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">^v " Had this Eflky been intended for Ae Mc Uii of Heathens, manj- thing> might have been onnitaiR— ^ But when one lees, even amonjf ft Profeffijrs 0/ Chri- ilianity of all DenominauonigtoJBH|p Bi M|^»[i»^ refpcd eithei* to Koow^g^Tra^lkfi, XWSmm •l)ater4b*a.H«athen6 — WKMuidevlUndflOt^wi^uhey are called Chriftianj,oru'ha^ee«|i|^ have of aSa- viouP— flnt.-as the Apoftle ddciiwl%irthcn-ftjgan NVorld, arc without Chrift, expeftindlb Benefits from his Sacrfiice, tmdthlfefore 'without Hope, miM mji'tbout God in the World: Upon t^s motirnfai Confidemtiort It was thought pvoper to add many thingt, whkh. ihrongh the Blefling of God, migMt b*«f Ufe tb ' awaken fuch miferabie abd unthough£fiU People." ^^ — ■ . -it- mottSili r\ W ;,« i; 'Lately publiJJjedy Siiort and Plain Ik s t r u c t i o n F o R The Better Unflerftanding O F T H E LlOR-D's SUPPER; WITH THE NecelTary Preparation requir'd : For the R.E N E F I T of Q T/T . YOUNG COMMUNICANtS, AND Of fuch as have not well Confider'd ■ This HOL Y OrdI N AN CE. To which is Alintx'd, f; •■ '•#» jiirt'l The OFFJC^ of 'the : ^l*^-* Holy -Communion. With proper Helps and Direct:ions, for joining in every fart thereof witfc Uij^dcfilaiiding aud 3enefit. By the Jfcight Reverend Father in G 6 D, THOMAS>.Lord Bkhopof So^r and Man. The* Twelfth Edition. * ,t O N f> O N.- Printed for B. Dod, in Ave-Mary Lane: And Sold by him, T. Longman, C. Hitch, J. Rivinoton and J. Fletcher, ijn Paur-mfler Rew ; P. Davby and B. L>w, in Ave-Mary Lane ; S. Chowder,, on ' LunJoit-Bfiefgt; oxi^ J. RiviNCTop^ ia ^t, FauFs Churchyard. i^/S?. ••x*-= • t.arf'Ti ^«s^ UCTION riding PER; requir'd : CANtS,' Jonfider'd ■ NCE. the lion. SECTIONS, Ui).dqilaiiding GOD, •randMz«. ne : And Sold J. RlViNOTON itf ; P. Davby Chowder,, oa , iu St EauH '/^(xJ injury KnoWLEGE tfW P|lAtfTICE O F CHRISTIANITY Made Easy' To the Meaneft Capacities: ' . . O R^ A N E S % A Y TOWARDS AN INSTRUCTION f* "»•/ FOR THE. .• ^y . N D I A N^M^ ■ < '^ Which will likewhe be of*6L'-':'^V^ To all fuch who are called Christiajns, but have not well confidered the Meaning of the Reli- gion they profess : Or, wh^;w/^- to knvw GO D, but in Works do deny Hini, ^ V In Twenty Dialogues. /' , J * * Togrther with *'' D I R E Cr*r I O l/s <7»i ^ R A Y E R s , - FOR T"/'? Heathen ^orld. Missionaries, Catbchumens,* Private Persons, ^ The Ninth Eoiti Familiest, Of Parents^ for thci^ 4;! Chilcren. *, For i)UND^Y^ (gt. •V fj-*! 4w. ^^uJfel^Jg''' Reverend Fathe/in QOp, THOMAs^^Lord Bifliop of < $Viii Wfifirii'iiiiitttfiiiiMriiii \Msitlm\- RiGl A] an S< Pro . is i' S S AY Is Infcribed by The A tJ T H O R, A Memhr of both thofe Societies, ■ iiiliirtiiiliilUlliiffl ' 'I '■ llHIflll iilMiln "mmymi^mm ADVERTISEMENT. THIS Book, and the BiHiop's Plain 1'reatife upon the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, are in the Catalogues of fuch Books ■ as are recommended and difpeHed by the Two Societies for Propagating the Go/pel in Foreign Parts ;— and for Promoting Chrijlian Knowlege at Home : — And there will alfo be a large Allowance made by Benjamin Dodj to fuch charitable Perfons^ as are difpofed to buy any Number, above Half a Dozen , at a Time of thefe Bboks, to give away, either at Home amongfl: poor Families^ Chil- dren, and Servants, or to difperfe in our ./Pr-ANXATittNS in America. . . -'^ {-. i' '.-f. %■'. , P^ 0/ //■, Tbi Pi 7 he If iva. OLjeil. Thi h Sal An Ac yefui < thi : li Being Rio PAR Cre. txp 0/B, IhtC The 1 Duty 7ht L UnmiikmtfMm\mm\timmitMM !^wiiVir ..-'yi q E N T. iop*s Plain »/" the Lord's fuch Books fed by the e. Go/pel in ng Chriftian vill alfo be win Dod^ to difpofed to A Dozen give away, miliesy Chit- erfe in our ^mF P C O N T I^ N T S. \RT I. Which is in order to Chrijiian Baftifm, I ibid. to »9 D 1 A L O Ci U E I. DIALOGUE ir. Of the Corruption rf our Nuti/ri', DIALOGUE in. Thu Proi/s oj the Chri/Uan Ri/i^ion, DIALOGUE IV. T/je ivoiiiicrf'rl Sucrefs and Progre/s of the Gofptl, twhet it ivas ji'rj} prciiihid to the U orld, 28 D I A L O G U E V. [}9 Ol/nliom againji the bad Live] of ('hrijiians anfivered, DIALOGUE VI. Thi Holy Scriptures both necejfary and J'ujfficitnt far the Sal'vation of t. ^ 1 500 i C,Q4T has I: Bi(h( Gleq tix . * vil « En •- vei • OUj T'lrn s\^iiM,tJtnilttmimmgi xvrfr. 'cam aiulConJi- of God, X. 207 ueif, 220 )i. khiff, ef being 234 VorlJ, 251 2J5 tjiructed in tkt •: .'.•.**#■-' 253 261 ibid. fkr ^,^y Ptr/tit 266 267 ttdij^ofii, and 270 r a Ptrfin in ^ "t;-^;?' »7« ibid. taid mr* tMtll' r, mil tn it' 280 2S» 2«3 » ; nvhich may •ipturti^ 286 nTi Day in th( *:j. > 290 \ 29a vtntirg, 294 296 Mafttrt of Fa- Meals, 298 300 MlW ,fV Til ■* '• f. T ■' [i] /vV Clergy, recommending that Branch of the Defigns of the Society for pro- moting Chriliian Kno'w/ege, 'which re- lates to dijp'/fng aniorg the Poor plain Tra£is on Religious Subjeiih, THE Subfcribittg and Carrefponding Members of the Soriety, in Grea^ Britain, and Foreign Farts, are about 500 't to which were added, in the Year 1740, Twenty-two Subfcribing, and Twenty-four Correfponding Members ; an Increafe, which has been in good mtafure owirg to the Lord Bilhop of London' i Recommendation of thcit Pefigns,, i^ the foUowing Letter to his Clergy ; ^ v : '^ Yir. i^'-^-tnittkjU, Apiil 2.1740' Goo* BROTMERi THE Decay o^PJety andReliglon, ^ni the Increafe of Sin and Vice, are fp vihble in our Days, notwithftanding th^ Endeavours pf the Parochial Clergy to pre- vent them i that no additional Expedie^lts ought to be omitted, which may heip^, in any meafure, to prcfervfe among our » People- ^irmm^ im9»AK * [ii] *■ People a Scnfc of Duty, and a Spirit of * Devotion. / One of thefe Expedients is, the putting •into theii- Hands, as Occafion lliall be I found, lome J7:jori and plain 1'raSJs upon I Religious Subje£ls ; (wch as ht\n^ Jhert, they ' are like to read, or may cafily procure to ■ be read to them ; and being alfo plain, they '■ cannot fail of underftanding ; and more- ' over, being always at hand, and read over • often, they will naturally make ^deeper Im- '"prejfion upon their Minds, than Inlbiudlion*j and Admonitions, either from the Pulpit, ' or by Word of Mouth. * It was with this View, that feveral Bi>. fliops, Clergymen, and other ferious Per- fons among the Laity, did long fince form themfelves into=a Society, for printing and difperfing fuch praftical Trafts, in great Numbers. And for the difperfing them more efFedluaily, they have from time to time admitted, and continue to admit, feveral Perfons in all Parts of the King- dom, whom they call Corresponding MfMJBERs J and who are intided to have a Supplyof them, to be difpofed of among fuch of the neighbouring Clergy or Laity, as defire them j the Bound Books, men- tioned in the Societfs Catalogue^ at the prime Coft in ^ires, the Society being at the Charge of Biiidingi and the Stuch'd * Books, s ■■* Bo( do\ Ha ing ciei An cei the all wh ace tak 'So( Ha out the » ' un( Ck dea afn wo am m( Ar kn otl Er in coi ha ■"■ "■ ■■-'""tff ■ ■ 1 -n i iiivi'ifiii i inliififi i ir i w i i l i i n i MttHHWHaaMMMtftiaiiiiiMiia m^u d a Spirit of the patting ion Ihall be 1'rails upon ^Jbsrt, they y procure to 'o pJain^ they i and more- id read over : a deeper Im- Inlbiudlion^ \ the Pulpit, feveral Bi- ferious Per- g fince form printing and Is, in great erfing them om time to to admit, " the King- ESPONDING led to have d of among jy or Laity, )oks, men- gue^ at the :ty being at :he Stitch'd * Books, Books, at one Half of the Price there fef down, as the prime Coft of each ; the other Half of the Charge being born by the Hand- ing Subfcriptions of the Members of the So- ciety, and by other occafional Bcnefadions. And the Privilege offending for and re- ceiving thofe Books and fmall Traifls, on the Terms before-mention*d, is common to all theCoRRisPONDiNG Members, asfuch, whether they be Subscribers, or not •, on account of the Trouble they are content to take, in anfwering the great Ends of the 'Society, by conveying the Trad:^ into many Hands, and on the fame eafy Terms j with- out any Advantage to themfelves, befidies the Pleafure of ^oing Good. * '!^i 'V ; * This Society has fubfifted many Years,, under the Name of the Society for promoting Cbrifiian Kjiowlege-. And as, by their En- deavours in that Way, great Good has been' already done to Religion, fo much more- would probably be done, if the Defign, and their Methods of carrying it on, were more generally underftood and attended to. And becaufe fome of the Clergy may not know, that there is fuch a Society, and many others may be unacquainted with the true End and Manner of it ; I defire that thofe in yowr Neighbourhood may have this Ac- count of it communicated to them, as you have Opportunity, At the iamc time it is * left lr'*tlWlWMIW(fi(jf^ji « c « ■ c ( c c (' c (' c- € '■ fiv] left to every- one's Judgment, how far he has Occafmi^ within his own Cure, for fuch Affiftances as thefc, to co-operate with his own Pafloral Labours. * I AM not without Hope, that when this Method of doing Service to Religion is known and confider'd, Perfons who are of Abihty, both among the Clergy and Laity, will be difpofed to become Suhfcribing Mem- bers^ or occafional Contributors, for the bet- ter Support of the Society in carrying on the Work, and to make the good Effcfts of it more and more extcnfive. And fo com- mending you, and your Labours, to the Blcffingof God, I remain,.,.; .^u .^tcuj,*:' * S I R, ''6^\' .« TcurfaitifulFrietdatti Brother, « EDM. LONDON.* N* B; ^his Book, and the Bijfjof ofSedorand :■■. ManV plain Account of the Sacrament of the Lord's Sapper, may he had by all ths Cor^ ■ , • refponding as well as Suhfcribing Members^ upon the Terms oftht Society for promote- ing Chriftian Knowlege, who meet every Tuefday, at their Houfe, in fiartlettV Build- iflgs, Hoiborn. nirjlMiiB i nnn I iiitliiiiitMihattlto '■:yimv^'m:.^mnm 1 1 Jt, how far he ^ure, for fuch trite with his hat when this 3 Religion is ns who are of gy and Laity, '^fcribing Mem- s, for the bec- irrying on the 1 EfFcdls of it \nd fo com- lours^ to the d Brother, DNDON.* ?/S©» •• »iim Author's PREFACE. tF the follewing E/Tay doth in any meafure anfwcr its Title and Defign, the Reader muft know, that it was, through the divine Direftipn and Bleffing, owing to a (hort, but very entertaining Converfation, which the Author, and fome other Gentlenien, had with the Honourable General Oglethorpe, concerning the Con- dition, Temper, and Ceniiis of the IncUans in the I^eighbourhood of Georgia, and thofe Parts of Jmerrca; who, as he a/Tured us, are a tradable People, and" more capable of being civilized, and of receiving the Truths of P^cllgion, than we are ge- nerally made to belicvfe ; if Ibme Hindrance: were removed, and proper Meafures taken to awaken io them a Senle of their true lutcreft, and of their unhappy Coudition, while they continue in thcif prefent State. '.■■'" /" And though this niayhe thought a very difficult Work, yet God, luho 'would have all Men to befaved, and to come to the Truth, as it is in Jefus, hath, pur- fuant to his gracious Defign, made all Men capable of receiving luch a Meafure of Chriftian Knov/ledge, as will be lufficient lor their Salvation. Accordingly, fome Inftances may be given of Heathens in the darkeft Corners of the Earth awaken 'd and who have, even at this Hw^, been l^mm-iTaiihiiiliiltf mtitt^mmmmmltMittmiiiiMimUmgimiimi ■ i J ii WU P PJH i«inm>«ip vi PREFACE. whom his Providence hath already fcattcr'd tliem ; is a Mutter worthy of Coiirulci ation, and {ccm'd to the vciy kanied Mr. Jofeph Medc no improbable Supixsfition * He fuppofeth St. Paid'^ Converfion to be a Type of the Calling of the Jews, when their Tribulation and long Diiperlion ihall be ended ; and that the fame Almighty Power and Grace, which converted liim, and from a njolt bitter Enemy and Perfccutor of Jefui Chrijl, and his Church, made him ao Apolllc and Preacher of the Gofpel to the then Gon- tiJe World,— that the fame Almighty Power and Grace can, and it is probable mr.y, after the like man- ner, make the Jcwx, tho' never io great Enemies to Chrift at prcfcnt, Preachers cfthe Gofpel to the yet unccuverted Nations i — and endow ihem, as he did St. Paul, wit!i fufficicnt Powers, to convince and convert all fuch as are difj^ofcdfor eUnial Life. But this muff be as it fliall pleafc God.— In the infiUi time, whoever among Chiillians fears God, 'and loves the Lord Jefus Chrift in Sincerity, cannot but dedrc and endeavour, that all Nations may come to the Knowlege of their Maker artd Redeemer, and adore and glorify them. This is indcsi'. what every Chriftian prays for, wheii he fays, Thy Kingdom ii'i?!- ; but to how little Parpofe, if he docs not, by feme Acls.of his own, and as far as God hath put It into liiy i-.nvcr, endeavour to gather and increafc the IvjUiber of Chrift's Snbjefts, and inlargc hit Kingdom, by the Converfion of the yet unbelieving Nations ? Wc know it will be natmal tur People to alk, Wiiat can be done b; moft Men, more than to • pray,— That fuch as fit in Darknefs, and in the • Mr. MiJi'tfTorit,/,/. Bixk v. cb. t. Stt tbtrt iii R,ak„, Ml largi, . -p- . ' ■' - Shadow iiiiiiirniMri »ian«ilHiiiiK.i,iiiiiiliai)itH MHMMi Shad God taiul; towu were whit their Pc with whic and ] hath Live: liave or ar and alwa; raenc thofe a W rccor If Fruit them rupti Covet •wirh Fello; it Wi Reli^ Prof. fui!.ei brea! E. (cattcr'd tlicm ; I, and {ccm'd to HO improbable n to be a Type icir Tribulation ; and that the vhich converted and Pcifccutor made him aa o tiie thenGon- Tty Power and er the like man- leat Enemies to 'o/pel to the yet ;hem, as he did J convince ajui crrial Life. '. God. — In the nns fni'.rs God, iiiccrity, cannot tions may come Redeemer, and Han prays for, but to how aie Aii&.oi his iiUo !iiti i-.)\v<:r, he liy of the Heathens, and hinder their Converiion. For Itiihmce ; — It cannot but be acknowledged widi Shame and Sorrow, that the litth Progrels which the Gofpel hath made among the Indian* and Nrgroes in the Wcrtern Parts of tlie World, hatli in a great meafure been owitig to the bad Lives of many of thofe Chriftlans with whom they have fo long convtrfed : — For let the Miffionaries, or any other good Man, fay never fo many true and aife(fling things of the Excellency ol Chriftianity, and the Bleflings attending it ; thofe People will always judge of the Religion fo zealoully recom- mended to them, by the Lives of the Generality of thofe who profeis it ; which, if wicked, give fuch a Wound to Chriftianity, as all the Arguments to recommend it cannot heal. If thefe poor People, inftead of feeing thfc good Fruits of the holy Faith and Religion propofed to them, fliall fee little or nothing but a general Cot' ruption of Manner: ,• fuch as Intemj^erance, Injt'jUce, Covet oufnefs, Opprxjion, a Love of Pleafures and. all ■worldly Delights, a IVant of Cr .npajjion fr their fello-w-creaturis, — Hatred, R'luli :c, and Ra cngc, — it ^vill be almoft impoffible to reconcile them to a Religion, which hath no belter iffc6ts upon its Profeflbis ; — or to make them r-p.r a God who fulLers his Worfliippers to do fuch things, and break wit'i Impunity thofe Laws, which they fay hti liiiUi given them lor the Conduct of their Lives. - ' ■" a 2 -' Hcathenj ^^.-, . ^ -pYii-i l&MMiiMltfU ■»^WI Vlll PREFACE. Heathens can rcafon as well a» Clirlftians, in Matters of fo natural a Confequencc ; and will make this plain Concluflon ;— That if fiith Chii- ilians as they convcrfc with, do really hope, as they pretend, to be happy when they die, no Perfons need be much concerned how they live here, or fear being milcrablc hereafter. Such Men as thefe would do well to confider the fad Doom pronounced by the Son of God aguinft thofe who give this Offence, and hereby occafion the Lofs of fo many Souls. • All Chrillians, who live in the Neighbourhood of the ficathens, ought to conclude, that they are placed theie by a fpctial Providence, which doth nothing by chance, or in vain, top.ive thofe People an Opponii- iiity (.;■ coming to the Knowlege of the true and only CioJ ; and, by their inrtru(5i:ive Convcrfation, and pood Livc\>, to difpofe them to receive the (j'ofpcl, tiiyt they may be laved, that God may be glori- ited, and his Kingdom inlargcd, and his Name be- come cxcdhnt in all the Earth. Then indeed thofe Heathens will have Rcafon to fay, what Mo/i-s fu ppofcd theNations would fay of the ^'raelites, — Surely thcfe areaivi/eamlan undt-rjiand' inir People, who have the Lordfo nigh unto them, in all they c(iU upon him for . — and what Nation is tlyerefo great, that hath Statutes and Judgments fo righteous? It was certainly for fuch great Ends as thefe, that Jofeph firft, and afterwards Jacob, and his whole Family, were brought into Egypt, by unforefcea Providences, that the Egyptian Nation, which was given altogether to Idolatry, might have a favour- able Oppoi tunity of coming to the Knowlege of the true and only God. For this Rcafon alfo it v/as, that the fanje Pro- Tidence of God, who alone can bring Good out of of Va Pcopl and a cHeai Idols, of CO gloric Mirac faithfi and A tions Folly their was r to del Peopl( the G An Chrift varioii in the great their dcnin^ them Asi Canaa Proph flians, only r for ha into a will b< and \\ cf all with h ilMM Miirfuminr r? Chrlftians, in ncc; and will c if fiich Chri- y liopo, as they ie, no Perfons ivc here, or fear to confider the )f God aguinfl: ercby occalion 'hbourhood of they are placed oth nothing by le an Opportu- t; trnc and only vcrfatiofl, and ve the Gofpcl, may be glori- his Name be' lavo Rcafon to ould fay of the an undcrjiand' nto them, in all ition is tiKrefo s fo righteous? \ as thefe, that nd his whole 3y unforefcea n, which was lave a favour* owkge of the ihe fanje Pro- ig Good out of PREFACE. Mk of Evil, did iiftci wards piinilh the Sins of his own People, by fcndiiif; them Captives into Babylon ; and at the fame time iliat he puniflied them, and cHcL'^tu.illy cured tlifin oi the Sin of worfliipping Idols, he {^-.ive their Conquerors a merciful Occafion of cominr? to the Knowlegc of Himfelf, and of his glorious Attributes; and by the wonderful Miracles whicli Hf pulilickly wrought, delivering his faithful Servants Daniel, Shaorach, Meshach, and Abedneco, from Death, he gave mnny Na- tions and Kinjrdoins fufficient Rea(bns to fee the Folly of their abfurd and ilupid Idolatry, when their very Kings were forced to declare, that there was no God but the God of Ifrael, who was able to deliver after that manner ; and forbad all the People of their Dominions to fpeak any thing againft the God who could do fuch Wonders. And how earneftly is it to be wiftied, that fuch Chriftians, who by the fame Providejice, and by various Ways, have been fent amongft the Heathens, in thefe latter Days, would ferloully conlider "^at great Good or Evil they are capable of do- by their virtuous or vicious Behaviour, the one har*- dcning them in their Unbelief, the other difpoilng them to receive the Gofpel ! As to the Negroes, the Defcendants of Ham and Canaan, who, according to one of the molt ancient Prophecies {Gen. ix. •25.), are become Slaves to Chri- ftians, the Defcendants of Japheth; furcly the only righteous Recom pence that can be made them, for having been forced from their native Country into a ftrange Land, and for their Labours there, will be ur Lord, and the «iTil>iillHiliiiKi| PREFACE. xl the Power of his f^.racc, that the Converfion of ilie Negroes will cither be iftipoHible, or be of no Ad- vantage to their Malk-rs have much more loantwcr for, than they feem to imagine or to appi(.hend. And tlioic Mall, i s wlio grudge their Slaves Time fuflicient for their Inlfruaion in the Way of Life and Happi.ids, and compel them to profane the Lord's pay, in procuring Neceflaries for their Sup- port, in direft Oppolition to Cod's Command, given in Compaflion both to Man and Jkaft ; luch Malc-s h.ive no Reafon to cxpe(ft the Blefllngs of citiicr this World or the next. Thrjc arc fome of the (Jbft.icles which lie in the Way of tiie C()nvkrsion of the Negroes and In- dians, aiul ^aull that glorious Work'^to go on fo flowly : — And, certainly, they who are concerned to remove tho-n, und wiio d ' not, will he. look'd upon as Enemies to God, and his Chrilf, and as filth fliall be treated at the laff Day. The Want of Mxssionariks, both furNoM- DEH and CiuAi.iircATiONs, to undertake fo dif- ficult a Work, is another Reafon which delays their Converfion, and greatly to be lamented. — Thefe cannot be iioped for, without Aiiiihuices euual to the Wc-rk. lii order to this, it plcufed God to pot into the Hearts of our Piinccs, to fstabmsii, by a Charter, a Socikty tor profagating THE Gosi-f.L IN roiuacN Parts, which hiith hitherto been encourag'd, .nnd kept up, by many worthy, but voluntary Subfcriptiory, and benefao lions. .-Ind may God ina cafe their Number, md hlefs the Siihjlame of all fuch EemfaElors .'— — But Expeiitnce linth convinc'd thofe who are chiefly conccrn'd in carrying on this good Work, that a much gteaier Ineoiac thaa they have yet • had, 'S- ■mUMitTftn riiku. p^^ xii PREFACE. had, will be neceflliry to Aipply the Number of Miffionarics that are wanted, and are every Day jray'd for by fuch People as are well difpofed, but not able of themfelves to maintain fuch as may in- ftruft them. In the mean time we hope, and have Reafon to expeO, that tWs excellent Undertaking, in which the Glory of God, and the Good of Men, are fo nearly concern'd, will meet with ftill more and greater Encouragement from Chriftians of all Denomina- tions, when they coniider the Obligations upon every one to put-to their helping Hand, according to their Ability, as a Proof of their Love for our Lord Jefiis Chrifl, and of their zealous Concern for the cverlafting Salvation of the Souls of Men. Thofe Gentlemen are under an indifpenfible Ob- ligation to fupport and encourage this excellent Work, who draw great Riches from the Traffick and Labour ot the Negroes, and from the Nations and Countries of the Indians, whether they live here, or in the Indies. And indeed one cacnot but believe, that thefe Cfentlemen, who refide in the great and trading Towns of England, and are generally of a very liberal Difpofition, and ready to every good Work, do only want to be made fenfible of the Good they are able to do this way, and the Obligations which lie upon them to promote fo pious a Work ; ■whereby they would be moft certainly iatitied to the efpecial Blefiing of God in this World upon their Trade, their Ships, thnnfdves, and their Fami- lies, as well as that they might have Leave to h5pe for Bleffings of an higher and a nobler kind. In fhort one would hope, that all People who value the Bleffing of an ingenuous and Chrmian Education, will couutenance this Work, fome by ,M. their their i when t nefs, a own t MlJ]lon. And differ ii Matter; agree ii will un exercifc kind. And this, w extend Bleffing who fc Nations that th Countrl good 7 offer uf touch'd Conditi them oi Thef would. Chiiflia Society, courage ten live , \\itl> a I Zenl foi Men. — GOD'^V A Loss Mtei iiir-iiiitMlr-riii ■•ii*. lUJilitlfMIU) ■■■■I he Number of lie every Day I difpofed, but ich as may in- iave Reafon to I, in which the I, are fo nearly e and greater all Denomina- 3ns upon every jrding to their for our Lord )ncern for the Men. lifpenfible Ob- this excellent the Traffics m the Nations :hei- they live ve, that thefe and trading lly of a very f good Work, he Good they gations which X Work : ly iatitied to World upon id their Fami- -,eave to hSge kind. [ People who and Chrmian )rk, fome by their PREFACE. xiii their A/Tiftance, all by their Prayers :— Efpeciall.y when tliey confider, that this very State of Dark- nefs, and dcpiorabh Ignorance, nnift have been our own Cafe to this Day, had not God in Mercy feat MiJJwnancs to inltrufl: the Generations before us. And although there are many Chriftians, who differ m Opinions from one another, fometimes in Matters of little Moment ;— yet fure all fuch as agree in the great and faving Truths of the Gofpel, will unite to weaken the Power of Satant who flill exercifeth his Malice over fo great a Part of Man- kind. And it will be a prev.iiling Motive to endeavour this, when we confider how far this Charity may extend ; for as we ourfelves do now enjoy thd Blellings and Fruits of their charitable Labours, who fo long fiEce preached the Gofpel to thefe Nations, fo we have Reafon to hope and bcJicve that the Generations to come, in the mifcrable Countries we arc now concern'd for, will, in God's goad Time, and by his BIclling upon this Soeiety, ojFer up many Thankfgivings to God, for hnving- touch'd our Hearts with a Senfe of the wretched Condition of their Forefathers, and having helped them out of it. ■ ^ '■ Thefe, and the like Gonfiderations, will, one^ would, hope, prevail with all fuch well-difpofed Chriflians, as Ihall come to the Knowledge of- this .Society, tu enable its (Jovcrnors to fend and en- courage Mi)n.)naries, fuflkient for fb great and ex- teidive an Undertaking, and fuch as are endued \vitl> a truly ChrilUan Spirit, and with a prudent ZenI for the Glory of God, and the Salvation of Men. — And indeed. If this is not to honour GoD<^viTH our Substance, we shall ue at A Loss TO riND A BETTER Way. b- ^ In m^ kiHU ^inn^ig^ mrmmiiim' f^mmm nuiumma PREFACE, . In the mean tinxc it mnft not be forgotten,—— That every pious and underftanding Chriltian, who, by the Providence of God, is placed among the Heathens, or is in any way concern'd with them, may be capable, in fome me?.fure, of becoming a Mifiionary, and may receive, at leaft from God, a Miffwuity's Eeiuard; by endeavouring to difpofe fiich People to bethink thcmfelves, why they vrere fent into the "World, and wiiat may become of thtra wh;n they leave it. For Example : Every fuch ferious Chrjftian may, in his Converfiuion with Heathens, endeavour to convince them- that the (iod& they worihip arc indeed evil Spirits, which will be their- Ruin for ever, if they do not renounce and forfake them i— That they arc tb^^fe evil Spirits which lead them, and all -jjicked Men, to do fuch Things as an Holy and Good God muft be difpleafed with, and which be hath declared he will punilh moft feverely in the Life which is to come — He can further inform them. That the God we worihip is he who made us, and all the World; — That he is molt worthy of tlieir Lovc, and their Obedience, iince he hath com- manded nothing but what is necelTary for our Good ; That he would have all Men, without Rcfpeft (if Perfoas, to be happy ; and that he will make all Men happy, who will do what he hath commanded them. — At the fame time he can let them know, — That the Wiath of this Great and Holy Cod is greatly to be feared, above all things, by fuch as *lo not obey his Commaudii ; fo that they ought not to be eafy till they know how to obtain his Pardon, and to be rtilor'd to lils Favour. He can, in coiivcrling with them, let them know fuither, that our God and Maker hath been fu extccdirg good and kind, as to fend his own Son from iiliiiiiilii III iiilliilliriii from ] unto ] andD they ( and h( they { And(i That Tlwt t made J and til which if we z alfured to raife to call to Hap ing as as faavi good I Evil, \ ever ; b as hav( carelefs not tru be doo: By 1 Truths the H( aid dei fuch Hi Minds I more o muft bt they m; forgotten,—— ChriAiao, who, :ed among the I'd with them, ot becoming a aft from God, iriiig to difpofe why they vrere )ecome of them Chri/lian may, endeavour to ey worihip arc thcii- Ruin for irfake them : — ich lead them, ngs as an Holy ith, and which fevercly in tlte ;r inform them, ) made as, and worthy of tlieir he hath com- ' for oil r Good ; ithoiit Rcfpeft e will make all th commanded them know, — d Holy Cod is by fuch as aIo y ought not to in his Pardon, let them know ker hath been id his own Sou from ■ n^nmiiipinmin i niimui i i<

