a most cruel bondage and slavery. — After which, in order to preserve this knowledge among them, and to keep them from being corrupted, he gave them certain commands, in a man- ner so dreadful and astonishing, that they could not but be convinced, that they were the commands of a most holy, and an all-powerful God, in disobeying of * Gen. XX. f2 100 An Instruction whom they were sure of exposing themselves to the greatest punishments. And that these commands helong to us Christians as well as unto the people of Israel, we may be sure of, — because Jesus Christ has cotifirmed, explained, and inforced them in the Gospel — he is the Lord our God, a^ well as theirs \ — He brought them out of the house of bondage — And he brought us from darkness io light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Ind, * You will be pleased to let me know these commands.' Miss. They were ten in number. — The first of which was this : I. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have none other gods but me. Ind. ' Why do these commands begin with these words, — I am the Lord thy God ?* Miss. That we may prepare our hearts to receive his commands, with the greatest concern, attention, and reverence. When the Lord of heaven and earth, or life and death, speaks, sure his creatures will hear and obey, for conscience-sake, — that is — because God com- mands them. The design of this first command was, — to restore and preserve the knowledge of the true God; He liaving a right to be honoured, feared, and loved, as the author of all the good we enjoy or hope for ; by which therefore we are forbidden to expect our hap- piness from any other, or place our dependence on, or exercise our religious fear towards any other being in heaven or earth. The full import of this grand first command is, — that we should have the Lord for our God ; and that we should have no other besides him. Tnd. * What is it to have the Lord for our God V Miss. It is to think of him, and to worship him, as God. J Matt. V. G. 2 Acts xxvi. 18. for the Indians, lot Ind, ' How ought we to think of God V Miss, As of an eternal and allrperfect Being, the MAKER and PRESERVER of all things, and our most gi'acious and merciful Father, in and through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, You are forbidden by this law to depend upon yourself, upon your own labour and care, for pros- perity, — upon your friends for security, — upon your wealth for happiness : — for these are blessings, only when God is pleased to make them so. You are also, by this command, forbidden to mur" mur at God's dealings with yourself or others ; for he is Lord of all, Ind. * What is further commanded in this law V Miss, You are hereby commanded to live always as hi the sight of God : — to pray for his blessing in public and in private upon every thing you undertake ; — and to give him thanks for all his favours : — and to do all this with the heart as well as the Ups and bodily gestures : — for whatever you think is known to him, as well as what you speak, Ind, *What is the other thing included in this command V Miss. You are forbid having any other, besides the Lord, for your God. Ind, ' Is there any other God, besides the Lord V Miss. No, there is not; nor does this command- ment at all suppose that there is. But, when these commandments were delivered, the world generally believed in, and worshipped other gods besides the Lord, who was almost utterly forgotten by them. — And therefore it was highly necessary, that the great God of heaven and earth should, in the first place^ caution his people, and, in them, all future genera- tions, against this folly, impiety, and idolatry. The following was the second command : II. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, ti in the water under f3 102 An Instruction the earth ; thou shalt not bow down to them, nor wor- ship them ; for I the Lord tl)y God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of tljiem that hate me ; and show mercy unto thousands, in them that love me, and keep my commandments. Ind, * You will be so good as to let me know the meaning and reason of this command.* Miss. You must know then, through the sugges- tions of the devil, most nations had been led into a vile custom of representing and worshipping God by images ; by which they came to have mean and un- worthy thoughts of the Divine Majesty, as if he were like anyiof his creatures. Now by this command, God has forbid all tliat love and fear him, even to attempt to represent him by any image or picture, or to worship him before such ; and this on pain of his most high displeasure upon them, and their posterity, who shall disobey this command; — promising an especial blessing to them and their children, who shall take care to wor- ship him as he has commanded. Ind. * What is the positive duty required of us in this commandment V Miss, You are to worship God, after a manner suitable to his spiritual nature : — God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and m truth ^ : — that is to say, — with sincerity, love, and purity of heart / — with the inward devotion and fer- vour of the mind, without which the outward exer- cises of prayer and adoration will be of no worth. Ind, ' How must I behave myself in God's hottse and presence ?' Miss, Consider seriously — that you go to church to ask such things, which you cannot want without being miserable. Therefore yova behaviour must be such as may be 1 John iv. 24. for the Indians, 10S in be apt to procure in yourself and others a great regard for Goa, and a humble opinion of yourself. You must with great humility ask God*s pardon and blessing, and praise him for his works and favoiirs. You must carefully attend to what is read and ex^ plained to you out of the Scripture i^—for it is the word of God, And then you will return home with God*s blessing upon your self your family, and your labours, Ind. 'Doth the command afford any further in- struction V Miss, Yes* — It shows us that the piety of parents shall be remembered for the good of their children^ to many generations. I That the best portion children can receive from their parents is God's blessing. And that such parents as are not careiul to love God, and to keep his commandments, do leave cala* mities to their posterity. The third command is this : III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain. The intent of this command is,— to preserve the great regard which all men ought to have for God, forbidding them to speak of him or even use his holy name without fear and consideration. Ind. * What are the necessary occasions which men have to make of the name of God V Miss, First, when they worship him, which they should strive to do with reverence and attention.-— Secondly, when by a lawful authority they are obliged to take an oath. — And lastly, when they speak of God, or of any thing that belongs to him, upon any serious occasion. Ind, ' Why are people obliged to take an oath before a magistrate V Miss, It is to put an end to strife amongst men /—it being God's pleasure, that the truth should appear, and f4 104 An Instruction jtistice be done to every one. Now the likeliest way to come to the truth is this : — To put men in mind, when they are going to swear : that they are in the presence of that great God, who has declared — that a curse shall enter into the house of him that sweareth by his name, to consume it^. Which is surely sufficient to oblige every man who believes and fears God to speak the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as they hope to escape that curse, and God's vengeance. As for those who out of an evil custom do swear or curse, blaspheme or speak lightly of God, such per- sons have no other choice but repentance and amend- ment , or damnation. And where these sins are be- come common, and are not punished, that nation and people may expect ^w6/«c and heavy judgments to fall upon them '. Ind, * What is the meaning of that expression, the . Lord will not hold him guiltless V Miss. The meaning is, that this sin shall certainly be punished, and that in a manner more dreadful than words can express ; however common it is, and little regarded. Ind. * What are we commanded in this law V Miss, To speak of God and of religious matters, after such a serious maimer, that people may learn to have the most devout and reverend thoughts of him and his service. We come now to \hQ fourth command. IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day ; six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do ; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man- servant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates ; — for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day ; wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it. ^ Zech. V. 4. « Jer. xxiii. 10. Mai. ii. 2. for the Indians. 105 Ind. * You will be so good as to shew me the rea- son and intent of this command/ Miss, Remember what I told you before, — that after God had made this world in six days, and man the governor of it, he ordained, by a perpetual law, that the seventh day should be set apart, and kept holy in memory and honour of him, the Creator and Maker of all things. Now, in process of time, this command, through the corruption of man's nature, became neglected, and the true God forgotten, and wickedness and idolatry in- creased every where, which is the miserable case of very many nations to this day. But when God separated the people of Isi^el from the rest of the nations, he renewed this command, so that the knowledge of the only true God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, has been preserved among them through all ages. Ind. * Do Christians observe that day?* Miss. Christians do, according to the design of the law, observe one day in seven, which we call the Lord's day, because on that day the Lord Christ our Re- deemer rose from the dead ; — and on the same day sent down the Holy Ghost, to guide his church unto the world's end : — the apostles of Jesus Christ therefore set apart that day, calling it — the Lord's day. Since which time all good Christians do, or should lay aside all worldly business, cares, and pleasures, and meet together, — to give public honour to God, to acknow- ledge h\&power, wisdom justice, and goodness, — topraise him for the blessings he has given them, — and to pray for the blessings they want. Ind, * Why are we bid in an especial manner to keep this law V Miss, Because if this holy day should be forgotten, all religion would soon be forgotten with it, and the very knowledge of the true God (as it is in many na- tions) would be lost amongst us, were not this day set apart, and persons appointed to bring to our remem- f5 106 An Instructum brance truths of the highest consequence both to our present and everlasting interests. Jnd, ' Are all bound to observe this day?' Miss, Yes — all that can be spared from the ne« CESSARY business of the family. Children, — that they may learn their duty, and from their infancy to fear God. Servants, — that they may not forget that they have a Master in heaven. And the very beasts are to rest, unless necessity requires it to be otherwise, that the whole creation may rejoice iu the mercies of God. Ind, ' Why is it said, — six days shalt thou labour?' Miss. To put us in mind, that it is God who gives us all our time : That we are fallen from a state of happiness, and must labour for our daily bread : Lastly, — that it is purely by God's permission, that we prosper in our daily labours, — that therefore we ought to serve him truly all our days. Ind, * How is the Lord's day profaned ?' Miss. By neglecting to go to the place where the great God is pubUchf worshipped; by neglecting family and private devotion ; by not meditating upon, and recollecting in private, what we are taught, or pray for, in public ; — by idleness, and trifling conver- sation ; — unnecessary business and joumies : — and by vain sports and gaming, unbecoming the seriousness of the day, and of Christianity. Ind, 'It is well, if too many Christians will not think this a hard command, and neglect it, when they must lose so much time, in which they might increase their wealth, or enjoy their pleasures.* Miss, They must be Christians then of very little knowledge and faith • and do not consider the power and the promises of God and of his Son \ to make them suflicient amends for the loss of their own and 1 Matt. vi. 33. for the Indians. lOY their servants' labour. And especially when the res- pite of one day in seven v^ould enable their servants to perform the business of the other six days with more cheerfulness and vigour. These four commands have respect to God, and the honour due to him. — ^The six following concern our neighbour, and the. peace and welfare of mankind in general. Ind. * You will be pleased to let me know what they are.* Miss, Remember what I have at present told you^ and the next time you come I will explain to you the rest of the commands: — In the mean time pray to God m the following words :— THE PRAYER* O God, who alone art worthy of our love, give me grace that I may never forget thee, nor thy glorious perfections ; but that I may serve thee according to thy word, in sincerity and godly fear ; — that I may never mention thy sacred name without reverence ; — that I may not spend thy holy day in vanity and idleness, nor in a customary attendance at thy house only : — ^but that I may serve thee with my soul as well as with my body, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen, DIALOGUE XIV. PART II. INDIAN, ' I AM come to desire you to explain to me those commands that relate to my duty to my neighbour,* Miss, The fifth command is this : V. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may belong in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. f6 108 An Instruction these commands to me, and let me know the design of them.* Miss, The design of this fifth command is, — to teach us from our very childhood, to shew honour and obedience to our parents ; that when we grow up, we may know how to respect and honour all who are our betters ; — that subjects may honour their governors ; — servants may obey their masters ; and all may love and esteem their spiritual pastors and teachers, — And the peace and good of the world do so much depend on the discharge of those obligations, that God for encou- ragement hath promised an especial blessing to such as shall observe them faithfully. Ind, * Why is the duty of children to their parents only mentioned V Miss, Because that is a duty first learned, and best understood: — Children very naturally love their pa- rents, and are generally kept in subjection by them, and therefore when they are commanded so to honour others as they do their parents, they easily know what that riieaneth, and will more readily pay the duties owing to all their superiors, Ind. * How must I honour my father and mother?* Miss, You must in all lawful things cheerfully sub- mit to them, be careful not to grieve them by stubborn or evil courses ; — you must show them all due respect, and thankfully acknowledge their kindness to you : — bear with their infirmities, — hide their failings, — sup- ply their wants, — and pray for their present and ever- lasting happiness : — Which if you do, in obedience to the command of God, you may expect to live to be a happy parent yourself. Ind, * What would then be my duty V Miss. The duty of parents is, to bring up their children in obedience, and in the fear of God ; to take care that they be instructed in true religion ; — to pro- vide for them by all lawful ways ; to admonish and correct them when they say or do things which are amiss ; — to be examples to them o£ piety, sobriety, and for the Indians, 109 diligence ; — and, lastly, to bless them, and pray for them. — AH which — parents will be careful to do, if they consider what a dreadful thing it will be, should their children be miserable in this world, and the next, through their negligence, countenance, or example. Ind, * What is the duty of servants ?' Miss. The duty of servants is, to be obedient to their masters, diligent in their business; — not with eye-service as men-pleasers, — but to use the same in- dustry and integrity in their master's absence, as they would do if he was present with them ; — to be as careful of their master's goods, as if they were their own ; — ^neither toasting them, nor suffering others to- do so, — to be no tale-bearers ; but, above all, to be honest, not only for consience, but for credit's sake : — deceit and pilfering, and stealing, being abominable qualities, never forgotten by others, and very hardly left off by those who give way to them. Ind, * What is our duty towards them that have the rule and government over us ?' Miss, Your duty is to obey them, not only for fear of punishment, but for conscience sake * ; — not to speak evil of them, but to show them all becoming respect ; — and to pray that God may bless them, and make them instruments of great good to the world.* For men in authority, fearing God, are a great blessing; — their duty being to keep the people in peace and quietness ; — to defend the persons and rights of honest men ; — to punish the unruly ; — to advise them that have no counsellors ; — and in all things to promote the glory of God, and the welfare of all* below them. Ind. * What is the duty of people to their ministers and pastors V Miss, To respect them^, for their Master's sake, and for their work's sake. Your duty it is to attend at * Rom. xiii. 5. 2 Pet. ii. 10. 2 1 Thess. V. 13. no An Instruction the public service of the church, and hearken to their instructions ;• .and to pray that God may bless their labours. For it is their business and duty, to study all ways of teaching you how you should walk and please Ood : — to reprove you when you do amiss ; — to pray that you may do well ; — to be wholesome examples in word and deed : — and they have much to answer for, if they are not such. Ind, ' Whom else must I honour ?* Miss, All that are your superiors, by reason of their greater age, — their learning, — their places and stations, — to whom you must show a just regard. And it is their duty not to be high-minded, but to be grave, courteous, easy to be spoke to, and ready to help all that want their assistance. Ind. * What is the meaning of the promise which God hath made to such as keep this command V Miss. That God will bless them in the way they shall go, which will be a means of prolonging their lives : — On the contrary, — he that despiseth his father and mother, the ravens shall pick out his eyes *,* — that is, this sin has a tendency to lead men into such prac- tices, as will bring them to an unnatural, untimely, and ignominious death. VI. Thou shalt do no murder. This is the sixth command: — and is intended to secure the life of every man from the malice, revenge, and violence of others. — This is a sin most odious to God, and a sure vengeance has been frequently ob- served to follow those who send men out of the world by a violent death, sooner than God and nature in- tended. And for the same reason we are not to shorten men's lives by oppression, injustice, or any other evil dealings, for a man may be murdered, and his heart broken, by these as well a^ by violence ; — as * Prov. XXX. 17. for the Indians, 111 also by intemperance^ gluttony, and drunkenness* — By these we may shorten our own, or other people's livesi which is absolutely forbidden by this precept. Self-murder is also forbid by this command. For consider, that the great God, the Maker of all things, has assumed to himself the power and lordship of Ufe and death, — ' I kill, and I make alive ^:' — It is God sends us into the world, and he expects that we should wait his wih, to send us out of it : — He has the only right to determine the time of our continuance in it, and when we shall remove out of it : — And it is a gross invasion of that divine right and prerogative, for us to appoint the time for ourselves, without his order, and contrary to the rules he has given us for our government — As this action is highly criminal in the sight of God, so remember, that whoever is so hardy as to commit it, sends himself out of the world wiu the guilt of a wilful sin. — And a wilful sinner, thus dying impenitent, has no hopes of salvation : and this is a dreadful consideration. There are several other practices too common in the world, which have a tendency to this sin of mur- der, and which, in some measure, partake of the guilt of it, though the sinner himself does not intend violence against his own life : — particularly that per- nicious and fatal custom of drinking rum, gin, and other SPIRITUOUS liquors, which kiUs, every year, many thousands of the lower part of mankind. This is a practice which you must abhor, as you would do poison itself; for so it actually is in its consequence. It is highly to be wished, that the governors of every country would have a strict eye, to the bold encroachments of this terrible destroyer, by which so many make themselves away, and remove it at least out of the reach of the laborious, industrious, and useful part of mankind. 