m !|p|«WWW^ P R E F A C Ei mm XV from Heaven, to make himfelf, and his Will, known unto Men ; — To make Atonement by his Sufferings and Death for their Sins, and to teach them how tJiey ought to hve, fo as to pleafe their Maker ;— and how tliey may be rcflorcd to his Favour, when they fliail have done any thing to difpleafc him :— • And (to make us all more attentive to thefe Truths) That the Son of God did aflure us Chriflians, Tlwt this is not the only World and Life we are all made for, but that there is another World after this ; and that the prefcnt Life is only a State of Trial] which is defigned to fit us for a much better Life' if we are not wanting to ourfelves .-—For God hath alfured us, by this his Son, that he hath determined to raife all Men that have ever liv'd, to Life again, to call them to Account, and to judge them either to Happinefs or Mifery in the next World, accord- ing as they have behaved in this;— and that all fuch as have obeyed God, believed in Chrift, and led good Lives, or who, being fenfible they have done Evil, have truly repented of it, fhall be happy for ever ; but that fuch, whether Heathens or Chriftians^ as have defpifed the Propofals of the Gofpel, led tarelefs and wicked Lives in this World, and have not truly repented, and amended their Ways, IhaU be doom'd to everlalling Fire. By fuch Hints as thefe, and a thoufand other Truths which the good Spirit of God will put into the Hearts of fuch pious Chriftians as love God, aid defire to have him known and glorified,— by fuch flints as thefe it will be proper to raife in their Minds a Fear for themfelves, and a Defire to know more of the Will of God; To know what they muft believe, and how they mult live, fo that they may be happy whep they die. iJUt*^ •y.. :t And •MMiiiiiiitilMiaiili P R E F A C E.. xvi And certainly, they who have Negroes in Servi- tude, \ViIl find it the beft way to fccure their Fi- delity ; — Firft, to convince them, that their State ot Bondage, even in a ihange Land, amongft People who are governed by Laws, is tar better than always to have lived in their own Country, whtjre no Man can live in Safety, except a few lawlefs People, who kill or make Slaves of all whom they can overcome ; whereas now they may live in Security, and have it in their own Power to come to the Knowlege of the true God, who will afiijredly make them full Amends in the next World, f(jr what they wajit or fufFer in this, if they fhall bear their Condition, in. which his Providence hath placed them, with Pa^ tience, and obey his Commands. And now, if any thing in the following Ejfay fhall be of Ufe, either to luch well-difpofed People as we have been fpeaking of, or to any of the Mjionaries fent by the Society, or to thofc who have called tKemfelves Chriftians, tho' they, have hitherto liv'd without Fear of what muft come hereafter : In a Word, if it may ferve in the leaft Degree to inlarge the Kingdom of God, which we daily pray for : — Let alt the Praife be to Hiini for nhofe Glory it was undertaken, and who, by the weakeft Means can, when he pleafes, do th« greatcft Good. All the Author dcfires for himfclf is, That he may have the Prayers of all fuch as fhall receive any Benefit by thefe Papers ; and in return ke will not forget to pray for them. That ive may one Day meet in the Parudijc of God, to praife Him to ill Eternity. i . - r ■ ,- AN Ins' Wbkb Mijfton that ic is from Mi kirs and • xvr rroes in Scrvi« cure their Fi- lat their State mongft Poopie or than always vhere no Man "s People, who :an overcome ; rity, and have : Knowlege of lake them full they want or Condition, in icm, u iih Pa. illowing EJfay ifpofed People o any of the to thofc who \o' they, have t muft come ly ferve in the )f God, which j/d be to HiiKi and who, by leafes, do th« is,- -That IS fhall receive in return ke it ive may cue praife Him to AN f^jenJ^ru/y-^ [ ' ] ' 2l J' f A N ESS X Y T O W A R D S A N Instruction for INDIANS, PART I. Which is in order to Chrijlian Boptifm. DIALOGUE I. W Indian, '^' HY are you fo earned in perfuading me to become a Chriftian?* MJfionary. Becaufe I know for certain,' that it is the only sure Way to preferve you from Mifery, and to make you happy butli krs and hsreoftcv, B hid. It 11 Til xt mmttammmnmim jj '^Instruction Dial. i. Ind. * I ihall be very thankful, if you will ■« be fo kind as to explain what you fay con- ■« cerns me fo very much.' Mijf. That I will moft freely do: tor my .Heart's Defire is, that all Perfons "i ay have the fame Knowlegeof God, and his W.ll, as we Chriftianc have -, and befides, by m- ftruftingyou, I myfelf fhallbe a very grea^t Gainer. ^ , , Ind. * I do notunderftand what you mean « by that.' ^ ., MJf. I will tell you then : The Great God, whom we Chriftians worfhip. He who made the World, and all Things in it. and ;« whofe Hands our Breath and Life is*, and who would have all his Creatures to be happy,— He has promifed an exceeding great Re- ward to all fuch as (hall endeavour to make Him, and His glorious PerfeSiions, and His moft gracious Purpofes, known unto Men, .efpecially to fuch unhappy People as you, who know not for what End you were made, and fiitt into this World ; who know not what Duties you owe to your Maker, nor on what Conditions He will keep you from Mlfcry, and make you for ever happy when you die. Ind. ' Be pleafed then to tell me-what you c know more than we do, concerning theGod c jou worfhip ; for we know -^nd, believe, that .' # Dan. V. 23. ■ ^ f ; * there litoWMiiliiillkuHaiU muam -^■^~>-^^^ Dia « tl- * U! * hi A of/ prcf We (and acco gooc to U£ nefs one 1 are ii nour to dc /;/. *^did * yoL * wel Mi poor ' GllEy every cnous is gOOi permit thAt, confe( JjSTI tM—umtMltmiaim ' .. iJV 3N Dial. "ul, if you will it you fay con- yda: For my fons may have and his Will, jefides, by in- )e II very great what you mean The Great >r(hip. He who igs in it, and in ife is*, and who to be happy,— ling great Re- :avour to make e^lionst and His )wn unto Men, People as you, you were mndc'^ who know not lur Maker, nor keep you from rer happy when ell me- what you cerning theGod ^nd klieve, that "« " * there *•*■• '•""" -^■- •*■- ■ [iii-i'ip--' Dial. I. forf/jc INDt^kS. 3 ; there muft befome Great Power above * hl7ehlZf "'' '"'^ does^..;,.;, all thinga iW^ But wc Chriaians know much more of i/Mi Great Po,ve>- above, than you, in youV pr^-lent State of Ignorance, can poflibly do. WcMvcre nidecd once as ignorant of Him (and of our moft unhappy Condition on that account) as you now are ; but He has been fo good as to make Hmfelfz^d his//^/7/kn6wn to us, toour very great Com fort and Hanpi- nels ; and we cannot but defnc, tliat every one may beas happy as all true Chriftians are m knowing their Maker's Will, and ho- nouring Him, as reafonable Creatures ought . I'i' * ^^y ^ ^^ y°" °"^ th'"e ?--Why ^did not that good Being, whom you call your God, make all this known to us as * well as to you ?' Miff. I muft tell you once for all, that we poor Creatures ought not to expeft, that tlie Great God Ihould give us an Account of every thmg he has thought fit to do ♦. It is enough for us to know for certain, that He i^good and juft in every thing he does, or permits .to be done. And be affured, th^t fooner or later, every Tongue fliall contefs, and every Soul acknowlege, tlie Ji/STicE and Equity of God's Proceedings • 7»^xxxiii, 13. ■*' • ** B 2 with "•^■F ■"■mir- 4 yf// Instruct 10 N Did. r. with Mankind. At prefcnt it concerns ' you much more to know what we Chrilliana behove of God, and his Will, according to •the Account wliich he himlclf hath given us. Ind. * This, Sir, is what I now defire you « to inftrud me in.' Mijf. That I will mofl; gladly do -, for the Knowlege and Belief of God is the Founda- tion of all true Religion, and of the Happi- jiefs of Men. Firfi then, We know the God we ferve to be the moft pinfca: of all Beings ; and that there is no other God befide to be feared^ loved, or ivorjhipped. That it is he who made the World ; and %\at he p-cfervcs, and governs, and orders all things by his wonderful Wifdoni and Power. That amongfl: other Creatures he made Man to be Partaker of his Happinefs j in order to which, he gave him Reafon, that he might i derjlandy and adore^ and obey his Maker. And that Men might knoiv him more per- fedly, and love M^Ajear him as they ought, h- hiis given an Account of his Government of the vVorld ever lince he made it. — —By which Account it appears, — That he is Al- ■„ ighly, /. e. is able to do whatever he thinks fit:— ^That he is exceeding PVifej : and Dia and rnani rage cov.p difol he is difpl kind ofFen turn know. or ba are k know thing Lajtly fo tha furely threats hid *• and * Rea * fidei Mii greare A ceo I Reafoi fuch a beano JHappi known ■MMfMHilktaiiiiy ihiiiiniwi iranfti 1 mmutta ^ ^J Dial. i. it concerns * ve Chrillians according to hatii given )w defire you y do ; for the the Founda- f the Happi- id \vc fcrve to gs ; and that to be feared^ World ; and , and orders VVirdom and res he made lappinefs j in Reafon, that ■, and obey his lim more per- is they ought, 5 Government ide it. By rhat he is Al- 3 whatever he ceeding I'f^ifcy and I'lirriiiiiiiiaitiniijivii "fmm Dial. I. fcr the INDIANS. ^ and Gcod, and Jujl ; and therefore can cm- mand nothing but what is for our Advan- tagc; and wiJ! mofl Ibrcly reward fuch as cmply with his Laws, and />^;;;> thofe rhat dilobey them. Wc thereby alfo know, that he IS a mod //;/v IJcing, and has ever been dilplcafcd with wicked iMcn. Me is alfo mofF kmd and compojjionate to thofe, who, havino offended hino, arc truly forry for it, and re! turn to their Duty: That he /.r.; and Wj all the Adtions of Men, whether good or bad ; and that even our very 'I'hou.Wva are known to him: That he not ?nly knows things pajl and prcfent, but even all things which fhall ever happen hereafter ;— Laftly, That he is xy\o'^ fauhfuUo his WorcJ, lo that whatever he hA^pyomifed, he will molt lurely make good ; and whatever he has threatened^ he will as furcly excjute. hid. ' IconfefsthisAccountoftheGREAT *• and Good God feems moll agreeable to * Keafon ; now you have put me upon con- * fidermg it fo particularly.' Mi(f. But there are otiier Truths of the greateft Moment, which God has alfo in that Account made known to us, and which our Reafon could never have clearly difcovcred ; fuch as"thefe that follow :— That there will be another Life after this;— and that the true Happinefs or Misery of M-n will not be fully known till after they are dead. Bi Ind, iilmit'lffllKii diiiS httWi mmmmmtikmmi^.- fill 4j '^« Instruction Dial. i. Ind. * Till after they are dead, Sir ! • Why, do you Chriitians really know what .• Ihal ' become of Men after they are dead .? ' Mijj. Yes, we do, and that mod certainly. —We know that this fhort Life is only a Life or State of Trials in order to change and mend our corrupt Nature, that wc may be lit for a much belter World when we die \ and be for ever happy there^ if we behave purfelvcs as we (hould do, wliile wc live here. —For Gon has made known to us, That after Death the Souls ot all good People go to a Place of Rifi, and Paice^ and I-hfpinrfs-^ —and the Souls of wicked People to a Place of Sorroiv and Mifery^ there to remain till the F.nd of this World, and the Day of Judgment. Jnd. ' Pray, what do you mean by the • End of the World, and by the Day • OK Judgment ?* .i. Miff. Why, God has aflured us, that this World Ihall have an End j — that then there •will be a RcfiirreiJion of the Bead, both of the yufl and Unjujl *, both of good and bad Men i that all who have ever lived fhall then be raifed to Life, and give an Account for whatever they have done in this World, whether Good or Evil :— And that fuch as have done Good fhall be made happy for ever i and fuch as have done Evil, that * ^£isxm. 15. \ :, r : ■ ■ is, Bia is 1 pent rabl // * kr • tn • M * ea * C'l * th A they rhat fatis In tl and an P. and God by n Mal^ to y( Be hi eterr In * vi( * m( * m: * fti iiritimftliriifiiiilfcatiaiaiiiiiifci •mm N Dial. T. id, Sir ! y know what y are dead.?* lOft certainly. Afe is only a change and c wc may he 'hen wc die i if wc behave L' wcYwc here. to us, That od People go id ILippinrJsi pie to a Place remain till 1 the Day of ;nean by the by the Day ; us, that this hat then there id, both of the ocd and bad ved fhall then Account for this World, 1 that fuch as ide happy for me Evil, that is. Dial. I. for the IND lANS, f i«, have led wicked Lives, and have not re- pented in due time, fliall be for ever mifc-- rable. Ind. * Thefe indeed are Truths which we * know nothing of-, and if they be really * true, it certainly concerns me, and every * Man living, to think of them in good' * earned, and to order his Life accordingly. ' But let mc afk you, — Do all you * Chriftians know thcfe things, and believe * them to be true ?* Miff. It is at the Peril of their Souls, if they do not. But I know why you alk rhat Q^ieftion, and I promile to anfwcr and- fatisfy you upon that Plead h.ercattcr. — •^-^■ In the mean time, it is certainly your bell and wifeft Way to take care of yourfelf, in an Affair of the highelt Importance to you ; and not to negledl this Opportunity, which God of his INflercy and Goodnefs gives yoU' by me, of coming to the Knowlege of your Maker, and of the Duties you owe to him, to yourfelf, and to all others, left they fhould Be hereafter for ever hid from you, to your eternal Ruin and Deftrudlion. hid. * I hope I fhall take your good Ad- * vice. But in the mean time will you give * me Leave to afk you, How did God * make thefe things known unto you Chri- » ftians?' ^ ' • B4 Mil -■-•^•"-■- 1* - Tit*'*'gi^timt*n>r ■ 8 Ju I N fi T R u c T 1 ON Dial, r . Alrjf. ^bat you fliall know in clue time ; for you cunnot know all things at once. — And thcfc tew Truths only I have told you, ur this time, that you may know and con- Jider what you have to do i — that you may in |;,ood earned d.-firc to he further taught, :uk1 told how you may be ibr ever happy (if it is not your own l"'ault) •, and how you may avoid the Danu,cr and Mifery which you and all Men are expcjlcd to, v.ho are not very ierioudy concerr.cd tor their own Safety. — ir'or once and again I muib atfure you, as cer- tain a*; il;ere is a God, that you and every Man living fliall be happy or milerable when ihey die. We therefore (knowing tbefe things^ and that we nnijl all appear before the Judgment feat cf God, and rceeive a Sentence according to ivbat ice have done in the Body^ ichcthtv it be gccd or bad*,) We, knowing thefe things, endeavour to perfuade Men to be ntraid tor themfelves, and to live an holy and virtuous Lite here., lb as to efcape being inifcrnble henaftcr. What theretore I would recommend to you at prelent (for I would not overburden your Memory at once), is this : — That you would pray to God to give you an Heart dif- pofcd to hearken to the Truth : For he has promifed to enlighten the Underftanding, and open the Hearts, of thofe who humbly * i Cor. V, 1 1 . and and and I * a ' y J Goi giVi Put Pra F and Tin all^ wor Blei ftriv pare it — M Dial. r. in clue time ; ,s at once. — ive told you, low and con- :hat you may rthcr taught, ver happy (if liow you may 'hiciiyou and lie not very .vn Safety. — ■e you, as cer- lu and every ilerable when g tbefe things, 'ar before the ive a Sentence in the Body, Ve, knowing 'Je Men to be live an holy efcape being commend to t overburden : — That you an Heart dif- : For he has iderflanding, who humbly and Dial. I. forthe INDIANS. 9 and devoutly pray to him for his Dire(ftioa and AfTiftantc. Lid. ' I hope I fliall follow your Advice; * and I believe I Hiall hardly forget the things * you have told me.' Mijj. Farewel for the prcfent \ and may God keep you in this good Difijofition, and give you a teachable Temper; and for this Purpofc join with me in the following Prayer. „.. . The PRAYER.' . ., ' INlarge thy Kingdom, O God, and de- liver the World from the Dominion and Tyranny of Satan. Haflen the Time, which thy Spirit has foretold, when all Nations, whom thou haft made, fliaU worfhip thee, and glorify tliy Name.— — > Blefs the good Endeavours of thofe who ftrive to propagate the Truth, and pre- pare the Hearts of all Men to receive it — To the Honour of thy Holy Name* Amen, I3 DIA- irti*^ illlfliil'riiHilMlMTIiiiiikilVfiAttiiiin' ^' '• ' •> »■ I I I" j i , ! imn>p ■.. 1 1— 10 y^K Instruction Dial. 2. DIALOGUE II. Of the Corruption of our Nature. Imlian. * T AM come again, kind Sir, for yoi>r * I. further Inftrudlion. Your laft Words- have made me very thoughtful and uneafy, when you told me with fo muchEarneft- nefs, That Happiness or Misery WILL BE THE CERTAIN PoRTION OF *• EVERY ONE AFTER DeATH !* MiJJ. I told you nothing but the Truth j and I am not forry for your Uneafinefs ; — fince that may prove in its Confequence the greateft Bleffing of your Life. Ind. * I do not underftand. how that can » be.' Aiijf. But this you can eafily underftand, •—Ibat they who are in Health, and think them/elves in no Danger, will not look out fcr a Phyftcian and other Help ; but they that are /uk, and,[enfit)le of their Difeafe, will be glad cf Advice, and will be apt to follow it * •, when once you are fenfible, that ofyourfelf you are an ignorant y helplefs^finful Creature fy incapable «.f either knowing or performing the Will of your Maker, or of reconciling f Alaff. ix. 12. f Rtv. iii. 17. yourfelf Di yo ed fcl to Di en; we * V ' a a( cnt im of * f Pi: 7o) not Hl lift us mo aK ^^sKM^dimtUiiim itA:. nu mmiDim'-* (N Dial. 2. S II. ' Nature, Sir, for yoiir iir lad Words- i\ and uneafy, luchEarneft- OR Misery Portion of !» it the Truth ; Jneafinefs ; — nfequence the how that can / underftand, '//&,. and think ot look out f:r r they that are ^e, will be glad low it * •, iiat ofyourfelf ful Creature fy If performing )f reconciling , iii. 17. yourfelf Dial. 2. for the INDIANS. i? yourfelf to him, whenever you have offend- ed him. Befides, I muft tell you another Truth, That the more you are afraid for your- felf, the more will the Great God be difpofed to pity you, and to deliver you from the Danger you are juftly afraid of* i and to enable you to attain the End for which you were made, and fent into the World. Ind. ' Will you be pleafed to let me know * wliat the End is for which God made us, ' and fent us into the World ?' Mijf. God made Man, that he might have a Creature upon Earth endued with Reafon, end capable of adoring his Maker, and of imitating his Perfedtions ; and fit to partake of his Bounty and Happinefs. Ind. ' Pray what is the Happinefs yoa * fpeakof?' MIJJ'. It is the Happinefs of going to a Place of perfedt Kmzvle^e, Gcodnefs^ Lcve^ Joy, and Peace^ which is to laft for ever. As nothing is more defirable than Life, nothing fliould more forcibly work upon Iluman Nature, than the Hopes of Ever- lafting Life. Which Life God himfelf has fet forth to us by all fuch things as we are moft com- monly affedled with : As a Crown, — a Kingdom, a Treasure, and Inhe- * I/a. ]xvi. 2. I RITANCE. ' ■ ~ ''m .._«.-.j»„ , lr ftf l tfil-tft i ' — -^° -..■»^ , 12 !/f>; Instruction Dial RiTANCE wuhfikd^ that fadeth not away^ and a — State of everlafting Joy and PJeafure. hid. * If God originally defigned Men for * this Flappinefs, how came they to forfeit * their Title to it ?* Mijf. They do it by being guilty of Sin ; that is, -by tranfgrefling the Law which God has given them. Ind, ' Has God given us any Law ? ' Miff. Yes, fiirely. He has given you and all Men Reafon, which is inftead of a written Law or Rule, by which you ought to live, and may, in fome meafure, know what is good, and what is evil ; what will pleafe» and what will difpleafe, an holy, jujl, and good God. Jnd. * But it is too plain, that People do * not always obferve this Rule or Law.' Miff. It is fo, and and that is their Sin, by which they difpleale God, and debar them- felves of his greater Favours, and are in Danger of being mifei able, even beyond what they can imagine. Jnd. * But is not this the Cafe of many * Chriftians, as well as of us ?' M/ff. It is furely fo,- and they muft fufTer feverely for it; God having given them plainerRulcs, and greaterHelps, to overcome and cure th.n Corruption of Nature, which is One great Occafion of all the Wickednefs wiiich we fee in the World. Ind. wn vol By lire fee fib: wit (an us) vai cor ' 1 * F * h tha len dint Wi All Inji Lei m is hi ther ReJi 'ItliiiMitiiWiitiiiii-tii ON Dial. 2. Hh not away 5 ifting Joy and igned Men for they to forfeit guilty of Sin ; le Law which iny Law ? ' las given you > inftead of a 1 you ought to •e, know what at will pleafe, ?(?/>', juft^ and hat People do e or Law.* s their Sin^ h^ I debar them- , and are in 1 beyond what -afc of many id they muft g given them , to overcome 'ure, which is ; Wickednefs Ind. h'ttkimAt/it^iK "?^W« Dial. 2. for the INDIANS, 1^ Ind. ' Pray what do you mean by The * Corruption of our Nature * .?' Miff. That I will now tell you ; and what by your own Reafon and Experience you mud acknowlege to be true 13y the Corruption of Nature we mean, a Itrong Inclination totvii, which we not only fee and l/lntne in other People, but very kn- fibly/a'/ in ourfclvcs ; that is, — fomething within us, which often oppoleth our Reafon (and the other Laws which God has given us); fo that we arc often tempted and pre- vail'd upon, to do what our own Judgment condemns us for, at the Time of doing it. Lid. ' This indeed is too plainly the Cafe. * —Men follow not their Reafon, but their ' Pcffwns, their Inclinatiu:s, and their own * perverfe /Fi//j ; and which too often they * have Caufe to repent of.' Mff. You cannot but have ob/erved,— . that this Inclination to Evil is often fo vio- lent, that Men commit all Iniquity with Gree- dinefs j and this is the Occafion ot all the "Wickednefs which we fee and hear of; . All the Cruelty, the Opprejjim, the Pride^ the Injuftice, the Malice, the Covetoujnefs, the Lewdnefsy the Impurity, Murdirs, Lrunken- * It is cur Religion ixhich haifi,Jl taught, That Man is horn in Sin; no Seff of Philofophers cvtr fuid this, and therefore no Sea enierfaid the Trutb,—~^Monf. Pafcal'* Religious Thoughts, p. 63. 'In' f4. ^f;7 Instruction Dial. 2. nefs^ and all other Sins, by which Men dif- hoROur their Maker and thcmfelves, and are a Plague to others \ infomuch that it is founi neceflary to have fevere Laws made, even by Men, to hinder wicked People from hurting one another \ — of which Laws there would be no Occafion, if Reafon had been fufficient to govern Men; which fad Experience (hews it is not; — there being too many, whom no ReafoHy no Advice^ no ProfpeSi of Danger^ no Hopes of Happinefs, can keep from ruining themfelves and others. Ind. * I confefs there is Truth in what you « fay. But fure this is not the Cafe of all * People.* Miff, I mufl: tell you, — that the Wicked- nefs of others fhews us plainly what all Men are by Nature. — All Men have the Seeds of Evil within thcmfelves, which would fpring up and appear upon every Temptation, if not hindered by fomething more than their own Reafon; and they that are not fo wicked as others, may be thankful to a Power abovi\ who reftrains them. — And your own Heart and Experience mult tell you, that fuch as are not fo wicked as thefe we have beenfpeaking of, are forced to ftrive hard againft the Temptations they meet with, before they can follow what their Reafon tells them they ought to do or avoid ; that they are but loo often unwilling to follow the Lie hi of RlASON^ n R to th th nc « f in of of CI « < X th Ih 01 N >. th bi te llliijili^ iiniiiriiir'ii iiti'iMViimiiffiiiiiiiii ii g^. 3 N Dial. 2. •hicli Men dif- ifelves, and are that it is founi made, even by :from hurting !s there would been fufficient perience (hews any, whom no ? of Danger, no ) From ruining th in what you the Cafe of all t the Wicked- r what all Men /e the Seeds of 1 would fpring 'empcation, if ore than their : not fo wicked a Power abovt\ )ur own Heart hat fuch as are beenfpeaking d againft the lefore they can Is them they t they are but the Light of RiASONj Dial. a. for the INDIANS. 1.5 Reason, which God has given themj and too-too often make ufe of it only to hurt gr over-reach one another. — All which fhews, that our Nature is firangely corrupt \ — fo that no Man can fay he is free from Sin, or not guilty before God. hid. * I muft confefs, indeed, that, ac- * cording to my bed Underftanding, there is * Truth in every thing you have told me.' Miff. Well then, let this Truth fmk deep into your Heart j for without the firm Belief of this, you will never have any true Notion of the Goodnefs, Jujlice, or Mercy of God to Men ; nor will you ever know the Value of Chriftianity. Ind. * But how Man, the Creature of fo * holy and good a Gody Ihould come to have * a Nature fo corrupt and diforderedy and * prone to Evil, — This, indeed, furprifes * me.* Afiff. Far be it from any Man to imagine, that a good and holy God, who hateth Sin, ihould be the Caufe of this Corruption of «ur Nature, and of the Evil it occafions .' No,— He made Man at firft upright, holy, jujl and good, and capable of doing every thing that became a reafonable Creature ; but how he fell into this wretched and dif^ tempered Condition, you ihaii know in due time. ^ V - bid. i6 yf/i Instruction Dial. j. hd. * But fince Sin and Wickednefs arc • « difpleafing to God, why does he fuffer Sin * and Sinners to be in the World ?' Mtf. You do not confider, that, all Men being Sinners, God muft either fuffer Sin to be in the World, or deflroy tlie Sinners ; that is, all the Race of Men. But when you come to know the Chrijlian Religion ^ and what God has done to cure this great Diforder of our Nature, you will find, that God can rake Occafion from theSinsof Men to difplay the Greatnels of his Mercy and Compafl'.on for Sinners ; — and you will have Reafon to admire and adore his wonderful Wifdom^ and Mercy, and Goodfiefs, to all fuch as ihall lay hold on the Offers of Grace, — as well as dread his juft Difpleafure againfl Jfuch as defpife his Mercy. And this is One Reafon, that I have taken fo much Pains to convince you of the Cor~ jyuption of our Nature^ and of the Danger we are in on this Account, that you may have no Eafe in your Mind, until you know how to be delivered from fo bad a Bondage, and the Fears which ought to attend it. There is another Danger, which we are all cxpofed to, and which you ought to know ; and that is, the Power and Malice of E'vil Spirits. Ind. * What do you mean by Evil Spi- l RITS ?* Mi£, - atf ii a r»l» Br t n"llT l lO i lfr li n trm i rHni ^^SaHtiiliimm^ Dia 71 ther v/e ( a hoi havj Spir. of h fuch and J temj that —A edne that I ailtl Ma! and Tow from In, ' of * ha^ * Da M knov mrj> flianj and t he do * G ..^.^ 3N Dial. 2. /ickednefs arc js he fuffer Sin orld ?• that, all Men :r fuffer Sin to tlie Sinners ; But when (It an Religion t ■ure this great will find, that le Sins of Men is Mercy and you will have his wonderful ?/}, to all fuch s of Grace, — eafure againfl 1 1 have taken lU of the Cor^ he Danger we fou may have )u know how Bondage, and nd it. lich we are all jht to know i ind Malice of >y Evil Spi- Mi£, Dial. =; for the INDI ANS. i v Mijf. God has made known to us, that there are Creatures, Loth j;'^^^'^ and bad, which v/c call Attic's or Spirits, and which are ever about us, though we do not fee them, they having no Bodies, as we have.— -The Ccod Spirits are appointed by God, to take care of his Servants ; and the Evil Spirits are fuch as have rebelled againft their Maker, andj having utterly loft his Favour, ftrive to tempt Men to all manner of Wickednefs, that they may be as miferable as themfelvcs, — And through //'«> Temptations the Wick- ednefs of the World was grown fo great,— that God was piovoked at one time to drown ail the People of the Earth, except on e G ood Man, Noah, and his Household * ; and at another time, to deftroy feveral great Towns, Sodom and Gomorrah, with Fire from Heaven, for the Wickednefs of them thut d'-joelt in them -f. Ind. * Thefe,indped,arereafonable Proofs ' of the Power which Evil Spirits may * have over v;icked Men, and of the great * Danger we are in of being ruin*d by it.' Mff. But it is necedary, that you Ihould know theie Things •, for whoever is not u IVorfhtppero^ the only true God, whom Ctiri- llians ibr-'c, is a Slave to rhefe evil Spirits, and too often is a IFcrfJnpper of them, tho' he does not know it.' When you conlidcr ; Gtn. vi. 7, 8, '^c. f Gen, xviii. 19. C thefe II iiilMMt illVlfliliriililfeiiliiiiiiii I --'iT'-fff' -iiirr'T- 3fl lb ./J • Instru CTioN Dial. t'l'.iV things you will haveKeafon to be con- cerned n.nd airaid lor yoi.rfclf. Ind. * And io indeed I fhall be, if this is * our Cafe.' Miff. This is, in truth, the Cafe of every one who is ignorant of the true God, and of the Way of Salvation which he has revealed to his unhappy Creatures, the Way by which they may be prevented from ruining them- felves, and lofing that Happirvefs which he has provided ibr fuch as lo'oe and obeyhxm. Jnd. * I do moft earneftly intreat you, that * at your Leifure you would give me an Ac- * count of the Chrirtian Religion, which you * fay is the Way whereby God has reveal'd ' to fave all Men from Ruin.' Miff. That I will do, thro' the Favour of God, the ntxt time we meet: In tlie mean while remember — what I afTure you of, — that this Life is the Time, in which you are to cluife whether you will be happy or mi- ferable for ever -, ' and that your Happinefs * orMifery v^ill depend upon your em.bracing * or reje(5ting the Offer now made you, by * Almighty God, of becoming a Chriftian.' You ought therefore to pray to the Great (lOD, TO enable you to lay hold of this Op- portunity of being happy. ; .i«:r'}i - •': my leg( me ligi gro Sal efpe my Go* thy 4 ^ * // • c " 1 «t 1 The •t ■^ * ■irmtlnrtiltrHknrili- KMUtU ■iiiMi'-- llrrtrii-'-ttnifPlYl iitfitfiiii»ait ^ ION Dial. i. eufon to be con- all be, if this is le Cafe of every •ue God, and of he has revealed : Way by which 1 ruining them- pinefs which he ! and 0^^ him. intreat you, that give me an Ac- tion, which you rod has reveal'd n.' i' the Favour of t : In tlie mean lure you of, — n which you are ; happy or mi- your Happinefs your embracing ' made you, by ingaChriftian.' ^? to the Great lold of this Op- uir^f? The Dial. 5. for the IN DIANS, i^ The PRAYER. OGOD, the Fountain of all Wifdom, I mod humbly befeech Thee to enlighten my Mind, that I may come to the Know- lege of thee, and of thy Goodnefs. Give me a Serious, an Underftanding, and a Re- ligious Heart, that as I grow in Years, I may- grow in Grace. Blefs all the Means of Salvation whicl; Thou hall afforded me, and efpecially this InJlru£lion^ that it may fink injo' my Heart, and bring forth in me the Fruit of Good Living, to the Honour and Praife of. thy Holy Name. Amen. DIALOGUE in. The proofs of the Chrijiian Religion^ Mian. ."i / :»a-> I AM come again. Sir, to trouble yon fooner, 1 believe, than you expeded. • ——You faid, that it was good for me, that I was in Fear for myfelf : I cannot chufe but be fo, lince you toid r.ie, *V Tijiat * my Happinels orMifery will depend upon ' my embracing or rejeding the Offer now ' made mc of becoming a Chwftian." — J . C 2 * own 20 yf/^ Instruct (ON Dial. j. ' own I am not fatisfied with my prcfent * Condition ; — I am convinc'd by my Rea- ' fun, as well as by what you told me, that ' we war made to he an Honour to the Bdi^ * thct made us, by living according to that •^ Ligiuand Reafon which he hath given us. * For my own part, I Icar I have not ' done fo ; and if he fliall be difplcas'd with * mc, I know not how to help myfclf, or « make my Mind cafy.' Miff'. * Afllire yourfelf, this is the Cafe of eveiy thoughtful Perfon, who has noKnow- Jegc of Chriftianity. — And therefore our CjVfrt/ and Good Creator, in Compaflion to thofc v.nhappy Men, who labour under fuch Doubts and Fears, has gracioufiy pointed out the Way by whic \ they may be freed trom them ; viz, — By emlracin^ tbeChriJiian Relii^io?!, irJ. ' What does the Chriftian Religion * propofe to us, to cure us of thofe Fears.?' MijJ'. I will fult tell you in fhort, and- aftcrv/aids explain myfclf more fully. — In the firfl: place, It will lead you to the Know- lege of the true God, the Maker of the World, and convince you of Ivis great Love for his unhappyCreaturcs, andof hisearneft Endeavours to keeptheni from ruining them- fclves. — It Hiews us alfo how we mull an- fwer the End for which God made us, and • lib. xii. 15. fent whi( may Itlh Fav( nece and obfei Coui Pard foun Sins, afllir cf ai ihort iffmriiiM MMiiifii^h tulmia ■m«mmmtm^^~^^ ON Dial. J. :h my prefcnt d by my Rea- 1 told mc, that 'ur to the Being ording to that hath given us. ■ar I have not difplcas'd with clp myfclf, or 5 is the Cafe of has no Know- therefore our Companion to )iir under fuch oufly pointed may be freed ig the Chrijiian ftian Religion :hofe Fears?' in fhort, and- fully. — In the to the Kiiow- laker of the :vis great Love i of his earnefl ruining them- we mull an- made us, and fent '"'- liMliiiV ffi laiiMKi III i^i_ DiJ. 3. fo7' the INT>1ANS. zf pMit US into the World. It fcts before us the miferable Circumftances into which we arc funk by Nature, the Dangers we are liable to, and teaches us the Way to efcape them. It makes known to us thofe Laws by which God will judge the World, that Men may order theirHearts and Lives accordingly. It Ihews us how we may be reftored to the Favour of God i—it gives us all Rules neceflary to make us happy when we die, and promifes us all neceflary Afliftance to obferve thofe Rules. It direfts us in the Courfe of our Lives, how we may obtain the Pardon of God, whenever we fhalJ have been fo unhappy as to have offended him by our Sins, which we are but too apt to do. It afllires us, Iba: God is a bountiful Rewarder of all fuch as Jeek to pleafe him *. In ftiort, — Cbrtjlianity is the only Remedy to cure all the Diforders and Dangers, and Mi- feriesy which we are fubje<5t to^n this Life ; to fupport us in the Hour of Death, and fe* cure ojr Happinefs in the future State j m fhort, it is the only fure Means, where it is ferioufiy embraced, of corre'^ing and reforming this World, and leading Men to a better. Ind. * This is, Sir, a moft dcfirable Ac- * count you have given meof the Chriitian * Religion.— Will you be pleafed, as you pro- * mifed, to explain thefe things more fully ?» •nd.xi.e. MS ili 7T ^-fw In ST RUCTION Dial.j; MJf. You muft know then, that we are called Chriftians, from profcfllng ourfelves to be the Difciples and Followers of a moft holy and divine Perfon Jesus Christ, who being the Son of God, was fent by him from Heaven, to make his \Vill and gracious Pur* pofes known unto Men. In order to this, He being a pure Spirit, it was neceflary, that he ftiouli' cake a F^dy like one of ours, that he might be feen by and converfe with Men. — He therefore fubmitted to be born of a Woman, and He took the Soul and Body of a Man, and in thatNatureHe lived among Men, and made known to them tiie things which I have al- ready mentioned to you, — —Particularly, He gave them a clear Knowlege ot their Maker ; and by his moft prfetty innocent^ and holy Life, fhew'd what an excellent Creature Man was, when he was firft made, before he fell into Sin, and became pror-e to Evil, as he now is. He afllired them, that He came as z'Peace- maker betwix: God and his rebellious Crea- tures, who by their Diibbedicnce had loft his Favour, and forfeited theHappinefs he had prepared for them. * And in order to reconcile them to God, and to the Duty and Obedience which they owed to him, lie brought them this moft gracious Melfage : — ' That ali fuch as be- 4, * came c a tl fl c P « V « tl 1 • o ; fuel Go( VOll exq For bef( us ( • fa and pum Wc / • m • Tl • S( « rh A inte t.ib.. Mii itf i -i"»»19'""«ll*5" ON Dial. 3; in, that we are jflTing ourfelves iwers ofa moft s Christ, who nt by him from d gracious Pur* : being a pure lefliouU' cake a le might be fctn — He therefore 'oman, and He L Man, and in Men, and made ^hich I have al- — Particularly, wlege of their erfei/t innocent^ It an excellent was firft made, ccame pror,e to :ame as ^ Peace- •ebellious Crca- :nce had loft his ippinefs h« had : them to God, :nce which they them this mo(t ali fuch as be- * came ( titmi mamn\i , Dial. 3. for /B- INDIANS. ij * came fenfiblc of their Error and Mifcry, • and were willing to give themfclves up to * the Son of God as their Lord and Saviour, « ftould thro' his Merits and Mediation re- • ceive a full and free Pardon for all their paft Offences, be reftored again to his Fa- vour, and obtain that Happinefs which « they had forfeited by their Offences.' iMd. * Thefe are indeed wonderful Proofs • of the great Goodnefs of God." Mif But then you are to know, that all fuch as defpi/e this furpriling Goodnefs of God, arc not only to be deprived of his Fa- vour, but are to be punifhed with Torments exquifite beyond all we can now imagine. For you muft never forger what I told you; before, and whatjEsus Christ has alTured us of,^« That this fhort Life is only a Paf- * fage to another, which is to laft for ever j' and where every Man is to be rewarded or pumjhed according to his Behaviour in this World, /W. * I have not forgot that.— But give * me Leave, Sir, to allc you one Queftion: ' —How are you Chriltiaris fu re, —that • THIS EXTRAORDINARY PersON waS the • Son of God, and came from him with • this Meffage to Men .?' ^ Mf. It is neceffary, that every one who intends to be a Chriitian, fhould have the greateft ^'Aini-tti,^-.\ Vim.t .^' '' ' - ! ; ' , 1 . - ' WJ- ^ iuj iB iinnfim.^.^Bt wi m i 24 ./^« Instruction Dial. 5." greateft Aflurance of it ; for on this Truth the Chriftian Religion is founded. You muft know then, that this Divine Person, in order to give Men all pofTible Afllirance,that he was what he declared him- fdH to be,— —performed before their Eyes fuch wonderful Works, as fliewed that in Him dtvelf all the Fulnefs of the Godhead bodily. For Example, He healed all manner of Sicknep and Difeafes with a Word of his Mou:h. He ^avc Sight to fuch as wen born hlir.d. To fuch as were dumb and deaf^ he gave the Power of Speech and Hearing -, — and lie made the Lame to walk. — He fed and fatisfied the Hunger of many Thoufands of People more than once, with a few Loaves and fmall Fifhes^ which they faw multiplied before their Eyes, fo that Thoufands were at one time all Eye-wit nejfes of this Miracle. He commanded the Winds., the Stormsy and the Seas.^ and they obeyed his Word. He raifed to Life tliofe that had for Ibme time been dead. — He convinced' thofe with whom he coiiverfed,that he knew the very Thoughts of theii Hearts, which none but God can do. Lallly, the great God himfelf did more than once, bya Voice from Hea'ven., declare, — That he was his beloved Son ; and commanded^ that as fuch hefhould be beard and obeyed, Jnd. Dial tf: '■ a,, „,-.^-.......« 3N Dial, g.' on this Truth ided. C this Divine en all poflible declared him- ore their Eyes lewed that in the Godhead -He healed all s with a Word ight to fuch as as were diimb of Speech and '^ame to walk. Linger of many once, with a hich they faw that Thoufands ■tnejfes of this :he Winds, the y obeyed his ihofe that had ie convinced' ,that he knew iearts, which .allly, the lan once, by a —That he was i^ thatasfucb Ind. Dial. 3. Jhrth INDIANS. 2^ Ind. ' Indeed tliefe are nioft fure Proofs ' [li^it THIS Divine Person was what he iaj.t ' -.c was ; and that whatever he taught mull ' be true. ° Miff. But I have other Evidences to f-ive you, xn order to confirm your Faith or Belief in this Divine Per/on, and h\s Mtl]a«e.. . Amonga many other things, which He fore- told Ills I dzvell iK J.bcni, ' them with all by them, and mation of fucU I fuch mighty them : ' fen Days after •n, That 1)i- 1 them after a nablcd them to Languages of bich 'they went Tidings •, Nations, were ice, and Dark- true Knowlege Chrifty and of bled them to all the World: •ur Peace with 'erned by him, r whole Trull "mmaimmmmm wmmm /e given fome ieve, that what ccrtaioly truej thefe Things^ . Mif, Dial. 3. for fhe INDIANS. 27 Miff: Indeed they are not; and you will not wonder at it, when you confider what it IS that hinders People from being Chriftians. — There are many who never think of their Maker, or what mud become of them when thty die.—Many indeed hear thefe things- but their Affeaions are fo fet upon thisffWj] Its PUafures and Profits, that they do not lay them feriouny to Heart.— And too many are fo fond of their own perverfe Ways, to vviiich they have been long accuftom'd, that they fee not the Truth of what is propofed to them.— Befides all this,— the Apostles taught many things, which wicked People would not hear with Patience : For Ex- am[)le,— that Murder ers^ Drunkards, Adul- terers, Opprejfers, (tvstous Perfons, the proud, maltaous, and revengeful People, all Lovers cf Pleafures mere than Lovers of God, . that all fuch who were guilty of thole things, muft forlakc them, in order to become Chn- ftians. Ind. * Well, Sir, I am Convinced, that " notwithftanding the Proofs of the Truth ' of the Chriftian Religion, there might be * * People who would not become Clinftians. * But I fliould be very thankful, if ' you would let me know, how the Chri- * Ilian Religion did prevail at the time the * Apoftles of Chrifl: made it known to all * Nations?* D 2 Miji: ■Mmuhtti "■I ■ l i»Ti i 28 u4n Instruction Did. 4.. ALjf. That you flnll know when you cotne again to me. — In the mean while, Ibrgctnot to beg of God to give you an Heart always difpofed to receive the Truth j which you may do in fomc fuch fliort Prayer as this following. The PRAYER. MErciful God, and Lover of Mankind, enlighten my Mind with faving Faith; enable me to withlland the Temptations of the World, the FlcHi, and the Devil, and with a pure Heart to follow thee, the only true God, and thy only Son the Lord Jejus Chrijl. Alien. ■ -■IV ■ , .■; ■ . :•■■-■-■.■' DIALOGUE IV. The "iiondtrfid Succefs and Frogrefs of the CkifpcJ^ ivhen it ivmjirjl preached to ike World. ■- - Mia}i. ■ '-" '■'*^' * lir^^E^ I l^ft you Jafl, Sir, you * VV piomil't-'^l to let aie know what * followed the Descent* or Coming down *■' of that HoLV Spirit upon Chrift's Apo- ' flics ; and h.ow the Chriilian Religion was ' received in the World.' ' . » Woi Nati and, have gave God' P^rd city t Son ; THOX that • imm( came thing they the jf^ know ' favc '.the he wa had oj them riAMkliHiiiM rnnmrilliiii -tifriinrtiiTii fsMumamMM l l»tll ■MM N Dial. 4,. •hen you cotne ile, Ibrgctnot Heart always 1 ; which you Prayer as this • of Mankind, . faving Faith; 'einptations ot ^c Devil, and :hee, the only l:c Lord jfefia i IV. ..-,,.. rogrefs of the reached to the aft, Sir, you : know what 1^0 M J NT G down Chrift's Apo- Religion was M:J, I7ial.4. forthe INDIAXS. 2^ Mijf. You muft know then, that when this happened, there were JV:pIe out of all Nations at Jcriijalew, tJie City to which they ^vere come to worfhip the great God *. 1 Now when all thefe heard the Apostles ok Christ (who before that time knew no Lan • guage but their own) declaring the wonderful' VVorks of God, in the Language of every Nation then prcfent, they were ^afloni Hied j and, bemg convinced that fuch Men muiV have been divinely infpircd, they therefore gave heed to them, while they declared God s moft gracious Purpofes— of Mercy, Pardon, and llappmefs, to all fuch as would obey the MefTlige he had fent to them by his Son ; mfomuch that no Icfs than Three THOUSAND embraced the Chrillian Rclifrjon that very Day, and Five thousand m'^)re, immediately after ; and thefe Converts be- came io many IVttncfjcs of thefe wonderful things to the i'everal Nations from whence they came thither to worfhip.— After this,. the Apoftles went into all Nations, makinc^ known this joyful Mcffiige of God to M^-n^ ■; '1^'iat li>^ would have all Men to be ' iaved, and to come to the Knov/lcge of '.the Truth, cr the Chrillian Faith ;'—thac he was ready to be reconciled to ail fuch ar had offended him ; and that he would make them happy for ever, if they would be pci- ♦ Aits ii. D 3 fuaded ui>iiliiiM-|iiiiliiir.:*'. itajtlM •'tiiiiiTrriiiiniii • 3i Ai Instruction Di.il. 4. u'crc intended to dctlroy, All JtboifKi, Ido- dolalry, ProplniKnefs^ ant! hmorality, 'I'hcy prevailed upon many i'cople to quit the Religion in vvhuli they Iiud been cdu- cattd. — To forcn-o Eafi and ricafurc, and ■r.-orluh Convt-nicncics, and tc leave their Friends^ Re'a.'ions and Country, and to lulTer all kinds oF Temporal Evih, aiid often the Lofs of Life itfelf. Thcfc Miracles were likewife attcflcd by proper Wltnelles.— 'i he Dijlij.ks of Chrid Jdiu the Miraeles of their Majier, and died in Confnmation of the Truth of iiem, parti,. cukriy of his Resurrection from the Dead. . rhry were fcretold Ages before by the Prophets, that they were futh Miracles as the Jr^s cxpedcd, and had Reafon to expc(fl from their Messiah,- when he did appear. Lafly^ The Perfons whofe Miracles are re- corded in the Gofpel, fontold many Events, feme of which did not come to pafs till a confiderable time after the Books of the Nev/ Teftament were written, and the Writers themfclves were dead. And this is a flill flrongcr Confirmation of the Truth and Cer- tainty of the Miracles related in thofe Books. hid. ' Pray, Sir, what became of thefc • Ai'o.rrLE.'i after this?* Mjf. As they had taught all others to fufFer Death, rather than deny the Truths which they '-^Mwida I ' II iriirtiinri •wnHiTMiIti irmifc tKtMiiaMiMMiAMIl ION Di\il.4. 11 Jdv/Jhj Jdo- '■.mrality, i'coplf to quit had been ccUi- l r leaf, if c^ iind tc leave their ', and to luircr , and often the nk attcdcd by dplcs of Chrifl (ia\ and died in ;)f ihem, parti- ION from the before by the ''4th Miracles as eafon to exped: e did appear, kdi racks are re- l many Events, I to pafs till a ^ks of the Nev/ d the Writers id this is a fliJl I'ruth and Cer- n thofc Books, "came of thefc others to fuffer Truths which they Dial. 4. for the INDIANS. ;^ they had received from God by Jefus CbrijJy \i) moll of them laid down their Lives for tliofe Truths they had preached, Bur, before they fuflered, they appointed others to fucceed them in publifliing thefc Truths to a!l Nations J — by which Chrilli.mity has con- tinued unto this Day •, — and we are afllired by Chrift himfelf, will continue unto the World's End. And a very great Change for the better has been made in all Nations where it has been received. Itui. ' You will oblige me, if you will let ' me know in what the World is become ' better by this Religion ?* Mijf. In the fiill place, it gave the thoughtful and penitent Satisfadion how their Sins might be forgiven, and their Perfons accepted and faved by a righteous and holy God. — They who then embraced the Chri- ftian Religion profeflcd, that theyivere Stran- gcrs in this fVorld, and therefore looked upon this Life only as a Journey to a much better, which they expedled after Death. This made them content with any Condition, which God Hiould think fit to place them in. This kept them from being covetous, or over-much concerned for the things of this World ; — they believed, that if ihey were pooi\ or in Mifer)\ God would abundantly make up in the next Life, wiiat was wanting, ©r they had fuffered in this. Their great HJ^MHntemm 1 iirfptMalM ■aMiHMHMAiHtllMli Ill , . mimsm 5+ ^/Instruction Dial. 4. great Rule given them by Chrift was this, ' — •' That they should deal with * ALL OTHERS, AS THEY THEMSELVES * WOULD DESIRE TO BE DEALT WITH.' This made tliem very Juji in all their Adlions, ■ and careful not to urong or opprefs any i^crion.-^Defraudhig, Cheat ingy and Ly- iiig, were not fo much as known among them. I'heir Religion obliged them to be at Peace with all Men as much as poflible. So that (^(orrelsy and IVars, and Mur- ders, they utterly abhorred. On the con- trary, they were kind and compajfmiate even to their Enemies ; never returning Evil for Evil. They had always a tender Com- paflion for fuch as were in Want, or in Mi- feryi Cloathing the Nakedy feeding the Hungry^ and lodging the Stranger^ according to their AbUity As to themfelves. they were exceeding /o^^ and temperate, nof given to Gluttony or Drunkennefs, which they knew God would be highly difpleafed with. They were chafie and mod^, botli Men and Women j all kept ftridly to their own Wives and Hufbands, as God had ap^ pointed, who had declared^, that no Adulterer or Whoremonger mufl hope Jor Heaven or Happincfs.^ And then in their ftrideft Conformity to thefe Rules of Upnghtncfs, they humbly acknowicged their many Fail- ings, and great Unworthinefs i and LaftJy,. Dial. Laftl; ment; woult embri from bid ' ful ' the ' ima ' any Mix many :old ) v;icke( Relig! have I power that ti creafea up in tal Er Idolsy greate: many Men < thofe ' becauf furely them I they di Lives, mammumitmim II n i\tnimmmiimmit» MM«i :oN Dial. 4. thrift was this, M) DEAL WITH THEMSELVES LT WITH.' 1 their Adlions, rang or opprefs atingy and Ly- known among •bliged them to uch as pofliblc. ars^ and Mur- — On the con- ipaffmiate even returning Evil I tender Com- mt, or in Mi- t/, feeding the \ery according themfelves, temperate^ nof /}, which they ifpleafed with. 1 modefty botli v'\&\y to their God had ap- It no Adulterer >r Heaven or their ftrideft Uprjghtnefs, ir many Fail- } and— — — Laftly». nial. 4. for the INDIANS. ^5 Laftly, — they fuffered all manner of Tor- ment";, and even Death itfelf, rather than they would renounce tiic Religion which they had embraced, on a full Convidlion, that it came from God. Ind. * Indeed, Sir, this is a mod wonder- ' fill Account of thofe who firlt profcfled ' the Chriftian Religion. — One cannot furely ' imagine, that futli <.;ood Men fliould have ' any Enemies.* Mijf, But indeed they had, and very many ; for thofe Evii, Spirits, which I told you of before, tempt f:fl all Sorts of v;icked People to dcllroy them, and their. Religion, if polTible ; and would certainly have done ir, but that the great and all- powerful God hindered it ;— — and caufed, that the more it was perfecuted, the more it in- creafed. 1 i. .' All fuch as had been brought up in any other Religion, became their mor- tal Enemies, cfpecially fuch as worfhipped Idols, falfe Godsy or evil Spirits, which the s^reatell Part of the World then did, and too ma.'iy do to this Day.-- »-^— Behde thcfe. Men of wicked Lives hated and perfecuted thofe who profefled the Chriftian Religion, becaufe they declared, that God would moft furely call them to an Account, and adjudge them to a Mifery that would never end, if they did not forfake their Sins, and lead better Lives, ' On waatiuaii&iiti 3y it was ofl'ered me, to be in- Unified in the Knowlege of myfclf, and ol the true God, and how to live and die in his Favour.— I told them alio, that you afilircd me, from the Mouth of God himfelf, tha: ■every Man after Death will certainly be happy or miferable for ever -, this f]ioir. Life of ours being only a Time of Trial, and 3 PafTage to a vState of Happinefs and Mifery, which is to laft for ever. — I told them moreover, that Chriftians v/erc affured, thai Cod had appointed a Day i;i ivhkh he would judge nioji righteotijly, evut all that have ever lived in this JVorld; And that fucb as had fcrved and obeyed God, ivculd be happy for ever \ and f-'ch a: ha.! led wicked Lives, and did 7iot repent of and amend them, JJjouId be punijhcd ivith ever- lajiing Fire< And that, in order to this great Account and Judgment, God has given us, and all Men, Reafouy whereby to know Good from Evil, that they might chuie the one, and refufe the other:— But that, befide this, he had given unto Chri- ftians, by HIS OWN Son fent from Heaven, a Revelation of his Will, which if they em- brace, and, according to that Revelation, 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 fhall be made Partakers of Happinefs with him for * ever. Di.i!.z ' ever. ' rhir, ; ' belie ' their pans d< i-'urpof Ind. • yet I ' and t ' to thi ' In ' myP ' I had ' it wa ' fhouli ' tion. ' Th ' flians ' not b( ' that , ' fuch ' fuch I ' faid cl ' which ' he hai able t ple?- were I hoped HHHikriiiiiMiHii ' II i-T[iiifiiiitf '■-"■lilifiMiliiil [ON Dial. 5. me, to be in- ' myfclf, and ol 'e and die in his :hat you a fill red id himfelf, tliat 11 certainly be ■er ; this fliorr, rime of Trial, Happinefs and r ever. — I toKI Dhriftians v/erc mi ted a Bay in nghleotijly, evm bis JVcrld; and obeyed God, nd p'ch a: had t repent of and %ed ivith ever- in order to this lent, God has 'oKy whereby to lat they might le other:— But yen unto Chri- : from Heaven, lich if they em- t Revelation, if i believe in this cording to the n, they fhalJ be fs with him for « ever. mm DkiI..^'. for the INDIANS. ^t ' ever.— Then I told them, that, for my own ' put, I was pctfuadcd of the Truth of all ' rhir, ; which I tiioughc then all Chriftians ' believed as. furciy as any thing they fee with ' their Eyes.' M'J. And fo, I afTure you, all irue CJhri' pans do. But v/hat did they fay againft your i'urpofe of becoming a Chriftian ? Ind. ' Tho' I am almofi: afraid to tell you, • yet I mull do it, both to eafe my Mind, ' and to know whether any thing can be faid ' to their Objetflions. • In the Fitft place, they made a Jcfl: of ' my Purpofe;— -but I told them, that if whac ' \ had been taught was true, as I did believe , ' it was, it concerned me fo m.uch, that I. ' fhould not be laughed out of my Inten- ' tion. ' Then they told me plainly,— The Chrl- ' flians would have you believe what they do ' not believe themfelves. For^s it likely, . « that People, who are fully perfuaded of ' Aich things as they tell you, would lead, ' fuch Lives as they commonly do ? — Whatj ' faid they, does it fignify to know the God. ■ which they worfhip, and the good Rules. ' he has given them, if thofe Rules are not • able to make them better than other Peo- ple ? — Are they not as carelefs, as if the/ were fure that nothing is to be feared or hoped for aftet this Life ? — You may be E ' ccr- J' ■iafeiiM.1 ,mmimim 42' y/// 1 N S T I? U C T T N Dial, f . * certain, that if Chriftians did really believe * what they told you, there would not be a *- wicked Man among'them ; — and yet many *- of them are as bad, if not \^orfe, than thofc * who know nothing of the Religion they ' pretend to, or of the Happinefs or Mifery ' they fpeak of. — Arc not the fame Wicked- '" neires feen among them, as among the worft « of us ? — They make no Confcience to cheat ' zneccit^ LyiJ^gi Curfing^ and Swearings and » calling upon the God they worlhip to damn *' tath other, upon every foolifh Occifion -, — ''Thefe and many others are the Grimes *^rotiinion among thefe very People, who « fell you, that the Great God will call all * Men to an Account, and reward or puni[lh » them according to their Works. — Can you * think, tb.T- they themfelves believe this ?* • MJf. Well, what Anfwer did you give t^cm ? Ind. 'Why, indeed, I gave them no An, *-fWer.—- 1 confidered, that whac they fiicl *■ had too much Truth in it -, and I held my * Peace, and doubted wrh myfclf, whether »;I fhould trouble you any more or not." Mjf. 1 hope, however, that you will cKingc your Mind, when you have heard . ^hat we have to % to thefe Objeftions. In Dia/: _ In kno'v the Ch Lives ( the N; pheme( ¥iov foon di gion b; you ha that all that Ni in a fh and Du any Pal fefs, no in. — 'Ai ftruded Happin the Dec worldly brance c their Mi even Itr tfiey cot therefor? God, ar a Mind Iniquity Laftly their Woi b^ J Hi BUMlHiMi lli Mt' OlW a ili II MttiMiiiailN inMtWili DN Dial, f, .really believe ould not be a -and yet many rfe, than thofc Religion they 'nefs or Mifery fame Wicked- nongtheworft cience to cheat : — And where : without Pity. , Falfenefs and Swearing, and orlhip to ^;w«« lOccifioni — e the Grimes People, who d will call all rard or puni[lh ks. — Can you elievethis?* did you give ; them no An. rhat they fiid md I held my ^fcir, whether ire or not." :hat you will Li have heard >bje£tlons. In ,^ I 1.1 .1 III. I ll UD Ii p iBpipWWW^Pi^^^ --tJUTTT Dia/.jr. for tbc INDIANS. 4V In the FiiH: place, all good Chriftians kno'v this, and arc grieved to fee how much the Chriilian Religion mufl fuffer by the bad Lives oi iuch People, by whole evil Doings, the Name of God ahd of Chrift is blaf- phemed. However, fuffer not yourfcif to Be ita foon difcoiiragcd .•■—Nor judge of our Reli- gion by the diforderly Lives of thefe People you have mentioned ;— for, afTure yourfelf, that all are not true Chriflians who go under that Name — There are too many who live in a fhameful Ignorance both of the Truths: and Duties of Chriftianity ; and will nor be at any Pains to confider the Religion they pro- fefs, nor the fad Danger they themfelvcs are m.— And many there are, who have been in- ftruded in the Way that leads to everlafling. Happinefs' s but the Carer of this World, the Deceitfulnefs of Riches, or the Love of worldly Pleafures, have blotted thei?e^m- brance of the Truths they had learned out of their Minds. — Nay, there are too many, wBq even Itrivc to forget fuch Truth*,, becaufe they condemn their ungodly Lives. They therefore endeavour to call off ^ Fear of ■ God, and provoke him to give Wi em up to a Mind void of Judgment, to Commit all Iniquity with Greedinefs. ' / Lz(\:\yy—Many profefs to know God, hit Hi their mrki, do deny hitiu—TMt^z, and all fuch- E 2 a* tdMMltM f M'tiiimiifiirtfi iMitMaiiafcailia 44 -f^// In ST RUCTION Dial. f. as thcfe, are an Abomination in the Sight of God, and a GiicKto all true Chriftians. Ind. ' But you know, Sir, that tliefc will * take it ill, if they are not called C/;r////'rt;/.f,' MiJ. Thfy will lb; but that is, becaufe they think it a Name o^ Credit and Rrfpe£l in the PJace where they live; and they content thenilelves with the Nan.e, without thinking feriouHy what it is to be a Chriltian. I}jd. ' Since lb many go under the Name ' ot Chrifi/ans, and are not fuch,. how Hull /,*i.we ! t lels concerned how they lead their Lives *** * liere, l\ imammtHm iiii IwtUidNirUiiMiMill ONI Di.ll.f^, inion over mc; ad of the Cor- Make mc truly nd mindiiil of iii9n Senfe and Reafoa ' ought to call in queftion.* MtH. I hope I fhall give you al! the Satif- fadlion in thofe thing?, that unprcjudic'd Reafon can defire. You will remember then what I told you before, That the ^ Great I tiiiiiai ■tfr'nirifiiitiiiillf-'tiiT - I f I i mF immi^m ■ ■ i n yi ' fo ^//Instruction Dial. (^. Great God, in Companion to his poor be- wildered Creatures, lenf his own Sou to let rhcrn know how far tluy were departed horn the Ways of Reafon and Truth ; and that they would be for ever miferable, if they did not return to the Duty they ow'd their Maker: And, lartly, that Ccdwas in Chrijl re- conciling the IVorhl unto hiinfelf, and would pardon Mankind upon Comlition of thi-ir Faith in him, their Repentance and futuvi Obedience. 1 told you alH;, that he gave them fuch Evidences, that this Meffage came from God, as could not be juftly called in queftion by any Man, and, among the rcf!:, this very extraordinary one : He de- clared, and his Enemies knew it, They •will put tnc to Deaths raid after Three Lays I will rije again from the Dead ; which alfo came exaftly to pafs. "" Ind. ' I do remember all this. But how * can you be fure that this was really fo, it * being lb very long fince thefe things were « done?' J Miff. You yourfelf fhall judge You rnuft know then. That Divine Person, when he was on Earth, appointed feveral Per- fans to be IVitncffes of every thing which he did^ faidf taught, or fvjfercd ; and that the mofi: neceflary of thefe things were put in Wriung, and publrfhed by fome of them, even at the time when great Numbers were f alivrj ■IMMiMllHaittiMI ON Dial. (^. his poor b:- wn Son to let ilcjjartcd trom Lith ; and that !)k-, if thfy did 'dtluir Maker: IS in Chrijl re- 'If^ and would dition of thi-ir nee and futtm , that he gave i Meffage came juftly called in mong the red, :: He de- ;w it, They er Three Days I i; which alfo s. But how 'as really fo, it ;fe things were judge You VINE Person, ted feveral Per- :hing which he '•, and that :hings were put fomc of them. Numbers were alivrj ni.il.6. forthc INDIANS. fi slive, who had been Witncfres of his Word-; and A6lions, and while his Enemies, who had put him to Death, \/cre alio alive-, and yet no one charged them with having written _ any thing that was not true. Now, thcfe Writings we call the Holy Sciui'Tures op THE New TrrrAMEVT. Jiul. ' But how are you fure, that thefc » People did iet down in Writing that Mcf- ' fage of God to Men, and all other things, ' iuTl as That Divine Persom had done ' "and told them ?' Mijf. We arc well affurcd they did fo j becaufc they were diredled and alTifted to write thofe things by God himfelf, who bore ihem Witnefs, by Sigfis, and l^onders^ and Mi- racles, and other Gifts of the Holy Spirit, that he ims with them * And they were them- fclves fo well convinced of the Truth of what they had written, and what they taught, that they chofe to fuffer any Death, rather than be filent, or deny what they had feen with their Eyes, and heard with their Ears. Ind. ' Pardon me for afking you one Qiie- * ftion more : How can you be aflured, ' that thofe Writings, which you now have, « and call the Holy Scriptures of the New « Testament, are the very fame which » thofe Perfons who converfed with Chrift, • iirMi.4. F 2 , ! did HMMU MiWtiy J3. 52 ^/z Instruc no M DIal.f;. * did then write ? May not they have been ' altered fince that time ?' MJ£'. We have this Affurance, that the;; are tiie very fame, and that they have not been altered : Those Writings were copied at that time by many Chriftians, and carried with them into divers Countries, and diftant Nations which had no Knowlege one of another, and were put into their feveral Languages ; and they all continue to be the fame in SubJlancCy where-ever they are found, to this Day. . ' And that thefe Fa^s were ^o as they are reported to us, we have the credible Rela- tion of thofe who were Eve-witnesses of them, and who approved themfelves to be faithful Hijicrians, Lovers of Truth, even where it fliewcd their own great Weaknefles j delivering all things plainly and natu- rally, without any the leaft Appearance of Difguife. They mention thefe FaRs with all the Circumftances of Time and Place, and fo foon after the Death of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ, that if they had not been exactly true, would have been then con- tradidcd : Thg publidied thefe Relations in the Country, where thefe mighty Wonden and Miracles were performed ; and at a time ■^when their very Profeffion lay under the fe- verclt Reproach j— when they were fo far from. from ev 'Mge, tl ti igno might 1 vailed i prevarii Comma} the pre' of Ma mifed ' in anot have pi Evider this Gc believed preach the mc ther i to fore to, bu its Db God? Bef this, t pointe ftians, read t up th^ told y teiDpt [> M Dial. (:. icy have been ice, that they they have not iiTiNGS were -hriftians, and Countries, and Knowiege one > their leveral :inue to be the hey are found, (b as they are credible Rela- WITNESSES of ?mfelves to be ^ Truth, even .t Weaknefles j inly and natu- \ppearance of hefe Fat^s with nd Flace, and "ir Lord and if they had not been then con- thefe Relations lighty Wonden and at a time under the fe- »> were fo far frorn Dial. 6. for the INDIANS. Si from even the remotefl Profpeft of Advan- i.Mrre, that they were fure of Perfaulion, and an ignominious andcr.cl Death; which they might have avoided, if they could have prt- vailed upon themlelvcs to be //lent, or even , prevaricated in the leafl degree. 'I'iie Commands they prefer ibed were contrary to the prevailing Paffwns and corrupt Jfet'liGns of Mankind v the Rewards they pro- mifed were, for the moft part, to be enj(>)'ed in another World, and therefore would not have prevailed much, without the flronge't Evidence of their being divine: — And yet this Gospel of S.alvatjo.v wa-^ received and believed by the World, thoug'a it was preach'd at ^vO: hy mean Inftrtiments^ and, lor the moft part, unlearned Men, who had nei- ther Eloquence to recommend, Power to force, or Riches to bribe their Followers. And what could all this be afcribcd to, but to the mere Trulh and Evidence of its Divinity, and to the mighty Pczver of God? Befide.all this, — from that very time to this, there was alfoONE D.