1 Deut. xxxii. 39. lit; An Instruction Ind, * What is the duty required in this command- mewtV Miss, It is your duty, as much as in you lieth, — to Hve peaceably with all men * ; — to avoid the company of angry, passionate, and contentious people ; — to de- liver the oppressed ' ; — to be merciful to such as are in misery : — to forbear, and forgive one another^: — and be well pleased with the welfare and happiness of all men. VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery. This is the seventh command. In order to understand the reason of this, you must know that God, at the beginning of the world, did appoint marriaae for the increase of mankind, and for the society, help, and comfort of a man and his wife. — Now you cannot but observe the great goodness of God in commanding, on pain of his displeasure, that neither the man nor his wife should be unfaithful to the marriage-bed ; — which would occasion infinite troubles and calamities in fami- lies, and after all, a very bitter repentance, or dam- nation. — By virtue of this command we are likewise bound to abstain from fornication, and from all man- ner of leivdness, wantonness, and debauchery : — from all lascivious actions, immodest words, and, impure desires, and whatever else has any tendency towards the heinous vices of whoredom and adultery, VIII. Thou shalt not steal. This is the eighth command : — and is intended by a righteous God to secure to every man what is his own ; — he having declared, that a curse shall enter into the house of a thief and a robber, even to consume it*; and which is worst of all, such persons must not ex- pect to go to heaven, but to hell. Jnd. * How is this command further transgressed V Miss, Not only by theft, which is a base vice, and openly abhorred ; but by oppression, deceit, concealing of found goods ^ ; — receiviiig goods knowing them to 1 Rom. xii. 18. 2 Prov. xxii. 22. » Ephes. iv. 32. * Zech. V. 4. 6 1 Cor. vi. 10. for the Indians, m bo stolen : — defrauding the public by running of goods, and buying or receiving such as we know are run, and for which the King's custom is not paid ; — trearying men out of their rights by vexatious iaw-mitsj by power i interest^ bribery t or craft ; — which are crimes too often committed by those who never expect to be punished for the breach of this command ; and yet God is most surely the avenger of all such deeds \ Ind, * What is required of us, that we may keep this law?' Miss, It is your duty to be diligent in vour calling, that you may be able to live without taking unlawful ways ; to be careful of what God has given you, lest, having vainly or wickedly thrown it away, you be tempted to live by deceit. To be contented with your condition, believing, that better is a little toith righteousness, than great revenues without right*. Lastly f to depend upon God's good providence, which takes care of all creatures, and will certainly reward the honest poor man, who chuses to beg, if he cannot labour, rather than steal. Ind, * What is the duty of one who is sensible of his sin, and sorry that he hath broken this law?' Miss. He must confess his sin unto God, and, if he can possibly do it, he must make amends to the per-- son he has wronged^. And this is that which makes this sin so very har(<, to be repented of; because, through shame and stub- bornness, people will not make restitution of what they have got hy fraud, injustice, violence, and oppres- sion ; — and yet they hope to be saved ; — but this is the hope of hypocrites, which shall perish *. IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. This is the ninth command : — and whoever cor-siders » Thes. iv. C. » Prov. xvi. «. ' Levit. vi. 2. Ezek. xxxiii. 16. * Job viii. 13. 114 An Instruction the mischiefs men are capable of doing to the lives and the estates of their neighbours, hy false oaths and perjuries, or concealing, or disguising the truth, when they are lawfully called upon to declare or attest it ; must see how kmd and good God has been to men, to forbid, on pain of his displeasure, such sins as these, which are the occasion of so much sorrow and loss to the unhappy sufferers. Ind. * Is any thing more forbidden, than the being a false witness V Miss, Yes: — you are hereby forbidden to say any thing of other men which may hurt them, unless it be with an honest design to bring them to repentance, or to hinder them from doing great mischiefs to others. Therefore to invent stories, to add to them, and to set them abroad: — to encourage tale-bearers: — to give men ill-names,' — to publiish their infirmities ; — to make their faults worse than they are ; are all condemned by this law, and in many other places of the Holy Scriptures ; — as the very work of an evil spirit ^, as the destruction of all good neighbourhood and Christ- ian charity. This sin proceeds from a base disposition ; — some people love mischief, and are pleased the more there is of it in the world — sometimes from a bust/ temper; from pride; from, evil designs; and sometimes people do it for diversion, — But from whencesoever it proceeds, it is a sign of a very evil heart, to speak ill of others, as if such men had no faults of their own, to jest with a man's good name, which is more vcaluable than his estate ^ ; — to set friends at variance, and to disturb the peace and happiness of families; and therefore revilers are reckoned amongst those that, without repentance, must not go to heaven ^ Ind, ' What is further required of us by this law V Miss, It is your duty to speak the truth, when it is Jit and proper, as well as when you are upon your oath: ' John viii. 44. ^ Prov. xxii. 1. » 1 Cor. vi. 10. for the Indians, 115 — to be tender of your neighbour's reputation ; — ^to be disposed to hear, to believe, and to speak the best, and never to take pleasure in foolish, maUcious, and wicked stories : — and we sb'll be disposed to observe these good rules the better f we consider, — * What a sore grief it is to ourselves to be abused, by Ues^ calumny, and defamation, X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house ; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife; nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass^ nor any thing that is his. This is the tenth and last of these commands, — Now the gracious design of God, in this command, is to lay a restraint upon the very desires of our hearts, which are all known to him, forbidding us to covet, that is, to set our hearts upon that which is another's right, and which he is not willing to part with — for an unjust desire, through the temptation of the devil, has too often been followed by an unjust attempt to get what we desire, either hy fraud or violence, — so kind is God in putting a stop to the very beginning of sin, which is in the heart \ Ind, * But may not a man desire to buy what be- longs to another. Miss, Yes, no doubt of it, provided the other can lawfully dispose of it, and that he is willing to do so ; — but if he is not willing, then to continue to desire it, is a sin against this law. Gaming is certainly a violation of the tenth com- mand. — It is a vice that has always its root in covet- ousness, and which in its greedy wishes devours — ^its neighbour's houses and lands, and every thing else that is his. This sin is often found to go still further, to bring men at last to dowmight stealing, robbery, and mur- der : — and when the near prospect of death obliges these wretched creatures to confess the evil of their ways, it may be observed, that a caution against this J Matt. XV. 19. 116 An Instruction abominable vice of gaming always makes one part of tbeir dying admonitions, as it hath always been one main road that led them to that miserable end. Ind, * What does this law require V Miss, That you keep your heart with all diligence, because out of it proceedeth all manner of wickedness, 1 Kings xxi. Prov. iv. 23. • That you be contented with your own lot, as that which is appointed you by a wise and just God. Lastly, — that you set God always before you, who seeth the very secrets of your heart, and will punish all its sinful lusts and appetites. Ind. * I am convinced, Sir, of the truth of what you told me before, — that these commands of God are holy, just, and good, and necessary to keep the world in order.' Miss, But I must tell you besides, — that by these commands, as they have been explained by Jesus Christ and his Apostles, we must all be judged at the last day to happiness or misery ; these being the foundation of the duty which men owe to God, to their neighbour, and to themselves, Ind, * Are these duties hard to be understood and remembered^* Miss. You shall judge yourself, when I have re- peated them to you, which I will do the next time you come to me : in the mean time use the following prayer. THE PRAYER. ^^ ' Open mine eyes, O Lord, that I may see that thy law is holy, just, and good, and that I may keep it with my whole heart ; — that I may love and honour all those whom thy providence hath made my betters; — that I may do violence to no man ; — that I may abhor all unchaste desires, words, and actions: all de- ceit and oppression ; — all the evils of a lying tongue, all covetous desires, and first beginnings of sin. Lord have mercy upon me, and write all these laws in my heart I most humbly beseech thee. Amen, for the Indians, 117 that DIALOGUE XV. Duty towards God explained, INDIAN. * The last time I was here you promised to explain to me what was my duty to God.' Miss. Your duty to God is — " To believe in him, to fear him, to love him, with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength : to worship him, to give him thanks, to put your whole trust in him, to call upon him, to honour his holy name, and his word, and to serve him truly all the days of your life." ' Now this should be fixed strongly in your memory, so as never to be forgot ; and it will direct you, on all occasions, how to live so as to please God : — these words often repeated, and imprinted upon your me- mory, will also awaken your conscience, when, at any time you do amiss, that you may repent, and amend, and obtain forgiveness of your sin, through God*s infinite goodness and mercy, and the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ind. * Is a Christian's duty hard to be understood V Miss. By no means : — Religion being the business of all men.— ^ plaiti man^ if he is well-disposed, may know his duty, and be able to perform it, as well as thb greatest scholar. Ind. ' This is a comfortable truth, pray make me sensible of it.' Miss. Do you not see, that all necessary knowledge lieth in a very narrow compass? — Your duty to God, — and to your neighbour, is contained in a few words, very easy to be understood and remem- bered, where people truly believe in God, and heartily desire to be saved. 118 An Imtrucium Ind, ' Then I trust I shall not perish ; for / do he' lieve in God, — and I heartily wish to be saved.' Miss, You must not be mistaken in a matter of so great moment. — It may be you do not believe in, nor fear, nor love God with all your heart, though you are persuaded you do. Ind, * Can you, Sir, direct me how to know for cer- tain when I do, or do not my duty V Miss. You must consult your Life to know this, — and compare your way of living with these rules of your duty. Ind. ' I wish you would show me how, by some instances.* Miss, Your duty is to believe in God ; — that is, to keep these great truths in your mind, — that God is most powerful, most holy, just, merciful, and good; and that none of our thoughts, words, or actions, can be hid from him ; — that therefore his displeasure is more to be feared than all things ; — and that his love and goodness to us require all possible acknowledg- ments on our part. Now you will very easily see, that you do not fear God as you ought, if you are more afraid of men than of God; — 6t if you wilfully do any thing which he has forbidden, or which you know will displease him : — or lastly, — if you do not immediately repent when you have done amiss, and return to your duty. — Nor must you say that you love God,- -if you do not often think of him, of his mercy and goodness, and of the happiness he has promised to them that love him : — if you do not take delight in doing what you believe will please him, — rejoice to see him obeyed and honoured, and be troubled to see him dishonoured by his own creatures. It may be you think — you love God above all things; — but if you are not concerned to keep his laws, and angry with yourself when you break any of them : — then you do not love God ; — for this (says for the Indians, 119 I by all his any jays the Apostle St. John) — is the love of God, that we keep his commandments \ Ind» * I see it is my duty to put my whole trust in God; — but is it pos»ble &r me to do so, when he supers me to fall into affliction V Miss, Good men have always done so; — Tliough he slay me, yet will I trust in him, saith holy Job, — Kemember, — that it is good to be in trouble ', when God sees meet, who otherwise doth not delight in the misery of any of his creatuces. — It is therefore your duty to be patient under afflictions ; — to consider your ways; — to turn to God immediately, and pray that he may make the troubles of this Ufe a means to brin^ you to a better, Ind, *Must I trust in God, and believe that he careth for me, though I am in poverty V Miss, You must do so : — For riches are not always a. sign of God's favour, nox poverty of his displeasure. To comfort yourself, and confirm your faith, con- sider, that this is the will of God ; — that he can make you sufficient amends in the next world for what you want in this. Think of these things, and you will be content with your condition, and never desire to better it by unjust or wicked ways. You will, therefore, neither envy the rich or great, nor question the goodness of God, under the greatest difficulties of life. : Again, you will not say that you trust in God, if you are not well pleased with his providence, so far, at least, as cheerfully to submit to what his infinite wisdom and goodness orders as the very best for you, and for all others. You will not imagine, that you worship God as you ought to do, if you content yourself with having a high esteem for him in your heart, without paying him the honour due unto his Divine Majesty, both ! 1 1 John V. 3. 2 Psalm cxix. 71. 120 An Instruction in your secret retirements as well as in the public assemblies of Christians, — acknowledging before the world, that you are a miserable sinner, and daily stand in need of his mercy and pardon ; — that you owe him all possible thanks for the blessings you have received from him; — and that you want his grace and help every day of your life. Lastly, — you yourself will not say — that you honour God's name and his word, if you take an oath with- out thought and fear ; or speak of God and of what belongs to him, after an idle manner, and toithout reverence : — or delight in the company of such as do so. You cannot but know, that this is not the proper behaviour of one who purposes to serve God all the days of his life. Ind. *I find it is my duty to honour God's holy name and his word, — How shall I bring myself to do so?' Miss, Take care never to speak of the great God of heaven and earth, but when you are very serious. Consider often that he seeth you, and so you will be apt to do what is most for the honour of his name. And if you often remember, that the Bible is a book given by God, to teach us what we are to believe, and how we are to live, that we may attain eternal happiness; — and that your salvation depends upon knowing what that hook containeth ; — you will often read it, or hear it read and explained, and whenever you do SO- you ; ill attend to it carefully, as the rule of your life; — endeavour to follow the directions it gives you ; never repeat any part of it but to serious and holy purposes ; and so you will delight in, and honour his holy word. Ind, * Pray what is meant by loving God tvith ah the heart, and soul, and tnind, and strength V Miss. This is for the great comfort of such as sin- cerely strive to do the^r duty ; — they shall be ac- cepted of God, though they attain not to that high degree of love and obedience, which God himself for the Indians. n\ commands in his law, or even to that which some others arrive at, provided they hvct and fear, and serve God, with all their hearts, that is, as well as they are able, — God will proportion their rewards to their endeavours, Ind. * You say it is my duty to serve him truly all the days of my life. — But will not necessary business hinder me from doing so much as is required of me V Miss, No : — Whatever God requireth of any man may be done without neglecting his worldly business. One day in seven, you are forbid to labour: — Do what you are commanded on that day, and spare a few moments, in the morning and evening of every other day, to praise God, and to ask his blessing : — And then, when in the fear of God, and a just sense of your duty, you are employed with honest industry in your daily labours, you are serving God as truly, and you are as certainly in the way to heaven, — ^as they who are at their prayers, — and this you may do all the days of your life. Ind. * Pray will you show me my duty towards my neighbour V Miss, When you come next, I will endeavour to explain it fully to you. — In the mean time pray to God to enable you to perform your duty to him. THE PRAYER. Gracious God, who alone art worthy of all our service, grant that I may serve and please thee ac- cording to my duty, with all my heart and strength ; — that I may give thee thanks, and do thee honour ; and that continuing in the faith, and fear, and love of God, unto my life's end, I may be made by him eternally happy, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, I o 1^^ An Instruction DIALOGUE XVI. The duty towards our neighbour explained, INDIAN. * I AM come now to beg that you would teach me my duty towards my neighbour.* Miss, Your duty to your neighbour is, To love him as yourself, and to do unto all men as you would they should do unto you ; — to love, honour, and succour your father and mother ; — to honour and obey the king, and all that are put in authority under him ; to submit yourself to all your governors, teach- ers, spiritual pastors and masters ; — to order yourself lowly and reverently to all your betters ; — to hurt no- body by word nor deed; — to be true and jugt in all your dealings ; — to bear no malice nor" hatred in your heart ; — to keep your hands from picking and steal- ing, — your tongue from qvil-speaking, lying, and slandering ; — to keep your body in temperance, sober- ness, and chastity ; — not to covet nor desire other men's goods, but to learn and labour truly to get your own living, — and to do youf duty in that state of life, unto which it shall please God to call you. Ind, * Now, Sir, if it would not be too much trou- ble, I beg you would explain to me that love which Christians owe to themselves, and to their neighbours, that is, as you told me. all mankind,* Miss, In the first place observe, — that this is a rule to such only as first love and fear God — 17tou shalt love thy neighbour, as men fearing God love them,- selves, — that is * to do to others as we think they ought to do to us in the like case,* Now God being the God and Father of mankind, he would have every one to be secure in life and estate, easy in his mind, good and holy while he lives, and happy when he dies. — For this reason, he has for the Indians, 123 given this command, — Hum shalt love thy neighhoter as thyself — which, if truly observed, would have a most happy and blessed effect, and be a direction to the most unlearned, how to behave himself to others, so as to please God \ Ind, * lou will, I hope, explain this a little more particularly.' Miss, Consult then your own reason, and you will acknowledge the justice of this command, — that men should love and deal with others as sincerely as they would have others to love and deal with them : — and that they should do nothing which they themselves would . condemn as hard and unjust, if done by an- other person. For example: — your own desire is, that all should respect and Jove you; — that none should oppressy wrong, or deal deceitfuU/y with you ; — should take ad- vantage of yoiiSr ignorance or necessities; — or should take tedious, spiteful, or expensive ways to keep you from your rights. You would have nobody to hear malice, or imagine evil in their hearts against you : — You are concerned for your own good name and credit: — ^you grieve to be despised by those above you, as well as +0 be disregarded by yoUr inferiors : — ^you earn- estly desire your own welfare and prosperity, and peace of mind, and health of body. Now as you, and every man living, is thus affected towards himself, so will every man living be condemned by God, and his own conscience, who does not thus deal with others, and act by this short and plain rule. Men cannot live without the assistance and support of one another. Their governors protect them. — The concern oi parents for their children, — the care oi mas- ters for their servants, — the account that pastors must give of ihevc flocks, are great and necessary ; and if all these are not honoured and obeyed^ the world would every day grow more and more wild, and wicked, and I * Roni. xiii. 10. \9A An Instruction we ourselves, as well as otliers, should be suffererSi and miserable. Ind, * Are Christians obliged to love those that do not love them V Miss. Yes, most certainly, or they are no better than unbelievers, — -for these love those that love them. — But God so hved us, when we were enemies to him by our evil deeds, as to give his only begotten Son to die for us ; and therefore he most reasonably requires, that we should love one another. Ind, * How may we attain to such a Christian temper ?* Miss, You must take all occasions of wishing well, and doing good to others, continually exercising your compassion, by relieving the poor, helping such as are in distress, comforting the afflicted, and mourn- ing with them that mourn ; which will sweeten your temper and inure you to this happy disposition. You must beware of taking pleasure in the calami- ties of other men, though your greatest enemies* For that would make you inhuman and hard-hearted. But above all, consider that this is God^s express command, — that we love one another ; and it is greatly enforced by his amazing and condescending love to us. When you have gained these good dispositions, you will find, that being obedient and dutiful to your go- vernorSf masters, and betters, civil to your equals, and kind to your inferiors, is the true way of being easy and happy yourself. Ind. * What is my duty, if my neighbour speaketh ill of me r Miss, If you are indeed abused, you ought privately to reprove him that hath done it ; and if he should not amend, your duty is to bear the injury patiently, to return good for evil, to forgive and to pray for him. — For so hath Christ expressly commanded^. And for your comfort consider, that, by thus freely i 1 Matt. V. 44. for the Indians, 125 forgiving him, you may with the more courage and comfort plead the gracious promise God has made of the pardon of your own sins, so that you become the greatest gainer by the wrong that was done you. Ind» * fiut will not this encourage bad men to abuse their innocent neighbours V Miss, It is probable it will not^, — However that be, we are not to be more concerned for our own re- putation, than for the honour and commands of Jesus Christ; who hath also set us an example , that we should follow his steps, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, but committed his cause to Him that judgeth righteously '. Ind, * Will my duty to my neghbour oblige me at all times to conceal his faults V Miss. No : sometimes it is your duty to speak of them ; — but then it must be with a good design of leading him tq,repentance,--by bringing him before such persons as have authority to call him to an ac- count ; — otherwise you are a slanderer or backbiter, and as such, reckoned amongst the most scandalous offenders '. Ind, * May I not be true and just in my dealings, and yet make myself as good a bargain as I can V Miss. Only consider, that if the person you deal with makes himself an ill bargain, out of ignorance, necessity, or out of fear, it is a wicked thing to take advantage of him ; and though you may defend it by law, you cannot answer it to God. Ind, *What is my duty if I have wronged my neighbour?* Miss. You are bound to acknowledge your fault, and make him what amends you can, to ask God*s pardon, and then you may hope for forgiveness ; for this is what you would expect from others. — And this is the great rule of the Gospel : — * Whatsoever ye ' Rom. xii. 20. 2 1 Pet. ii. 23. G 3 3 Rom. i. 30. i^ An Instruction would that men should do unto you, do you even so to them ^* Ind, * But how should such poor, ignorant people as we, know how to walk at all times by this rule ? Miss. One of our Saviour's Apostles saith — He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him ' ; that is, his love will always direct him what to do, and will not suffer him to do wrong to others, either iu word or deed. — For love worketh no ill to his neighbour ; thinketh no evil, and therefore speaks none : beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things ^. Tnd. * Must I always speak the truth V Miss, Yes, sure ; for if you consider what mischief is done by falsehood — ^how ill you take it to be de- ceived yourself, — you will be convinced, that Iging is a base vice, and that there is great reason for those terrible threatenings *, which we find in God*s word against such as are guilty of this sin. Ind. * What are the rules of temperance, soberness, and chastity, which a Christian is to walk by V Miss, Whether ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of of God'; — that is, — take care that the name of God, and the holy religion you profess, be not evil spoken of by your excess in these things. Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness *. For no man that doth so habitually, can with any true delight think of the joys of heaven. Besides, sure it is, that they who give themselves up to intemperance, are in great danger of dying sud- denly in their sins unrepented of. What was inflicted upon man for the punishment of his first transgression \that in the sweat of his face he should eat bread'\ is now become i^^o most likely means of preserving us from all other s as — for our souls are as active and inquisitive as ever, and must always be employed one way or other : and therefore. » Matt. vl. 12. * Rev. xxi. 8. 27. 2 1 John ii. 10. 5 1 Cor. X. 31. ' 1 Cor. xiii. ^ Rom. xiii. 13. for the Indiam, 1^7 if we don't constantly find some proper busineis for them — the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts will be ordy evil continually, Ind, * What reason have we to be contented, and net to desire other meni^ goods V Miss, Because our own condition is certainly the best for us, being the appointment of a wise, just, and good God, — who will supply us with every thing needful here, and give us our portion in a better world, where we shall not need these things. Ind, * But may we not endeavour to better our conditions V Miss, Yes, by God's blessing upon your honest industry ; but no man should desire to live in plenty here, and hazard his salvation for it ; nor strive to leave his family a great deal, and be miserable for ever in another life, for his covetousness, oppression, and ill dealing here. Ind, * May I do what I please with what is justly my own V Miss. No : — but you must do good with it. — First, live decently yourself; provide for your ovm house ; that is, such of your relations as are in want; and then relieve the poor with what you can well spare.— And so you will show your thankfulness to God— and he will reward you for it *. And this is the best security you can have that you shall never want. He that giveth unto the poor, lendeth unto the Lord,' and that which he hath given, will he pay him again ^. Ind. * Sure, Sir, Christians do not believe these du- ties to God and man to be so necessary as you say they are, or else they think it impossible to observe them.' Miss, Assure yourself they ere the duties and con- ditions on which their happiness or misery everlasting depends ; and they know this ; but too many will not lay it to heart. — They know also that God, to whom all I Matt. XXV. 34. G 4 2 Prov. xix. 17. 128 An Instruction u things are possible, will not let them want any assist- ance, which they sincerely desire and ask for. But they who are not willing to forsake their sins, are not disposed to beg that help of God which is necessary to enable them to break their bonds ; and such persons, by a just judgment of God, are often left to their own evil dispositions ; — and this is the great occasion of so much wickedness as is seen among Christians. Therefore, as ever you hope to do the will of God, and by him be made happy, keep these truths in your mind and memory : — * That such is the corruption of our nature, and proneness to evil, that we cannot of ourselves, without God's special grace and help, keep his commands, and serve him as we ought to do ; — that when we have done our best, we are but unprofit- able servants ; and it is only through the satisfaction of Christ we can be iustified ; — and that God is so ^ood and merciful, that he h^ promised, upon our sincere desires and prayers, to give us all the help we shall want to do our duty, so as to please him, and to secure our happiness for ever.' Prayer, therefore, being appointed by God him- self as a means of obtaining all the blessings we stand in need of, you must be instructed in that duty, how to ask of God so as to obtain his grace and help. Ind, * I cannot in reason expect that favour from you now ; but I will wait on you as soon as I can nope you will have leisure.' Miss. It will be a great pleasure and blessing to me, to be made an instrument in the hand of God, to bring you from darkness to light j and from tiie 'power of Satan unto God^, that you may be made happy for ever. THE PRAYER. Lord Jesus Christ, who hast loved us, and given thyself for us, give us grace to love, and to forgive, and to do good ; — and that running the way of thy com- * Acts xxvi. 18. for the Indians, 1^ assist- But re not jary to arsons, ir own 1 of so God, 1 your tion of mot of , keep do; — profit- action 1 is so on our elp we and to d him- ! stand '', how r from I can to me, od, to power py for given e, and com- mandments, I may live and die thy servant, and find mercy at the great day, when we must all appear be- fore the judgment-seat of Christ. Amen, DIALOGUE XVIL > Of Prayer and Thanksgiving, being the Means and Conditions of obtaining the Graces and Blessings of God, INDIAN. * I AM come again, good Sir, for your further in- struction. — You have explained to me the commands of God, and convinced me of the necessity of observing them in order to be happy. — At the same time you told me, that we cannot observe them as we ought to do without the grace of God, which I must seek by diligent prayer,^ Miss, So indeed it is. — For such is the disorder and weakness of our nature, and the temptations to sin so many, that neither our reason — nor the good- ness of God's commands, — nor the authority of so powerful a being, — nor the happiness which he pro- poses, — nor the danger of our disobedience, are sufii- cient to keep us within the bounds of duty without God's especial grace : which he is so good as to pro- mise to all such, as being sensible of their wants, do pray for his grace and assistance, Ind, * Pray, Sir, what do you mean by the grace of God f Miss, We mean every favour which God freely bestows on us, in order to make his ordinances and commands effectual for our salvation. For example : — God gives us his Holy Spirit to be the author of a new and holy life. — This Holy Spirit has made known to us in the Scriptures the ways of life and of death, — the blessing and happiness of such g5 130 An Instruction fi as love and obej Grod, — and the miserable end of die wicked and disobedient — these are the first graces aad favours of God. Besides these, — to all such as are well-disposed» and receive these truths, the Spirit of God enlightens their understandings ; — touches their hearts with the fear of God, and with a £ear for themselves, on account of their sins, and the corruption of their nature ; he shews {hem the necessity of a Saviour, and what he has done to deliver them from misery, and to make them happy for ever. In short, — whatever saving truths men know, what- ever good they do, whatiever evils they avoid, — these^ and many, very many more, are the effects of the grace audi favour of God, and the ei&ctual workings of his good Spirit on our hearts and minds. Ind, * What do you mean by prayer ?* Miss. We mean, — ^the laying our wants and desires before God, and begging of him to hear and help us, and particularly to give us the assistance of his Holy Spirit. Ind, ' Doth not God know all our wants, before we lay them before him? — And doth not he give his blessings to many that never pray for them V Miss. God doth most surely laiow our wants much hetter than we ourselves do ? — He also often gives us those things which we neither desire nor deserve ; — and yet he has commanded us to pray, and hath made it a part of the duty we owe to him ; — and that £Dr our own sake, aiid that we may be made more worthy of the favours which he designs us, and that we may not forget (as too many do) our dependence upon him for Ufe and breath, and all things. For being obliged to pray to God daily, we can hardly choose but think of him often ; — of his power to help us ; — o£ Ins goodness and promise to do so ;— of his wisdom to give what is best for us ; — and of his justice to punish those that live without God in the world : we can hardly hdp thinking of our own sinM- for the Indians, isi ami ness and unworthiness of any favour at the hand of God ; — and we are led to remember the only way by which every mercy is to be obtained : even throne^ the merit and mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ.^ By all which we are taught to know, to love, to honour^ to oheyy to rely upon, and to praise our Maker every day more and more perfectly, in all our ways, to ac- knowledge him, and live in an entire dependence upon him ; — which is the sure way to be happy for ever. Ind, ' Hath God promised to give Christians what they pray for V Miss. He hath promised to give them whatever they ask agreeable to his will, and whatsoever he in his infinite wisdom shall think proper for them*. — And because through our ignorance, and the corrwp^ tion of our nature, were we left to ourselves, we shouM be tempted to pray for such things as might burt both ourselves and others, and which would not be for the honour of God, or for his goodness, to grant; therefore his Son, and our merciful Saviour, hatk given us a pattern of prayer, in order to direct us what to pray for, so as to please God. — And this prayer is so short, that the most unlearned Christian may get it by heart, and, by a very little help and attention, may understand it so well, as never to be at a loss what to ask of God. Ind, * I hope you will be so good as to teach me that prayer, and to explain it to me.' Miss, I will do so, and endeavour to make you un- derstand the reason and meaning of every petition :— You mpst know then, that it is called the Lord's Prayer, because it was given by our Lord Christ to his disciples, for the use of them and his followers ; and it is in these words : The Lord's Prayer. Our Father, which art in heaven; — Hallowed be 1 John xiv. 14. ; 3cvi. 33. Matt. xxi. 22. G 6 1 i- i li ru. 132 An Instruction thy name. — Thy kingdom come. — ^Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. — Give us this day our daily bread. — And forgive us our trespasser, as we forgive them that trespass against us. — And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. — For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Ind. *I should be much to Uame, indeed, if I should^not get so short a prayer by heart. You will now be so kind as to explain it to me.* Miss, Before I do that, I must first observe to you, that we are not taught to say, Mtf Father, but Our Father, — because God, who is the God of all man- kind, would have all of us to love and to be concerned for one another. — And to increase and confirm our love, he hath taught us, when we beg any favour for ourselves, to pray for all others, that he may be glori- fied by them, as well as by us ; — and that none may be deprived of those blessings which Jesus Christ hath purchased for mankind. You will also observe, that God hath permitted us to call him Our Father, to the end that we may pray with a humble confidence of being kindly received : ■ — Being assured, that as a Father pitieth his own children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him^. But then we are to consider, — that this Father is the God of heaven, who sees our behaviour, and the very thoughts of our hearts, which should oblige us to approach him with reverence and godly fear, — because he is in heaven, and we are upon earth, which is his footstool. Lastly, — observe — that in the three first petitions, we pray for the glory of God ; that we, and all people, may know him, worship and obey him, as we ought to do. — And in the three last petitions, we pray for our- selves, — for the necessaries of life, — for the pardon of our sins, and grace to do our duty, — and for God*s 1 Psalm ciii. 13. M: for the Indians. las protection and deliverance, from the evils we either suffer or fear, * And therefore I beseech thee, O heavenly Father, not for myself only, but for all thy children, that we may all live worthy of the relation which we bear to thee ; — that we may not sin, knowing that we are ac- counted thine, nor wilfully offend so great, so good, so tender a Father : — But that we may love tl^ee not as slaves, but as children ; — that we may put our whole trust in thee, and depend upon thine infinite power, wisdom, goodness, and promise, to take care of us : — That we may leave it to thee to choose what is best for us, and bear with patience and resignation all thy fa- therly corrections. — And that we may serve thee with comfort and pleasure all our days, in hopes of the ever- lasting inheritance which thou hast promised to thy obedient children.' own Hallowed he thy name. Now in this first petition we pray, — that all men may have a very high regard for the divine majesty of God, and for his honour : — And especially, that all Christians, to whom he has made himself and his will known by no less a person than his own Son, may honour him, by a firm faith in him, and by leading just and holy lives, as becomes the children of God, that others, seeing their good works, may be con- verted, and glorify their Father which is in heaven, — and for their encouragement in doing this, God hath declared, That them who honour him, he will honour * ; that is, he will bless them, and make them happy. ' * Let us ever remember, O God, that thou art our great Creator, our absolute Lord, our merciful Saviour, and our all-seeing Judge. — May we stand in awe of thy almighty power, thine all-seeing providence, and thine angry justice, and love thy boundless goodness, and be always thankful for thine innumerable benefits. 