\y in Seven^ ap- pointed, and very ftridly obferved by Chri- ftians, onpurpofe, amongft other things, to read thcfc Scriptures in public, and to keep up the Memory of th.-fe things which 1 havs told you ofi lb that if anybody had at- teixipted to add or alter any thing of Mo- F 3 ment. i i lM''lH''i i i i i''i i '"t''" WiiJi i £ »>.^-- 54 ^« Instruction Dial. 6, ment, it would have immediately been taken notice of by ail good Chrillians. Ind. * Indeed, S"r, a Man nnift be very * unwilling to Lclieve thefe things, who will * not be fatisfifxl wit!i this Account af the ' Truth of thefe Writings ; efpecially, if * they contain nothing but what is highly * woithy of the Great God to coinmand his * reafonable Creatures,' Mijf. That you will be convinced of, when you come to know what he has commanded them to bel'f ve and do. Ind. * But is it true, Sir, that Chriftians * themfelves are not agreed about them ?' MiJ). Pray, conGder, that as long as Men have corrupt Hearts, and different Ga- jpacities, and Inclinations^ and IntereJIs, they will ii/ffer with one another, not only in what concerns Chriftianity, but in all other Mat- ters. But afTure yourfelf,---that all Chri- ft.anb are agreed in thefe neceffary things ; — That thefe Scriptures arc the very Word and Will of God, being the Revelation of His Holy Spirit. Ind. * In what is it then that they differ * among themfelves ?* MiJJ. Some drffer about IVords only, and often about Matters of no great Moment. — Many arc of a contentious Spirit, and exer- .cifr: their Wits about foolijb ^efiiom, which , , mmijiir Dial. 6. mnifter God in Ruin.— crs of i-t py, or-u pouna th' own pri venting not CO IT bi ought not pen fee and Salvatic Caufes felve?.- wiTf an ferences and the vants— whethe or to^ which" he mal their V^ ence u therefc thsfe 1 that fc ackno — the' MlWtlliiliiMtHilwnlrwi III I J 3N Dial. 6, e]y been taken ;S. nuift be very igs, who will ccount of the cfpecially, if 'hat is highly command his need of, when IS commanded :hat Chriftians )ut them ?' lat as long as different Ga- Interejis^ they t only in what ill other Mat- -that all Chri- ary things ; — ■ry Word and elation of His It they differ rds only, and u Moment. — rir, and exer- uefiiom, which mmjlsy tmmmmummm Dial. 6. for the INDIANS. S.t n;inipr Strife*, rather than the Defign ot God in his Word, which is to lave us fiom Ruin.— Many take upon them to be Tcacj- ,rs of others, without underfiandir- rchatthcj %d the Scriptures as will luit oeft wuh tlvnr own private Opinions, or corrupt Ways, i..- ventiU Ways of f.rving God, which he ha. not commanded.- And.. iaftly, too m.|ny are bi ought up in grofs Ignorance, and <^ij''er a.^ not l" rmitted, or will not be at the Pams to °e and know the Truths which concern the. Salvation.-Thele and many ^^^ a:e t^. Caufes of Chriltians differing amo-,-(l tnen.- felves-But be afiured of this,-tha. an AH- vi'fr and Good God can make thefeiery D'J- Z(.r.e moft hleffed Ends •, h. Glory Ind the GWof his choien and a.ihful Ser- tants-For by tbefe he tries their Fa.th, Sertheylilliive Credit to his Won^, or to the DeluHons of tho!e Evil Spir t% which lead the Simple into Error. By tbej^ he makes his true Servants more careiul ot hefr Ways, and to place their whole Depend- ;r upi. him, ..ih. Grace wmcn^^ therefore pray:.: "^^ i''[ n^T fS th'fe DifTerences hsve had this_ good Eliecl, Sforafmuch as all Pardee ot Chnftians do acknowlenc. chefe Scripru.es to be f'^om God, —they •' IV. ever been jealous of one another, .,ry..ii..3. p/'^'^-'-^- that mn I ' ltle BlefTing, ant of thofa icern to the od, and our lifed in me g more of things won- ed.' Thanks for only fpcak t can fpcak lerefore, to d his Will, endeavours 1 the Ways The Dial. 7. for the IN til ANS, S9 The PRAYER. T>LefredLord, ^^•ho haft ^^"^^d all Hdy 13 Scriptures to be written for o^^ Learn l,g; Grant that I may m fuch v^ fe he^ hem read, mark, learn, and inwardly di S them, that, by Patience and Comfort o I'lw Holv Word, I may embrace, and evei l™!theblefred n/peof everlaftmgUfe which thou haft given me, m my baviour Jefus Chrift. ^f»eft. ' DIALOGUE Vn. Jn Account of the Fall of Man, and ivhat followed thereupon, till the Coming of Christ. ; , , Indian. ' YOU afllired me. Sir, when I was 1 aft with you, that God had mfde Renown . to you many things,which our R^afon can- . not account for .-I am now co-.e toput - you in mind of one Difficulty, which I beg ^ ^you would explain to me :-" How Man, .c\hc Creature of an Holy and Go^^ God - came to have fuch a ftrange iy dilordered « Nature, and fo prone to Lvil . .. W. I am obliged to do fo, for, without the Knowlcge of this, you can have no true mmmmmi^miim Dial. 7. (So -^'* Instruction Notions of the yujfh-e and Mvry, and Good- nej3 c ^lod. • Y'^^^/'^erefore he has made known to m in the Holy Scriptures, isr—'i-hat after he had made this World, and all things in it, la Six Days, and that he might have Crea- tures capable of praifing him tor his wonder- luJ Works, he made one Man and one Wo- man, called Adam and Evt:, dctmniningto make of one Blood ail Nations of Men to dwell upon all the Face of the Earth * ; all which arc ri ?^""^ of tliat one Man and Woman —Me has alfo made known to us, That thefe Tivo Perfom vfcrc at firft made after the Likenefs of their Creator, being endued with Reafon in Perfedion, and other heavenly Oifts._We learn alfo, that thefe our Fir/i Parents, being thus made perfe^ and good, and capable of living for e-verf, were placed an an happy State called Paradife, with a Pro- mi«e of 1 .fe and Happinefs, as long as they continued obedient to their Maker's Com- ?''"''TJ^''T '^'^' ^■'^^* ^"-M were in a State of Irial and I'robation, ivs we all are at this Day, the' in a Manna- quite diitercnt l?T ",''":-Pf"- '%, coming out of their Maker sHai^dsperfaj, that is, endued with dear and llrong Apprehenfions of their in- dilpenfable Obligation to perform all rhe great Points of Morality, could not well be fup- * ^<5/ vvii. 56. f A^yi.ii. 23. pofcd 1>ial. 7. pofed t( latmg th tlieretori fuitable were in, what w. would c fcrs, to God, tl- VKRNO; Commar — .f />< was pie cniorci of a m ever tr; Anc given Tree, ^hat. One t You a theD fary, t and r to be Coun H< their lengt evils wsmtmmm r Dial. 7. ', and Gcou- nown to us lat after he Iiings in it, have Crea- his wonder- k! one Wo. itermining to len to dwell 11 which arc id Woman. That thefe 2 after the ndued with r heavenly fe our Firjl ' and gocdf A'ere placed with a Pro- )ng as they er's Corn- were in a we all are tc different ■it of their idued with f their in- 11 the great ell be fup- pofcd Pial.v for iL- INDIANS. 6i nofcd to lie under any Temptation of vio- iat"icr that chief Part of their Duty.— It was tlicre"ore ncceffary, tb^t fome other Test, fuicable to the Place and Circuuillanccs they were in, fliould be required ot them, to prove wh.'t was in their Hearts -, and whether they would chule, under the moll tempting Of- fers, to break an cxprefs Commandment ot Go:'), their Creator, Preserver, and Go- vpR^-OR, ev^ntbo' the Reajon of fuch a Commandment was not made known unto tbm. —A pofitive Injunclion, of this kmd, God was pleated to give them i— at the fame time enforcing their Obedience to it, by Threats of a mod dreadful Penalty, if they fliould ever tranfgrefs it. ^ , , ^ a And we are to confider the Commana riven to Adam concerning the Forbidden Tree, not as if God only fpoke concerning Difobedt. , be r ; .led, except I it was purely their own I'ault. ' /W- ' 'i'liat was indeed a moll: kind Oficr * of their oJFended Maker : Pray, whut * was that Covj-nant P' Alijf. Ir was this: That on account of One, who would in due time fitisfy his Di- vine Jufticc for their Olfence (and taj/e Venge- ance on that Evil Spirit, that had tempted them to difobcy his Ccimand; he would n- /iore them to his Favou upon certain Condi- tions ; and would appoint them Means, by which they, and their Poflerity, might, upon their Repentance, obtain his Pardon, when tiiey rtiould do amifs, as fiiKe their Fall they would be but too apt to do*, Ind. ' You will now Ijc fo kind, as to let * mc know what followed this Promife of * God to his finful Creatures.* Mij: You muft know then— that feme of their Children and Porterity, excrtifing them- felves m Repentance of Sin, depending on this promifed Saviour, keeping up a Senfeof thefe things, and an Expeftation of this Pro- mife, liv'd in the Fear of God f.. But many others of them, through the Corruption • Jo/jft iii. 16. and i Jol/n iv. 9, lo. ■f Gen. V. 24. of watnmmmmm N D:a'. r into a Nrwl neither they, I ouiJ, on ac- ■iocd, except I •11 kind Oficr -Pray, what it on account "atisfy his Di- .1 takeVengc- had tempted he would n- :rtain Condi- 1 Means, by might, upon irdon, when eir Fall they nd, as to let Promife ol" that feme of dfing them- epending on ip a Senle of of this Pro- But : Corruption of f ii-ffcTijr TTVfifmi iifiiWfcriff-'ii^tr.TtrTri -^^;''i>'BiMiwiS"ii^'^'A,i..-^";i-,ri IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) VttaiMtSK, CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. Canadian Institute for l^istorical IVIicroreproductions / institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Dial. 7- for the JND JANS. 65 cf their Nature, became exceeding wicked: One of their own Sons murdered his Brother ; for which God, to keep others from commit- ting fuch horrid Crimes, baniflied him from liis Prefence, and he fpent his Days in Mi- fery. At laft, Wlckednefs increafed to fuch an Height, and became fo general, that God was provoked to deltroy the whole Race of Men bv a Flood (except one upright Man, whofe 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 Inr ftrudions, and the Memory of that dreadful Judgment, lafted, Men lived in the Fear of G(,(j .^ but too foon fell into Wickednefs again : And moft of thefe, lofing the Knowlege of the true God, fell into Idolatry, a Sin which God principally abhors, as moft difhonourable to his Nature, Authority, and Glory, and as leading Men into all other Wickednefs •\. Ind. * Pray, what is that Sin of Idolatry, * which God fo hateth ?' Miff. It is the giving that Honour and Worlhip which is only due to the true God, to his Creatures, to the Sun and Moon, and • Gtn.\\\. I Ro">. i. 28. • G to mmm t^ffl^imim mm'J i wmmmmmmtmnu mmmmfti I 66 y^;/ Instruction Dial. 7. to evil Smits antl to the Itnages repre- fenting thefe. Notv. ithftanding this,- God never left himfelf without Witnefs*; but gave conti- nual Proofs of his Hatred againft Wickcd- nefs, and of his Favour and Protedion of good Men^ in all Ages, and amongft all Na- tions, even unto this Day .— ^And thus it is, that Calamities of all kinds are brought upon Earth j that one Nation makes War upon another ; thefe being only Inftrumcnts in the Hands of God, and by his wife and juft Appointment, fur thePunifliment of their Sins. ' . ; hid. ' Pray, had any of thefe Nations ever * afterwards an Opportunity of coming to * tlie Knowlcge of the true God, and of the * Worfl-iip due to him r' Mif. Yes, indeed they had. For the Holy Scriptures inform us, that — God made Choice of a certain Perfon, whofe Name was Abra- ham t» and called him and his Family, from the midO: of a Nation given to Idolatry •,— that to this Man he made himfelf, and his glorious Perfedions, known i and for his Encouragement to perfevere in his Duty, he promifed, T'fjaf out. of bis Loins in dus Time the Deliverer of the V^IoRhofrom Sin and Death Jhould proceed, and that in tk ♦ A^i xiv. 17. , t Gfli. xii. man % D m m H w-1 ca to ki F w ai e< G h n a d a / 2 \ a •i t t I ( iiiiiili>rt>fcn'iiriii>i -ftfii i ■Hill .l,.||, [ !il ! HJWI,flW i lip > i :tion Dial. 7. the Images repre- God never left ' ; but gave conti- d againft Wickcd- and Proteftion of nd amongft all Na- y .—^And thus it is, kinds are brought 'Jation makes War ig only Inftrumcnts id by his wife and Punifliment of their fthefe Nations ever nity of coming to ue God, and of the had. For the Holy — God made Choice e Name was Abra- nd his Family, from ivcn to Idolatry •, — ide himfelf, and his nown i and for his v^ere in his Duty, he of his Lorn in due F THE World /rtf<» ceed, and that in the Gen, xii. man mttUmmmitli Dial. 7. forth INDIAN'S. 67 man while He would make his Dcfcendants a great and numerous People -, all which was made good in a moft wo.iderful Manner. His Pojterily increafcd exceedingly i and where-ever chev travelled,— they ccmmum- cated the K.iowlege of the true God,--and told IVl-^n how he ought to he feared and wor- fhipedi fo th.it many Nations might have known thefe things, had it not been their own F^^fjlt ., for God caufed them often to wandet; that they might make him known amongrt Men, and cure them ot their Wick- ednefs and Idolatry. It was in the Time of that good Man, that God fhewed his Hatred of Wickednefs, and his Diftleafure againll great and bold Sin- ners, after a Manner the moft frightful and aftonifhing. —There v/ere feveral conf;- derahle Cines, the chief of which were Sodom and Gomorrah, the Inhabitants of which, ihrmg.h Pride, Fukefs of Bread, and much ■ Idknejs, fell into all manner of Wickednefs ; . which provoked God to make them an Ex- ample of his Difpleaf ire againft fuch Sins 5 . ._— for he ra-ned dozvn Fire and Brmjtone upon them*, and utterly deftroyed both them, Vheir Towns, and their whole Land, the dreadful Maries of which are to be feen at < this Day. At the fame time, God, to- aicw his Care for thofe that feared him, fent G 2t His? i-wiiiiifititrtminawi 'ifiiiinii Tiiiiiiniirir" itumtm IfipWJMIfil mv m& ' iiu'wn 1^ 68- y^« Instruct ION Dial. 7. his Angfls, and delivered One j;;cccl Ma}\ Whofe Name was Lot, and his Family, out of that learful Deftriidion *. Afccrthis, the Children of Abraham, to whom the Promile was made, multiplied ex- ceedingly ; to whofe Poflerity God gave very palticular Laws and Diredlions, how they might Ji\ e fo as to pleafe their Maker, and not hurt one another -f-; and wrought moft wondirfiil 1 hings before their Eyes, when he delivered them out of a moft cruel boi d.[;e ;- to convince them, and all other Nations, that fnoi'ld hear of thefe things, — that the IduU, and evil Spirits, which they worflii,w( d, were r.o Gods •, and that there was n.) G>:i.\, but the God of this People. Ind. * Pi ay, what were the Laws and * Dir.ftions that God gave this People and * Nation?* MiJJ'. The chief of them were thefe that follow : That they Ihould neither have nor W'irOiip any other God but h-m who had done fuch Wonders for them ; That they fhoold not make any vifible Image or Repre- faitaticn of him • That they /hould not profane his holy Name :— That they fliould keep holy One Day in Sevetu to preferve the Remembrance of him, and his Works : i That the}- ftiould love and honour their Pa- rents || That they (hould W one an- * Gilt, xix. f Exod. XX. II Hid. XX. 12.. - .5 other, Di otl Gc on< ter t\v. Wi wk wb La an( of of ■„-^iM(-tia,..^,-...i.^.^-..Mt.^..^-^ ^^.^.^ ^^ -MM^.«ffia.„.„....^,-^.^,y ^ ^.| •"^'■'•mifilliin *ivwwii.'uimiiiip TION Dial. 7. I One good M(Utt id his Family, out I*. 1 of Abraham, to dc, multiplied ex- ity God gave very edions, how they their Maker, and and wroiighr lefore their Eyes, .It of a mod cruel em, and all other of thefe things, — pirits, which they and that there of this People. '. the Laws and 2 this People and r» were thefe that juld neither have but h-m who had n ; That they ; Iwnge or Repre- : they /hould not That they (hould ', to preferve th« his Works : * honour their Pa- uld lo^te one an- II Ibid. XX. 1 2.- Other, Dial. 7. fir the IND lANS. 6^ other, as being all the Creatures of a good God ; and neither hate nor murder any one :-^That they fliould not commit Jdul- tery^ or be guilty of any Lewdnefs : — That they fliould not Jieal, or fye^ or har falfe fViinefs, or covett or fet their Hearts upon what ivas another Man's. — And remember what I tell you : — The Subftance of thefe Laws was given foon after the Flood to Noah and his Family, from whom the prefent F ace of Mankind is derived, tho' the greateft Part of their Pofterity foon forgot them. Soon after God had given his peculiar People thefe Laws, he fettled them after a moft wonderful Manner, and in a fruitful Land, which he had long before promis'd to Abraham their great Forefather, and blefled them, exceedingly, while they obferv'd his Laws.— But even thefe People, through the Corruption of Nature, often tranfgreffed his Comnjands, and were as often punifhed, and upon their Repentance pardoned •, till at laft, they growing incurably wicked, he per- mitted their Enemies to deftroy moft of them, their Cities^ their Land, and their Place of JVorfhip i and they are at this Day di- fperfed over the Face of the Earth, without any furc Settlement. .. Now, a few Years before this happened,, the Time was come, when the Great God was pleafed to fend into the World * That ammi mmimtim MMiit Mi'lltii*Wi W^mgmr Ar wmmmmmmm ;tion Dial. 7. lET, whom he had •cnts, and who had flionto the Divine )iTence.* Bat a ^ERsoNandBLESs- me, than I believe fliall therefore de- ) me. In the mean I, that he may not ien'd, but that you lifes, and ftand in r E R. fe my Faith, and ith a holy Life, I profefs. — Keep me c no Errors may But that thy Love, Grace, O Blefled O Holy Ghoft, ne in. all Dangers ittain the End of tiom of my Soui. Dial. 8. for the INDIANS. 71 I>r Ar DIALOGUE VIII. Jesus Christ, the Mediator and Sa- viour of the IVorldy and the Head of all Chrijtiam. Indian. * -^rOV (hewed me, Sir, when I waited * X °" y°" ^*'^» ^^"^ ^^" came to fall * from that upright and happy Condition in ' which he wa« created ; and how he, and all * his Pofterity, became fubjeft to Sin, to M- ' fery, and to Deaib :— As alfo, how their * Maker fpared the Lives of our Firft Pa- * rents, although they had deferved imme- * diate Death, on account of One who had * engaged to fa'.isfy the Divine Juftice for * their Tranfgreflion, and for the Offences of * all their Pofterity, upon the moft merciful * Conditions. And I left you with a * moft earneft Defire of knowing more of * that Sacred Person, 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, caft off that * People, whom he hnd fo long, and fo re- * markably, favoured and protefted, above * the Other Nations of the World.' mMm uatam iiililiiinMinifii f f Wimmw V*>*«o* 72 ^« Instruction Dial. S. Miff. I told you before, That this Di- vine Perfon knowing into what a mik-rablc Condition the two firfi Parents of Mankiud had brought themi'elves, and their Pollerity, by their Difobcdicncc to their M^kcr j — how dreadfully fad their Punidiment would be, and of what an invaluable Ilapf)inrls thev would be deprived j — He, by God's molt gracious Appointment, undertook to i'atisfy the Divine Juftice, by fubmitting to fuch Sufferings as God was pleafed to accept by way of Atonement for the Sins of Men. Lid. ' Pray, Sir, how did Jcfus Chrift do « this r Mijf. As I told you before, he, out of Love to his otherwife loft Creatures, took the perfeft 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 feen, and converfe with Men, and in their Nature be capable of fuffcring for the Sins of Men. Now, in that Body, here upon Earth, in the Firft place. He let Mankind know God's wonderful Goodnefs, and his Readinefs to forgive Offenders, even the greareft Offend- ers, upon their Repentance, Belief in him and his Undertaking -, and Return to their Duty } as alfo, how they ought to live fo'as to pleafe God, and be an Honour ta their Maker — And by his moft wife and holy Life, and Dla to tl fuffi our decl forr cien that toi this, full no 1 laid don I « fc «/. ' fo .^■l^^■i.^i...v■., v ■-. '-^■■"-■■^tiiimf iMii liintMtfiitMaatiMiiiiii nmm TroN Dial. S. That tins Di- what a milcrablt ireuts of Mankind id thfir Pollerity, ^ir M^kcr i — how iment would be, Hapf)inels they by God's molt dertook to latisfy bmitcing to fuch 'ed to accept by Sins of Men. } Jcfus Chrift do ifore, he, out of Creatures, took 1, both Body and ivine Nature, and that he might be :n, and in their ng for the Sins of upon Earth, in cind know God's lis Readirjefs to greareft 0£Fend- , Belief in him Return to their ight to live fo'as hlonour ta their ife and holy Life, and irtliiUf'ffiirniyiiMiiii Dial. 8. for the INDIANS. 73 and Do<5lrlne, and Example, He Hiewcd what an excellent Creature Man was, belorc he loft his Innocence, and fell into a State of Sin and Corruption ; — as all'u, how hateful to God Sin muft be, fince fo divine a Perfon, which, you will fee hereafter, was the Son of the Moft High God, was obliged to come down from Heaven, to fatisfy God's Jufticc, and to fave Men from the Punifliment it de- ferved. — For his Divine Nature, tho' it could not fufFer, yet being thus pcrfonally united to his Humanity, gave fuch a Virtue and Value to the Sacrifice, as rtnder'd it a proper and fufficient Atonement to the Divine Jultice for our Sins. After he had in his public Miniftry fully declared the Defign of his Coming, and per- formed fuch miraculous Things as were fuffi- cient to convince all well-difpofed People, that he was the Son of God, and fenc by him to declare his Father's Will to Men j— after this, that, as Son of God, He might make full Satisfaftion to the Divine Juftice, fince no lefs a Sacrifice could do it. He willingly laid down his own Life, for his otherwife un- done Creatures. Ind. * I begin now to underftand what be- * fore I was amazed at, JVhy God would fuf- * fer his own Son to be put to Death by wrcKed ' Men\ and why his Son would ch.ife co be ' fo dealt with, when he could Lave hiaden\l H It J.^^<^^ ^ -:^.. .^ ^ J^-^^-- V.'»,t>,.,f,<.-.-.,.IV T.,„,»«.ia- 74 An Instruction Dial.S. * it : I fi,ippofc it was becaufe He had iinder- ** taken the Caufe of Sinners, and fuffcred *• Death to make an Atonement for them, ' and to fatisfy the Juftice of his offended • Father, who therefore permitted him to be • put to Death,' Mjj'. You iinderftand it right. — And the Great God, to convince the World, that his Juftice was fatisfied by this moll worthy Sacrifice, raifed him from theDead, theThird Day after he had been crucified and buried ; ♦ ■ i >J which he was^ in the moji convincing tnd powerful uumner^ declared to be the Son of tiod * i of all which the Holy Scriptures give us a particular Account, — and, for our Com- fuft, dcchre,-^th(!t God hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all-f j that he tajled Death for iverjf Man ||, L e. for every penitent Sinner, from the FirftMan that was made to the laft that fhall be born into the World ; — laftly, that he has faved us by his Bloody out of every Kindred^ and Tongue^ and People^ and Na- tion l. Ind. • It feems then, that we alfo have an * Intereft and Right in the Bleflings which he * has purchaf d by his Death.' M^jf. Moft certainly you have ;— ^for (o he hath declared, — that the Gentiles^ fuch as were Strangers to the true God^ Jhould be Fel- R«m. i. 4. A!-"~- iw.,».i»,-.a 76 -<4// Instruction Dial. 8. he preached in his l^ame amom^ all Nanons * \ and that all fuch as would receive him as their Redeemer and Lawgiver, fhould be en- tered into One Society, called the Church or Body of Cbriji, becaule he is the Head of this Body, and Governor of this Society, which is made up of all true Believers in all Nations of the World; that as he had redeemedthemy he might proteH, and govern, and keep them in the Way of Life and Happinefs ; — and ladly, that the great Truths of Chriftianity, and the holy Scriptures, in which they are contained, might be preferved, being to be conllantly read, explained, and preached among them. Ind. ' But, good Sir, — how can Pcq)Ie * of fo many diftant Nations, and different • Laws and Languages, be One Society .<" Miff. They are all of One Society, as they all agree in One Faith, — and profefs to be go- verned by One Law of Jefus Chrift j — as they all engage to renounce the Dm/, and all the Ways of an evil World, and to worjbip the One and only true God; — as they all profeft to receiv.exht holy Scriptures to be the only Rule of both their Faith and Manners; as they ail are redeemed by the fame Sacrifice; — as they all pruy to One and x.hc fame God, in the Name, and for the Sake, of the hme Luke xxiv. 47, Medi- ■..--■^■.^,>.aBt^^-i»^^,^.j^^^^^^^ ai'irriiiiitiiiin i I'miii Dl! Me cei^ fair the Spii get Fel t ^ * V * o * c 1 —1 abl ma< int( Sin Pui all' in but an . upo. Du, fpec wilJ you fm 'JJiJIJ'iUliAlUP I o N Dial. 8. r rJl Naitons * ; receive him as T, fliould been- :d the Church or the Head of this Society, which Ts in all Nations d redeemed them t , and keep them [appinefs ; — and of Chriftianity, which they are ed, being to be , and preached ow can Pcqjie s, and different One Society ?' Society f as they profefs to be go- Jhrift J — as they )m/, and all the I to worjhip the they all profeft ! to be the only nd Manners', as ame Sacrifice; — he /^w^ God, in Le, of the fame w '^'^ Medi- "*r- Dlal. 8. forthe INDIANS. 77 Mediator and Advocate ;~as they are all re- ceived into the fame Society, by one and the fame Ordinance of Baptifm-, and are under the DireSiion and Influence of the fame Holy Spirit i — and as they all hope to meet to- gether hereafter, in the fame Place of Joy and Felicity, the Kingdom of Heaven. Ind, ' I think 1 underftand you very well. * — I IhoLild be thanlcful therefore, if you * would let me know what are the Privileges » or Bleffings of being a Member of this So- * ciety.' Mijf, The Bleffings are many and great, — fuch as thefe following : — You will be en- abled to anfwer the End for which you were made, and fent into the World. — If you enter into this Society with trueRepentance of your Sins, true Faith in Jefus Chrift, and a fincere Purpofe of living as aChriftian ought to do,. all your paft Sins -will be forgiven you -, — and, if you afterwards fail into Sin (as you will be but too apt to do), you -will have Jefus Chrift an Advocate with his Father for your Pardon^ upon your Repentance, and Return to your Duty *.— Befide this, you will be under the fpecial Care and ProteSlion of Gc^i— you will have the Minifters of Chrift to inftru£i you, and God's all-powerful Spirit to direR, fupport, and comfort you in all your Diftreifes. —You will have an Jntereft in ail the Prayers • I John i. 9, ii. I . H 3 and rHWillltttMitiirtrmifflilWi ■niiirliiniliiitJiir r 78' ^« Instruction Dial. 8. and Bkjftngs of that Society throughout the World ; every Member of that Society being bound to feeic the Good of the whole Body, io relieve the Neceffities of fuch as are in Want, or in Miferies, and all being mutu- ally obliged to pray for each other.— Laftly, you will have a mofl: fure Title to eternal Life and Mappinefs after Death. Ind. * There is no Man, fure, who is in '^ his right Mind, but would moft earneftly * defire to be a Member of fuch a Society, if *^ he could hope to do what will be required * of him asaChriftian. — For, as I remember, * you told me, that a Chriftian has many * Enemies and Difficulties to llrive with.' Miff. That is true. — But then take this mod certain Truth along with you, — 'Ti'^/ a righteous and good God will not require any thing of lis Creatures, but what he will en- able them to doy if they will but ufe their own Endeavours ',—t\tTy Perfon, who fincerely purpofes to become a Chriftian, having a moft fure Promife of being affifted by 'God's Holy Spirit to plcafe his Maker, and to keep his Commands. And, forafmuch as we muft be made holy^ as ever we hope to be happy, it is this Good and Holy Spirit, that muft make us fo;— . Which he doth, — by putting into our Hearts good Defires and Purpofes of pleafing God, and a Feair of offending Kim j— by con\)1ncing us, Dia us, is a! pine and of c He£ poft will — /^ in u /; ' yc h A thin // * fe( A or S Adi // » th * fo * ac * wi A arei It A Fr« tif-'«a t i i imfll i -Mnmu'-mmtt^.-.r-im.', , .....■■.^:-. , « , -^- , i iilm-iifci rioN Dial. 8. throughout the mt Society being the whole Body, fuch as are in ill being mutu- j other.r—Laftly, :le to eternal Life fure, who is in 1 moft earneftly uch a Society, if will be required r, as I remember, iftian has many o llrive with.' then take this th you,-=zThiit a not require my 'vbat he will en- hf ufe their own , who fincerely iftian, having a iffifted by 'God's ker, and to keep ift be made holy^ , it is this Good make us fo; — ; into our Hearts •f pleafing God, — bycon^llncing us, Dial. 8. for the INDIANS. j^ us, that nothing is required of us, but what is abfolutely necefTary for our Good and Hap- pinefs, — by helping our good Endeavours, and defending us againftthe Malice and Power of evil Spirits j — by fetting home upon our Hearts the Joys and Happinefs that are pro- pofed to us, and the dreadful Mifery which will be the Portion of fuch as defpife them : -—AH which that Holy Spirit doth perform in us by a fure, tho' an in vifible Power. Ind. * How can we be fure of this, fince ' you fay he is not to be feen ?' AltjJ. Can. you fee the Wind ? hd. * No.' Mijf. How can you be fure there is fuch a thing ? Jnd. *■ Becaufe I hear the Sound of it, and * feel the Force of it upon myfelf ' MJf.' Are you fure, tliat you have a Soul or Spirit within you,, which governs all yqur Adions ? Ind. * I cannot but be fenfible and fure of * that, becaufe I feel fomething within me, * fometimes accufing, fometimes excufing,, * according as I do what is good, or other- * wife.* MiJf. Yet you never faw that Power j yov are fure of it only by its EfFeds. ' .\7;,'^ Jud. ♦ Pray make that plain to me.* ' Mtffl Do not you know a Tree by the Fruit it bears ? — Doth not a^ood Tree bring : H.4, forth I I'liitlit'imftiiti^ir'-'"^ mfwrnammi ■ m i u wy 80 ^« Instruction Dial. 8. /crib good Fruit ? — Doth not a corrupt Tree bring fo^-th had Fruit * .?