1 1 Sam. ii. 39. 134 An Imtruetkm 1 f'i and trust in thy wisdem, and truth, and call vpcn thy name, as long as we live !* Thy kingdom come. la order to understand this petition, you must know, — that wherever the Christian religion is re- ceived, there is the kingdom of God, because God is there obeyed, feared, and loved. — We pray, therefore, in these words, that all the nations of the earth may corF»e to the knowledge of the true, and only God, the Creator and Preserver of all things; — and that the Gospel of his Son, which contains the laws of his kingdom, may every where be received, to the glory of God, and the good of mankind ; — and that every one of us may labour to advance the kingdom of God and his honour. * And thus, O Lord, let thy kingdom come, — ^let it be as universal, as the prophets foretold it should be, and extend to every comer of the earth, and reach every man's heart and soul: — And may the days come, when no persecution, division, or schism, no evils or troubles of any kind shall be known in it!— And may none who are called by thy name, oppose this coming of thy kingdom by any scandal, or by resisting the power and efficacy of it in himself l* How meanly and basely do those act, who profess themselves members of this kingdom, and yet have no care or concern for the conduct of it; — but withcd 1k)w inconsistently, while they are bidding open de- fiance to their Lord, to wish, as they do in this prayer — ^for his coming. "We are also supposed to pray in this petition — ^that God would be pleased to remove whatever hinders so glorious a work ; — that he would restrain the powet of the devil, who leads so many nations captive at his will: — that all such as are yet ignorant of the true God, may no longer want the necessary means of thek conversion; and that all Christiams may, by theur good lives, convince unbelievers, how happy they are in being under the laws andg/wernment of their Maker. forihe IndkfM* i95 Ind, * But pray, good Sir, kow can that be caUdl the kingdom of God, in which there are so oaiij wicked subjects V Miss. God permits it to be so for the present, in this state of trial, to make all men see what they would be without the assistance and help of his grace ; to show his goodness and patience, hy which many of the wicked are brought to repentance ; whereby tuso the power of his grace is both seen and glorified. — By these alro he tries the sincerity of his faithful subjects. — But a time is coming, when a separation will be made of the wheat from liie tares, the good seed from the bad, and the justice of God will appear in the dreadful punishment of all such as now give offence to his good subjects, and hinder the propagating the Gospel. Thy will he done in earth, as it is in heaven. This is the next petition ; — ^by which we pray, — that God by his grace may dispose the hearts of all his subjects to a cheerful obedience to his laws, and an entire submission to his will and direction ; — and to a performance of their duty in that state of life, in which his providence hath placed them : — and this as cheerfully as his angels do their duty and obey his will in heaven ; — by which God will be greatly glori- fied, — ^his kingdom enlarged, — his angels delighted^ and all who obey him, will be prepared for eternal happiness. Now we come to the three last petitions, which con- cern our own wants, and which none but God can supply. — And these I shall explain to you the next time you come. — In the mean time address yourself to the throne of grace in the following words : THE PRAYER. Dispose me, ani^ all thy children, O Lord and Fa- ther, to submit cheerfully to whatever thy providence shall order for us : — ^Hearicen not to the corrupt de*> J! . 136 An Instruction sires of our own hearts, but to the voice of thine own wisdom, goodness, and mercy. — Give us a true know- ledge of our duty, and a heart disposed to close with thy will, wherever it shall be made known to us, and to obey it with pleasure. — Subdue in us whatever is contrary to thy holy will, that, through thy grace, we may at last become perfect, as our heavenly pattern is, through Jesus Christ our blessed Saviour and Re- deemer. Amen. DIAL6GUE XVIII. :1 INDIAN. ' * I am now come to desire you would explain to me the remaining part of the Lord's Prayer.' Miss. The three last petitions concern our own wants, and which none but God can supply. The first of these is, " Give lis this day our daily bread. In which words we pray, that God would be pleased to give us all things which are either needful or conve- nient for the health and support of our bodies, and for the good of our souls. — Bread, being of most ne- cessary and universal use, has obtained not only in Scripture, but in common discourse all over the world, to be put very often for all the necessaries of life. — Thus, poverty is expressed by want of Bread, and prosperity by fulness of bread, Ind, *Why do you ask for these things day by day?' Miss, Because we have by this an occasion of re- membering our daily dependence upon God, and of giving him thanks for his favours to us every day of our lives ; and forasmuch as we acknowledge that we depend upon God's blessing, on our honest endeavours, for our daily bread, we should not for our lives attempt for the Indians, 137 line own e know- ose with us, and itever is race, we pattern and Re- n to me lur own r. The pleased r conve- ies, and (lost ne- only in e world, r life.— ID, and day by L of re- and of r day of that we savours, ittempt to take such ways for a livelihood as we cannot hope God will bless. And lastly, — we learn by this prayer, — not to be too much concerned or anxious for our- selves for the time to come, because God ever liveth to supply our wants. Ind, *It seems, then, that Christians are not to pray for great riches, honours, and powers, since they are directed only to pray for their daily bread/ Miss. It is certainly so : For these things should be left wholly to God's wisdom, since men cannot, and none but God can, know what use any one may make of such things. — Not but that, if God gives men such things, they may receive them with thanks, and should use them to good purposes. Ind, * How may they do that V Miss, By assisting, with their riches those that are in want : — by defending, with their power, such as are oppressed, &c. And taking care always to remember God in the midst of their abundance, and the account they must give to him of both the use and abuse of it. We look up unto, and depend upon thee, O hea- venly Father, for all the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of this life ; — and may our bodily wants engage us to go daily to the throne of grace, for the wants of our souls ! * — Let thy blessing go along with our honest en- deavour, and keep us from all unjust ways of better- ing our condition ; and that with all thy other favours, give us, we beseech thee, the blessing of a thankful and contented mind !* The next petition which concerns ourselves, is this following : Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that tres- pass against us. Now in these words we pray, — that God for Christ's sake would be merciful unto us, and forgive us our sins, vtrhether known or unknown, and that he would not punish us as we deserve. And, to show our thank- ISS An Instruction Jubutt £r : this great mercy, we oblige ourselvei to forgive, and love, and do good to those who have any way injured us, as sincerely as we hope for pardon from God. Ind, ' And may a Christian be assured, that God will pardon his sins, provided he deals with others as kindly as he desires God would deal with him V Miss, We have his faithful promise by his Son, that, upon our true repentance, he will do so ^ : — By which he hath, as it were, put our pardon into our own power, and left us to consider, tnat there will be no mercy for him who will not show mercy. ' Forgive us those sins, O heavenly Father, which separate us from thee : Forgive us every day of our lives, for every day we stand in need of pardon. — Give me, and all Christians, a forgiving temper, that we may fulfil the condition of our pardon. — Thou art good and merciful in forgiving us, — grant that we may all live in the same charitable temper, in which we hope and desire to die.* The last petition of this prayer is : Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. That is, we pray that God would so order things in the course of his providence, that we may not be exposed to great and dangerous trials, which may prove hazardous to our virtue. — That he would not s^er us to he tempted above what we are able, hut v/ould with the temptation make a way for us to escape, that ufe may be able to bear it. Ind, * What must I understand by the word evil ?* Miss. First and chiefly, the evil spirit, i, e, the DEVIL, who is the great tempter of mankind to all €vil. 2dhf, Evil practices and evil examples. Srf^ Everlasting misery. Kow you will observe from this petition, that it is * Matt vi. 14. for the Indiam. 189 not sufficient to beg pardon for oiet past offences, — but that erery good Christian must pray Ood to en* ajble him to keep out of the way of temptation, and not suffer him to fall again into the sins he has repented of : — And that whenever he suffers us to be tempted for the trial of our faith and trust in him, he would in mercy deliver us from the powers and snares of the elevil ; — from our own corrupt inclinations ; — from the ill examples of a wicked world ; — and from everlasting misery, the most dreadful of all evils whatever. And the reason why this desire is by our Lovd expressed in these words — And lead us not into tempta-' tion, but deliver us from evil, is this : To admonish us, that even the best of us are in danger of falling into the same sins, that we have once, much more that we have often, been guilty of; and that, because there are several temptations, which in the ourse of our lives we shall surely meet with ; and therefore, that none of us are to be secure, but ought always to watch and prat/, and stand upon our guard, and to look well to ourselves, that we be not overcome. And you will be further convinced of the absolute necessity of this petition, when you see so many, even amongst those who bear the name of Christians, run- ning headlong into everlasting ruin, for want of Grod*8 gracious assistance, which can only be obtained by constant and diligent prayer. * O God, who hatest iniquity, and knoweat our in- firmities, — leave us not to the maUce and power of the evil one, the devil, to deal with us as he pleaseth ; — leave us not, O merciful Father, to ourselves, and to our own corrupt hearts and lusts, lest we rashly run into temptations : — Keep us always under the protec- tion of thy good Spirit ; suffer us not to be surprised, nor off our guard, nor tempted above what we «re able to bear ; — ^give us grace to reinst the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to watch and pray daily, that we enter not into temptation.* HO An Instruction Ui ■;l-' I • 11! 1 ( We conclude this prayer with these following words ; which are a solemn form oi praise and an acknowledg- ment to him to whom we have been praying. For thine is the kingdom, thfi power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen, That is, in other words — we praise and worship, and depend upon thee, the great and true, and only God ; — whose kingdom ruleth over all the world ; — whose power nothing can resist ; — whose glory ought to be our chief aim and desire ; — who alone can give us what we want and pray for ; — who alone can for- give us our sins, and dispose us to forgive one an- other; — who can help, secure, and save us in the hour of temptp^ion, and deliver us from the evils to which we are daily exposed. To thee, therefore, we give all honour i praise, and thanks, and wish that all the world would do the same. Amen, Ind, * I observe, that you conclude all your prayers with that word — Amen.' Miss, We do so. — By which we express our most earnest desire, that God would grant us what we have prayed for ;— which we firmly believe he will do, so ' far as may really promote his glory and our best in- terest ; — forasmuch as we are assured that no man did ever trust in the Lord, and was confounded *, or dis- appointed of his hopes ; and therefore we conclude all our prayers with saying Amen, or so be it, let it be as we have prayed, and do desire, Ind. * Can it be expected, that the ignorant and UNLEARNED should pray V Miss, It is most surely the duty of every man, however ignorant and unlearned, to pray and give praise to God ; whereby he owns his dependence ^pon him, for every thing he wants, and returns his thanks, for all the blessings he receives. Now every man, even the most unlearned, cannot 1 Ecdus. ii. 10. for the Indiatii, 141 but know, tliat he is subject to be tempted to iin, and that God only can deliver him from it. Every one knows, that it is God only that can bless his honest endeavours for a livelihood ; — that God therefore ought to be sought to for these blessings, and that every one is obliged to be thankful to him when he receives them. A very child can tell )\\s father what he wants ; and you see God permits us to call him our Father, that we may lay our desires and wants before him after the best manner we are able, and leave it to him to help us : — ^he knows our wants, however imperfectly we express thf»m with our tongues. And we may be assured, that when we devoutly use this very prayer, God will hear and answer us, not according to our weak understandings, but in a manner suitable to our real necessi ies, and according to the love of a father for his children. Ind, * Do Christians think that they are bound to pray every day V Miss, They should do so : and every good Christian will do so : because he knows he wants God's help, and pardon, and blessing every day of his life. And it is chiefly owing to the omission of this duty, that we see so much wickedness and mischief even amongst Christians. People venture every day into a world full of temptations to sin, and of dangers innumerable, without begging the protection of God: — and they too often lie down to sleep, without praying to be delivered from the powers of darkness, and the sad accidents which may befall them, when all eyes a^e shut, but his only who never sleepeth. Ind. * Is it expected that such as cannot read, should pray V Miss. It is an unhappiness that people cannot read : but God forbid that should hinder them from praying ! — Whoever hath sense to know that he is a sinner, or that he wants God's help, is bound to pray as well as he can. If such a person wants a kindness firom his I 1 1^ ; 14^ ^» Instruction neighbour, he will find words to ask it in : if he is to ask it of his betters, he will think of doing it in a becoming manner, and will wait with patience, and receive it thankfully — let him so behave himself to- wards his Maker ; and God, who is alway pleased with the desires of a heart truly sensible of its misery and wants, will favourably answer his requests. Ind, * I observe that you make thanksgiving also a duty, and a service which you owe to God.* Miss, God himself has made it so *, — and it is agreeable to our reason. — We expect thanks from one another, when we have done a kindness. — And if Christians would take notice of, and give God thanks for the mercies and blessings they receive daily from his bounty, they would engage the divine goodness to multiply his favours, which they often hinder by their ingratitude. ' But then they must show their thank- fulness, not only with their lips, but by their lives.' Ind, * How often should we pray V Miss, We should pray without ceasing ^ ; that is, we should let no day pass, without begging God's blessing ; and giving him thanks for his mercies ; — for every blessing we receive ; for every danger we escape ; — ^^and for every affliction we meet with, and are supported under. Our meals should put us in mind — that we do not live by bread alone ; that there- fore God's blessing must make our meat to do us good^. — In our business we should remember, that it is but lost labour, to rise early and take little rest, — if God blesses not our endeavours*. In the morning, we should pray to God to b^ess our labours all tlie day ; and in the evening, retmn our humble thanks for all the mercies of the foregoing day, and pray for preserva- tion, and the other mercies of the night. Ind* ' Are there any further instructions that you think necessary to give me, concerning this duty of prayer?' % il I > ] TheakT. in ' lThe8s.v.l7. ^ Deutviiia. * Ps.cuvu. S. for the Indians. 143 reserva- Miss, Only remember — that whenever you say this prayer, or beg any favour from God, you do it with the humility of one woo is sensible of his wants and misery / — with submission to God's will ; with great reverence, attention o( mind, and deliberation, that your heart may go along with your lips. — And lastly, which you must never forget, — ^you must ask every blessing you want of God, for t^ie sake of his Son Jesus Christ ; it being on his account alone, and/or what he has done and suffered, that God will own us for his children, or grant us what we pray for. Ind * I hope I shall always remember to do so* Miss, Indeed, it is of so very great moment, that JEstJs Christ himself has appointed an holy ordi- nance to be observed by all Christians, on purpose that they may always remember the wonderful things he has done, and the great blessings he hath obtained for them : — Particularly the sacrifice of his death, and the benefits which we receive by it ; viz, the pardon of our sins, and the sure and certain hope of everlasting life. — When, therefore, you come again to me, I will explain this to you more fully, than I can do at pre- sent, for want of time. Ind, ' You have said enough, Sir, to make me return to you as soon as I possibly can.* THE PRAYER. Blessed be thy name, O God, for this great privi- lege of laying our wants before thee, and for the great hopes we have of being heard. — Make me ever sensi- ble of my wants, and of thy power and goodness to help me, that at all times I may call upon thee, by diligent prayer. — And hear me, O King of Heaven, when I call upon thee, in the name of our Lord Jestis Christ; that I may effectually obtain the relief of my necessities, and ever give thee praise for the same. Amen, 144 I ;l An Instruction DIALOGUE XIX. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper explained, INDIAN, *YouR promise, Sir, to explain to me an holy ORDINANCE, whlch, you told me, all Christians are bound to observe for a continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, ever since that sacri- fice was offered, this has brought me to you now as soon as I could hope you would have time to instruct me.' Miss. I have now time to do it — ^you remember, I hope, what I have told you before ; — that there are two special ordinances of the Christian religion, which we call Sacraments, appointed by Christ himself as necessary means of salvation, when they may be regu- larly had. — These are, Baptism and the Lord's Sup- per. — By baptism we are introduced into the Christian character ; — at which time we enter into a covenant with God, wherein, on our part, we promise, — to believe in him, to fear, to hve, and obei/ him all our days: — And God, on his part, receives us into his family, which is his church, and promiseth to treat us as his children, to protect iis, while we live, and, when we die, to make us happy, if we have behaved our- selves as his dutiful children ought to do ; and thus we give ourselves up unto Christ. Ind, * This I have not forgot.' Miss. But then, forasmuch as this high favour hath been bestowed upon Christians — to be called and treated as the children of God, not for any thing they have done to deserve it, but purely /or the sake of what his Son Jesus Christ hath done and suffered for them — he hath appointed another sacrament, which we call the Lord's Supper, in order to keep up the re- membrance of what he hath done for us: — His laying for the Indians^ 145 HOLY IS are of the ; sacri- low as istruct iber, I ere are , which iself as e regu- 'sSup- iristian wenant se, — to all our bto his reat us I, when d our- thus we ur hath 2A and ng they 0/ what them — lich we the re- s laying down his life for us to redeem us from the wrath of God, to purchase us to himself to be a people zealous of good works, Ind. * Why do you call this sacrament by the name of the Lord's Supper V Miss. Because our Lord Christ did appoint this ORDINANCE at Ms last supper with his disciples, the evening before Me was crucified, to preserve the memory and the reasons of his death ; the knowledge of which is the foundation of the Christian religion, and that on which the happiness and salvation of all men doth depend. lnd» * You will not wonder, if I am very desirous to know all that is necessary concerning this ordi- nance.* Miss, Thav. v m may do so, you must carry your thoughts back vhat I have already told you of — the first pare. t. of mankind ; — that they rebelled against their Maker's command ; — that they lost his favour, and all right and title to the happiness which he had promised them ; — that this very nature became prone to evil; — and both they and 'their posterity became subject to sin, to misery, and to death : — And, lastly, that the Son of God, pitying their calamity, undertook to redeem them, — to satisfy -his Father's justice, and to suffer in his own person for their sins ; as also to impart to them a spirit and principle of a new life ; in order to renew that nature which they had so sadly spoiled. In order to which he was made man ; and having put himself in the place of sinners, he offered himself to suffer death for their redemption; by which he restored them to his Father^ favour, and to a possi- bility of obtaining the happiness for which they at first were made. By which wonderful goodness, and most worthy sacrifice, God was so well pleased, — that he hath, /or his Son's sake, ^lovm&Qdi to pardon all penitent sinners, and to make them happy for ever. H 146 An Instruction m Ind. * All this I now remember you explained to me ; and I thank you for putting me again in mind of it : and I hope now I shall never forget it.' Miss. It will certainly be your interest to remember it ; for indeed your happiness depends upon it. Ind, * Is it sufficient for me to remember in this sa- crament, that there was such a person as Jesus Christ V Miss, No, surely ; — much more is contained in it,— - we are to call to mind his wonderful love to mankind, which engaged him to take our nature upon him, and to submit to the infirmities and miseries of it ; which made him content to live amongst us, and to die for us; — It is to call to mind his vrnweaiied patience and diligence in doing good ; — healing the diseases, and instructing the ignorance of men : and particularly his most grievous sufferings and death, by which he made an atonement to his Father for the sins of mankind. — He was made sin for W5, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him \ And if we truly remember him, we shall endeavour to copy the example of his virtues, and especially those which were most conspicuous in his life. Ind, * Where shall I learn the history of his life and actions, that I may follow his example V Miss, In the four Gospels, or in what is called the New Testament. Ind, * What do you mean by the Gospels V Miss, I mean four small treatises, in which the life and actions of our Saviour are written for the benefit of all succeeding Christians ; and, when it shall be your happiness to read them, you will there find abundant matter and reason for the perpetual remembrance of Jesus Christ. Ind, * What need was there of this sacrament, since it seems impossible for men to forget so great a benefactor V Miss. Jesus Christ, who knew our nature better »2Cor. V. 21. * for the Indians, U7 ned to lind of lember this sa- Christ V in it,-— ankind, im, and ; which die for nee and wSf and larlyhis [le made ikind. — ve might nd if we 3opy the e which I his life is called • m which n for the when it «rill there jerpetual ent, since great a re better than we ourselves do, and how very apt we are to for- get the greatest favours of God, has by this holy ODINANCE provided, that such as have any sense or regard for his love, or even for their own happiness, shall never want a proper occasion of remembering what he hath done and suffered to redeem them from misery, and to put them in a way of being happy for ever: — He likewise intended this holy ordinance as a standing proof or evidence of this important fact of his death, thereby to strengthen and renew our faith in it. Ind, ' You will now, Sir, be pleased to let me know how he hath done this.' Miss. Our GREAT LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, the night before he was crucified, * took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, take eat ; this is my body, that is given for you : — Do this in remembrance of me. — After supper also he took a cup of wine, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of this ; — for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins. — Do this, as often as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. — For as oft as ye shall eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.' Ind, * You will now, Sir, let me know how this sacrament is observed amongst Christians.' Miss, They do it after this manner: — First, the minister of Christ placeth, or causeth to be placed, upon a table in our churches, a portion of bread and wine, in the sight of all the people. This bread and wine, which are to represent the sacrifice of Christ's body and blood, are sanctified, or set apart, for thit holy use, by giving thanks to God for all his favours, and especially for having sent his only Son to redeem us by his death ; and by begging of him, that when we receive, and eat and drink this bread and wine, we may be so far made partakers of the sacrifice of his lis An Instruction % ill 5! r , pi most blessed body and blood, as to share in all the benefits which he hath obtained for us by his death. At the same time he breaketh the bread into pieces, and poureth the wine into a cup, to represent unto our senses, by the^e outward and visible signs, the death of Christ, whose body was broken, and blood ' poured out, upon the cross. Ind. * Pray, Sir, how doth he, after this, dispose of this bread and wine V Miss. This bread and wine, being sanctified by the word of God and prayer, he distributes among those who are there present ; — putting them in mind, that Jesus Christ died for them and their salvation ; — preferring their happiness to his own life ; — that there- fore they ought never to forget so great a kindness, but to keep up the remembrance of him, after this manner, which he hath appointed, until his coming AGAIN. Ind. * Is this all that is required of Christians, — ** to keep up the remembrance of Christ, and of his death ?" ' Miss. No, surely; — no serious Christians think that alone sufficient. — They know that it is an humble heart in which Christ delights to dwell ; — they there- fore look upon this sacrament as a proper occasion of humbling themselves before God, and of abhorring those sins, which cost Jesus Christ his life and blood. They know also, that the blessings obtained for us by Christ's death, of which this sacrament is a remem- brance, are as much the food of the soul, as bread and wine are of the bod^ — that this food or support we re- ceive by a lively faith in his merits : and do therefore, at this time, more especially acknowledge the efficacy of his death. — This is the true bread, which nourisheth to eternal life^. — That God who spared not his own- Son^ but gave him up for us all, will he not with him freely give us all things ! * John vi. for the Indians, 140 Besides this, every penitent Christian wilj look upon this as a proper time to remember and comfort him- self with the great extent of God's mercy , declared hy his Son, and this even with an oath, — * that all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men \' Every humble Christian also, who feels in his soul the want of God's help to support him against the temptations of the world, the ^eshf and the devil, will think this a very prope ii... o beg of God hi Z Vs promise, — * that he will give tiie Holy Spirit to them that ask him.' Lastly, — every Christian must be supposed to receive this sacrament in token that he acknowledgeth Jesus Christ to be Lord and Saviour, and his Lawgiver here, and his Judge hereafter, Ind. * I remark, that Christ commanded this ordi- nance to be observed by his followers till his coming AGAIN : Pray what is meant by that V Miss. Why, as I have told you before, we Chris- tians do know, and firmly believe, that Jesus Christ will come again at the end of the world — to judge THE LIVING AND THE DEAD ; — to Call all men that have ever lived to an account for the use they have made of the favours which God has given them ; and to reward or punish them, as they have lived well or ill in this world. And this intimation he gave his followers, when he appointed this ordinance, that they may consider, every time they go to this sacrament, what account they will be able to give of themselves, * when he shall come to judge the world in righteousness V Ind. * Is there any thing else required of Christians before they go to this sacrament?' Miss. Yes : — They ought, in the first place, to con- sider what sort of life they have led since thay took on them the Christian character ; at which time they obliged themselves to make the laws of God the rule » Mark iii. 28. h3 31 It' i in HI •j-i . :i m ' ■■ ii 150 An Instruction of their faitb, and life, and act^'ons : — And to examine themselves, whether they have not led a wicked, at least an idle, useless life ; — or whether they now live in any known sin ; — because they are bound, when they go to that sacrament, — seriously to acknowledge their offences and sins before God, and to beg his pardon, with a full purpose of amendment of life ; otherwise they will receive nothing there, but their own condemnation. A Christian is obliged also to have a grateful sense of God's goodness, by considering his mercy in sending his own Son to redeem us, whom by his death he hath reconciled to his Father, and put us in a way to be for ever happy, if it is not merely our own fault. And lastly, Jesus Christ having expressly com- manded, ' that all his disciples should love one another, as he hath loved them, and given his life for them V — every Christian is bound, before he goeth to this sacrament (the chief end of which is to put him in. mind of this great instance of Christ's love, every Christian, I say, is bound), to consider whether he hath any thing in his heart, contrary to this pattern of true love, and command of his Saviour. Ind. * Do you believe, that Christians are generally careful to prepare themselves for this ordinance after this manner V Miss, All serious Christians are so : — But, too many, it is to be feared, are not. — And this is the reason why so many receive no benefit from this sacrament ; — for otherwise, this ordinance would be a most powerful restraint to keep them from leading a thought- less and an evil life, — ^by affording them so many blessed occasions of remembering and renewing their covenant with God, laying them under continual obligations of leading a new and Christian life, and obtaining grace from God to do so. Ind, * What do you think of those Christians that never go to this sacrament V * John xiii. 34. ' > for the Indians, 151 Mm, Why they are generally to be esteemed in the way of ruin, without seeing their danger. — They do not consider, that, as they are sinners, God cannot be pleased with them ; — and that there is no pardon for sinners, no salvation to be hoped for, but only through the merits of Christ's death, which is com," memorated in tliis sacrament. Ind, * But sure. Sir, all Christians are not so thoughtless ; — they must have some reasons for neglecting so necessary a duty, as you seem to repre- sent it.* Miss. There may be reasons and scruples for absent- ing for a time; — but generally speaking, some of these following are the true reasons, why men turn their backs upon the Lord's Supper, when invited to it, let them pretend what they please. Either they live in some known sin, which they will not at present resolve to forsake ; — or this world, its business or pleasures, have taken such possession of their hearts, that they have no time even to think of their souls, or of what must come hereafter ; — or lastly, — they delude themselves with a faint purpose, that thus it shall not always be with them ! — that some time or other they will make the care of their souls their great concern. But such persons should consider, that while they thus despise one of the greatest instances of God's love, they continue in a sin which too nearly resembles the denial of their JLord and Saviour, More particularly they should reflect, that by persisting in such a wilful disobedience to Christ's positive command, they have no well-grounded assurance, that any of their prayers will be granted : for as Christ's death is the only solid foundation of favour with God, so his mediation is the only channel through which it is to be conveyed to Christians. Whether, therefore, those who refuse to comme- morate the one, can lay any just claim to the other, is left to every man's serious meditation : — And they should consider with what face they can hereafter H 4 152 An Instruction w ap]: ai* before their Saviour in judgment, whom they refused to remember in his ordinance here on earth ; — it having been observed, — that tohatever keeps a man from the sacrament after he has been instructed in the true nature of it, will, generally speaking, hinder him from going to heaven. Ind. * Can a Christian know whether he hath gone to this sacrament as he ought to have done, so as to hope for the blessings attending it V Miss. That will be best known by the manner of his life afterwards : — If a person went as a true peni- tent, he will be very careful of falling into the sins he hath repented of. — If he was indeed grieved with the remembrance of his sins, and the burthen of them was intolerable: — if he did in good edixnest purpose to lead a new life, he will be more careful to beg of God to enable him to do so. — If he went with a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, that faith will appear in a better obedience to God's laws. — If he had a. thankful remembrance of Christ's death, — the grateful acknowledgment of that invaluable blessing will constrain him to live so as to please his merciful Redeemer. — Lastly, if he went with a truly charitable disposition to the sacrament, he will afterwards make the love of Christ the pattern of his love to all others, — he will forgive, and give, and love, as becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ. Ind. * Will not the blessings which Christ hath obtained by his death, as represented by this sacra- ment, encourage Christians to hope for salvation without amendment of life V Miss. Ignorant and unthoughtful people may delude themselves with such vain hopes ; but all well-in- structed Christians should know, — that though Christ died for the salvation of all, yet those only shall actu- ally enjoy the benefit of his death, who live accord- ing to the will and commands of Him who died for them; that there will be no forgiveness of sins without repentance, and a thorough reformation of life ; and for the Indians. 153 gone as to that the strictest adherence to Uiia or any other posi- tive ordinance of God, ^vill not avail, without an earnest and sincere endeavour to perform the whole will of God as it respects iiim, our neighbour, and OURSELVES. Ind. * I cannot. Sir, but be very thankful for the great pains you have taken to instruct me, and to make me understand the nature and benefit of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper : — and indeed. Sir, I am very desirous to be baptized, if you know of nothing that ought to hinder me.' Miss. I would not hinder you one moment ; — but that I have one thing more to make you sensible of before I would encourage you to be baptized, — and this is — * the delusion, the danger, and the mischief, of being a Christian without Christianity.' Ind. * Indeed, Sir, I do not understand ycu.