— Jufl: fo, when a good Spirit governs any Perfon, you ice it plainly by his Life and Converfation ; — as alfo, when you fee any Man lead an evil Life, you may be fure he is governed by an evil Spirit. Ind. * I underftand you very well ; — and ' would be thankful, if you would let me * know what are the Fruits which diftinguifh ^ * a good Spirit from one that is evil ?' Alijf. The fure Signs, that the Holy Spi- rit of God governs any Man, are thefe follow- ing Fruits : A Love of God^ and of Men for his lake ; — Living in Peace, as much as pof- fible, with all others f; — Forgiving thokthsZ have injured us, as we hope to be forgiven our many Offences againft God; — A Rs&di' nefs to do good to'all M«n 5— A conftant Endeavour to mortify our corrupt AfFcftions, our Lulls, and evil Defires -, — Being content with our Condition \ — being humble^ meek, and temperate', — And in all Improvements inKnowlege, Faifh, Holinefs and Obedience, making an humble Acknowlegement of our Unworthinefs, giving Chrift the Glory of our Salvation, and the Holy Spirit the Honour of our Improvement in thefe things :— Thefe, and fuch as thefe, are fure Signs, that • Matt. \ii. 17. f Cat. v. 22. a Man goi foil ha th< hii to ha fta * 1 Mi aiiarrtrinriviiniiir'iJ'r rir.n,!,., , ^^ rYmAWt'^*'%f, i-^\tlMl i A'i M tMM *ti\mX. noN Dial. 8. '/ a corrupt Tree Jufl: fo, when a erfon, you ice it onverfation ; — as lead an evil Life, erned by an evil very well ; — and ii would let me A'hich diftinguilh at is evil ?' at the Holy Spi- are thefe follow- and of Men for as much as pof- rgivitig thofe that t to be forgiven ?od i— A Rs(fdi- !n 5 — A conftant rrupt AfFedlions, 1 — Being content g humhlet meek, 1 Improvements i and Obedience, legement of our the Glory of our iirit the Honour thefe things :— • fure Signs, that ra/. V. 2 2. a Man '-"'■"■"■■^4iil MP Dial. 8. for the INDIANS. 8l a Man is governed by the Holy Spirit of God*. On the other hand, — the fure Signs of a Man's not being under the Influence of the good Spirit, arc fuch evil Fruits as thefe following : Jdultery^ Fornication^ Idolatry, IVitcbcrnft, Emy, Hatred, and Malice; a Difpolition to Revenge and Murder, Drunken- nefs, Revellings, Hardnefs of Heart, Un- belief, and Contempt of the Gofpel, and fuch Sii . thefe-,— God having exprefly de- clared, that they who do fuch things fhali never be happy, but (hall have their Portion with thofe evil Spirits, by whofe wicked Sug- geftions they had been feduced to ^Ppngiit them. . ' f Ind> * One would think that fuch as know • the dreadful Punifliment <,knOU,llced agaiiilt * Wickednefs, would never perfift in it, but • immediately endeavour to efcape irom fo ' dangerous a Condition.' MiJ. They certainly would do fo ; — but, having wilfully forfaken the Ways of God, they have grieved the Holy Spirit, and forced him ta depart from them, and to leave them to themfelves; — fo that their Hearts are hardened, and their Minds are void of Up^der- ftanding. - | Ind. * If I remember well, you told me, * that all Men are fubjeft to Sin, even Chri- • Ram. ^ii. 1 4. ^ * ftians. ■im>ai»iiii*>'*t»' iiiiiiiiHiiiriiimirfinrtr rmft »m i 82 jfnlNnTkucTtotJ Dial. 8. • ftians, as well as others, tho* they have re- « ceived that Holy Spirit for a Principle of a • new Life.' Mif I told you fo, and I told you nothing *ut the Truth ; for fo they are, until, by the Influence of that good Spirit, they are made completely holy, which is not to be expefted till we die, and go to Heaven.— I told you alfo another Truth :— That a Chriftian is not one who has no Failings;— but he is one, who, by the Power and Favour of that Holy Spirit, watches and ftrives againft the Cor- ruption of his Nature continually, fo as never to live in any known Sin whatever. Jftd. ♦ I remember you told me fo before ; * and I am convinced of the Truths you have * now explained to me. And I muft beg of * you, at your Leifure, to let me know, what * will be required of me in order co my beihg^ * baptized, and made i\ Member of that So- * cicty, to which you have convinced me fo * many Bleffings have been promifed bv t^e * Great God.* ^ Mif. That I will very willingly endeavour to do the next time you come to me. In the mean time, forget not to beg of God to give his Eleffing and Succefs to fuch as de- fire and ftrive to inftrud you in the Ways of Life and Happinefs, and to give you Grace to follow their godly Inftruftiofls and Admo- nitions, in Words to the following ?urpofe. ■■ ^^' ' 'The Dla app( and Che rece to o mer full; and Ho fpin ligi( Chr in lUV- •1 f ^ * Si ■nutwkiilMMil '"^""■'' ""-''-• ■flllltlflUll mmf ION Dial. S. lo* they have re- a Principle of a old you nothing re, until, by the '■t they are made t to be expc<51:ed en. — I told you . Chriftian is not -but he is one, •ur of that Holy Jgainft the Cor- al! y, fo as never if ever. 1 me fo before ; "ruths you have d I mull beg of me know, what ier CO my being- ber of that So- ^nvinced me fo romifed by t^e igly endeavour le to me. — In beg of God — s to fuch as de- ih the Ways of ive you Grace Jfisand Admo- /ing ?urpofe. , The Dial. 9. fcr ih INDIANS, 13 The P R AY E R. O Merciful God, and Lover of Souls^ blcfs the piouj Endeavours of fuch as are appointed to inftruft me in the Ways of Truth and Godiiriefs : — Leave me not to my own Choice, but give m? a Heart always open to receive the Truth, ai)d a conftant Refolution to obferve and obey it : And that I may re- member thee my Creator ail my Days, chear- fully embrace Salvation by thy Son our Lord, and fubmit to his Government, let thy Holy Spirit ever accompany me, and in- fpire me with found Principles of Virtue, Re- ligion, and Holinefs, for thy Mercy's Sake iti Cnrift Jelus. Amen, ^; • ' < f ^ ;- i ii^rr DIALOGUE IX, Bein^ an AbJlt-aB of the former Dfialggi^es and InJlruSitons, ;.,.^ ■ Indian, * IV'IND Sir, I am come to put you in * j\^ mind of your Promife to inflrudl mc, * - how I may become a Member of that * Society^ to which you told me fo many Blejfmgs \ do helor^* - -. MiJftOH' i f j K^j— ■ ^..■■■.^■t>.^f.-^.....w^)„~ || I ii j iii i i fiairrtiiiil iiii i i inr-irr i i -inrf i r li i iVin-" 84 ^//Instruction Dial. p. Miftomry. I would now do it, but upon fecond Thoughts I am of Opinion, it will be bcft for you that I put you again in mind ot the Truths you have already learned, and affented to, that you may be able to anfwer VZ y^il"" °'^" ^'"f"''* a"^ to every one who Tnu ^S^ y°"'-' W*»y yo" chufe to be a Chriftian ? And that your Faith being furely eftablifhed, you may be convinced, that It IS your Intereji, as well as Duty, to make fuch a Choice j and that you may not hereafter become a Scandal to the Chriftian Kcligion, or be tempted to forfakc it, on ac- count of any Difficulties you may meet with, feft i ^^''^'"P^*^ o^ wicked Man vhp prq- Ind. * I heartily thank you for"*fo*"kind a Propefii ; -id I will hear you moft will- • ingly.' Mf You have declared already, that you are fully convinced,— that there is but One Ood of all the Nations of the World;— that 15— a Being moft w;/<., mo^ powerful, moft f^ly, moft>7?, and ^Wi— who, after he had made the World, and all things in it, by his great Power, made Man, and endued him with Reafon and Underftandingy to the end he might have a Creature on Earth capable of knowing and honouring his Maker. Ind. » I am mofl fully convinced of this, * and do moft firmly believe it.' ^ Dial pafs, fon I God Brea hop£ nor , h * yo * ha * fal «'in * th * inj * ha ' dii * or * an * an * CO * fu * ro « D ' ca * ed * V\ A fo V of i rupi can ^itriiffiiWiiiriiii ii I Tfctiifilii ■-- •^-'liiiilitffrtiFiitf-tfiniytfim all I II *I U II BI. I| |U|.I 1 H "fT' mmmm^mi mmm riON Dial. p. do it, but upon ►pinion, it will be u again in mind ady learned, and 36 able to anfwer to every one who u chufe to be a our Faith being f be convinced, well as Dutyy to lat you may not to the Chriftian forfakc it, on ac- may meet with, :d Man y^hp prq- u for fo kind a ■ you moft will- Jready, that you here is but One e World;— that : powerful, moft ho, after he had ngs in it, by his nd endued him ingy to the end n Earth capable lis Maker. tivii?ced of this, it.' - Dial. y. for the INDIANS. 85 Mijf, How tlien do you think it comes to pafs, that fo many People endued with Rea- fon are fo far from 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 /cw, nor honour y nor are concerned to pleafe him ? hid. ' I have not. Sir, forgot the Account * you gave me,— how this came to pafs ;— * how the firft 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 break- * ing a ftrift Command, which their Maker * had given them for a Trial of their Obe. ' dience : — And what a fad Change and Dif- * order was thereby made in their Nature, * and in the World, infomuch that both they, * and their Pofterity, which inherited their * corrupt Nature, became prone to Evity and * fubjcftto.SmandDd'^/A, and to all tbe^^r- * rowsy Mferies and y^/V7/V»/, which lead to * Death ; — and that this was the true Oc- * cafion of all the Mifchiefs and Wick-' * ednefs which we fee and hear of in the * World.' MJf. I am very glad you remember this fo well.— For, indeed, without the Knowlece of ihis unhappy Fall of Man, and the Cor- ruption of our Nature, which followed, you can never fully underftand, nor truly value, the r — | „. || H|^ - „-,|),^» f«^.--.^. --.^.«-vi- ■-■'^->< iiiiii*ini»-r fencer feht froth h\m to make his Will known < unta h MlilMintii-iii' ^.i »..niii f T.„i.>..»;^ J.-,.- .t.^-.......^ . ^ ^ ttt iKi ^ mmmmm roN Dial. 9. Mercy^ and the 1 the Chriftian :at a BlciTing ai i as to explain rticularlyj that ^atisfadion, and ben what I told and are afTured me from God, oubted Proofs, I, how merciful s of thefe our lad forfeited by for the fake of Dok to fee his ufe all proper : of their Of- theDuty they 5 Sow, who is m we Chrijiians jm Heaven to and converfed o them, as he God, and had Sinners, fo he naker between !ie was a MeA is Will known unca Dial. 9. forthelNDIANS. 87 unto Men -.—and that God had committed the Government of all Mankind to him. All which God himfelf confirmed by a Voice from Heaven*.— And his Son, when on Earth, convinced all who were difpofed to receive the Truth, that thefe Things were irue, by his doing fuch wonderful Works as none but God could do \ — by the Holinefs of his Life ; by the mod righteous Laws which he gave unto Men;— and above all, by his Rifing again from the Dead^ after he had, by wicked Hands, been murdered. Ind. * All this I remember, and only de- * fire you will repeat the Meffage which this * WoKDERFUL Person brought from God t§ * Men: Miff. In the Firft place, he made known to them their miferable Condition by Nature and Praftice : And that it was yet a Condi- tion not without Hope. — That as his Juftice could not let Sin go unponilhed, — fo his Goodnefs would not let his unhappy Crea- tures be ruined, except they obftinately re- fufed to accept of the merciful Terms pro- pofed to them. That therefore God had been pleafed, for his Son's fake, to promife, — that all fuch as fhould be made fenfible of their bad Condi- tion, and would return to the Duty which they owe to their Maker, fhall have all their * Matt, iii. \j. a8 -^/Instruction Dial, 9. uaft Offences pardon'd, fhall be recciv'd into his Favour again, and be made for ever happy with him : — But that all who know this, and would not receive, and thankfully comply with, fo kind an Offer, fliall die in their Sins, and be punilhed without Mercy. In a word, that their Happinefs or Mifery would depend upon their good or bad Behaviour in this World. For that God had appointed a Day in which he would judge the World moft righteoufly, — reward the truly penitcnc and good, and punifh thofc that continue obfti- nate and wicked *. Jnd. • Will you now, Sir, befo good as to * iet me know the Way which this Wonderful * Perfon did make ufe of to prevail with Men • to embrace this moft kind Mcflage of God • to Men?* MiJJ. In the Firft place, he fliewcd them, what a tender Coippallion God had for his unhappy Creatures, who were wilfully going on in the Way of Ruin, without per- ceiving it : — And that he was To good as to fend his own Son from Heavtn to fave them from Deftrudlion. He told them further, — That the Sins of Men were fo many, fo great and univerfaJ, that no Icfs a Satisfadion would be accepted for their Pardon than the Death of his own Son ; that therefore he had taken upoa him- • Aili xvii, 31. fclf ever unto h » bi • C ' Pi » br ' ov * H told Hca Apo eftat Chur of I true ION Dial. 9. be recciv'd into c for ever happy > know this, and nkfuUy connply die in their Sins, rcy. In a word, ry would depend ihavioiir in this appointed a Day be World moft ly penicenc and : continue obHi- be To good as to ithis Wonderful revail with Men McfTage of God he fliewed ion God had for were wilfully in, without per- is To good as to tn to fave them 'hat the Sins of : and univerfal, uld be accepted :ath of his own ken upo'i him- fdf ""■- '^'■"- -■ ■--' -" Hill iTigiiii. Dial. 9. for the 11 ' D lANS. 89 fclf the Caufc of Sinners, and put himfcjf in their place and ftead, that he might fuffer and die for them. And God, to fhew Men how well he was fatisfied with his Son's Sufirrings for the Sins of Men, raifcd him from Death, and fet him at his own Right-hand ; where he livetb for ever, to make Interc^ton for all fuch ai come unto God by him *. Ind, • All this I remember, and I cannot * but admire the great Love of God and * Chrifl for fuch unworthy Creature;. * Pray, have any other Ways been taken of * bringing Men to a Senfe of the Duty they ' owe to their Maker, and of promoting their * Happinefs .?' < ^ Mff, I hope you have not forgot what I told you,— that Chrift, after his Afcent into Heaven, fentdown the Holy Ghoft upon his Apoftles in a moft wonderful manner, who eftabliftied that Society which we call the Church of^ Chrifi, as the moft proper Means of bringing Men to the Knowlege of the true God, — of Salvation by his Son,,— and of engaging in the regular and faithful Difcharge of the feveral Duties they owe to God, to themfclves, and to all Mankind. For in that Society he has appointed cer- tain Perfbns his Minijlers, zvho are to watch for the Souh of Men, as they that mujl give *■ H(i, vii..25. li . Account g^auMfc 'mmim mmm^ S)o -/^« Instruction Dial. 9. , Account of ihem*'y — to let them know what they mull do to be faved j— to minifter to Men the Means of Grace and Salvation •, — to itifiru^ the Ignorant ; — lo comfort and he(p the fFeak, and r^jife up them that fall j— to cffer up to God Supplications^ Prayers^ Inter- c^ions^ and Thanks for all Men ; — and, in one Word, tb endeavour that all Men may attain that Happinefs, which fefus Cirijihas purthafed by his moft precious Blood. Ind. * This I have not forgot : Nor * what you told me further,— That foraf|- * much as God had determined to judgp " Mankind acc6rding to their Behaviour \i^ * this Life, he has given to Chriftians certaip ^ Laws and Rules, by which they fhaU be * judged to Happinefs or Mifery, ut th^j grea!c * Day i and that thefe Laws and Rules are to * be found in that Book which"* you call'^^'^ * fVord of Godi hecauCe it was written by * Men appointed of God. — May I beg you * to give me a fhort Account of that Book?' Mj In the Firfl: Part of thofe SeripturjC*, called The Old Teftament^ we have aa Ac- coont'of the Creation of the World, and of God's infinite Power, Wifdom, Juftice, arid ' Coodnefs in the Government of it : — "Vife have there an Account, as I have told you, of the orighial Happinefs' of our firft Pa- rents, and of their fmifuiFall from that Con- . ., f * ditlorfi m cou fed fon- racl his Me fied thai Ate the wit! into Ho mai this and Thi - count of the Life of Chrifl j — his mofl per- fed Example j — his moft holy Pr^'cepts \~t- fome of his numberlefs and wonderful Mi- racles ; — how he was approved of God to, be his Son, and the MelTenger of his Will to Men J — how he was by wicked Hands cruci- fied and flain : That he died^ was buykd^ and that all thefe his Sufferings were a proper Atonement for our Sins -, — that he rofe again the third. Day from the Deadi — converfed with his Followers, and in their Sight afcendcd into Heaven ; from whence \\tfent down the • HolyGhoft, who enabled them to fpeak all manner of Languages j-^-that they might, by this aftonifhing Miracle, prove their Miflion, and be able to teach all Men thefe wonderful Things, and bring them to the Knowlegeof the Truth, that they might be^faved ; — and iaftly, how great Numbers of all the then , >wn World embraced the Chrifti.m Reli- » »i nj — that is, all fuch as feared God, and I 2 were '—^■^'^--—t-mmii. iOtimtitmiitit .^^--.■-^■^.-.j.., .-^;., ..-^»,j I 'ff"""^"" •'■■ "*"'" ^WWPBf mfmtfm 92 -r^;? Instruction Dial. 9. •were concerned to fave themfelves from that wicked Generation, faw plainly, that the Chri- ftian Religion was moft agreeable to Reafon ; and the Bleflings it propofed to Men, greater than all the World befides could give them. Ind. ' Will you be fo good as to repeat • again the chief of thofe great Truths, and * the Blefling you fpeak of ?' Mijf. The Truths which concern us to know, and which the Chriftian Religion, and that only, teaches us, are fuch as thefe : — That we are fallen under God's Difpleafure, and yet may be reftored to his Favour, and have all our Offences pardoned thro* the Sa- tisfaftion of our Lord Jefus Chrift j — that our Life here is only a State of Trial, and a Paf- fagc to a Life either of Happinefs or Mifcry, which is to laft for ever ; — that this Happi- nefs or Mifery will be according to our Beha- viour here ;— and that we fhould fo live, as to glorify God, and be Bleflings to ourfelves, and others. In fhort, — The Chriftian Religion pro- pofes a Remedy for all the Evils we are fub- jeft to, which we either feel or fear j — and is defigned to reftore Men to that holy Temper which is abfolutely neceflary to fit them fov Heaven and Happinefs ; — that is, to make them truly good and Jujif wife for themfelves, kind, fober^ chafte^ and temperate^ peaceable and ufeful in their Generation. — And it will( bf' * « f; j can and J * w * I * P ' to I you foiii not you con cou oril] thei will mac whe or d kno and ...itiM wf JiiMiiiiMir iiaaiiiiaii wmmm mmm ION Dial. 9. ifelves from that ily, that the Chri- eable to Reafon ; to Men, greater mid give them. >od as to repeat eat Truths, and 1 concern us to an Religion, and Lich as thefe : — )d's Difpleafure, his Favour, and led thro* the Sa- :hrift i — that our "rial, and a Paf- jinefs or Mifery, that this Happi- ing to our Beha- lould fo live, as igs to ourfclves, 1 Religion pro- >ils we are fub- or fear •, — and is at holy Temper to fit them fov liat is, to make ? for themfelves, perate, peaceable n. — And it will( Dial. p. for the INDIANS. . 5)3 be purely their own Fault, if they are not fucn i — for this Religion affords them all the Encouragement and Affiftance, that their Cafe can poflibly demand, or their Hearts can reafonably defire. v/ irit ill titM Ind. * You have, Sir, fully convinced me * of the great Bleffing of being a Chriftian ; * for which I heartily thank you.* Mff. Give God the Thanks ; *tis he only can open your Eyes, to fee both your Danger, and your Intereft. Ind. • If I fhall not be too troublefome, 1 * would only alk you at prefent, what Anfwer * I Ihall give to fuch of our People as fhall * prefs me to tell them,— ^^j» / am refolved * /» become a Chriftian /" Mijf. After what you have already learned, you can tell them with Truth, — That you foUnd you wanted fomething which you had not in yourfelf, to make your-Mind eafy, and your Condition fafe j— that your own Reafon convinc'd you, — that fuch a Creature as Man couH not be made, and fent into the World, only to eat and drink, and live and die, as^ theBeafts of the Field 5 — that you had often wifhed to know for what End the Great God made Men ;— what Service they owe him ;— whether the Way you were in was pleafii^ or difpleafing to him j — and often wi/hed to know,-^^lfc<»/ becomes of Men after they dity You can tell them, that none with whom you had convcrfed, could give you any reafon- able Satisfadtion concerning thefe Matters, — until, meeting with fobcr People among Chri- ftians, you have been convinced, — That you, and many other People and Nations, had loft the Knowlege of the only true God, who mode the fVorldf and all things in it\ — and that Chriftians have among them a Writing, whi,ch gives them a full and moft 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 Firfl: Parents of Man- kind fi and how they and their Pofterity came to be changed fo much for the wcwfe, and fubjc<9: to fuch evil Difpofitions, to fo many Miferies and Affliilions as now we fee they are. — By thofe Writings, you can tell them, Chriftians are affured how wonderfiilly good and kind God will be to fuch as diU" gently feek him ||, and de fire to pleafe him ; — and that all who are not Enemies to th«m- fclves, may be as happy as their own Hearts can wi(h, You can tell them moreover, — That God has made known in thefe Writings, what iyfen endued with Reafon ought to ^, and lyhat to avoidy if they hope to pleafe their li|aker, and their Lordj — what great Hap- * Mi xxvii. 26. f Gin. i, ii, iii. | Hsb. xi. 6. #r f P>"eft *'•. M .^udttbiiliittiMNii .■■f«5^>ft;..-'.^-»- iijiwijp mmm mnmpgpjcrvpn^wOTil^ ION Dial.9> one with whom you any reafon- hefe Matters, — )le among Chri- ced, — That you, VatiottSt had loft God, who madf it; — and that 1 A Writing, d moft worthy good Being V — { the Nations of t and innocent 'arents of Man- their Pofterity I for the wwfe, pofltions, to fo s as now we fee s, you can tell ow wonderfiilly to fuch as diti<' I pleafe him •,— lemies to them- leir own Hearts er, — That God VVritings, what ught to doy and to pleafe their hat great Hap- ». I H-'txi. 6. pineft Dial. p. forihe INDIANS. 9^ pinefs they will deprive themfelves of, if they ftriye not to know^ and to do his Will •-- for that fuch as repent of their Sins, believe in the Saviour he has.fent, and obey his Commands, wiiJ, when they die, be happy for «ver i-free from Fear.^Uom the Ma- lice of their Enemies.~from Pain, from Sor- row, froQi Cares, from Oppreffion, from Sick- nefi, and from Mifery after Death ; and en- joy all theBleffednefs of which their Nature IS capable.- And that fuch as have not been careful to pleafe their Maker, (hall be condemned to everlafting Mifery. If they aflc you, as to be fure they will — W Chriftians can be aflured, that thefe Writings and Truths came from God ? Vou may afllirc them, that if any Man Jincmlyde/trestoknowGod\smn, befhallfind fucb Prao/s, as Jhatt convince him, that thefe frttmgs and the BoSirines they contain, are from Cod^ and not of Men*. If they tell you, as they did before, that many who call themfelves Chriftians live as if i>ot one Word of thofe Scriptures were true • you may aflure them,-.that all good Chri* Itians are much concerned for the Offence ^efc give to you, and to others :— That in- deed they are not true Chriftians, but fuch as. being unwilling to foi fake their Sins, and rc- felvcd^to follow their Lulls without, Pifturb- * Jfbn vii. 17, ' ' . ;;, ^;^' .•' . \' ance. MfVMMiail ^6 'y/» Instruction Diaf.j^. ance, — ftrii»« to forget the Truths they have •learned, bccaufe the Remembrance of them makes them uneafy ; — and being, by a juft Judgment of God left to themfelvcs, they have arlaft loft all Senfe of the dreadful Pu- nifliment which hangs over their Heads :— That this falling away of Chriftians from their holy Profeflion, and turning the Grace of. God, which teaches them to deny all Un- godlinefsy and wordly Lufts^ into JVantonnefs^ is fo far from being an Objeftion to the Truth of Chriftianity, that it is an Argument for it i — fince this was foretold by the divinely infpired Penmen of the Holy Scriptures,— that there would ht fome.,^ who -woftld hold the Truth in Unrighteoufnefs, — and others that would draw back to Perdition, and quite for- fake the holy Commandments. Ind. * Kind Sir, your Repetition of thefe *■ Things, for which I am moft thankful, has • confirmed me in my earneft Defire and • Purpofe to become a Chriftian. — ^And I • befecch you, once more, to inftruft me, — • what wtU be required of me in order to be • made a Member of that Society which you • call The Church op4^hrist.* • Mijf. That I will gladly do when you come to me again. — And may that Good ^irit, which has put this Purpofe into your Heart, keep you in this good Difpofition ! — And do not yourfelf fosgct to beg of God— That He c • may Dial may begi fuir Tenr the] led I thy; bitte neve Mall that Aflil Tho f-^i i WMni'liiiT i i i l-ifiiy ii g-M i M i i iiiaaiiiirtMiM i i. iii w. l i mim ION Dial. ^. >uths they have ibrance of them >eing, by a juft hemfelvcs, they he dreadful Pu- their Heads :— Chriflians from irning the Grace 1 to denjf all Un- into IVantonnefsy ion to the Truth Argument for by the divinely ly Scriptures,— o would hold the and others that , and quite for- :s. letition of thefe )(l thankful, has left Defire and riftian. — And I inftruft me, — e in order to be ciety which you 1ST.* when you come lat Good ^irit, ito your Heart, tion ! — And do God— That He Iferl \A*mk.; Dial. 9. forthe INDIjiNS. ^y may perfeft the good Work which he hat begun in you. The P R A Y E R. ALmighty God, who alone canft order the unruly Wills and Aflfeftions of fm- ful Men, grant me Grace to withftand the Temptations of the Devil, the World, and the Flefli, that I may never follow, nor be led by them ;-:.Keep it ever in the Heart of thy Servant,— That it is indeed an evil and bitter Thing to forfake 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 Affiftancci — and grant that we, to whom' Thou haft given an hearty Defire' to pray, may, by thy mighty Aid, be defended and comforted in all Dangers and Adverfities, — through Jefus Chrift, our Saviour and Re- deemer, Amen. K AN^ • I II ii i i'fft i i > iBiT i lr i li i f iriTT'^'"' -■" '"• '--'~^-- l*W>W«l|>»WH>^« TO"'l i HH » i i » l|p |i | | ] ii ^i J t^ [98] AN .') ESSAY TOWARDS AN Instruction for INDIANS, P A R T II. Of Baptism, and the Lord's Supper : The Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and //6(?Ten Commandments, explained. «— -W^— — I I » H I 11 II DIALOGUE X. Of Baptism, Miffionary. I A M glad to fee you here again fo foon. 'Tis a good Sign you are in earneft, and finccrely defirous of becoming a Chri- stian. Mian. * Indeed, Sir, fo I am. — You have • convinced me, that it is my Intereft, as * well as Duty, to be a Chriftian.* ]«• Miff'. 1 muft not fuffer you to bS^undac fuch a Miftake-, — it was not I alone that couid convince you i«— it was the Good Sprit ofGod^ who ■mi^uiMmimiimmmm I. rd's Supper : Prayer, and Ts, explained. E X. A, t again fo foon. : in carneft, and loming a Chri- im. — You have my Intereft, as iftian.* )U to be und« ilone that could odSpiritofGcdt who Dial. 10. for the INDIANS. 9^ who is always ready to enlighten the Minds, »nd open the Hearts, of fuch as are in Fear for.tbemfclvcs, and would gladly know the Wiijir of God, and the Way to pleafe him. — I am only his Mejfenger to you, and, I hope, for your everlailing Good. Ind. * I hope fo too, — And therefore am • now come to be inftrufted, — ** How I may " be admitted into the Society of Chriftian « People." Mtjf. You muft 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 Ufe in his Church, — as Signs, Seals, and Pledges of God's ful- filling his Promifes of Blellin^, upon our Compliance with the Rules of our Duty ; and by which he has determined to beftow his Favours and Blefllngs on fuch as are worthy of them: — The one is called Baptism, or the Wajhing of Water, a Figure of Regenc r gra* cioufly pleafed to enter into Covenant with his poor Creatures, whereby he promiies, m his parti to take thenn under his efpecial Pro- tefbion, and to give them all that is neccifary to fit them for Heaven and Happtnefs, when they die •, — and Chrifiiam-, on their part^ bind themfelves to become Chriil's faithful Ser- vants unto their Lives End. } y<1 Ind. * Sir, you often mention our being * God's Servants^ and ferviftg Cod: — Does God .' want any Service that n e can do him ? * J\i^Jf. No, truly : He ilands in no need of our Prayers^ our Praifes, or our Services.-^ They cannot/r^/ him :— But he having given Jtx& certain Commands about our addrefling ourfelves to Him in Adorations^ Supplications^ and Thankfgivings ; when we obey thefc Com- mands (tho' purely for our own Good), He is gracioukvv pleafed to deem it ferving, ho- nouring, A'ld glorifying him, tho* in Truth we only profit ourfelves hereby. Ind. * You will be pleafed to let me know * when and how Chrift appointed the Sacra- •> ment of Baptifm ? * Mf Juft before he left this World, he gave his Apoftles, who were his MiniUers, this Command:'^* Gaye, and make Difciples '*- of all Nations, baptizing them in the Name *' of the Father, and of the Son, and of the i Holy Ghofti^teaching them to obferve Dial •ailiiilik dUi itmiMMM 3 N Dkl.io. w, God i> gra* 3VENANT with lie promifes, on lis efpecial Pro- hat is neccifary appinefs, when their par if bind 's faithful Ser- tion our being id: — Does God n do him?* h in no need of our Services.-^ be having given our addreiTing .i..to»....... ,|| )N Dial. lO. s it were again, i admitted into in of their eu- ncnt, to believe icd in the Gof. by the Autho- crcated them ; ed them ; and enlightens and pablc of Bap- nd grown Per* ' thofe Perfons Difcrction, in mrmm^m «'«, th«tTs,' io lies of the Qof- cr Sins., v"''^ ain into Sin ?* that he fhovild Df his Baptifip ce. *'"'^ '"^'^*' baptized," wlio ilifications ?* pable of Faitb le of being ad- , as the ChiN : cfpecial Ap- iCifion. Dial. 10. for the INDIANS. I0| Ind. * What is meant by waftiing with • Water fuch as are baptized ? ' Mjf' It is an outvMird Sign or Token^ fig- nifying, and alTuring us, from Chrift himfelf, tlut as our Bodies are made clean by Water, foTurcly the Souls of all, who arc true Be- lievers and Penitents, being thus dedicated to Gods are cleanfed from all paft Sins, and arc put into the Way of Salvation, by being ad- mitted into the Church of Chrill, and made Members of his Myftical Body, which is the blcflTcd Company of all faithful People.--. And laftly, — we are, by the Words ufcd la this Ordinance, made to underftand, how our Salvation is brought about-, — that is to fay, ^By God the Father^ who loved us, evea after we had rebelled againft him : — By his Son^ who purchafed Salvation for us '.—And by the Holy Choft, who fan^ijiefb us. Ind. »Pray, Sir, explain this a little clearer, « and fuller to me.* Mif. You muft know then, that — The walhing with Water, in the Name of the Fa-, thery and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghoji^ cpnfirm and feals to die Perfon thus wafhed, the Covenant of Repentance, for the Remif- fion of Sins, of which Covenant Chrift is the Mediator ; for by him only we have Acce/s to the Father. — IVe are horn in Sin^ and lUolft to the Difplcafure of our Maker j but, b^ embracing and complying with the Tcrmj dr K 4 the miam pi?r/you in the "Way leading to everlafting Life, Ind. * Had I no Right to thefe Bleflings, • before I was baptized ?* • Mff. — Confider what Favours they are, 1^ you will find nothing in yourfelf that can deferve fuch f. thii yoi wil .711 • Gal. iv. 7. Ram. viii. 15. ■\ Rom. ili. 23. Can ...:ys..Mjii>fe^>,v«......s....^.-.^,.jiiB^;;iiW... , ^^,,,^,^, mm IWIIMW gmm"^ m mimuj m ON Diaf 10. ren of Gody ac- ' i — and by out- w«/j, are con- 1 Life, the free irift our Ldfd ; do not endea- the Cornmands /ill be no Profit Child of God. e admitted into )'inefs, and to a \t Saints, upon id obeying^ tlie 1 of the Blejfed ou, zs a. Father will, upon your :ere Return tp jld Infirnnities, nces. He will \ you do what ifill upon your m Jefus Chrift^ jowerful Spirit, t>port you in the ,ife, thefe Bleflings, I'ours they are, ourfelf that can •f- Rom. ill, sj. Can ' "iliii III "ill Mill Mil Kal.io. finbe INDIANS. loj Czn Sinful Duji and Aflits pretend to Hea- venly Privileges — The Favour of God, ^nd the Graces of his Holy Spirit ? .'Vrt4 f,.!,* Can cwruft Nature think of defervitjg, or h capable of Gkry^ and Hottaur, and Immortality? Endeavour to know yourfelf better^ that, being truly humbled with a Senfe of your own Vilenefs and Mifery, you may thank- fully accept of Help and Mtrcy from God— For they that are whole need not a Phyficiaa, but they that arefick *, a to •yK>l f osi > And feeing God has promlfed to do fo much for You, be perfuaded to do fomething for yourfelf. Ind, * What can fo miferable a Creature f doforhimfelf?* Miff* You can lament you/' own Unwoff; thineft, and pray God to pity you. — r v •■ You can ufe the Graces he belloweth upo» you, and be thankful for his Favours, — ;. You can ,do your Beft, and his Goodne& will expeft no more. Ind. * Was the Sacrament of Baptifm or-^" • dainedby Chrifthimfelf?' . Miff. It was in thelc Words — Go ye, and:- teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghojl f.-— —Which Command the Apoflles of Chrift obferved i — They preached the Gofpel, and as many as believed, them they baptized %. • Matt, ix. I «. t Ibid, xxviii. 19. % A3t u. 41. ^"""•^"•^wniwiipKi I i iiijji.w i imju ii mi I II I nu ■ in i j ^ iMup jn io6 '^zrlNSTRircTlofJ Dial. lO." —By this Sacrament, adding to the Church fuch us Jhould be faved *. Holding it ne- ceflary to baptize with Water, even thofe that bad received the Holy Ghoft f. ^^Teaching us that this Command of Chrift, where it rnay be duly obferved, is not to be negletSted on^any Account whatever. - Ind. * "What further Ufe am I t» make of * this Sacrament ? ' Mijf. It ought always to bring to your Re- membrance, that you are a Chrijiian : That you have a New Name, and New Powers, given you, on purpofe that you may become a New Creature. If you are indeed a Child of God, you will think what a dutiful Child ought to do.— — You vfWlfear his Difpleafure, and truji in his Love i you will pray to him for what yoa want, and be thankful for what he gives i and you will own his Affedion when he cor' fe£lSt as well as when htfmiles upon you. If you look for an Inheritance in Heaven^ yqui' Thoughts will be often there : For where yiur Treafure iSy there will your Heart be ilfo%. And you will not be too eager or anxious. for the Things of this Worfd. You wiU neither be much afraid of its Troubles , nor too fond of its VanitieSy remembring that bo^ will foon have an End.— — — Dia .• All I u. 47. t Ibid. «. 4.7. t Matt. vi. *i. And ■ i» A mim HriiiM«i N Dkl lo: r to the Chttrcb lolding it ne- :ven thofe th^ ^^Teaching irift, where it 3 be neglet^ed i I to make of ig to your Re- rijiian : That New Powers, .1 may become Gedj you will ht to do. — — md truji in his for wh^ yoa lac he gives t I when he cor' upon you. nee in Heaven^ re: For where four Heart he yer or anxious. You wiU Troubles^ nor }ring that both Dial. 10. for the INDIANS, i^y And as you ever hope to go to Heaven, you will endeavour to fit yourfelf /<>r that glorious Plate: — Remembring, — That without Holi' nefs no Manjhallfee the Lord *. The fure Promife of God will not fufFcr you to defpair :— And the Joy that is fet before you will encourage you to prefs forwards. You will be thankful to God for calling you to this State of Salvation : — And gladly undertake the Conditions he requires ofyou. What thefe Conditions are, you Ihail know the next time I fee you. But firll, with a thankful Heart, fay, Wxu ii< The P R A Y E R. ALmighty and everlafting God, heavenly Father, I give Thee humble Thanks that Thou haft vouchfafed to call me to the Knowlege of thy Grace and Faith in Thee : Increafe this Knowlege, and confirm tliis Faith in me evermore. Heal all the Evil Ificlinations of my Soul -, and create in me an hearty Love unto Holinefs, that, continuing t% Servant, 1 may attain thy Promifes, and be made a Partaker of thine everlafting Kingdom, through Jefus Chrift our Lord, Amen. • Heh. xii. 14. t Matt. vi. *i. And D I A- ""-•rtiit''ii(fliili'iiT'iii . itiiiiiririliBriiiiiiBi loS ^«Instkuction Dial. II. Dial DIALOGUE XI. The Conditions required of ftich as are to be baptized. Indian. .'x& « fT^HE laft Time I wauted upon you, * JL yo" were pleafed to promife to in- • ftrud me in thofe Conditions that Perfons * are required to know, and promife to pcr- • form, in order to be baptized.* Mijfwnary. I (hall gladly do this.— —As Chrift will moft furely keep the Promife he has made of many great and valuable Ble(r> ings }— So you muft on your par/ promife, Tg renounce the Devily and all his tVorks : The fTerldf and all its evil IVays and Cuflems : ' jindthe Flejh, and allitsfinful Lujif, V And fccondly, • ■ '*;; f. ■• That you laill receive and believe the'Wutli $ind Meffage which God fent unto Men by his SoHt which are contained in the Holy Scriptures 0f the New Tejlamentt and fummed uf in what we call The Apoftles Creed. And laftly, Ton mujl promife to ufe your utmft Diligence^ andfmcere Endeavours, to keep the Commands of Cod all the Days of your Life, — - And N Dial. II. mmmi' I XI. i';-^^ lech as are h :ed upon you, promife to in- iS that Perfons )romire to per- d.* 3 this.— —As hie Promife he i^aluable Blefr> r/ promife, I his IVerks : ys and Cujloms : ilLufif,. 'ieve the Truth'i tto Men hy his Holy Scriptures ned up in what tm/i Diligence^ be Commands of for the INDIANS. 109 And here, as on one hand I would not dif- courage you, fo on the other 1 muft tell you the Truth,— //&<»/ thefe things are not fo eafdj performed as promifed. , . ■. r- Ind, • I fee 1 muft give you the Trouble of explaining yourfeU further : — 1 fliould be glad therefore to know what fort of Life is required of a Perfon that is come to * Years of Difcretion, after he is baptized, ' that I may not promife what I do not pcr- * fedly underftand, nor undertake more than ' I am able to perform.— MijJ. You remember, I hope, what I have often told you, — * That this Life is a State of * 7r/-. Eyes." MiJ}. 1 told you before, thai it is the eager and covetous Defire of Riches. And that you may be convinced how dangerous a Sin this is, you (hall hear what Chrift himfelf has faid, — That it is very bard for rich Men to be gMd Chripam % ; becaufe they are fo much f GflA V. 19, ao, 21. expofed '^ •Johnn.iS. may viour into tt cmmm itii-iTiniiniMiini M Dial. 11, 3f Life* i*— or s, accompanied ■ the Eftcem of ore particularly 5 Flcfh," which he very Words winced I do not will be necelTary fc fVotks of the y may eafily b» rfon, tho' never g to a good and tery, fVboredom, ennefst Hatred^ itioHSy MtrJerSt -Now however s may be,— you I refolve againll "avour of God. it know what iii f*'- iLves. » at it is the eager hes. And that dangerous a Sin :hrifthimfelfhas pr rich Men to be ley are fo much r/. V. 19,20, 21. expofed Dial. II. for the INDIANS. 115 ejcpofcd to many Evils and Temptations,— fuch as thefe following : — They that have Riches are apt to love them too murh, — ta put their Trujl in them^ and to forget their De- pendence upon God i to lord it over and op- prefs their Inferiors; — attdto make Provijion for theFlefh, to fulfil the Lufts thereof -.^Anf^ thia may be the true Reafon, why our blefled Sa- viour fays /■/ is fo hard for a rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of God ;— becaufe, being ex- empted from all the Toil and Care of Lite, he is apt to enter too far into the Pleafures of it, and to fay to his Soul^ Soul, take thine Eafty and enjoy the good Things before thee i— whereas our Portion here is Labour and Ex- trcife^ not full Enjoyment. — The Bufinefs of our Salvation is a great; Work, which cannot be efFe(fled without Di- ligence , andZeal»and earneft Contention ; but He that is unacquainted with Labour, will fcarce take the Pains that is required, towards working out his Salvatiotty and making his Call- ing and Eleiiion fure. Befides all thefe,— Great Wealth is oftea attended with fuch Cares as choak the Good* Seed fown in the Hearts of Men, that is, the holy Defires, and goodPefolutions, which are wrought in Men by the Spirit of God, fo that this good Seed becomedi unfruitful. And tWo* Riches may be made ufc of tt> * Matt. xiii. 2Z. L2 g,oodt iriiiiMilMHilM j^0llgtH iti-ntw"'—" ini*KmiiaMiiiit imtm XPIHM* Ii6 ^/iInstructiom Dia1.li'. good Purpofcs, yet it will require a more than ordinary Grace of God fo to ufe them; — which extraordinary Grace is fcldom afked by, and therefore feldom given to, fuch whofc Hearts are poflcflcd with the Love of Riches. Jnd. • One would conclude thcn,«— that * Chriftians ought not to defire Riches fo * eagcily as generally they do j— nor ought * they who want them to think thcmfclvcs * unhappy, or not beloved by God.* Mif That is very true. A"'^ ♦'^y who frill not be convinced of thefe Truths, by 'what God has declared in his Word, will one Day be convinced by fad Experience, when it may be too late to do them any Service. Ind. * Muft then every Man, who would * fave his Soul, renounce the Thoughts of * Riches ?* Mff. No : Riches may be ufed to many good Purpofes. A great Apoftle of Jefus Chrift tells you how ;— * Charge (fays he) them * who are rich in this Worlds that they be mt * high-minded, nor truji in uncertain RicbeSi but * i« the Living God, who ^iveth us richly all * things to enjoy : — "that they do Good, thatthiy *. be rich ingocJPP'crks, ready to diftribute^ wil- ' lii^ to communicate ; laying up in Store for * themfehes a good Foundation againji the Time * to comey that they may lay bold on eternal Lift *. —But ftill they are daiigcrous Things v— .* 1 iT/'au vi. 17, 1 8, J 9. _^ Jhey iuiSakamiim ^Jlljl^^gglgglll^^^^gl^^ mmm^ V Dlal.if: re a more than them; — which afkcd by, and I whofe Hearts Riches. le then,— that 'fire Riches fo I i— nor ought nk thcmfelves God.* \nr\ thrv who :fe Truths, bjr Vord, will one ricnce, when it »y Service. n, who would ; Thoughts of ufed to many loftle of Jefus (((^yshe) them hat they be net tain RicbeSi but th us richly all Good, that they diftribute^ wil- up in Slare for igainft the ^ime m eternalLife *. >us Things j— They Dialxt: fir the INDIANS. 117 They are flu»• ^' keep lijaai«lnWii>*«wMMit">'i'*«iii»» .^.Jim!* I UIJ i lW il nm. n y ii8 ^wInqtruction Dial.ii: keep in your Mind a conftant Senfe of your 'Dependence upcn him, and make you fet your Thoughts upon^another World, to which this is only a Pajfage. Ind. » Pray inflruft me how I rpay belt * avoid Temptations.' ' Miff. The Direftions I give you fhall be fliort and plain, and fuited to your Condition. Let this be ever in your Mind, that Sin is, the worlt of all Evils :— For all other Evils will have an End, at fartheft when you die \ but Sin will make you miferable for ever. Remember that you are naturally inclined to Sin, that the Devil will tempt you to it, andk that God only can fave you. And then you will never truft inyourpwa Strength, but in the living God. -^i hh^ To him therefore you will conftantly pray for Helpi and if you drana nigh to himy he will draw nigb to you*. ^^ „ •> And yet you mult not cxpeft God s Al- fiftance without ufing your own Endeavours i fgr that is to tempt the Lord. Jf Siuners entice you, you muji not confent mta themf: For they are the Devil's Inftruments, If you tall into evil Company, you muff go out of it immediately, and not walk, in the "Way with them, left God forfake you.. • When the Holy Spirit of God puts into your Mind good Defires, or checks you for doing •.yam.iy.i. i Prtnuu i^ 11^ rup of I fj^anri M^if iWwiiilfiiiiiriMiiiiiii iii iiiiWihtii iiiiiriiiiifi'iirifiii H p iip i tH Senfe of your : you fet your , to which this w I rpay beft you fiiall be ar Condition, id, that Sin is, ,11 other Evils /hen you die \ rle for ever, irally inclined ipt you to it, u. ft in your own )d. i i i^o:<^ onftantly pray igh'to him, ha lea God's Af- I Endeavours i not confent unta Inftruments, tny, you muff not walk, in the ake you. ' ' puts into your you for doing 111, Dial. II. for the INDIANS. 119 111, you muft obey the Voice of God ; and he will love you, and preferve you from your ipiritual Enemies, and fromeverlafting Death. Ind. ' You will now be pleafed to explain *t6 me THAT Pride of Life, which a • Chriftian renounces at his Baptifm.' Miff. By the Pride of Life is meant,—— that great Opinion, which, through the Cor- ruption of Nature, all People are apt to have of themfelves ; — with an eager, reftlefs, and immoderate Dcfire after every thing tha; may diftinguifh them from others, and which may fet them high in the Efteem of the World. Now this Pride of Life is the Occafion of many Evils, which are highly difpleafmg*to God, and muft be refolved againft by every good Chriftian. The Evils are thefe that follow :---They who are under the Power of this Vice, are more concerned for the Efteem of the World, than how to pleafe God : — They are there- fore too often tempted to fupport the good Opinion of the World, by laying that out on Vanity, which ftiould be the Support of their Families, or of the Poor : — And they are too apt to defpife the Poor, as if they were not Creatures of the fame Kind with themfelves. — They look upon all the Advantages or Bleflings they have, whether in their Perfons, or in their Pojfejiom, as their Due ; and there- fore are gcntriWy mtl^nkful to God, and reh him rnmi^ ■ ]»i |i 4iiiiwi ii inm i ij, ip H, i . l i mn I 120 jfn IvfsruvcrioH Dial.ii; him of the Honour of hi« own Gifts r—In 0iort, they are aw^ry, when they arc not valued as they think they dcfcrvei— they are apt to be difcontented, and to think, that they defcrve more than they have ;. ^to repine at their Misfortunes, and overlook their own In- firmities •, and are therefore utter Strangers to that Humility^ which muft recommend themr to the Grace and Favour of God : — — Fer he refiftetb the Proud^ and giveth Grace, to the Humble*. ,_^ .rr''^. Ind. * Since this Pride of Life and Heart i» « fo natural to us, what can cure us of it ?* MJf, Nothing hut the Grace of Gedy and pofleffing your Heart with Things of greater Moment. . 5 «.. . ""■l,"'^"* Confider, that you are hable to Eternal jAifery : That your great Bufineft in this World is to prepare for a happy Dbath, and the Day of Judgment ; and you will be very indifferent about feveral Things, which> ^ you now take too much Pleafure in. For which Rcafon you will neither ftudy to* he vain undfoolifi} in yourDrefs, not Jingultm and conceited in your Opinions, but imitate fuch as are fober- minded i— as knowing. 'That the Ornament of a meek and bumble Spirit f is im the Sight of God of great Price ; and fhouid therefore be your great Concern.* ' fay M Jo on. Men com( quire ans, Salvi ^n^gamm IHH II f mm m Gifts :— In are not valued y arc apt to be they dcfcrve 'epine at their icir own In- r Strangers to inmcnd themr jod : — — Fer b Grace to tie ■ -f,. to e and Heart i» ; us of it ?* e of GeJy and ngs of greater rle to Eterfiaf luHnefs in this f Dbath, and you will be rhings, -which' re in. either ftudy to* fs, nor Jingular 3, but imitate knowing. That le Spirit f is im e ; and ihould Uw*J^ tXil. II. for tk INDIA ]^'S. m And then, if you remember, — that ycu have nothing which you have net received *^ — nothing but what you muft give an Account for, you will have more Reaibn lofear^ than be proud of your Advantages. Ind. * Well, Sir, I fee fufficierit Rcafon, * why every one, who purpofos to become a * Chriftian, Ihould renounce the Devils and all * bis U^orks^ — the Vanities of the tVorldy — and * the Lujis of the Flejh.-^l am alfo convinced . * of the great Advantage thofe will reap, * who are able to overcome thefe Difficulties. * — But then I am difcouraged exceedingly, * when I fee foj^any, who have undertaKen * to be Chriftiins upon thefe Conditions, in a * manner renounce that Religion afterwards, ' — nther finding it impoffible to obfcrve ^ -' ■ V inditions, or thinking that they are * 1 ;t :t irery neceflliry to Salvation, as you ' fay they are.' Miff. Believe not this, becaufe o^ our faying fo only ; but becaufe the God of 1'ruih and Mercy hath fo faid, who would have all Men come to the Knowlege of the Truth, and re- quires nothing to be done oravoided'hy Chrifti- ans, but what is abfolutely neceffary to their Salvation ;•— and which He will enable them to perform, if it is not plainly their own Fault. As for fuch as ^a// themfeives ChriJiianSt but do not the Things which Chrift has corn- M mnnded. **■■• •wpMin ■■■J I mffii^^lgtmm mw » n 'f|i ' '• Wit ' JIM jf;ilNStKtCTION Pial. II. niandc(3,you muft not judge of the Chriftian JReligion by them, but by your own Setrft^ and Want of a Redeemer. --T^iQ Chriftian* you ijjeak. of have never tri:ly confidcred the ex- treme Danger tliey are in •,— nor what the Son of God has -declared -.—That it were bet- terjorihem, that a Mill-ftonewas hanged about their ^feeks, md they cafi into the Sea^ than '.-theyfhould be the Occafm of Offence to wcU-dif- pofed People *.-^\nf\ indeed, none ferve the Defigns of Satan more than fuch Sort of •Chriftians •, — and who have no other Choice, but a true and timely Repentance., or everlaft- ing Mifery. And Repentance, ont would hope, dthey would chufe, if they would confidcr the great Patience of God, which ought to fill their Eyes with Tears, and their Hearts with that Shame and Sorrow, which i? the Work .of true Repentance. '^'*-* y^" '' '■ Do but remember what I have told you Jbefore, ti)at,a true Faith in God, and in his ■^ordy will enable you to overcome all the 'Difficulties you can pofiibly met with, iinuji It is for thisReafon that every one, before he takes upon himfclf the Chriftian Profcffion, is obliged to give an Account of his Faith^ iuithoHt which His impoffible to plcafe God. Ind. ' Having given you fo much Trouble » already, I muft now aflc you to explain to * me the Particulars of jh.e Chriftian Faith ; f Utlu xvii. ?. M-: * but 10 1- ft. attiuiMtiiAmi)iitik imiommmf ■HI' mm » pial. ir. the Chriftian iwn Settfe^ and hriftian* you ictered the ex- lor what the bat it were bet- IS hanged about the Segy than rue to wcU-dif' lene ferve the fuch Sort of other Choice, t«, or everlaji- \t would hope. Id confidcr the ought to fill ir Hearts with h 19 the Work lave told you ^fodt and in his ercome all the let with«ntt>iu: :ry one, before [iianProfcffion, It of his Faithj, pkafe God. much Trouble u to explain to hriftian Faith i Dial. 1 1, firthe IKIDIAKS. 123 * but with your Leave I will wait on you f again very foon.' • K^, As foon as you can. — In the mean time, I muft put 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 Purpofes. ——And may God keep you in the good Dilpofition you fecm to be in 1 ■\s> no2 The PRAYER. povjA^d ALmighty and mofl: merciful Father, prc- ferve me from all the Temptations of my Adverfary theDevil, who goeth about feeking whom he may be permitted to devour. — Giv^ me holy Refolutions, and a watchful Spirit, that I may perfevere in the Way of Godlinefs, and my Lire correfpond with tlK Purity of my Faith. — Oh ! Let me never diflionour fo ex- cellent a Title as that of a Chrijlian ; but do thou reign in my Heart, by thy Spirit of Grace guiding all my Adlions, and direfting my In- tentions, that I may be the Servant of thy di- vine Will here, and be admitted to theHolinefs andGlories of that State, where Thou reignell lor ever and ever, and art All in All. Jmen, * '4/w yliii WOii !:U(i, i t^yii:-). .. iMlllltiHaM>s«u .-i, -;?. -?< M2 DI A. MMlHli iHka in iiiwirniri mmttr m'mf III ■■ I WIII I ..WUH '»pW"""«"W»|9«iPPiP«piffiPP ii4 ^nlNSTRUCTIoK Dial. It. [D lALOGUE XIL^^i, ^he Articles of the Chrijlian Paitb ^raSiically explained. yi^ • , ti.Jfjdian. ^ \r OU told me, Sir, when I left you laft, 4 Y ^That without Faith no Man canpleafe * God*^ nor might to be admitted into the * Society of Chriftians,— I am therefore now * come to learn of you, What that Faith is^— * which Chriftians /r/i to believe, hdott * they are Ijaptized/ ' t ,..•;., ^'., Mffionai-y. You mud know then, that thefrc arc many Things which Chriftians believe, and which you will know hereafter, whenyou hear theHoxv Scriptures read and explain- ed. -^jn the mean time there are ccrtainTruths neccffary to be known and believed, W?^c you can be baptized. , r. Ind. * How ftiall I know what thefe Truths * are V ^ „ . ' Mif For the Benefit of young Beginners, and tor fuch as cannot read or remember many Things Truths of the greateft. Moment are contained in this following ftiort Account, ivhich wc callTHECR-EED,--or theARTicLES »//.-^. xi.4 OF T> vail \ tliat \ live :- Mvar th fje : ,^^k.:..^-....-^^.^-.^..^.-....^.-.<..».».l^^.«ii.. Dial.U. lian Paiib d. [ left you laft, Mancanpkafe ittcd into tjic therefore now irt/ Faith ist — (lians believe, fter, when, you idandexplain- ccrtainTrutKs ;lieved, bcf9rc It thefe Truths ing Beginners, :membcr many ft, Moment are liort Account, •the Article* «7 Di4l.li; firtheJNDIANS. ti3 OF THE Christian Faith-, and I mud pre- vail with you fo to fix them*i" your Memory,, tliat you may not forget t^iem as long as yoiT live :— for the Belief of thele will be a powerful Mvans to make you holy^ righteousy and happy. the CREED r ie Articles of the Chri.sti/>.i+ Faith. , I believe in God the Father. Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth : — And in Jefus Chriil his only Son our Lord, — who was- conceived by the Holy Ghoft, — born of the Vffgin Mary^ — fuf- fered under Pontius- Pilatey — was crucified, dead and buried ; — he defcended into Hell ; — the third Day he rofe again from the Dead ; —he afcended into Heaven; — and fitteth at the Right-hand of God the Father Almighty ; ^ — fromf thence he (hall come to judge the Quick and the Dead. M '5 Ihe- jiij -ririilliwaMWiiiMtoi If-"-'^ 125 ^^NSTRUCTldH DUl. 12. I believe in the Holy Ghoft ; — the Holy Catholick Church ; — the Commnnicn of Saints ; ' — the Forgivenefs of Sins ;' — tlic Refurreaion of the Body ; — and the Life everlafting. Amen. ^^^ ^^^ Ind. * 1 will endeavour to learn them by « Heart ;— andl hope I Ihall remember theni « as long as I live And now I Ibdl be very * thankful, if you will fhew me,— -How the » Knowlege and Belief of thefc Things are » neteflary to make Men good, as, you very * juftly Ijy, all Chriftians ought to be ?* Mijf. Remember then,— T/^, if we provoke him by our Sins. — Lajilyy—vfhsn ■we fee, as we find it in his Word, that this Great God has been fo good as to fpareMen, even when they have deferved Punifhment, • Jer. xxxii. 1 7. t Prov. xv. j. ** %1r-Tl*-*f^ ^■"■■■—''-•i^'^ - -»^----.. f.. ..i-'' - ■. ataiifaa»MJtMiMJa»Mg>j we ai zdmii ngs» both ia ig is tea bard )s is necefliary :s of the Great hie us in our ful ot offond- has Power :afe or cffnd 2 Ihall be dil- ings, becaufe 'cr of ail the j/f for. — And •That his Byes ' Evil and the 3 Secrets are oper to make Adlions, and ig which may ing. — 'And as tell Reafon M oly Scriptures ful Examples who had no mmandsi by expe(i>, if wc L«}l/y,— when 3rd, that this to fpare Men, 1 Punifhmene, fiirf Kal.ia. for the INDIANS. 119 wc arc hereby powerfully led to adore and adroirt his Goodnefs and Patience, w^/fi* dotbt or ought to lead Men to Repentance, Ind. * Why is God called the Father ? . Mif Becaufe he is the Maker and Preferver of all Creatures, which, with the Care and Affedion of a Father, he watches over coo- tinually. He is tlic Father of Man, becaufe He ere* ated him after his oujn Lmge. "" Becaufe he teacheth Man Knowlege ;— - correBs hi,n when he does amifs v— and rtf- wards him when he does well. Jnd. * What is meant by God's Provi' dence?* xi:i :i^\ ■ '""'''V>^"^V''t. Mif. The mfdom and Power of God, by whkh He knows and appoints how every tiling in the World Ihall be, lb that the whole Cre- ation is taken care of :—Not the meaneft Crea- ture WM /«/«-, without God's Leave, either by Malitc or Accident *. Ind. ' Why then do Evils befal Men ? Miff Very often to punijh them, and to bring them to Repentance v but efpecially to wean our Hearts from being too fond of this Life } and that we may think of, delight in, and prepare for a better. Ind. * Doth God govern the Seafons ? Do not Summer and IVinter, Spring and Harveji^ return certainly at their appointed Times ?* Mtff. "^V"" Ijo ^/iInstruction Dial. II. Mjf. —They do r— But then, to put Men in mind, that they depend upon Godonly^ and not upon i\\cSeafons^ for their daily Bread, — iheSummer fomecimes returns without its ufuai Heat^ and the Hameji without its krutt- fulnefs*. Ind. ♦ Have not wicked Men, and wicked • Spy-its, great Power of doing Mil'chief?* Miff. 'Tis true— God hath given them great Power both to punilh thf Wickedj and to try t?he Faith of the Righteous f : — But the Word of God anUres us, That neither Men nor Devils can do the leaft Murr, without the Leave of God :— And this is the Reafon, that there is not more Milchicf in the World, and that all Things are not evcry-where in Confufion ||. . Ind. ' Of what Ufe is it to believe, that « God is our Father ?' - Mff. If you indeed believe this, you will take yourFather'sWord for whathcpromifeth ; be pleafed for what he ordereth -, —Caji all your Care upon Him ; for he caretb for you |. . You will never abufe his Goodnefs and Long- fuffering •,— i^or tho' he hath the Ccmpajfion of a father, yet if his Children are obftinately dif obedient^ He is a God terrible in Judgment **. In all your Afflictions, you will have this Comfort i "Tis good for aMan to be in'TroubleWW, * Hag. 5, g, lo, II. II Jo/>. i. II, 12. •• /•/«/. xlvii. *. to. •{• 2 Sam. XVI X I Pet. V. 7. II ;| /^;'i. cxix. 71. and to his all- own / us Pat htolmmi iiiiintda^ii iii*Kriniiii fmmml liTmii ^tp' !-"rm M Dial. 1 1. 1, to put Men Godonfy^ aiul aily Bread,— thout its ufuai ut its /•>«//- 1, and wicked rMilchicf?* en them great edj and to try But the Word lennorDevily : the Leave of 1, that there is d, and that all Confufion H. > beheve, that this, you will tiicpromifethi ; —Cajl all your y youX' . dnefs and Long- c Ccmpaffion of obftinateiy dif- Judgment **. 1 will have this ) be in'Troubkl am. XVI. ic tt. V. 7. /. cxix. 71* ITial. 12. forihelNDJAfJS. ijf and to bear Chajlmng, if it (ofeemetb good to his all-wife and gracious Father •, not for hi» own Pkafttrey but our Proft, as it may make us Partakers of his Holincfs, and yield the pMcMble Fruit of Rif^hteoufnefs to them that are cxercijed thereby \\. » u • Lnftly, If God \^ your Father, your Inherj- tance is in Heaven ; which you ought frequent- ly and feriouny to think of,—* That ivhereyoHf » Treafure is, there may your Heart be alfo X- hid, ♦ I am convinced, and do believe thefe « Perfeaions of God ; and I fee how necef- * f.iry they are to be known and believed, in « order to make Mtnfear before him,--and « to love and obey him.* ca A Miff. But you have not perhaps confidered —what little Comfort the Belief of theft Things will be to a Man who knows him- (elf to be a Sinner, and that as fuch he mult needs be under the Difpleafure of this holy^juftr rtnd powerful God ',^and yet knows not how to be reftored to Jiis Favour. ^ Jrtd. * That is indeed a perplexing, tor- • mentingThoughf,— andl remember what • you told me before,— That until God was • pleafed to let Men know upon what Terms - he would accept of their Repentance, and pardon them, tl>e wifcft Men on Earth could not find it out, fo as to make the Minds ., ■ Sinners eafy.' iijilliiiii III mjijiBP will Man, Moftt Sins t thef^ from Ac lity o; hcwa rupt ; the ^ them ingv 132 "^« Instruction Dial, i i; B P*»>V4 Miff, This will convince you of the gnat ilefftftg ef Cbrtftianityy — and the great Good- nefs and Mercy of God, in delivering Man- kind from the Fear of Deaths and what^wiil certainly follo\v , — which, without the Gofpel, was the Torment of Sinners, and kept them in fiotida^e all their Life long *. — How God has delivered us from this Bond age, you will under- hand in the T\cxt Article of the Chriftian Faith. . Jnd. ' You will be fo kind as to explain •vthat to me.' Milf. That I will do.— But I muft be ob- liged to repeat fome Truths oi Moment, which I have told you before : — That after the First Parents or Mankind had lod their Maker's Favour by their Difobedience, and brought Sin^ and Mifery, anii Dsatb^ into the World, — God in great Pity promifed them a Saviour ; one who would fatisfy his Juftice, for the Dilhonour done to him by their Sins, and would reftrain the Power of that evil Spirit^ which had tempted them to fogreataSin. iiM*! t Now this promifed Saviour is the very Perfoity in whom we Chrift'ans profefs to be- lieve, when we fay, IVe believe in Jefiu Chriftt the only Son of Gody our Lord, p I'V'- For when the World was grown exceeding wicked, and ignorant of the only true God, this his Son took upon himfelf the Nature of * Bthy\\. 15. ' Man^ ijtm -irrr'ifttriimm'i ^ n -T-'-ft^li >'• I'iMMBtiinr 1 liij wi—wni mf .nwwuiWIpiWWi*"""' 'i^-r:i*r >N Dial. 12; 311 of the great le great Good- ilivering «Man- and what '-will out the Gofpe!, %Kd kept them in -How God has , you will nnder- Zbrijlkn Faith. i as to explain 1 1 muft be ob- s oi Moment, : : — That after »}KiND had lo(l r Difobedience, anci Beatby into Pity promifed 'ould fatisfy his lone to him by I the Power of mpted them to QR is the vtry IS profefs to bc- believe in Jefiu ;rown exceeding only true God, If the Nature of PiaLil. fir the INDIANS. 133 Man, by being born of a Virgin^ that, as a Mm^ he might be capable of fufFering for the Sins of Men, /J.— Now, by willingly offering himfelf to Death, he became a Sacri' fee acceptable to God for the Sins of the whole World i—and refiored Mankind to the Favour of their Malcer, upon moft reafoH^bli Conditions.— Axidi that all fuch as do believe in him, might be affurcd of this— G(?i raifed him the third Day from the Dead, and Jhewed him openly. — And by this moft powerful Proof declared him to be his Son ; — and that what- ever he had faidy or done, or taught, waS agreeable to his Will and Appointment. •••^. » R(v. xiii. 8. - .<.