* Miss. I will explain to you what I mean, when you come to me again. — In the mean time, I shall pray God to keep you in this good disposition, and from every thing that may any way hinder your true con- version. THE PRAYER. Almighty God, who gavest thine only Son Jestis Christ to suffer death for our redemption, give me grace to keep up the remembrance of this great mercy. — Grant that I may never be ashamed to con- fess the faith of Christ crucified ; — that I may never despise the blessings he has purchased for me, nor the means of grace which he hath ordained; which I most humbly beg for the sake of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. h5 154 An Instruction DIALOGUE XX. The Delusion, the Danger, and the Mischief, of being Christians without Christianity. INDIAN. * Most kind Sir, I left you with a very earnest desire of being baptized ; but you said you had some- thing of moment to say to me, before I was to take upon me the character of a Christian : for that rea- son I am now coxe to wait on you.' Miss. To tell you the truth, then, notwithstanding the pains I have taken to instruct you, and show you both your true interest ^ and your great danger in not following it, I cannot but be afraid, lest, when you come to be more conversant with the world, and instead of finding these good fruits which you might naturally expect from so excellent a religion, you should find amongst too many professing that religion, little or no fear of God, nor any true concern for them- selves, or for what must come hereafter : — I cannot but be afraid thereof, lest seeing this, you should be tempted to suspect the truths I have told you, and so either renounce Christianity, or else content yourself, as too many do, with the borrowed name of a Christ- ian, and with mere shadows of religion, without endeavouring after that substantial holiness, without which no man must ever hope to be happy. Ind, * I am very thankful for your concern for me, and I shall hear with attention the instructions you will be pleased to give, for preventing my fall.' Miss, You must know then, — that the Christian religion is intended by God to cure the corruption of our nature, and to make us happy, by making us holy, just, and good ; — by making Christians the best neighbours, — the truest friends, — the kindest mas^ ters ; — the most faithful servants, — the best husbands and wives, — the most careful and tender parents, and for the Indians, 155 SF, of arnest some- o take it rea- inding •w you in not 5n you i, and might 1, you 3ligion, f them- cannot )uld be and so )urself, Ckrist- vithout without or me, ms you iristian ition of ing us tie best t maS' ishands ts, and the most dutiful children^ — the iustest magistrates^ and most faithful and obedient subjects ; — and, above all} the devoutest worshippers of the true and only God, and strict observers of his laws. — Now my fears are, — that when you shall see too many Christians live without any regard to these duties, professing to know God, but in their works denying him ^ ; — I say again, I cannot but be afraid for you — lest you should forget the holy covenant you made with God, when you were baptized, — and fall insensibly into the way of the world, which leads to destruction Ind, * Pray, Sir, what do you mean by the way of the world V Miss, I mean, * that sad, but too common delu- sion, of being Christians without Christianity :* — that is — of professing to obey the laws, and to follotv the example of Christ, and at the same time leading care- less and unchristian lives ; — by which God is exceed- ingly dishonoured; — the Gospel despised; — and too, too many deceived to their everlasting ruin : — the ill consequences of which can never be sufficiently lamented: — for the poor heathens observing, that these people call themselves Christians ; and yet seeing them corrupt in their manners, contemners of the God they worship, and his laws ; — minding neither his -promises nor threats ; but having their hearts wholly set upon their worldly interests or pleasures ; — they, seeing this, do very naturally conc-r le, — that if such people as these can think themselves secure of happiness in the next life, no one needs to be con- cerned whether he be a Heathen or a Christian in this. Ind. * You remember. Sir, what I told you before, that this very thing had once made me resolve never to think of becoming a Christian ; till you assured me, that such as these are no true christians ; — but are either wholly ignorant of what they profess, * Rom. i. 21. h6 156 An Instruction or deceive themselves with the thoughts that there is something in the very name of a Christian, which may recommend them to the favour of God, and save them from his displeasure, and their own ruin.' Miss. I told you the truth, and what the Son of God hath commanded all mankind to take notice of; — * That not every one who calls himself a Christian, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only such as do the will of his Father, which is in heaven, and observe his laws ^' Ind, * I shall be very thankful, if you will let me know who they are that thus delude and deceive themselves, that I may not follow them to my ruin.' Miss. I must first tell you, that there are those amongst us, who, hei7ig wise in their own conceits^, will not receive the Son of God as their teacher, nor his Gospel as the rule of their faith and manners : — nov/ these men often lead into very dangerous errors, such people as do not know or consider, upon what certain proofs the truths of the Gospel are most surely believed amongst us, Ind. * I hope my belief in the Gospel is confirmed sufficiently, both by the many and wonderful miracles of Christ, esjjecially by his resurrection from the dead^^ Miss. But you must not forget, that your faith, and continuance of it, is the gift of God ; whichryou must pray for, as ever you hope to be preserved free from error. Ind. ' "Well, it is strange, however, that people of understanding iii other things, who cannot but see how much we are apt to be mistaken in the common affairs of life, should, in matters of the greatest concern, wholly depend upoii their own wisdom and loiver, even where God hath undertaken to direct and assist us.' Miss. You will not wonder at this, if you remem- ber, what hath been so often repeated and proved ; — that sucli is the corruption of our nature, that when any man, through a proud conceit of his own wisdom t » Matt. vii. 21. 2 Rom. xii. IC. 3 Acts ii. 22. for the Indians, 157 and strength^ shall provoke God to forsake and leave him to himself, that a man will be capable of believ- ing and doing thennost unreasonable things, to which an evil spirit y or his own corrupt hearty can tempt him. Ind. * Pray, Sir, what other mistakes are there amongst Christians, which endanger their salvation ?' Miss. Ther^ are too many, who, for want of atten- tion to the good instructions which are given them, consider not how they livey nor what will become of them when they die ; — who know not the evil of sin, nor the mischiefs it has brought into the world; — how hateful it is to an holy God, — how strict his com- mands are to avoid it, and what the portion of sinners in the next life is to be ; — and therefore propose no other end to themselves, in this life, but only to live and die as easy as they can. — Besides those who walk in darkness, and know not whither they go ^, and are secure, because ignorant; — there are others, that are even afraid of being instructed. Ind. * That is strange indeed.' Miss. But it is true : and the reason is, because if we deal faithfully with sinners, we must testify against them that their deeds are eviP, and that they are in very great danger, if they do not forsake their beloved sins; and then they will hate both us, and those unw>2lcome truths, which condemn them, and their way of life : — no wonder, therefore, that both these sorts of Christians, by their unrighteous lives, furnish unbelievers with arguments for persisting in their obstinacy, — and hazard their own salvation. There are others also, who have been better in- formed, and perhaps well inclined; but suftering their hearts to be possessed with the love of the world ^, its business, riches, or pleasures, they lose thereby the knowledge and remembrance of the truth, and forget their good purposes, and fall into the way of living which the Christian religion condemns, and John xii. 35. 2 John vii. 7« 3 Matt. xiii. 22. 158 An Instruction f; J |:i5 which will be punished with the loss of heaven and happiness. And there are too many, who, having not cast off all fear of God and concern for their souls, yet do content themselves with a punctual perform- ance of the external part of religion, vainly thinking that an outward show of religious worship will atone for the want of that inward purity of heart, which is indispensibly required from every Christian. Ind, * I would be glad to know who this sort of mistaken Christians are V Miss, Besides those already mentioned, there are many, who, though they know themselves not to be in the way of salvation, make their minds easy, by purposing to repent and be converted, foolishly sup- posing that repentance is absolutely in their own power ; — at the same time provoking God, who alone can give them the grace of conversion, to leave them to their own choice and destruction. Others flatter themselves, that repentance, and a change of life, are only required, where people have been guilty oi great and scandalous sins, such as mwr- -der, adultery i and the like ; — not considering that a man who is innocent of great crimes, may be far from being a true Christian, and in the way of salva- tion — the best of men standing in need of repentance and pardon, and the mercy of God. Ind, * I have heard, that Christians do depend very much upon the goodness and mercy of God.' Miss, And so they inay, and ought to do, provided they do not deceive themselves, by abusing his mercy, which is intended to lead men to repentance, and amendment of life, Ind, * Pray how do men abuse this mercy of God V Miss, When they continue to live in any known sin, or wilfully neglect any duty, and yet hope that God of his great mercy will forgive them. Ind, * You have often mentioned the corruption and wickedness of human nature ; will not this plead our excuse, and prevail with so good and merciful a for the Indians, 159 and aving SOUlSy form- nking atone lich is ort of re are to be sy, by [y sup- ir own 3 alone them and a le have as mwr- that a be far f salva- lentance 3nd very provided s mercy. we, and afGodr town sin, :hat God orruption his plead lerciful a Being to pardon such as have not done what he hath commanded V Miss. Yes : and he hath faithfully promised, that upon condition of their repentance and amendment of Ufe (according to the terms and conditions in the Gospel) he will pardon the greatest sinners. Ind, 'Perhaps they will say, that they are not able to perform these conditions/ Miss, What would you think of one who should make that an excuse, and yet would be sorry to be made able, only because he is unwilling to part with his sins ? Ind. ' Such an one, to be sure, complains without reason, and his ruin will be from himself,' Miss. And yet this is the case of all careless and wicked Christians. — God would have all his creatures happy ;— he knows that man can never be happy, till his corrupt nature be mended ; — he has therefore, as I told you before, appointed the Christian Religion, as the most effectual means of our recovery from sin, unto holiness. By which we are taught to depend upon the almighty power of God, even that almighty power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead ^ — to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righte- ousness ; by enabling us to see^ to resist, to overcome, and to root out whatever is evil in us, and to restore us to the image of God, in which man was at first created. Christians, therefore, do not delude them- selves, and blaspheme God, when they pretend they cannot do what he requires of them, in order to their happiness. And to name no more ways at present, by which men deceive themselves to their ruin ; — very great is the number of such as depend upon a death-bed repentance, for the making their peace with God, and fitting themselves for heaven; — living in the mean time without God in the world, neither fearing his anger, nor regarding his promises. * Rom. vi. 14. 160 An Instruction Ind. ' Indeed, Sir, these are all sad mistakes ; and I hope I shall not fall into any of them.* Miss. I hope so too ; — but then you must be very humble f and always /ear for yourself, and beg of God to keep you from such mistakes, which are the ruin of so many, who yet call and think themselves to be Christians ; — otherwise your being made a Christian will not secure you from danger. Ind. * Pray, Sir, what are the things which are most likely to offend the good Spirit of God, and to force him to forsake such as are dedicated to him, and put him under his protection V Miss. In the first place. Christians do grieve that good Spirit, — by neglecting to improve the graces bestowed upon them ; — for, as I told you before, this is a rule of the Gospel, — that to him who makes good use of the favours which God hath given him, God will give more ; and he that will not do so, shall lose what he had *. Ind. * I hope I shall not forget this rule of truth.* Miss. In the next place a Christian runs the hazard of losing the help and comfort of the Spirit of God, by returning into that way of life, and to those sins, which he renounced at his baptism ; — especially when he falls into, and continues in, any known and wilful sin ; — for then he will naturally hate God, and God will forsake him. Ind. * Hate the God that made us !* Miss. Why, as monstrous a sin as you think that is, it is certainly true ; — for any man, whose conscience tells him that he is always doing that which must offend an holy, just, diXidi powerful God, cannot but wish there was no such Being to call him to an account, and to punish him ; nor can he possibly love such a Being. Thirdly: — Another way of grieving the Holy Spirit is by neglecting, which in truth is despising, those means of grace^ which Jesus Christ hath ap- pointed to bring men into, and to keep them in, the way of salvation. ' Matt. xiii. 12. Wl for the Indians. 161 Ind. * I have not forgot what you have formerly tcld me ; — that the hearing and seriously thinking of the word of God, in which a Christian's duty is con- tained, as well as the promises to encourage, and the punisliment to deter us, is one of those means you speak of, most proper to convert men, and to keep them in the favour of God.' Miss. And the others are, — the holy ordinances which Christ himself hath appointed; the one to receive men into his Church, and the other to enable them to grow in grace. Now as the use of these means, joined with earnest prayer to God, for light to discover what is evil in us, and for power to root it out, is the sure way of preserv- ing the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; — so, when any Christian, depending upon his own reason, wisdom, or poiver, and forgetting that all our sufficiency to do any good is of God \ does neglect these means, the good Spirit will forsake such a person, and leave him to him- self, and to the delusion and government of evil spirits, which, without a sincere repentance, will be his ruin. And most of all, when he trusts to any thing he has done as meritorious in the sight ofGod, instead of that which Christ has done and suffered for him. Ind. * This I hope will be a warning to me never to neglect these means of grace and safety.' Miss, And I hope too, that you will never forget to give God the glory of all the good you do ; for be assured of this, — That neither the reasonableness of any duty, nor the baseness of any sin, nor any other consideration, can enable you to do what is good, and well-pleasing to God, or to avoid what is evil, but only his grace, and that good Spirit to which you are dedicated at your baptism. — To him you must apply for light to see your duty, and for strength to per- form it — and to him you must give all the glory. Ind. * Since there are so many bad Christians to 1 2 Cor. iii. 5. 162 An Instruction be met with, I should be glad to know who they are whose example I may safely follow.* Miss, I would not advise you to make the lives and actions of other people altogether a pattern for you to follow ; but always rather have an eye to what you believe will please or displease God, and what you know he has commanded or forbidden : although good and bad Christians may, for the most part, be known by the lives they lead, as a tree is known by its fruit. When, therefore, you see men pay a great regard to God and his laws, honouring his Holy Name, and his word, and every thing belonging to him ; — when you see them just, and kind, and merciful, and not given to revenge, but ready to forgive, and give, and love, as become the followers of Christ ; — when you see them temperate and chaste, modest and humble, and dealing with others as they themselves would be dealt with ; — you will have reason to take these for good Christians, if you are convinced that they do these things out of love and obedience to God ; and as the fruit of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, — if you see among those who call themselves Christians, such as make no conscience of their ways, but lead careless, idle, or useless, disor- derly lives; exceeding fond of the world, and its vanities; and striving to be rich and great, at any rate ; — if you see any that live in adultery, or forni- cation, or that are drunkards, spendthrifts, covetous, or oppressors ; — if you see parents unconcerned for their children's eternal welfare, — husbands and wives for- getting or breaking their marriage vows ; masters and servants acting in the course of their behaviour, as if they were insensible that they have a Master in Heaven ; — if you see men in power regardless of the ho- nour of that God whose representatives they are ; — you may be sure, that these and such as these, — are christ- ians WITHOUT CHRISTIANITY, and will be liable to a most severe judgment, for their opposing the gracious designs of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, for the Indiana, 163 Ind, * Pray, Sir, what do you mean by that?* Miss» Why, God is so good and merciful, that he would have all men to he saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth \ Now, all such as, usurping the name of Christians, do lead unchristian lives, these oppose their Maker in his most gracious designs, bringing an evil report upon Christianity, as if nothing good were to be got by it — making the ignorant Heathens to take that for Chris- tianity, which is far from it, — by '^'hich they hinder such as might otherwise desire to become Christians : — they confirm unbelievers in their infidelity, and serve all the designs of Satan in opposing the king- dom of Christ ; — and therefore must of necessity be more hateful to God, and their punishment be greater than that of the Heathens, as much as they now de- spise those poor people. Ind, *"You have convinced me. Sir, of the danger of being a Christian without Christianity." — Will you be so kind as to show me how I may avoid falling into such a way of life, as, it seems, too many do V Miss. In the first place, consider what a blessing it is, that you are not still in darkness, but that you are come to the knowledge of your Maker, and of the way to please him ; whereby you will be happy when you die, whatever your lot may have been in this world. And, in the next place, keep it always in your mind,- — that this God, whom you have chosen to serve, is every where present ; so that, if at any time you ott'end him, you offend in his very presence, a Being, who hath power to punish you for ever. Be careful to keep yourself always sober: Drunk- enness and Intemperance disorder our reason, and make us forget our best resolutions, and the dangers which encompass us. Do not set your heart upon this world, its honours, RICHES OR PLEASURES ; for, besides that you must soon » 1 Tim. ii. 4. 