*.. After ■PH 134 '^IHSTRUCTION Dial. 12. ■ Dial.'] After this, in the Sight of many. He efcend- edinto Heaven, and was/tf/ at the Right Hand cf God, having all Power granted him fpr the Benefit of his Church, to give eternal Life to all fuch as Jhall believe in, and obey him\-^ And loft. We believe, that this our Saviour JhaU come again at the End of the World, to judge the JJving and the Dead. Ind * You will now be fo good as to ihew « me,— what EfFefts this Belief ought to have * upon thofe that know thefe Things.' ' MJf. You cannot but perceive the power- ful Influence, which the Belief of thefe Thingi muft needs have upon every thoughtful Chri- ilian. The Perfon in whom we beheve, is the Son of the Most High God ; his true, and proper, his only begotten, and dearly be- ' Mv/5o«.— Surely, faid God himfelf, they V}Ul reverence my Son -f.— And have not Men all the Reafon in the World to reverence and obey him, fince, for us Men, and for oyr Sal- vation, he came down from Heaven,— /i* re- deem us,— tofuffer for our Sins, to declare lo us his Fs'-her's Readinefs to pardon Sinners, .—and to put us in the Way of Salvation ? , In the next Place,— we receive Jefus Chrift ior our Lord i—vfc are therefore no longer our own Majlers j— but we ai;p to do what he iiath commanded — Nor mujl we pretend if • John xvii. 2. t ^<^**' x^r. 37. ferve fervet own a Our all P 01 —He faults ' Powei He the Ti we ar< willin] Diftre By place ( dition woulc By thi howd meut Bu Airur they I ofGc repent By tirme all B ing«i for «; B'ifr'T*.*,. MiiMHMMita i^^iillSii immmm )N Dial. 12. any. He afcend- be Right hand cd him fgr the eternal Life to obey him*,-^ ur Saviour Jhali rldi to judge the 3od as to Ihew 'ought to have rhings.' ive the powe! - if thefe Thingi oughtful Chri* elieve, is the ioD i his true, and dearly be- \ himfelf, they have not Men 3 reverence and ind for oyr Sal- leaven, — to re- is, to declare lo )ardon Sinners, jf Salvation ? ive Jcfus Chrift "ore no longer to do what he we pretend it \t. xxi. 37. ferm Dial.ia. for the INDIANS. i3f ferve two Mafters^ that is, our Lord, and our ffvon corrupt Inclinations. ^ Our Lord is the Son ofGod^ and as fuch has all Power given Him in Heaven and in Earth : He is therefore able to defend us in all At faults of our Enemies •, — nor need we fear the Power of any Adverfaries of our Souls. He was made Man j— he knows, therefore, the Temptations, the Weaknejfes, the Miferies, we are fubjed to •, and will pity us, being as willing, as he is able, to help us in all our Diftrefs, when we call upon him. By his being obliged to fuffer Death in the place of Sinners,— fit learn how fad the Con- dition of Mankind was, fince xhtjuftice of God would not be fatisfied with a kfs Sacrifice. — By this alfo we fee the dreadful Nature of Sin, how difpleafing it is .0 God, and whatPunilh- ment it muft have, if it be not repented of. But then, for our Comfort, we have this Airurance,that tho' our Sins be never fo 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 RefurreSlion of Chrift, and Kx&Afcen- f,on into Heaven, our Belief in him is con- tirmed beyond any Doubt ;— and he having all Bower with God— (for that is the Mean- ing of fitting at bis Right-hand) he is able to do for us more than we can ajk or think. Ten P(JPII.H«*HUM« '■' i3y a timely Repentance? .J^-^i!^ Can you think of Judgment, and Wrath l» came, and will not this terrify you from fol- lowing your Sins ? »■ i n^u ,jf the Secrets of all Hearts, will th?,a.be y , and fVratht9 you from fol- ts, will th?,B. rai4 to ii)4^gc m\'-'' viJwch Dial! 11. JortheTNDTANS. 137- fueh Thoughts, and fuch Defigns, as will not bear the Light, and Judement of God ? Aiid, above all, confider, that you muft then be judged, not as the World judgeth of Thin^, but by the Word of God j by which, therefore, you muft refolve to live, and not according to the foolifh Opinions, and finful Cuftoms, of the World. Laltly, — This Belief hath Comforts^ as well as terrors % for tho* we (hall indeed be called to a ftrift Account, yet we are fure to be heard with Favour, and treated with Companion, if our Cafe will bear it : — For He who knows our Infirmities,— He that died to fave us, is . to be our Judge. In one Word, you may fee, that the Son ' OF God has given Chriftians the greateft Rea- fon to love and adore him, that they might have the greateft Reafon toobey hini,and truft in him, as their Lord and Redeemer, and, . by doing fo, by him be mack happy for ever. Ind. * 1 am very thankful for what you have ■ * how told me. — But may I afk you thia^ * Queftion ;— If Chrift has redeemedC\\x'\{^\&n^^ . * arc they not then/«/lf, and out of Danger?* Mif.YtSy moft furely, if it is not their' own Fault. expiam to h,e JnJ> * I wifh you would what you mearfit by that.' Mff. It is very triie,-r-jESus Christ has rtdemed us, and rejfored us to the Favour of ■ -N ■' Godv iiirri ni-"'-'"" ■l l |i|.l. ! ll. i| . |i U ii ll|i| i - V«8 ^« Instruction Dial. 12. God. But then it is upon Condition, that fmce we know God,and what he has done for us, we Rlorify him by our Deids, ^^ well as by our %^ords'r-^ut if Men call themfelyejChnftians, Tnd yet will not obey him in th^^^Pradlicc, he deals with them as he did with the H^^/to ; he frives them up to a Mnd void of J^fg^"*^ , » to follow the Defires of their own Hearts, by which they will be ruined for ever. And this is the Reafon why you fee fo many even among Chriftians,- upon whom neither the Fear of an A' mighty and juft God, .-not the Love of Chrift liis Son. who has laved them, has any Power to keep them m their Duty.— And altho' thiy have had the Holy Spirit to Mrea, fanfiify, and g(fl:ern them, yet him they ^'^^^ ^"i t^'' Z^^^\ Sins, and forced him to forfake them, fo that they commit all Iniquity with Greedmejs t- • 1 , .... Ad * You will now be fo good as ttJ let > tne know what Chriftians believi contfcrn- '■* ing the Holy Ghost.* '■ Mtff. I have already fliewn, that, before Tesus Christ afcended into Heavenj--He promifed his Difciples to fend another Divine Ferfon, the Holy Ghost, to fupply his Plaee and Prefence with them.— Accordingly, this HolySpirit dcfcended upon them m amolt wonderful manner, and enabled them tolpeak • Rim. u 28. t ^^'<^' jjU Dial.; all Lai which which for th« He of Chi ofCh whole thol Chrifl ought All one Bi and, one ' Body T( mife( Repc Ti mad< from Acc( after Har Bue m3Siiimmiii^mmltt& tK^ftnH r Dial. 12. on, that fince one for us, we ell as by our resChriftians, rPradlicc, he the Heathevj -, rf Judgfftent *, vn Hearts, by ver. y you fee fo —upon whofti -andjuftGod, Son, who has keep them in have had the % and gdtern 3y their wilful e them, fo that ^eedinefs -f. good as tb kt lelievi concfcrn- n, that, before Heaven,— ^He another Divine fupply his Place ccordingly, this 1 them in a moft sdthemtofpeak all Dial. II. for the INDIANS. 139 allLancuagesi as alfo to remember thcTruths which -thrift had taught, and the Works which he had done, and to write thj-m truly for the Benefit of Mankind. , , ^ _ , He alfo amfted and direfted the Apoftles of Chrift to lay the Foundation of the Society of Chriftians, which are now fpread over the whole Earth, and are called The Holy Ca- THOLicK Church, becaufe it confifts ot Chriftians of allNationS and Languages, who ought all of them tb be holy. ': All Chriftians, thus dedicated to Qjod, are one Body^undtr one Head, THE hoRvCaKisn and, asfuch, are obliged to hold Commumon one with another, as Members of the fame Body ought to do. ... To every Member of this Society is pro- mifed xhcForgivenefs 6f Sins, upon his true Repentance, and Return to his Duty. To this Church the fame Holy Spirit has made known, that all Men fhall rife again from the Dead yNith their own Bodies, and give Account of their own Works, --And that after this will follow an everlafitng Uje ot Happinefs or Mifery. Ind, * Will you. Sir, now b6 pteafed to •make me underftand, what are the natural • Fruits of fuch a Faith, and what fuch a Bc- " lief obliges Chriftians to do ? ' ' " %m Remember then,— That the Hor.r mm mmm mmmm 140 :^« Instruction Dial. ij. Ghost is he, to whom, with the Father and the Son, all Chriftians are dedicated in Bap- tifm •,— that it is this Holy Spirit who is to fit Men for Heaven and Happinefs ;— wiiich he docs,--by convincing all fuch as are .hich^^^^^^^^^ aftuate andinfluence them.— And it was our Lord's Defign, that all Believm all that pro- feffed hiVRe1igion,fhould beadmit^d to the Wation ff this 5,.W/, and fo be made Members of this Common Body, by the ba aament of Baptism, and receu^e continual Sence from the fame Spirit by eati^/nd drinkinc^ in the Sacrament of the Commumoncj his Body and Blood, or what we call the ^^BT^he'c^^'urcH then is -ant the whole Multitude of thofe Perfons, ^^^cther 7«.'^ o Gentiles, that do embrace ^"^ Prc^eft d Chrittian Religion, and are join d togethe by the Means of thefe Sacraments, in one Dial. 1 Body Cht.is throug up of Ind. * Chut Mil; SAL, 1 the C Word throug mon t theW where ever t thiit 0) THOL Th MemI the gr — toi imme a rctt cut 0^ As Perfo whici Socie the I. and i whetl '"nm^tirirf I *" "•"''^ ■ fiUlMinWiiMll^ : Dial. 12. •ly Scripnire, r Lord Jefus • whole Will ion was con- s which were :hriftian Re- taught to the lisAPOSTLESi Writing by [It amongft us nent.— It was ho ftiould em- 3uld be united is Head Jesus Body by the , which fhould fVnd it was our 'J, all that pro- idmitted to the nd fo be made dy, by the Sa- :eive continual , by eating and be Communion cf at we call the eant the whole >vhether Jev}S or uid proiefs die join'd together raments, in one Body Dial. T2. fot^ the INDIAl^S. 14^ Body or Society, under one Head Jesu*; ChTvIST.— — ^This Church was to extend throughout all the World, and to be made up of all Nations. ' t-rt ^ Ind. ' Pray what is meant by the CathoUck * Church r Miff. By Catholick is meant Univer- sal, lb that whenever we name of fpeak of the Catholick Church, we mean by thofe Words, the whole Multitude of Chriftians throughout the World, that profefs the com- mon Faith, and enjoy the Adminiftration of the Word and Sacraments.— All thefe People wherever they live, or by what Name io- ever they call themfclvcs, make up together that one Body of Chrift, which we call the Ca- tholick Church. The Church is called holy, becaufe every Member of that Society obliges himfelf, by the gracious Afiiftance cf God's Holy Spirit, to be holy. — He that is not fo, or does not immediately repent, and become fuch, is but a rotten Member, and is in Danger of being cut off. As to the Communion cf Ba'mls :— As every Perfon owes fomething to the Society of which he is a Member, fo efpecially in the Society of ChriRians> every one is bound, by the Laws of the Gofpel, to ufe the Talents and Advantages, which God has given him, whether of Knowlege and Learningy or Power, -■> QX i^tmmmf 144 ^/i Instruction Dial. 12. or Ricbis, or Grace, for the Good of the Vhole Body :-To pray for them i-to aflUt thofe that are in Want -.-to mftruft the Ig- norant, and them that are out of the Way j ^Mftdtoftudy the things that maktfor Peace, and for mutual Edification*. . M • You told me before, that m the • Church of Chrirt there is^ a Promife of the ♦ Forgiveness of Sins.' Miff. And a mighty Bleffing fure it is,^ That Men, who on account of their njany Sins are liable to the Difpieafure of God,-- may be affurcd, that in the Church of Chrift they will obtain the Forgiveticfs of thetr Stnt upon mod merciful Conditions j — upon a tr«e Repentance, and Return to their Duty •, — andarcadvDifpofition to forgive others, as they themfclves do hope for Forgivenefs from God. , The Resurrection of the Body, ana AN everlasting L\FE AFTER D^EATH-- Thefe are Truths which Jefus Chriit has made known to his Church :— And they are as certain as God himfelf is true. And that they may make the greater Impreffion upon your Heart, I will repeat to you the very Words of Chrift : * The Hour is com- • ingJn which all that ate in the Graves, """ • heir his Voice, and come forth j they that • have done Good, unto the Refurreftioa ot • J«.«.m. 19. ' .Lifei ever, for nc whcth Heath Ind * mai * can * vati Mj tinuc* ought - - ■""-"■■ mm itfm'iiiTBiiniiiiOTiiMifni "I /nk Saviour of the World, who by thy Croft \-/ and precious Blood hath redeemed us, fave us, we moft humbly befeech thee. — Grant that the Belief of thefc great Truths, may ever be prefent in our Minds, — That we may die from Sin, and rife again unto Righte- pwfnefs. — That we may with joyful Hearti afcend to thee, and with thee continually dwell ; That we may judge ourfelves, and that we may not be condemned, when Thou comeft to judge the World in Righte- ournefs. O Lord, grant that we may cx- pedt thy Coming wi<;h Joy, and find Mercy in the Great Day of Recompence. JmH' •I ifiL .^^.'^:^Y,i\jiii«-<"-~r^ ;«i <¥ Pii^. '. m- O 2 D I A- Mtiir^ 'liifr"-^-"^- wm ttmrnum wipitJU'iw.iiiuiijimpiuK 7i5f Commandments oti''06i>"/^tf(^>i*J explained. 148 '^» Instruction Dial, ij DIALOGUE Xlli. • "^OU told me, Sir, that my believing « j[ the Truths of the Gofpel will not * qualify me to become a Chriftian, unlefs i * promife to obey the Will of God, ahd en- • dcavour to keep his Comttiands.* MJf. I told you the Truth : — For akhb* we firmly believe, that it is only on the Ac- count of what his Son Jefus Chrift has done and fuffered for us, thstOod will pardon our Sins, arid receive us into Favour ; — yet it is On this Condition, that we repent and forfakc our Sins, and obey his Commands. ^ ^^^^^ Lid. ' I hope you will continue ydui''kihd « Inttruftions, and let me know what his PFtil * and Commands are.* * Mijf. We learn from the Holy Scriptures that when almoft all Mankind had loft the Knowlege of the true and only God, and the Way of worfhiping him, which he had ap- " . pointed, certaii and ^ convii sino£ obcyir th(^r An Chri/ii wc m; has CO t\ifi G well a the H usfrol of Sa\ Inc. * the( Ml firft KJ i itii mirnMiilail i i-iii i fl'fr i iii aMttiiMWMifciiMiliilllii .< HI I M I III ■ m\ etxl o* my believing )fpel will not ftian, unlefs i God, ahd en- ids.'-^ -i-*^-^- ■ :— Fttf akho* ily on the Ac- :hrift has done rril pardon our >ur i — yet it is :nt andforfakc lands/- -i; /i3v/ inueyoui-'kihd IV what his Will loly Scriptures, nd had loft the ly God, and the icb he had ap- pointed, Dial. 13. for the INDIANS. 14^ pointed, it pleafed him to make himfelf and his Will known again, at firft to one Man, whofc Name was Abraham *, and afterwards to Ms nioft numerous Pofterity, after he had convinced them, that he was the true and only God, by many amazing Miracles and Judg- ments upon tl^ir Oppreffors, and by deliver- ing them out of a moft cruel Bondage and Slavery. — After which, in order to preferve this Knowlege among them, and to keep them from being corrupted, he gave them certain Commands, in a manner fo dreadful and ^oni/hingy that they could not but be convinced, that they were the Commands of a moft holy, and an all-pewtrful God» in dif- obcying of whom they were fure of expofing th^felves to the greateft Punifhments. -And that thefe Commands belong to us Cbriftiansy as well as unto the People of IJ'rael, wc may be fure of,~ — becaufe Jefus Chriji )\dt& confirmed^ explained^ and /«/(?rrn Jnd. * Why do tbefe Commands begin with thefe Words, / am the Lord thy God ?* MiJ). That we may prepare our Hearts to receive his Commands, with the greateft Con- iern^ Attention^ and Reverence. When the Lord of Heaven and Earthy of Life and Death, fpeaks, fure his Creatures ' will bears and obey^ tor Confcience-fake~that is — becaufe God commands them. — The Defign of this Firft Command was,*-^ to reftore indpreferve the Knowlege of the true God ; He having a Right to be honoured, feared, and loved, as the Author of all the Good we enjoy or hope for i— — by which therefore we are forbidden to expeft ourHapv- pinefs from any other, or place our Dependence en, or excrcife our religious Fear, towards any other Being in Heaven, or on Earth. I'hc full Import of this grand Firft Com- mand is, — That we fhould have the Lord ibr our God ; and that we fhould have no other befides him. Ind. * What is it to have the Lord for our God ?' M//1 It is to think of him, ard to zvorjhip Inl •Uij » upon Care J Securi. For 1 pleafe Yo to mu. others Ind ' Lai Mi, alway his BJ every] him do all and l\ is knj M ' in fides In\ ' Lc ■-MittmiiiiiimilM mm ritt hrilMiWiriii Dial. 13- God.-"- her Gods Is begin with d thy God r ur Hearts to greatefl; Co«- id Earthf of lis Creatures :e-fake — that m.— mand was,*-^ wlege of the be honoured^ lOr of all the —by which 3eftourHap- mr Dependence ■, towards any iarth. id Fir ft Com- ive the Loan lould have no ; Lord for our ai d to worjhip Dial. 1 3 . for the INDIANS. 151- Ind. * How ought we to think of God ?' Mjf. As of an Eternal and All-ferfeSl Being, the Maker md Preserver of all Things, and our moll Gracious and Merciful Father in and through his Son Jefus Chriji citr Lord. You are forbidden by this Law to depend upon yourfelf, upon your own Labour and Care for Profperity -, — upon your Friends^ for Security \ upon your Wealth for Happinefs: — For thefe are BiefTings, only when God is pleafed to make them fo. You are alfo< by this Command, forbidden to murmur at God's Dealings with yourfelf or others j for he is Lord of All. Ind. * What is further commanded \n this « Law ?' Miff. You are hereby commanded to live always as in the Sight of God v— To pray for his Bleffing,. in publick and in private., upon every thing you undertake i — And to give him Thanks for all his Favours •,— And to do all this with the Heart, as well as xht Ups and bodily Gejlures ;— For whatever you thinks is known to Him, as well as what you/peak. Ind. ' What is the other Thing included ' in this Commandment ?' :•*; Miff. You are forbid having any other, be- fidesthe Lord, for your God. Ind. ' Is there any other God, befides the ' Lord ?' O 4 ^¥- '•k warn tjmtmt fmmm. miimm m wm 152 ^Instruction Dial. 13. Mtf. •— No, tliere is not j nor doc». this Commandment at all fuppofe that there is. Bat, when thefe Commandments were deli- vered, the World generally believed in, and worfliipped, other God:- befides the Lord, who was almoft utterly forgotten by them — And therefore it was highly neceffary, that the Greai God of Heaven and Earth Ihould, in the Firft place, caution his People, and, in them, all future Generations, againft this Folly, Impiety, and Idolatry, WJ-f- U-i m This following was t'le Second Command : II. Thou jQ-ialt not make to thyfelf any graven Image, nor the Likenefs of any thing that is in Heaven above, or in the Earth beneath, or in the Water lender the Earth : Thou fhalt not bow- down to them, nor worfhip them ; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and vilit the Sins of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Gene- ration of them that hate me; and (hew ,-'.i,i-.MiiJl«ta,..^.:^i»^ifc_. ■ .— :. ,^^j, f^ f-^ m^fim& ii imi^i, iiin i|i| iT ;fP«^<»w»l^*^"^ ■^•^inii Dial. 13. doer this at there is. Is were deli- in, and |s the Lord, by them — cefiary, that ^arth fbould, ople, and, in againft this Command : make to fiage, nor iig that is the Earth Iter vender t not bow- hip them; Jod am a he Sins of Children rth Gene- ; me; and fhew Dial. 13. for the INDIANS. 153 fhew Mercy unto Thoufands, in them that love mc, and keep my Corpmandments. ' *ifMoA'j:'Ji:ibi\ >j 1 h to .tK>fiqixliwv(r I,id. * You will be fo good as to let me * know the Meaning and Reafon of this * Command.* Mif You muft know then, through th« Suggeftions of the Devil^ moft Nations had been led into a vile Cuitom of rcprefenting and worlhiping God by Images ; by which they came to have mean and unworthy Thoughts of the Divine Majefty, as if he were like any of his Creature*. Now, by this Command, God has forbid^ all that love and fear him, even to aflempt t<>reprefent him by any Image or Picture, or to worihip him before fuch j and this on pain of his moft high Difpleafure upon them, and their Pofterity, who fhall difobey this Com- mand i— promifing an efpccial BJefling td them, and their Children, who fhall take care to worfliip him as he has commanded. Iftd. ' What is the Pcfiti've Duty required * of us in this Commandment ?' Miff. You are to worfmp God^ after a Man- ner fuitable to his Spiritual N-.turc •, — Gcd is a Spirit, and they that worjhip himmttft iksT' Jbip him in Spirit and in Truth * : — That j& to * ^oifn iv. -4. nam Hgj^,,^.. ,-^ . , .■.„...,,,.,ii... ,..^^.^...,^.J IfWmMIPIPMIfpWH m^^m mmm ^//Instruction Dial. I J. Purity of If4 fay, — with Sincerity y Love^ and Heart ; — with the Inward Devotion and Fe^ - vor of the Mind, without which the Outv^ird Exercifcs of Prayer and Adoration will be of no Worth. „ Ind. * How muft I behave myfelf in God s * Houfe and Prefcnce .«" Mif Confidcr ferioiidy That you go to Church to afk fuch Things, which you can- not want without being milerable — Therefore your Behas our muil be fuch, as may be apt to procure in ourfelf and others, a great Regard for God, and an humble Opinion of yourfelf — You muft with great Humility afk God s Pardon and Blefling, and praife him for his Works and Favours. — You muft carefully attend to what is read and explained to you out of the Scriptures — For it is the PFord of God. And then you will return home with God s Blefling upon your/t//, your Family^ and your Labours. Ind. * Doth the Command afford any fur- * ther Inilruction ?' ^i£\ Yes.— I: fliews us, That the Piety of Parents Iliall be remembered for the Good of their Children, to many Generations : That the belt Portion Children can receive from tlieir Parents, is God's Blefling : The prefcrv ought fpcak c withov Ind ' whic of C they fl Attent Autho -i iini«fiiiii"iirli>ni iHMMi tt^^mHtmimit, Dial. I J. Purity of in and Fe- - ic Outv':,rd Dn will be ;lf in God's hat you go ch you can- : be fuch, as and others, an humble jr a(k God's him for his what is read Scriptures— e with God's i/7y, and your brd any fur- lat the Piety for the Good erations : n can receive sfling: Atid Dial.13. forthelNDIANS. tjj; And that fuch Parents as are not careful to love God, and to keep his Command- ments, do leave Calamities to their Polic- rity. The 'third Command is this : III. Thou flialt not take the Name of the Lord thy God iw vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guiltlefs, that taketh his Name m vain. The Intent of this Command is,-— '^ prefervethe great Regard which all Men ^ oueht to have for God, forbiddiig them ta • fpeak of him, or even to ufe his holy Name, without Fear and Confideration. Ind. ' What are the neceffary Occafions ' which Men have to make ufe of the Name * of God?' ^. ,. ... Mil]'. Firft, when they worihip him, wnii^n they (liould llrive to do with Reverence and Attention. Secondly, when by a lawful Authority they are obliged to take an Oath. And laftly, when they fpeak ot God, or of any thing that belongs to him, upon any. ferious Occafion. Ind. • Why are People obliged to take an ' Oath before a Magiftrate V MiJ. wmiftHstiM irTilliltft'llMtTlltfi tvMMWwMiwMipipmiqpMpppiniwir 156 ylfelNSTRrcTroN Dial. I ^. Miff. It is to put en ErJ to Strife amcngp Men i it being God's Pleafure, that the "Truth fhould appear, and yufiice\be done to every one.— Now the likelieft Way to come to the Truth is this»— To put Men in mind, when they are going to fwear,— That they arc in the Prefence of that Great God, who has declared,— r^^/ a Curfe Jhall enter into the Ihufe of him that fw^aretb faljly by bn Name to confume it *. Which is, furely, fut- ficient to oblige every Man, who believes and fears God, to /peak the whole Truth, end no- thing hut the Truth, as they hope to efcape that Curfe, and God's Vengeance.— As tor thofe who out of an evil Cuftom do/w.wr or curfe, hlafpheme, or fpcak lightly of God, fuch Pcrfons have no other Choice, bu t Ke- tent am t and Amendment , or Damnation.-—^ And where thefe Sins are become common, and are not punifhed, that Nation and People may expeft public and heavy Judgments to fall upon themt- r . c Ind. * What is the Meaning of that CJC- * preflion. The Lord will not hold him guilt- Miff. The Meaning is, that this Sin flaall certainly be punifhed, and that in a manner more dreadful than Words can exprefs •, how- ever common it is, and little regarded. Ditt. li « Law i Mff, Matters People i and rev vice. We ? ZecL V. 4, t 7f- xxiu- »o- ^^'^ "• * Ind. iltl i ilff"^-"-^" '-^''•''■-"•*^ *■• ""•'i'^' 'r'W'i'MMItit '"I '■■ nliWHwi i Dial. 1 5. Hfe ainomfl •e, that tne [be dona to ay to come en in mind, -That they God, who // enter into faljly by bis , furely, fuf- hclicves and ttthy end no- pe to efcapc ce. — As for I dofw^ar or :ly of God, ice, but Re- nnation. ' ■ [\e common, ?M and People adgments to of that Ex- jld him guilt- this Sin (hall ; in a manner xprefs ; hoW' jarded. Mal.u. X. Jnd. Diail. 13. for the INDIANS. 157 • Ind. * What are w» commanded in this * Law ?• Mf, To fpcak of God, and of religious Matters, aftfr fuch a ferious manner, that People may learn to have the moft dpvout and reverent Thought* of Him, and his Ser- vice. Wc come now to the Fourth ComtmnJ ' IV. Remember that thou kec^ holy the Sabbath-Day : Six J )ays ilialt thou labour, and do all that thou haft to do ; but the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou (halt do no manner of Work, thou, and thy Son, and thy Daughter, thy Man- fervant, and thy Maid-fervant, thy Cattle, and the Stranger that is within thy Gates ; for in Six Xhy-is the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that in them is, and refted the Seventli Day : Wherefore the Lord blelled the :\ aliiiltiiiiiiiHitiM (/ ■yWJ-iJi 4l<^ 1 ^% ' ' '^^h U R T R U C T 1 N Dial, i r^ the Seventh Day, and hallowed It. /«^ • You will be fo good as to fliew me « the Reafon and Intent of this Command, MifT. Remember what I told yo" 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 5^- renth Day (hould be fct apart, and kept holy, in Memory and Honour of him, the Creator anil Maker of all Things. Now in Procefs of Time, thisCommand, through the Corruption of Man's Nature, be- came neglefted, and the true God forgotten, and Wic^ednefsand Idolatry incrcafed every- where, which is the miferable Cafe ot very many Nations to this Day. , , _ , . Hut when God feparated the People ot Jfrael from the reft of the Nations, he re- newed this Command, fo that the Knowlege of the only true God, the great Creator ot Heaven and Earth, has been preferved among them through all Ages. , ^ ., Jnd. * Do Chriftians obferve that Day ? MIL Chriftians do, according to the Dc- r.on of the Law, obferve One Day in Seven, which we call the Lord's Day, becuufe on that Lay the Lord Chrift our Redeemer rofe from the Dead i— And on the fame Day fentdown mm mm ^jj^^jMtf'jg m. (I i;i »N Dial. IV hallowed as to (licw me i Command,' d you before, this World in irnor of it, he , That the Se- and kept holy, m, the Creator :his Command, n's Nature, be- God forgotten, ncrcafed every- e Cafe of very the People of Jations, he re- t the Knowlege Treat Creator of referved among ^c that Day ?' ding to the Dc- eDay in Seven, beciiufe on that eemer rofe from e Day fent down the Jj^SvlFi^SrB^--'- t. >ia«t^. ■1 rm IT i»tmttMmt0VSm Mifi WtVMffW fc M V ^ /i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 \ ^H-^S^lSS .lW^rMSJHPw|*fflWi^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Instltut Canadian de microreproductions historlques %'^yu wmmmiinff' Dial.13. for the INDIANS. 1J9 the Holy GhoSty to guide his Church unto the World's End ; The Jpojlks of Jefus Chrift therefore fet apart That Day, calling ii—Tke Lord*s Day. Since which* Time all good Chriltians do or fliould lay afide all worldly Bufinefs, Cares, and Pleafures, and meet together — to give public Honour to God, to ackmwlege his Powers IVifdom^ Ju- Jlice, and Goodnejs, — to praife him for the Blejfmgs he has given them,— and to pray for the Blejfmgs they want, t -uo^ ^,-v y»^ Ind. » Why are we bid in an efpecial man- * ner, to keep this Law ?' Milj, Becaufe if this Holy Day fhould be forgotten. All Religion would foon be for- gotten with it, and the very Knowlege of the true God (as it is in many Nations) would be loft amongft us, were not this Day fet apart, and Perfons appointed to bring to our Re- membrance Truths of the higheft Confe- quence both to our prefent ajid everlaftino- Interefts. ,,f, ,f,^. ,,, : ,, ,,,«: v- Ind, ' Are all bound to obferve this ' Day ?• MJ. Yes — all that can be fpared from the NiiCEssARY Bufinefs of the Family. ChiMreiiy — That they may Jcarn their Duty, and from their Infancy to tear God. Scrvan.'Sy — That tlrcy may not lorget, that they have a Mafter in 1 Icaycn. 2 And m Mrlli'iiirrti ' '"'' ' ' " " '^ *i^^^itm^ imwnpMH PPPPPHhp 160 y^« Instruction Dial. 13. And the v»-y Bejs are to reft, unlefs Ne- ccOity requires ic to be otherwife, that the WHOLE Creation may rejoice in the Mef- cies of God. ^ 1 1 Ind. • Why is it faid— Six DayJ Ihalt thou * labour?* /r'- »i' ^ . r- a Miff. To put us in mind, that it is Gott who gives us all our Tme : c xjt Tliat we are fallen from a State of Hap- pinels, and muft labour for our daily Bread : iLa/?/y,— That it is purely by God s Per- miffion', that ^e pro/per in our daily Labours ; —That therefore we ought to ferve him truly all our Days. ^ ,»4. Ind * How is the Lord's Day profan d ? Mif. By ncgle6ling to go to the Place yNhcrt ihc Great God \%publickly worfhiped •, by neglefting Family and private Devotion; by not meditating upon, and recoUedhng in -private, what we are taught, or pray for, m public ;-by Idlenefs, and trifling Converfa- fion i—unneceflary Buftmfs and Journeys i— and by vain Sports and Gaming, unbecoming the Serioufnefs of the Day, and of Chriftia- "' \nd * It is well, if too many Chriftians « will not think this a hard Command, and * neeled it, when they muft lofe fo much * Time, in which they might increafe their * Wealth, or enjoy their Pleafures.* DI; mar the: 'mm iti- it.' M i tff. iii .M»i""ii iiTiiilii i giiti M afi'irf'^^'^''-'-"- >^■'««i.iM a iMS1llalli^..l' .■ fl!iiL | H»ii i l|l!mi.j| ii Hr" r Dial. 13. % unlefs Ne- ifc, that the in the Mcf- jyj (halt thou [it it is God ;ate of Haj>- daily Bread : y God's Per- aily Labours i ;rve him trufy ly profan'd ?* to the Place 'y worfhiped •, ate Devotion i recoUedting in r pray for, ia ling Converfa- \ Journeys i— r, unbecoming d of Chriftia- any Chriftians ommand, and lofe fo much L increafe their ifures.