164 An Instruction leave them, they will be apt to make yon forget what you will gain or lose by being a good or bad Christian. Never fancy that any sin is small ; * for the least known sin continued in, will lead to a greater ;' and, if you should provoke the Spirit of God to for- sake you, you will be capable of committing the very greatest crimes. Human nature, as it is now corrupt,' is the same in all men ; — we are subject to tempta- tions ; — and if ever, by our repeated crimes, we should force the Spirit of God to leave us to oursel\^ ., no man can tell, no man can foresee, what barbarous wickedness he shall be tempted to commit ; — nor what unwelcome, unlookedfor calamities he may bring upon himself while he goes from sin to sin, till he meets with destruction. For no man continues long at one certain pitch of wickedness ; for not only one evil habit begets another, but the more a man sins, the less capable he makes himself of judging what sin is, and the dreadful conse- quences of continuing in it. — And the influences of God's Holy Spirit, and the gracious interpositions of Providence, have still less effect upon his mind and soul, till he has quite forgotten his Maker, — till he has filled up the measure of his iniquities,- and till he meets with destruction, generally in this world as well as in the next. Whenever, therefore, you are sensible you have done amiss, delay not one moment to beg of God to pardon you for Christ's sake, and to give you grace to do so no more. And forget not an excellent rule, which I have for- merly mentioned, to direct you in most actions of moment : — * Do not, at your peril, undertake any thing, which you cannot with confidence beg of God to bless and prosper you in.' Lastly, and above all, remember what cannot be too often repeated, that without faith, — a faith which depends on the merits of Jesus Christ for salvation, — a faith which worketh by love, which purifies the heart. /or the Indians, 165 overcomes the world, and keeps the commandments of God; you cannot possibly live as becomes a true Christian. Ind, * I beg you will explain what you mean by this.' Miss, By this faith we mean — a deep, real sense^ SLiidJirm belief , of the mercy and love of God, for his poor fallen and lost creatures ; and this kind proposal by his own Son to make them happy for ever. — This is that saving faith, which will lead a. Christian most powerfully to love God, and obey his Son Jesus Christ, to whom he hath given all power in heaven and earth : this is that faith which will purify your heart, will lead you to repentance, and keep you in the way to eternal life ; and this is what you mu?t beg of God, for this faith is his gift ; and that he may increase it in you unto your life's end. Ind, * I hope I shall never forget to pray for so ne- cessary a grace.' Miss. I have only a few questions to ask you in order to your being baptized, which you must answer (to God) when you are called upon to make a public profession of Christianity. And first, — Consider whether there are any ways of life, or customs, which at present you are fond of, which you will not \xtiQv\y forsake, when you shall be convinced that they are forbidden by God, or dis- pleasing to him. Ind, * I know of none which I will not forsake in order to please God.' Miss. Will you sincerely devote yourself to God the Father, and Maker of all things, that you may become his faithful servant unto your life's end ? Ind, * I purpose, by his help, to do so, and become such.' Miss, Will you, with the same sincerity, devote yourself to his Son our Lord Jesus Christ, for whose sake God has promised to pardon all your sins, to 166 An Instruction for the Indians, receive you into favour, and to make you happy, if you continue to obey him all your days. Ind, * This I fully purpose to do.' Miss, Lastly, — Will you dedicate and devote your- self to the Holy Ghost, that good Spirit, that he may, by his all-powerful grace and help, keep you from sin and wickedness, and assist you in the way of holiness and happiness, that you may never be a reproach to that religion which you are going to profess ? Ind. * I will most thankfully dedicate myself to him, that, by his assisiance, I may be p^le to please God, and perform what I have promised.' Miss, You will not fail to do so, if you often con- sider, that your everlasting happiness or misery will depend upon your observing or neglecting the vows and promises you make at your baptism. And if to .his, you add your sincere prayers to God, to direct and bless you in the work you are desirous to undertake, he will most surely hear your prayers, and grant your petitions, which you make in some such words as these following. , SELECT SCRIPTURES AND PRAYERS. Matt. vi. 10. Ttiy kingdom come. May the kingdoms of the world become the king- doms of the Lord, and of his Christ. O thou who art the Maker and Redeemer of all, have mercy upon all whom thou hast made and re- deemed ; and grant that none may make themselves incapable of that happiness which Jesus Christ hath purchased with his most precious blood. — To this end, we beseech thee to bless the pious endeavours of all persons and societies which strive i( propagate the Gospel ; — that its divine truths may be received in all the world ; — that thy ways may be known throughout the earth, thy saving health among all nations ; — that thy name may be great among the Heathen, and rever- enced and adored by all those that are yet strangers to thy most glorious perfections. Have pity upon all those miserable people who still sit in darkness, and want the necessary means of instruction : and grant tnat, by the preaching of the Gospel, they may, in thy good time, be delivered from their ignorance, idolatry, and the bondage of Satan, in which they have been so long enslaved. — And may thy good providence reveal the means by which thy kingdom may be enlarged. 168 Select Scriptures and Prayers. and the whole earth filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Grant this, O most merciful God, for Jesus Christ's sake ; to whom, with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, dominion, and power, for ever and ever. Amen, A SUPPLICATION ON BEHALF OF THE HEATHEN < • WORLD. ' Matt. ix. 36. Jesus^ seeing the multitudey was moved with compassion^ because they were as sheep having no shepherd. — Pray ye the Lord of the harvest^ that he would send labourers into his harvest. How many, O Jesus, of thy sheep have no shepherd ! — none to show them their danger! — none to keep them out pf danger ! — none to lead them where they may find pasture! May thine infinite wisdom and goodness, O Lord, reveal to us the means, by which thy Gospel may be preached unto them : and prepare their hearts to re- ceive the truth, that they may be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God ! Send them pastors after thine own heart; full of knowledge, compassion, and zeal; that, pitying their sad condition, they may instruct them in the ways of truth, and of eternal life. Increase the number and the graces of thy messengers and minis- ters ; and touch the hearts of all Christians with a true compassion, like thine, O Lord, for all such as are strangers to thee, and the merits of thy death, by which they have been redeemed, that they may cheerfully contribute to a work so acceptable to thy divine majesty. — And may thy Holy Spirit, by the preaching of the Gospel, add daily to the Church the rist*s It, be • and EN moved \aving t, that )herd I keep :e they > Lord, nay be \ to re- om the ■ of the ne own ; that, ihem in lase the I minis- with a such as death, ey may to thy by the Church Select Scriptures and Prayer.f. 169 such as shall be saved, through thy merits and media- tion, O Lord, and lover of souls ! Amen. A MISSIONARY S PRAYER. John xvii. 20. Neither pray T for these alone, but for all those that shall believe through their Lord. On this thy efficacious prayer, O Jesus, I depend for success in this my undertalcing and ministry. — To this prayer we all owe our faith and conversion. — In a grateful sense of which, I beseech thee, Lord, to make me an instrument of propagating thy Gospel, and of converting others, and of fulfilling thy Fathers will, who would have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Teach me, O Lord, by thy Spirit, thy word, and thy example, how I ought to teach others : — and, by thy preventing grace, prepare them for instruction ; — give them a great concern and fear for themselves, that, feeling their own misery, they may seek for help, and thankfully accept it, when offered to them. On thy Almighty grace, O God, 1 rely for success in all my labours and ministry, and for a zeal both prudent and fervent to promote thy glory ^ the inte- rests of thy kingdom, and the good of souls, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. A PRAYER PROPER FOR SUCH AS DESIRE TO BE INSTRUCTED IN THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. Acts xvi. 30. Sirs, tvhat must I do to be saved ? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved: — and they spake unto him the word of the Lord, 8fc. and he was baptized. Great God have pity on me ; for I am in distress and fear for myself — I have been convinced, that I 170 Select Scriptures and Prayers, shall live for ever, after I leave this world, in either happiness or misery. — This gives me great uneasiness when I consider what must become of me when I die. My own conscience accuseth me of having done many things, which I know must greatly displease thee. — I find myself inclined to do evil continually, and I know not how to help it ; so that my fears increase upon me daily. Thy people assure me, that thou art good and merciful to such as call upon thee in their distress ; and that for the sake of Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, thou wilt pardon sinners, and receive them into favour. — In confidence of this, I beseech thee to pity my distressed condition, and deliver me from the ignorance and fears I labour under. Cause me to know thee, and thy Son Christ, more perfectly ; and teach me how I must live so as tv. please thee. Reward the endeavours of such as are so kind as to instruct me. Give me an understanding heart, a teach- able temper, and an obedient will, that I may thank- fully use the means which thou hast ordained for my salvation. Defend me from the power and malice of evil spirits, which may strive to hinder my conversion. These blessings I beg for the sake of thy beloved Son, the Lord Jesus. Dan. xii. 3. lliey that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. O MERCIFUL God, increase the number and the graces of such as are zealous for thy glory, and for the conversion of sinners : impart to them the true way of instruction, and may thy blessing go along with their pious endeavours ! th m C] sei cf Select Scriptures and Prayers, 171 her less die. any e. — dl ease 1 art heir thy ceive seech Tit. iii. 3. For we ourselves were sometimes foolish^ disobedient, deceived^ serving divers Lusts and Pleasures, living in Malice and Envy, hateful, and hating one another. This, O Jesus, had still been our sad condition, hadst not thou redeemed us by thy death, and blessed us with the light of thy Gospel. May this, O Lord, be the fruit of our faith in thee, and of our gratitude for thy mercies to us, that we pity the miseries of the Heathen world, and endeavour to make them partakers of the same blessings we ourselves enjoy ! Acts xviii. 2G, When Aquila and Priscilla had heard Apollos speak, loho hieio only the baptism of John, they toolc him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Let it here be observed, — That these two persons, both of the laity, a man and his wife, were, by the Spirit of God, made instruments of perfecting the faith of Apollos, a man of otherwise great abilities — To show Christians the importance of what St, Paul tells us, (1 Cor, xii. 21.) The eye cannot say of the hand, I have no need of thee ; nor again, the head to the feet, 1 have no need of you. Grant, O Lord, that the exemplary zeal and piety of these two persons may encourage all good Chris- tians to put their helping hand to promote thy glory in the conversion of heathens ; and to awaken such Christians, amongst ourselves, as are asleep, into a sense of their danger. - Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus Christ's sake. i2 172 Select Scriptures and Prayers, Tit. lii. 8. These things 1 will that thou affirm con- stantly, that they which have believed in God, may he careful to maintain good tvorks. God grant that all Christians may, by their good lives, show the goodness and power of the religion which they profess, and would have others to em- brace ; that they may add to their faith virtue ; and that by their examples the lives and manners of men may be reformed, this being the great design of the Gospel, and the necessary condition of the future happiness of believers ! Every private and well-disposed Christian would do well to consider what a great deal of good he may do, by such hints as these following, to his children, his servants, or his slaves. The great corruption of human nature — The misery of man, and his danger through sin — The utter impos- sibility of saving ourselves — The necessity and blessing of a Redeemer — The great love of God for his poor creatures, in sending his Son to redeem them. That all our hopes of pardon and happiness, are from God's mercy through Christ our Saviour. That, as ever wc hope for happiness, we must live according to his doctrine and example ; endeavouring to grow ever}' day better, without ascribing any thing to ourselves, but all to the grace of God : which grace is sufficient to enable us to overcome all the difficulties we meet with. If we add to these, the certainty of a future life, and a future judgment; and the rewards and punishments of another world, 8cc. — Such hints as these, seriously and often repeated, will, through the grace of God, awaken the most careless and ignorant, and force them to ask, — What must I do to be saved ? And they may be directed to such as are sent and ordained to instruct them in the way of salvation ; and the merciful God give them good success ! y PRIVATE AND FAMILY PRAYERS, A seasonable Introduction. Public and private prai/ers, and thanksgivings, are a homage and duty, which all men owe to God as their Creator, their Lord and King,- and by which they are to acknowledge their obedience to, and their de- pendence upon him, for life and breath, and all things which they enjoy or hope for. This, therefore, God hath made our indispensable duty : and it will be a downright rebellion, for any irian to refuse his homage any day of his life; — the wiiiui neglect of this, being in effect, to disown his fouwT over us, — his goodness to help us in our necessities, — and his justice to punish such as transgress lii) com- mands ; — and to question the faithfulness of his prO' mise to pardon the truly p. 'ks 4^ 4^ « 1.0 1.1 \i& Ui|2j8 |25 In 2.0 I2t 1^ 1.25 III 1.4 Uj6 J d-i 7 Hi0togra(diic Sdences Corporation as WBT MAIN STRHT WIKTM.N.Y. USM (716)S72-4S03 \ iV % 182 Private and Family Prayers, ^c. Father, for sparing me : — ^may this goodness and long-suiFering lead me to repentance ! — And may thy all-powerful grace enable me to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and worthy of thy future care ! MORNING PRAYER FOR A FAMILY. Josh. xxiv. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, This ought to be the sincere resolution and constant practice of any Christian master of a family. — With- out this, none can re isonably expect to have dutiful children, or faithful servants ; — nor justly hope to have God's blessing in this world, or in the world to come. Let one devoutly read or say what followeth, the rest of the family seriously attending, Thc Lord hath brought us safe to the beginning of this day : let us give him thanks for this, and for all his mercies*. Let us pray, that we may live in the fear of God, and continue in love and charity with our neighbours. That his Holy Spirit may direct and rule our hearts, teaching us what to do, and what to avoid : That the grace of God may ever be with us, to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations. That the Lord may bless all our honest endeavours, and make us content with what his providence shall order for us : and that we may continue his faithful servants this day and all the days of our life. For all which blessings let us devoutly pray. Then all devoutly kneeling , let one say, O MOST gracious and merciful God, by whom the world is governed and preserved, we give thee humble thanks for thy fatherly care over us ; in preserving us Private and Family Prayers, S^c. 18S rours, shall tthful the imble Lngus from the dangers of the night past, and in bringing us safe this morning to see another day. We gratefully acknowledge our dependence upon thee, for all the necessaries, conveniences, and com" forts of our life ; — for all the means of our well-being heref and of our everlasting happiness hereafter. We give thee thanks for the light of thy Gospel^ and the help of thy grace, and for the promise thou hast made us of pardon and forgiveness through thy Son Jesus Christ, on our sincere repentance and amendment. Give us, we beseech thee, such a sense of these and all other thy mercies to us, as may make us truly thankful to thee for them. Give us grace that we may ever walk as in thy sight — make a conscience of all our ways ; — and, fearing to offend thee, may never fall into the sins we have repented of. Enable us to resist and overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil ; — to foll6w the motions of thy good Spirit ; — to be serious and holy in our lives, — true and just in our dealings; — watchful over our thoughts, our words, and our actions ; — dili- gent in our business, and temperate in all things. Give us grace honestly to improve all the talents which thou hast committed to our trust: and may no worldly business f no worldly pleasures, divert us from the concerns of the life to come ! May thy blessing be upon our persons, upon our labours, upon our substance ; — and upon all that be- long to us : — and may we never undertake any work, which we dare not beg thee to prosper ! May thy grace defend us in all assaults of our ene- mies: — and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger : but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that which is righteous in thy sight. Give us, gracious God, what is needful for us, and grace not to abuse thy favours : — give us, we beseech 184 Private and Family Prayers^ ^c. thee, contented minds ; — and make us ever mindful of the wants of others. Give us, in this world, the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen, Hear us, O merciful God, not according to our im- perfect petitions, but according to the full meaning of that form of prayer which Jesus Christ hath taught us, and for his sake. Our Father, which art in heaven ; — Hallowed be thy name. — Thy kingdom come. — Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. — Give us this day our daily bread. — And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. — And lead us not into temptation. — But deliver us from evil. — For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen, PROPER MEDITA*T10NS FOR SUCH AS HAVE TIME, AND ARE DEVOUTLY DISPOSED. Psalm cxxvii. 1. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unhappy and blind are they, who expect to pros- per without thy blessing, O Lord. — I do therefore beg that blessing upon myself and family, my labours, and ^'bstance. — And may I never hinder thy blessings, ^ undertaking any work that may dishonour thee, or my Christian profession ! — Fit us, O Lordj by thy grace for that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, prepared for them that love and fear thee. Private and Family Prayers^ S^c, 185 Hab. ii. 9. Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetous- ness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil. Deliver us, O God, from covetousness, the root of all evil; — which leads men to trust in themselves ; — to forget their dependence upon thee ; and foolishly to hope to be out of the reach of misfortunes, and those evils and afflictions, which are designed in great mercy, for the punishment of sin, and for the salva- tion of sinners. — Preserve us, O Lord, from this too common but damnable sin of covetousness, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Luke xvii. 26, 27, 28, 29. As it was in the days of Noah, and of Lot, — they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded ; — till the day that Lot went out of Sodom, when they were all destroyed. Lord open our eyes before we are surprised by death, as those miserable sinners were in the days of Noah, and of Lot. — May this be a watning to us ! — And keep us, by thy grace, from setting our hearts too eagerly upon the business, the cares, or pleasures, of this life, without considering how soon and sud- denly we may be called out of it ; and that day over- take us unawares. Col. iv. 1 . Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. O heavenly Master, bless me with good and faith- ful servants : — and grant that I may perform all the duties of a Christian master; — that I may have a tender concern for the welfare both* of their bodies and souls, and be an example to them of sobriety, justice, and piety ; and that we may be a household fearing God. — And may thy blessing be upon them, 186 Private and Family Prayers, Sfc» and upon all my affairs committed to their trust, for the sake of thy beloved Son. PARENTS FOR CHILDREN. Eph. vi. 4. Ye parents j bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for his sake bless my children with healthful bodies, and understanding souls, and sanctified hearts, that they may remember their Creator all their days. Let thy grace preserve them from the temptations of an evil world, and may I never be wanting in any part of my duty to them ! But instruct them in the faith and duties of a Christian life: — convince them of their faults, and correct them in reason and love. — O be thou, O God, their father and their portion in this world, and in the world to come ! Amen, EVENING PRAYER FOR A FAMILY, m Let one of the family read or say distinctly whatfol- loweth, the rest seriously attending. By the favour of God, we are come to the evening of this day; and we are so much nearer our latter end. Let us seriously consider this, and pray God to prepare us for the hour of death. Let us, with penitent hearts, beseech him to par- don our offences, and to deliver us from the evils which they have deserved. Let us resolve to amend whatever we have done amiss, and pray God, that his grace may keep us from returning to those sins which we have repented of. And then we may be safe under his protection who alone can defend us from the powers of darkness. For all which blessings let us devoutly pray. T Private and Family Prayers, ^c. 187 par- evils Then all devoutly kneeling, let one distinctly say, O Lord and heavenly Father, we acknowledge thy great goodness to us in sparing us when we deserve punishment ; in giving us the necessaries of this life, and in setting hefore us the happiness of a better life. O merciful God, pardon our offences, correct and amend what is amiss in us, that as we grow in years, we may grow in grace, and the nearer we come to our latter end, the better we may be prepared for it. In the midst of life we are in death. Lord, grant that these thoughts may make us care- ful how we live, that we may escape the bitter pains of eternal misery. Take from us all ignorance, hardness of heart, and too much carefulness for the things of this life. Make us a household fearing thee, O God, sub- mitting ourselves to thy good pleasure, and putting our whole trust in thy mercy. Give us a true knowledge of ourselves; — of the corruption of our nature; — and the necessity ^of thy gracious help to save us from ruin. And may the spirit of Christ ever live and rule in us, possessing our souls with a sincere love of thee, O God, with an earnest desire to please thee, and with a dread of offending thee. Sanctify us wholly, we beseech thee, that our spirits, and souls, and bodies, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Continue to us, and to all Christian churches, the means of grace and salvation; and may the saving truths of the Gospel be published and received in all the world ! Vouchsafe unto us an interest in all the prayers of thy holy church, which have this day been offered to the throne of grace. Forgive all that have injured us, and forgive our many offences against our neighbour. '\ 188 Private and Family Prayers , S^c, Bless, we beseech thee, O God, all those whom thy providence hath set over us, whether in church or state, and give us grace to honour and obey them for conscience sake. Defend us from all adversities which may happen to our bodies, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt our souls, — and prepare us to receive with a humble resignation, whatever thy providence shall think best for us. And, finally, we beseech thee to give us grace that we may lead and end our lives in thy faith and fear, and to thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, Hear us, O merciful God, for ourselves and for all mankind, not according to our weak understandings, but according to the full meaning of that holy prayer, which thy beloved Son hath taught us. Our Father which art in heaven ; — Hallowed be thy name. — Thy kingdom come. — Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. — Give us this day our daily bread. — And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. — And lead us not into temptation. — But deliver us from evil. — ?or thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the ghry, for ever and ever. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. Select Scriptures and Meditations upon them; which may teach us how to profit by reading the Scriptures, Matt. X. 30. The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Let this thy wonderful providence, O God, and care over us, be evermore our comfort and defence against all the evils which may happen to our bodies. Private and Family Prayers, ^c. 189 all and all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt our souls. Against the distracting cares of this life, and against the fear and adversities which may hefal us. Thine infinite wisdom knows all our wants and dan- gers, and the properest means of conveying relief and succour to us. Thy fatherly goodness cannot but pity us : thy power is able to help us, — and thy faithfulness can never fail us. O may we never render ourselves unworthy of this thy divine protection. Luke ix. 23. Jesus said unto them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and folloio me, . O Jesus, who hast made this the rule and means of our salvation, enable us by thy Spirit, thy doctrine, and example, to observe it daily ; — to wean our hearts from a love and fondness for this world, its pleasures, pro- fits, and all its idols ; — to mortify our corrupt affections, and to correct and amend what is amiss in us : — That we may be meek, and humble, and temperate ; and learn to submit our wills to the will and law of God: — and grant, O Lord, that we may never lead heathens and unbelievers to have unworthy thoughts of thee and of thy religion , by our ungodly lives, while we pretend to be thy foilo- vers. Luke xiii. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate ; for many, I say unto you, ivill seek to enter in, and shall not be able. May we never flatter ourselves that the way to hea- ven and happiness is easy, and that the generality of Christian people are in the way of salvation, when thou hast declared the contrary! — O may thy Spirit con- vince us that our salvation is not to be secured with- out great watchfulness and care, without labour, pains, and diligence : and that, on these conditions, thy good- ness will enable us to overcome all the difi^culties we can possibly meet with ! 190 Private and Family Prayers, ^c. Luke xi. 13. If ye being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children ; hoiv much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things, and his Holy Spirit, to them that ask him / O heavenly Father, let it be unto us according to this thy Son's most faithful promise. For his sake, give us thy Holy Spirit to live and act in us, to guide and assist us all our days, and may we ever ask and be content with such good things as it shall please thee to give us ! — And grant that we may never grieve thy Holy Spirit ; — never reject his godly motions, or ren- der ourselves unworthy of his abode with us, by living in any known sin. Rev. iii. 19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, O ! that we may acknowledge thy loving-kindness to us, in all the dispensations of thy providence ! Our corrupt nature will not let us see this ! It is thy grace alone which must convince us, that a Father so good would not suffer afflictions to fall upon his children without an absolute necessity. Convince us, there- fore, O God, that we stand in need of thy rebukes, to awaken and amend us : — and enable us to bear all the afflictions of this life with patience, and an entire resignation to thy wisdom and goodness, and make them powerful means of our eternal salvation. Amen. A short and necessary Instruction for the Lord^s Day in the Morning, The Lord, who has blessed one day in seven, bless- eth all those that keep it holy : and very terrible have been his judgments upon them that have profaned it. It is your duty, therefore, on this good day, to lay say I wht mos intc Private and Family Prayers, S^c, 191 aside, as much as possible, all worldly business ; all worldly thoughts ; all worldly pleasures ; that you may honour your Creator to the best of your power ; by owning your dependence upon him ; by hearing his word, and his commands ; by asking his blessings, and giving him thanks for his favours. If then it is our interest and our happiness to serve God, it is our duty to be at his house before his service begins: to show thp-t we fear his Majesty, and dare not offer him a lame sacrifice ; to show that we do indeed desire his blessing, and take delight in serving him. When therefore you come into the house of God, and first kneel down, say secretly this short prayer. to A SHORT PRAYER AT YOUR COMING INTO CHURCH. May the good Spirit of God dispose me unto, and assist me, in his service ! The Lord give us all a true and lively sense of our wants, and of his mercy and presence amongst us, that we may serve him with our hearts as well as with our bodies, and that our prayers may be heard, for the sake of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen. After this, attend diligently to what is said, and prayed for ; remembering that they are your prayers which are offered up to God ; but that you have no * share in them, if you do not mind what is asked in your name. That your heart may go along with your prayers, say softly. Amen, so be it, to every petition. This is what the most unlearned may do, and it may be the most learned cannot do better, to keep their minds intent upon what they are about. "When you confess your sinsy do it with great serious- ness and concern, remembering that you are for ever undone, if you are not forgiven. And then hear with comfort upon what condition God will pardon you. 192 Private and Family Prayers, ^c. If you repent, and believe the Gospel, you are sure to be forgiven. When the word of God is read or preached, be care- ful to mind it, that you may know your duty, and the reward of doing it ; that you may observe the way of God*s dealing with mankind, in punishing the wicked, and in protecting and rewarding the righteous ; that you may know the manner of our redemption, and the great love of God in bringing it to pass ; that you may see the dangers you are liable to, and the bless- edness that is set before you, ever remembering that faith, without tvhich we cannot please God, cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. x. 17. And be sure to behave yourself with great reverence and devotion, while you are in the house and presence of God ; for if when you should be on your knees, asking God's pardon, and blessings, or standing to praise the Creator of heaven and earth ; if instead of doing so, you sit and sleep away the time, or carelessly gaze and think of other matters, then you will return from God's house with a curse, and not with a blessing. And yet the very best of us, after all our care, have cause to beg pardon even for the faults of our devo- tions. Therefore, before you rise from your knees, say privately this short prayer, A SHORT PRAYER BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE CHURCH. The good Lord accept of our duty and service; pardon our sins and infirmities ; give us what is need- ful for our souls and for our bodies; and keep us evermore under thy protection, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour ! Amen, And now, God forbid that you should spend the remainder of this good day, so well begun, in sin and vanity ! Rather think how you may do most honour to your Creator and Redeemer. Private and Family Prayers^ ^c. 19i{ i to are- the y ^^ iced, that I the you iles8- that th by :. 17. rence sence :nees, ng to jad of ilessly eturn nth a I, have devo- knees, JRCH. ervice ; need- eep us f Jesus ;nd the sin and honour If you can read, you can hoth instruct yourself, und them tliat will hear you. If you have children and servants, you can teach them how to fear, and to love, and to pray to God. And if you are unlearned, you can think of what you have heard at Church, and resolve to do, to the best of your knowledge, as you have been taught. Then will the Lord be with you, to bless you in the way you go ; to preserve and to prosper you. For this is what he hath declared, them that honour me, / will honour : and they that despise me, shall be lightly esr teemed. 1 Sam. ii. 30. A PRAYER FOR SUNDAY MORNING. O Lord, who hast consecrated this day to thy ser- vice, give us grace so to observe it, that it may be the beginning of a happy week to us ; and that none of thy judgments may fall upon us for profaning it. Fix in our hearts this great truth, that here we have no abiding place, that we may seriously and timely pro- vide for another life ; and grant that this great concern may make us very desirous to learn our duty, and to do what thou requirest of us. And blessed be God, that we have churches to go to, that we have such times set apart for tho more public worship of our Creator, and that we have pastors to teach us ! The Lord prosper their labours, and give us grace to profit by them, that they and we may enjoy an ev,er- lasting sabbath with thy saints in heaven, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. A PLAIN AND USEFUL INSTRUCTION FOR SUNDAY EVENING. Concerning the Providence of God, or his Wisdom and Goodness in governing the World, That God is great, and to be greatly feared, we know by the world he hath made, and from his dread- ful judgments. 194 Private and Family Prayers^ 8fc, That God is good, and to be loved and wor- shipped, we are convinced from his care of the whole creation. Fur his tender mercies are over all his works, Psal. cxlv. 9. Therefore have his creatures the comfort of the rain and sun, of food and shelter ; the earth yields increase, and the seas are stored with creatures innumerable. In the hand of God are these and all other bless- ings, which he withholds, or giveth, according to his good pleasure, to teach us, that we wholly depend on him ; that man liveth not by bread ahne, nor by his own industry, but by the providence of God, who ordereth all conditions of life for the best, for those that cannot choose for themselves. And if he suffers scyme to be poor, it is because that condition is best for them now; but he will make them a great amends in the next world for what they want in this, if they will be content and honest, neither murmur in their own lot, nor envy that of others. When God giveth riches, it is not to make them an occasion of our ruin, but to try our virtue ; for, if we are not high-minded, if we trust not in uncertain riches, but in the living God; if we do good with them, and readily distribute to the necessity of others ; then are riches a real blessing, and help to bring us to eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17. If he bringeth us into affliction, is it not that he is pleased with the miseries of his creatures, but he is shewing them their transgression, he is opening their ear to discipline, that they may return from iniquity, and save their souls from death eternal. Job xxxvi. 9. If he suffers us to be tempted, it is not that we might fall, but to make us more sensible of our own weak- ness, that we may come to him for help, on whom we depend, who will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear; and who will reward our poor endeavours with unspeakable happiness. Private and Family Prayers f S^c, 195 al. brt rth res If we have friends^ it is the favour of God to us ; and, if we have enemies, they are rods in his hands, either to correct us, or to make us careful of our ways. The devil himself, that powerful spirit, is under God's command, to execute his judgments upon wicked men, while they that trust in the Lord have nothing to fear, for he hath no power to hurt them. Happy are we who know these things now ; and we shall be for ever happy, if we live according to this belief. For then we shall trust in the Lord with all our heart, and not lean unto our own understanding. We shall call upon him for what we want, and thankfully receive what he is pleased to send. For shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil ? Job ii. 10. We shall hope for his favour when we mean well, and never expect his blessing when our designs are evil. We shall look upon God's time as the best, and not grow impatient when our desires are not an- swered. We shall acknowledge his hand in every thing that befalleth us, and hope for his mercy even when he is angry, knowing that all thing f; shall work together for good to them that love God, Rom. viii. 28. Thus shall we dwell under the defence of the most High, and shall be secure from fear of evil. A PRAYER FOR SUNDAY EVENING. poor Almighty God, by whom all things were juade, and are preserved, make us truly thankful, for thy wonderful works oi creation ; — for thine adorable p/o- vidence in preserving every thing that thou hast made ; — and for thine infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, K 2 196 Private and Family Prayers^ 8fc, M in the government of the world. — But above all, we acknowledge thine infinite love in the redemption of the world, by thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ : and thy goodness in sending by him this comfortable mes- sage to thy distressed creatures. — That whosoever re- ceiveth and helieveth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. — We bless thee for his holy doctrine and example ; — and for his precious death, and glorious resurrection, by which our sad condition, and thine un- speakable love, have been wonderfully shewn to us. — We give thee thanks for thy Holy Word, by which thy works of mercy and providence have been pre- served, and thy will made known unto mankind. — We bless thy holy name, for sanctifying one day in seven to thy service, to keep up the knowledge and re- membrance of thee, and of our creation and redemption ; — and for appointing thy ministers to publish these truths to us in thy name, that we may render unto thee that honour, love, and obedience, which becometh creatures to pay to their great Creator. — And we be- seech thee, O God, to give us all such a deep and lasting sense of thy great and undeserved mercies to us, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may shew forth thy praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days ; — and as we often hear how we ought to walk, and to please God, we may con- tinue to do so unto our lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, A SHORT ADMONITION TO ALL, AND ESPECIALLY TO MASTERS OF FAMILIES. L Amongst the many growing vices of this profane age, one wretched and ungodly custom is too common ; viz. of people's falling to their meals, as beasts do to their fodder, without any thoughts of God, or thanks Private and Family Prayers^ §*c. 197 for his blessing ^. And even too many of those who have not quite laid aside this Christian duty, perform it after such a slight and negligent manner as makes it as sinful as the omission. When a man like ourselves bestows a favour, we naturally give him thanks. — Are not food and the supports of life and health, mighty blessings? — Is not God the sole giver of these ? — are they not worth asking, and giving thanks for ? — This shews plainly, that this sin, being against the very natural notions of sense and gratitude, is of the devil, who makes the tables of too many to become a snare and a curse to them, by intemperance, gluttony, and drunkenness. All Christians who have any regard to the example of their Saviour, who always glorified God, and gave him public thanks for his blessings ; — or to the exam- ple of St, Paul, who would not omit this duty, though in bonds, and in the presence of a numerous company of Heathens; — all Christians, seeing the reasonable- ness of this duty, and the sin of omitting it, or of not performing it after a serious manner, will be inexcus- able before God, if they neglect to glorify him at their daily meals. Now, that the most unlearned may not want words to express their thanks, and beg God's blessings upon themselves, and their daily food, these following may be made use of. lane Ion; to Inks GRACE BEFORE OUR MEALS. O God, who giveth food unto all flesh, grant that \ve may receive these thy gifts with thy blessing, and use them with sobriety and thankful hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, ^ Grace before meals, the practice of the Romans. Nee prius aut epulas, aut munera grata Lyctsi, Fas cuiquam tetigisse fuit, quam mtilta precatus • In niensam, Sil. Italicus. » * Nor touch'd the meat, nor tasted was the wine, Till every guest implored the Pow'rs divine.' s 198 , Private and Family Prayers^ Sfc, iife*' GRACE AFTER MEALS. Make us truly thankful, O Lord, for our daily bread, and for all other mercies which we receive ; and help us to love and serve thee, the Giver of all good, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen, THE END. Gilbert & Rivington, Printers, St. John's Square, London. r daily eceive ; T of all indon.