* L ,. imv ipiu iffinipiw^f^ pr^^vnvippvvanPMW Dial. i^. forihe JlSIDIANS, \6t Mijf. They muft be Chriftians then of very lictle Knowlege and Faith i— and do not con- fider the Power and the Promifes of God, and cf his Son *, to make them fufficient Amends for the Lofs of thf.ir own and their Servants Labour. And efpecially when the Refpite ot One Day in Seven would enable their Ser- rants to perform the Bufmefs of the other Six Df^ys with more Chearfulnefs and Vigour. Thefe'^our Commands have refpcdl: to God^ and the; Honour due to him. — The Six foU lezving concern our Neighbour, and the Peace and Welfare of Mankind in general* Ind. * You will be pleafed to lee me know * what they are.' i,,... 1^. , . ,, Miff. Remember what I have at prcfcnt told yoAi, and the next Time you come, I will explam to you the reft of the Com- mands : — In the mean time pray to God i» the following Words. *» V'^^fci- The PRAY E R. OGOD, who alone art worthy of ouf Love, give me Grace that I may never forget Thee, nor thy glorious Perfedtions y but that I may ferve Thee according to thy Word, in Sincerity and godly Fear ; — That I may never mention thy facred Name with- out Revcren<;c ; — That 1 may not fpend thy Holy Day in Vanity and Idkncfs, nor 2n a> 5 Mat/,ti. 33, P cuftoin- ,. t .< 1 »>M (fl r » <»■.. . ^IH-.^...^- - :»:^:, ,..„., ^^„'.,>i^my. I p|i j i|. i i| i . i j |i _i ipiw^wmpwaiaiwp mmmm^m i6i y^« Instruct ION Dlal.i4i cuftomary Attendance at thy Houfe only •,— but that I may lerve Thee with my Soul, as well as with my Body, through Jcfus Chntt our Lord. Jmen. -M-i IxtA— ^-^^"^^^ ' ; P I A L O G U E XIV. .'.^ ^3 -,,,,;.-> Tart ii- J^^..^^.^ ,,,^1 . . ' - Mian. '■-^■^^^^^.'^' « T Am come to defire you to explain to me * X t^o^^ Commands that relate to my Duty * to my Neighbour.* ^,1, ^ Mjftonary. The f^//^ Cow«^««^.iM»?»s).,^^,( V. Honour thy Father and tffy Mother, that thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. r.,„„ ^nY m^ Ind * 1 beg you will explain thefe Com- * mands to me, and let me know the Defign * of them.* , , ^ = ** ^^ MJ. The Defjgn of this Fifth Command j. --ro teach us, from our very Childhood, to fhew Honour and Obedience to our Parents ; that when we grow up, we may know hovr to jrefpea and honour all who are our Betters vj- iiiitiiiiiitiir"'"-"- Mi(iiiiaiaii i i * iii t< i »'« i >nr i t !iiUa»i>* r Dliil.i4i )ufe only •, — ■ my Soul, as Jcfus Chrift XIV. t ••i^ mvi-yAj^.- ^^rw ^^ explain to me tc to my Duty Wi/is this:^_ ler ana thy ^s may be h the Lord m thefc eom- iiow the Defign Fifth Command ery Childhood, to our Parents ; ly know hovr to ; our Betters V — . that Dial.i4. for the INDIANS. i/^j that Subjetls may honour their Governors \ Servants may obey their Majicrs; and all may love and efteem their Spiritual Pcjicrs nnd Teachers.— And the Peace and Good of the World do To much depend on the Dif- cliarge of thefc Obligations, that God for Fn- couragement hath promifed an efpecial Bleff- ing to fuch as Hiall nUCcrvp them faithf'j]!". M. * Why is the Duty of Children 'to * their Parents only mentioned ?' Mijf. Becaufe that is a Duty firji learned, and beji underftood -.—Children very natu- rally love their Parents, and are generally kept in Subjeftion by them ; and therefore when they are commanded fo to honour Others, as they do their Parents, they eafily know what That meaneth, and will more rea- dily pay the Duties owing to all their Supe- riors. Ind. *■ Hovi mu^ I honour my Father and * Mother ?* MiJf. You muft in all lawful Things chear- fully fubmit to them, be careful nor to o-rieve " them by ftubborn or evil Courfes : You mud fbcw them all due kefped, and thank- fully acknowlege their Kindnefs to yofi ; har with- their Infirmities, — hide their Fail- ings,— -/a^A» their Wants, — and pray for i their prefent and everlafling Happinefs : I Which if you do, in Obedience to the Com- ^ 2 ,r mand iiffiMftilRfeS 164 y^« Instruction Dia.\. H- mand of God, you may expe6t to live to i.c ^';r*'XUrid\LbernyDutyr m(r. 'The Duty of Parents is, to bring up their Children in Obedience, and m the Fear of Godv--To take care, that they be in- ftrufted in true Religion .^To provide for them Dv au jawiui ». ";-> -- ,,. corSa them Nvhen they fay or do Ihings whkh are amifs ,-To be i^..;p/« to theni of Piety, Sehriety, and Di//^^ '| VI. Thou iCiiigii^tmiiatiiitm atiitUlM DIal.i4» fhould walk you when lU may do es in Word h to anfwer )ur?* :)rs, by rea- Leaniing, — m you muflr hi^h- minded y o be fpokc nt their Af- of the Pro- fuch as keep hem in the a Means of contrary, — Mother, the ■that isjthis :n into fuch n unnatiwail. Dial.14. for the INDIANS. 167 VI. Thou {halt do no Murder. This is the Sixth Command ; — and is in- tended to fecurc the Life of every Man from the Malice, Revenge, and Vicleme of otiiers. — This is a Sin mod odious to God, and a fare Vengeance has been frequently obfcrved to follow thofe who fend Men out of the World, by a violent Death, fooncr than God and Nature intended. — And for the fameRea- fon we are not to fhorten Mens Lives by 0/>- preffion, Injujiice, or any other evil Dealings \ — for a Man may be murdered, and his Heart broken, by thefe, as well as by Violence •, — as alfo by Intemperance, Gluttony, and Drunk' tnnefs. — By thefe we may fhorten our own, or other Peoples Lives, which is abfolutely forbidden by this Precept. Self-murder is alfo forbid by this Comm;\nd; for confider, That the Great God, the Maker of all Things^ has affumed to Himfelf the Power end Lordjhip of Life and Death. — * I kill, ' and i make alive *.' — 'Tis God fends us in- to the World, and //(?expefts, that we fliould wait his Will, to fend us out of it. — He has the only Right to determine'the Time of our Continuance in it, and when we fhall re- move out of it : — And it is a grofs Invafion cf that Divine Right and Prerogative^ for us f D(ut. xxxii. 31;. to mmm •w^* wmmm^'mm^ tmm j68 y^wlNSTRUCTION Dial. T 4. to appoint the Time for ourfelves, without His Order, and contrary to the Rules He has oiven us for our Govcrnmeiu.--As this Aaion is highly criminal in the Sight of God, fo remml^er, that ;vhoever is fo hardy as to commit it, lends himfelf out of the World ^vith the Guilt of a wilful Sin.-And a wilful Sinner, thus dying impeniteni has no Hopes c Salvation : And this is a dreadful Confider- ^'^Thcre are feveral other Praftices, too com- mon in the World, which have a Tendency to this Sin of PAurder, and which, m fonje mcafure, partake of the G«(/^ of it, tho the Sinner himfelf does not inttndViolence againlt his own Life : Farticularlv ih^xtpernicms and fatal Cullom of drinkmg Rum, Gin, and other Spirituous LiqyoRs, which kills, every Year, many noufands of the lo'u^et Part of Mankind. This is a Praftice which YOU muft abhor, as you would do Potjon it- lelf • for fo itaftually is in its Confequence. Itis'highly to bewiil^ed, that the Cover h- ORS of every Country would have a llrit^ Eye to the bold Encroachments ot this ter- rible Delboyer, by which jl many make tkm- . felves away, and remove it at lead out o th- Reach of the labmous, indujlnm, and ufeful Parr of Mankind. , Ind. ' What is the Duty required in this * Commandment ?'. _ .. - Di: llet Ha Ac i i i ii i iii i ii r i lrf i iiMii - •"'• "• ----"■ -'--^ nnmwmivp ; Dial. T 4. ves, without lulcs He has lU.— As this jightofGod, hardy as to f the World, -And i wilful s no Hopes of [ful Cuifider- ices, too com- e a Tendency liich, in fome of it, tho' the iolence againft I pernicious and JM, Gin, and which kills, of the loiijet Praiftice which i do Poifon it- ? Confequence. ; the GovERN- i have a ilritft nts ot" this ter- t^«y make tkni' at leaft out of indujirisuSt and required in tWs Dial. 14. for the INDIANS. 16^ Mijf. It is your Duty, as much as in you lleth, — To live peaceably with all Men • •,— — To avoid the Company of angry, paHIonatc, and contentious People \'-'To driver the Op- prejfed f j — 'To he merciful to fuch as are in Mifery ; — To forbear and forgive one another | \ — And be well pleafed with the Welfare and Happinefs of Ail Men. yil. Thou flialt not commit Adultery. This is the Seventh Command. In order to undcrftand theReafon of this, you muftknow, tliat God, at the Beginning of the World, did appoint Marriage, for the Increafe of Man- kind, and for the Society, Help, and Comfort of a Man and his Wife. — Now you cannot but obferve the great Goodnefs of God in commanding, on pain of his Difpleafurc, That neither the Man, nor his Wife, ihould be un- faithful to the Marriage-bed ; — which would occafion infinite Troubles and Calamities in Families, and, after all, a very bitter Repent- ance, or Damnation. — By virtue of this Com- mand we are likewife bound to abftain from h'ornicationy and from all manner of Leivd- >iefsy IVantonnefsy and Debauchery \ from all lafcivieus Actions, immodcft IVords^ and im* . * Rom. xii. 1 8: f P'ov. xxii. 24. t Efhef. iv. 33.— iiiinf^-"*'^-'^" ^-'i 'l ^ ' gJHP! ,70 ^« Instruction Dial.14. and Jdultery. VIII. Thou (Irak not fteal. This is the EM ^^'"^^"/•-^f^,^^^^^^ tended by a R'S^^^^^^^^^^^ V k hav ng de- everv Man what is his own i— ^!^,^ X Lv/"^ clared Thai a Curfe M enter tnto the Ho f nfaM and a Robber, even to unfme tt oj a 1 mcj aruA, perlons mult ond wh ch IS worlt ot all, men ^^"" ,, nor Vrea to go to Heaven, but to Hell. / J' How^is this Command turther tranf- ^ZreXin Goods knowingthem to be ftolen i,f all fuch Deeds i . t I Tkef. iv. 6, ai »Z«A.v. 4' iCw.vi. 10. •■'-^'^^'■^ )N Dial. 14* : has any Tend- es of Whoredom Lot fteal. ji;— Andis in- d, to fecure to —He having de- ter into the Houfe n to xonfunie it * i ach Perlbns mult , but to Hell, and further tranf- , which is a bafe J -but by Op- of found Goods, thcmtobeftolenv lunning of Goods, :h as we know are ig'sCuftom is not of their Rights by Power, Intereft, ich are Crimes too ; who never expcA reach of this Com- \ furely the Avenger t I 7bef. iv. 6, Inl Dial. 14. for the INDIANS. 171 Ind. * What is required of us, that we * may keep this Law ? ' Mijf. It is your Duty to be diligent in your CalUng, that you may be able to Jive without taking unlawful Ways ; to be careful of what God has given you, left, having vainly or wickedly throv/n it away, you be tempted to live by Deceit : To be contented with your Condition, be- lieving, Thai better is a little with Righteouf- nefs^ than great Revenues without Right * : Laftly^ To depend upon God's good Pro- vidence, which takes care of all Creatures, and will certainly reward the honeji poor Man, who chufes to l>egy if he cannot labour^ rather than Jleal Ind. * What is the Duty of one who is fen- ' fible of his Sin, and forry that he hath ' broken this Law ? ' MiJf. He muft confefs his Sin unto God, and, if he can poflibly do it, be miiji make Amends to the Per/on he has wronged f . And this is that which makes this Sin fo very hard to be repented of; becaule, thro' Shame or Stubbornnefst People will not mair any thing I of thefe Cm- Defign of God, ; Reftraint upon s, which are all to covety that is, hich is another's v/illing to part re, through the s too often been it to get what we olence.'—So kind the very Begin- leari *. an defire to buy > it, provided the it, and that he is ;ie is not willing, , is a Sin againft GaMINGi Dial. 14. for the INDIANS. 175 Gaming is certainly a Violation of the Tenth Command. It is a Vice that has always its Root in Covetoufnefs, and which in its greedy Wiihes devours its Neigh- bour's Hotifes and Lands, and every thing elfe that is his. This Sin is often found to go (till further, to bring Men at laft to downright Stealing, Robbery, and Murder ; — and when the near Profped of Death obliges thefe wretched Creatuieb to confefs the Evil of their Ways, it may be oblerved, that a Caution againft. this abominable Vice of G<2w/«f, always makcs^ one Part of their dying Admonitions, as :r hath always been one main Road that led them to that miferable End. Jnd. * What does this Law recjuirc ?' Miff. ThatyoH keep your Heart with all DiL- gence^ becaufe out of it proceedeth all manner of IVickednefs, i Kings xxi. Prov. iv. 23. That you be contented with your own Lot, as that which is appointed you by a wife and jufl: God. - . Laftly, — That you fct God always before you, who feeth the very Secrets of your Heart, and will punilh all i^s finful Lulls and Appetites. Ind. ' I am convinced, Sir, of the Truth ' of what you told me before, — That thefe » Commands of God are holy, jujl, and good, ' and neceflary to keep the World in Order.' - . 0.4 M/T Mlll'nurli MMi II niMi*m i imtm i »v\ihi:ISm t i ^ nn»mii i m i i 1 1 i j.l i imn. ■i—wwyi ij i . i ,),j iiii w irwaiii^w*wpCT^w«i»wp^" -" *-"■'— - ^ iy6 ^,7 Instruction Dial. 14. Miff. But I muft tell you befides, — That by thefe Commands^ as they have been ex- plained by Jeius Chrift, and his Apoftles, we muft all ht judged at the lalt Day to Happi- nefs or Mifery -, thefe being the Foundation of the Duty which Men owe to God, to their Neighbour, and to thcmfelves. ind. » Are thele Duties hard to be under- * ftood and remember'd ? ' Miff. You fliail judge yourfelf, when I have repeated them to you, which I will do •the next time you come to me : In the mean ' jjUBe ufe the following Prayer. ^ The PRAYER. OPEN mine Eyes, O Lci^, that I may fee that thy Law is bfe, juft, and good, and that I may keep itl»ith my whole Heart ; that I may love and honour all thofe whom thy Providence hath made my Betters ; That 1 may do Violence to no Man -, — That 1 may abhor all unchafte De- fircs, Words, and Aftions ;— all Deceit and OpprefTion-, all the Evils of a lying Tongue, all covetous Defires, and firft Be- ginnings of Sin. • • . ■. Lord, have Mercy upon me, and write all thefe Laws in my Heart, I moft humbly be- f jech thee. Amm. ■ ' - '"'^ " "^ D I A- kiBiiili »PU.J »i j i .i wi wiuy .) i iy I i m »wmi)w p, w w MU N Dial. 14. ;fides, — That ave been ex- lApoftles, we lay to Hnppi- le Foundation God, to their d to be under- irfelf, when I hich I will do : In the mean R. jd, that I may |jr, juft, and with my whole md honour all lath made my Violence to no 1 unchafte De- -all Deceit and vils of a lying i, and firft Be- e, and write all oft humbly be- D I A- Dial. If. for the INDIANS. ijj .si*T— ^:i4 -'•« '-■■*?'- -*- ' DIALOGUE XV. ai.:ij-is Viify tG'wards God explained. •;. Indian. • /T^HE laft time I was here, you pro- * X mi^eti to explain to me what was my » Duty to God.* '"' ,, . . • i-no-i^^ Mijfionary. Your Duty to Gcd'xs, '', T, ., !,; . To believe in him, to fear hiiri^ to love him, with all your I%.art, with all your Mind, with all your Soul, and with all your Strength : To worfliip him, to give him Thanks, to put your whole Truft in him, to call upon him, to honour his Holy Name, and his Word, and to ferve him truly all the Days of your Life. Now this fhould be fix'd ftrongly in your Memory, fo as never to be forgot v and it will dired you, on all Occafions, how to live fo as to plcafe God :— — «Thefe Words often » repeated, muA^ >iaiii[i "* •"" wtrim 178 y^/j Instruction Dial.i^. repeated, and imprinted upon your Memory, will alfo awaken your Confcience, when at any time you do amifs, that you may repent, and amend, and obtain Forgivencfs of your Sin, through God's infinite Goodncfs and Mercy, and the Merits of our Lord Jeius Chrift. ^ , J u Ind. * —Is a Chriftian's Duty hard to be * underftood?* , . , • u Miff. By no means •,— Religion being the Bufinefs of all Utu.-^A phiin Man, if he is well difpoled, may know his Duty, and be sible to perform it, as well as the greateft ^^/wjf* This is a comfortable Truth : Pray « make me fenfible of it.* Miff. Do not you fee, that all neceffary Knowlege licth in a very narrow Compafs ? Your Duty to God,— and to your Neighbour, is contain'd in a few Words, very eafy to be underftood and remember d, where People truly believe in God, and hear- tily defire.to be faved. Ind. ' Then I truft I (hall not perilh -, tor « / do believe in Gtf^,— and 1 heartily wilh to < be faved.' . Miff. You muft not be deceived ma Matter of fo great Moment. It may be you do not believe in, nor fear, nor love God with M your Heart, tho' you are perfuaded y*^"'^^' - -Ind. wAlMllliSaMli^^iliiM l^jlfg, fdum imm N Dial. J 5. rour Memory, :nce, when at •u may repent, /enefs of your Goodncfs and ir Lord Jefus uty hard to be gion being the I Mort^ if he is , Duty, and be as the greateft e Truth: Pray at all neceffary •row Compafs ? -and TO YOUR 1 a few Words, ind remember'd^ God, and hear- not perilh ; for heartily wilh to deceived in a c. It may be 'nr, nor love God >u are perfuaded Ind. Dial. 15. fortbe INDIANS. 179 Ind. * Can you. Sir, direft me how to » know for certain, when I do, or do not • my Duty?' MJf. You muft confult your Life to know this, -and compare your Way of Living with thefe Rules of your Duty. Ind. * I wi(h you would fliew me how, by * fomc Inftances.' Mijf. Your Duty is to believe in God j — that is, to keep thefe great Truths in your Mind,— That God is moft Powerful, molt Hofyy Jujly Merciful, and Good \ and that • none of our thoughts. Words, or Anions, can be hid from him; that therefore his Difplcafure is more to be fear'd than all Things i — and that his Love and Goodnefs to us require all poflible Acknowlegements on our Part. Now you will very eafily fee, that you do not fear God as you ought, if you are more afraid of Men than of God •,— or if you wil- fully do any thing which he has forbidden, or which you know will difplcofe him -, — or laftly, if you do not immediately rif^w; when you have done amifs, and return to your Duty. Nor muft you fay, that you love God, if you do not often think of him, of his Mercy and Goodnefs, and of the Happinefs he has promifed to them that love him; — if you do not take Delight in doing what you believe will pleale him— rejoice to fee him obey'd liUkM aHMMttiliM ■^IPBBBP— ■"'-••-•wjiwiii!! ! iwmmimmm "fwr j8o ^a/Instruction Dial. if. obey'd and honour'd, and be troubled to fee him dilhcnour'd, by his own Creatures. It may be you think Tou love God above all Things ; but if you arc not con- cern'd to keep his Laws, and angry with youifelf when you break any of them i-— then you do not love God :— For this (fays the Apoftle St. John) —is the Love cf God, thai we keep his Commandments *. ^ Ind. ' I fee it is my Duty to put my whoie « Truji in God\ but is it poflible for me to « do fo, when he fuffers me to fall into At- * flidion?' ^ - Miff. Good Men have always done fo ;— though He Jlay me, yet will 1 truft in him, faith Holy Job. Remember— 7'^'^/ ft " g3od to be in Trouble f, when God fees meet^ who otherwife, doth not delight in the Mifery of any of his Creatures. It is therefore your Duty to be patient under Afflictions ;— ■ To confider your Ways ;— To turn to God immediately, and pray that He may make the Troubles of this Life, a Means to bring you to a better. Ind. * Mull I truft in God, and believe « that he careth for me, though 1 am in Po- verty ?» M//: You muft do (o :—-Vot Riches are not always a Sign of God's Favour, nor Po- verty of his Dilpleafure. I y MliMNM^'ilMitia)** miHF ■^WiKiiiuwii I"'" N Dial. I f. :roubleJ to fee Creatures. —Tou love Cod lu are not con- id angry with of them i— — -For this (fays e Love of God^ to put my whole Qble for me to :o fall into Af- ays done fo j— 1 trufi in him^ ber — "that it is God fees meet, ht in the Mifery -It is therefore r Afflictions ;— ?o turn to God He may make Means to bring od, and believe igh 1 am in Po- -For Riches are Favour, norPif.iifci ttmmiiiltiht ,- , p ni »< m » II i i n-w » " I Ml I . umi iinnnnnwnpuwwiWfl «f» ,82 y/«lNSTRUCTION Dial. T J. Laftly, You yourfelf will ^othy,-T\^^ souhlur God's holy Name, and hts IVcrd ffvou take an Oath without 1 Uought and FeL or fpcak of God, and ot what bc- longVto him, after an idle manner, and wnh^ T^R^trence ,^ot delight in the Company Tf fX doVo.— You cannot but know. It this is not the proper Bchavjour of one who purpofes to fervc God all the Days ot ^"m"'^ I find it is my Duty to honour Ms c Holy Name, and his fVord :^Hoyf Ihall I * brine myfelf to do fo ? ' ' , m Take care never to fpeak of the Creafcod of Heaven and £.r/^, but when vou are very /m.«J. Confider often that he a Jou, aVd fo you will be apt to do what is mokfor the Honour of his Name. And if you often remember, that the Bible is ?Book given by God, to teach us ^vhat we are to telL, and how we are to hve ha we may attain eternal Happmefs v-and tha you Salvation depends upon knowing what That Book containcth •.-. you will often read it, or hear it read and explained, and whenever you do fo you wil attend to it carefully, as the Rule ot your Life •, en- deavour o follow the Diredions it givesyou. never repeat any Part of it, but to fcnous and • Toly PuVpofes; and fo you will delight in, and honour his Holy fVord, ^^^^ a lfitt>i»iiHfiBi HMMilM <N Dial. ij. lot fay .—That and his li^ord. Thought and d of what bc- iner, andw//^' I the Company inot but know, haviour of one all the Days of r to honour God*s — How fhall I fpcak of the arth, but when ler often that he e apt to do what Wame. r, that the Bible teach us what we are to livey that inefs V— and that 1 knowing what —you will often \ explained, and will attend to it )ur Life ; en- ;ions it givesyou, but to ferious and I will delight in, Ind. Dial. 15. for the INDiANS. 183 Ind. * Pray what is meant by loving God ' with all the Hearty and Soul^ and Mind^ and * Strength?* Mijf. This is for the great Comfort of fuch as fincerely ftrive to do their Duty •,— they (hall be accepted of God, tho* they at- tain not to that nigh Degree of Love and Obedience, which God himfe'.f commands in his Law, or even to that which fomc others arrive at, provided they love, and fear, and ferve God, with all their Hearty that is, as well as they are able.— GoA. will proportion their Rewards to their Endeavours. Ind. ' You fay it is my Duty to ferve him * truly all the Days of my Life. — But will not * neceflary Bufinefs hinder mc from doing fo ' much as is required of me ? ' Miff. No: — Whatever God requireth of any Man, may be done without negledling his worldly Bufinefs. One Day in Seven, you are forbid to labour : — Do what you are commanded on that Day, and fjiare a few Moments, in the Mprning and Evening of every other Day, to praife God, and to afk his Blefling:— And then, when in the Fear of God, and a juft Senle of your Duty, you are employed with boneft Induflry in your daily Labours, you are ferving God as truly, and you are as cer- tainly in the Way to Heaven, — as they who 3 arc "W" ■wpr iSi. ^«lNsTRycTioN Dial.i6. | D are at their Prayers.— ^«^ thisym may do all «^. f rTwnfyou fhew me my Duty to- vour to explain it fully to you -.-In the mean t\mt pray to God to enable you to perform your Duty to hira. ^ / - ' | The PRAYER. * - ■ f GRacious God. who alone art wortliy of all our Service, grant that I may lerye and pleafe Thee according to my Duty with all my Heart and Strength i— "That I may tlrThee Thanks, and do Thee Honour i Jnd that continuing in the Faith and Fear and Love of God. unto my L'^^ End j may be made by Him eternally haPPY* ^^^^^ the Merits of Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. DIALOGUE XyL «f|I.W|i|Pl>.4ii.iW •mmmmm^ ,86 ;^»lNsTRncTioS Dial.iC. Chaftity ;— not to covet or de- fire other Mens Goods, but to \cL and kbour to get your "^"^ ^''I'l^'r^tt of Life, unto Dutv in that btate or i^u^, ShiehitftvallpleafeGodtocall ^T «;.. ;f it would not be too Ai • Now S.r, -f t wou ^^^^^ ^^ ' V '"calt^^^'the Cod and Father of Now God bein^ i^ ^^ fg. Mankind, he would have ^^7 ^^ y,i3 ^^.w. good and hoiy w ^^ ^^^^ when he d^^-T^^^.' , i,/, /^, //,^ Seigh- this Command,-T^o« y»«" , obferved, would have a moft ^fPy^^"^oft unlearned, and be a Dire^ion to the molt iL mttmm niftiM* po«mp«iwwpp»^ )vet or de- ls, but to get your o do your Life, unto God to call 3uld not be too g you would ex- ihChriftiansowe feighbour^ that is, obferve,— That as firfi love and thy Neighbour, as •l^es -, that is, tk they ought to do od and Father of very one to be fe- eafy in his Mind, lives, and happy eafon he has given lit love thy Neigh- if truly obferved, andbleffedEflfeft* ,c moft unlearned, how Dial. i(?. for the INDIANS. 18/ how to behave himfelf to others, fo as to plcafc God *. Ind. * You will, I hope, explain this a * little more particularly.' Miff. ConfuU then your own Reafon, and you will acknowlege the Jujiice of this Com- mand — That Men (hould love and deal with others as fincerely as they would have others to love and deal with them : — And that they ihould do nothing which they themfelves would condemn as hard and unjufl, if done by another Perfon. For Example ; — your own Defire is, that all fhould rejpe£l and love you ;— that none fhould opprefs, wrong, or deal deceitfully with you ', ihould take Advantage of your Ig' norance or Necefftties j— — or fhould take te- dious, fpiteful, or expenjtve Ways to keep you from your Rights. You would have nobody to bear Malice, or imagine Evil in their Hearts againft you : — You are concerned for your own good Name and Credit.; — you grieve to be defpifed by thofe above you, as well as to be difregarded by your Inferiors-,— yoti carneftly defire your own Welfare and Pi-o- fperity, and Peace of Mind, and Health of Body. Now as you, and every Man living, is thus affe(5ted towards himfelf, fo will every Man living be condemned by God, and his ownXonfcieiKe, who does not thus * Rom, xiii, 10, R 2 deal ^jgfgggjiisimmtm !!nppnnpp^n«Mm«M« nnu i wumm,!". iHWitu ujii i luH ii 'i-M i i li w Mmm igg ^/i Instruction Dial. i6. deal with others, and aft by this (hort and ^ Men "cannot live A^ithout the Affiftance and Support of one another. Their Go- vernors proted: them.-The Concern of Pa- rents for their Children,— the Care ot Majiers for their Servants.—the Account th^tPaftors mua give of their Flock, are great and necef- farv and if all thefe are not ^r thefe love ihofe that love //fc^w.— But God fo loved f when we were Enemies to him by our evil Deeds, as to ?ive his only begotten Son to die for us; and therefore he moft reafonably requires, that we fhould love one another. ^, • • I w Ind. * How may we attain to fucb a Lhri- « ftian Temper?' Miff. YoumufttakeallOccafionsofwiIh- ing well, and doing Good, to others, con- tinually exercifing your Compaffion by re- lievine the Poor, helping fuch as are in Ui- ftrefs, comforting the Afflifted, and mourn- ins ivith them that mourn i which w»ll>^^/^« * . your , ft' ■ ■• ^ MdtfHiiiiirilMil "BWPIWPPWP? i mjy I u iMSimilW''''^ M Dial. 1 6. this Ihort and the Affiftance - — Their Go- oncern of Pa- :are of Mafters mt that Pafiors reat and necef- 3t honoured and cry Day grow dy andweour- ild be Sufferers, ed to love thofc or they are no r tbefe love ihofe loved us when our evil Deeds, on to die for us -, jnaWy requires, ^^' , . ' \ to fuch a Chri- iccafions of wifh- to others, con- mpaffion by re- ich as are in Di- aled, and mourn- rhichwill/w^^/^w your Dial. i6. for the INDIANS. i8y- your Temper, and inure you to this happy Difpofition. You muft beware of taking Pleafure in the Calamities of other Men, tho' your greateft Enemies : For that would make you in- human and hard-hearted. But, above all, confider that this is God's exprefs Command,^— 7'i'«/ we love one an- other : And it is greatly enforced by hi» amazing and condefcending Love to us. "When you have gain'd thefe good Difpo- fitions, you will find, that being obedient and dutiful to your Governors, Mafters and Bet- ters, civil to your Equals, and kind to your Inferiors, is the true Way of being eafy and happy yourfelf. Ind. ' What is my Duty, if my Neighbour ♦ fpeakcth ill of me ? * Miff. If you are indeed abufed, you ought privately to reprove him that hath done it^ and if he ihould not amend, your Duty is to bear the Injury patiently, to return Good for Evil, to forgive and to pray for him. — For fo hath Chrift exprefly commanded *. And for your Comfort confider, that, by thus freely forgiving him, you may with the more Courage and Comfort plead the gra- cious Promifc God has made of the Pardon of your own Sins -, fo that you become the * Matt. V, 44. ! . ■ '% greateft liWMrnirriii MMillifi»lll »nrfi-rt> iriiniiUBiii'fiiiii — '"• — MdaWiiHiiili (•WPPIWWW" 190 '^« Instruction Dial. 16. greateft Gainer by the Wrong that was done ind. ' But will not this encourage bad • Men to abufe their innocent Neighbours ? ' Mijf. It is probable it will not *. How- ever that be, we are not to be more con- cerned tor our own Reputation, than for the Honour and Commands of Jefus Chrift} who hath alfo fet us an Example, that wt Jbould follow his Steps, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, but committed his Caufe to Him that judgeth righteoujly t- Ind. * Will my Duty to my Neighbour « oblige me at all Times to conceal his • Faults?' ^ Miff. No : Sometimes it is your Duty to fpeak of them •,— but then it muft be with a good Defign of leading him to Repentance, Z by bringing him before fuch Perfons as have Authority to call him to an Account ; — otherwife you are a Slanderer or Backbiter, and, as fuch, reckoned amongfi the mcft fc.m- daku: Offenders t' , ■ n . Ind, ' May / net be true and juji in my « Dealings, and ytt make myfclf as good a * Bargain as I can?' M§. Only cc.iifider, that if the Perfon you deal with makes himfelf an ill Bargain, out of Ignorance, Neceffity, or out of Fear, • Rom. xii. zo. + i Ftt. ii. 23. X J^«'- »• 3°- . it Dial INiiilMiMal IrfHibiaMi KlVllfHH'f-'*^ tfuiw lapiWIMIi mmm a Dial. 16. chat was done I ncourage bad - • Prov. xix. 17. , That ■ 4 ing tiuiili gUy^^jggyyglgiiiai N Dial. i6. ir, kndetb unto ■mtb given, will 5 do not believe ian to be fo ne- : . or elfe they 2 them." : are the Duties iciv Happinefs or and they know t lay it to Heart. ,od, to whom all >t let them want r fmcerely defire, > are not willing >t difpofed to beg leceffary to enable 1 . and fiich Per- Df God, are often •fitions i—and this much ■Wickedneft line to do the Will made happy, keep d and Memory >— « That Dial. i6. for the INDIJNS. 19^ * That fuch is the Corruption of our Nature, * and Pronenefs to Evil, — that we cannot of * ourfclves, without God's fpecial Grace and * Help, keep his Commands, and ferve him * as we ought to do j-— That when we have * done our beft, we are but unprofitable Ser- * vants ; and that it is only through the Sa- ' tisfadtion of ChriR- we can be juftified; * and that God is fo good and merciful, that ' he has promiled, upon our fincere Dcfires * and Prayers, to give us ail the Help we * fhall want to do our Duty, fo as to pleafc * him, and to fecure our Happinefs for ever.* Prayer, therefore, being apj)ointed by God himfelf, as a Means of obtaining all the Bleflings we (land in need of, you rniift be inftrudled in that Duty, how to afk of God, . fo as to obtain his Grace and Help, Jfui. ' I cannot in Reafon expcdt that Fa- ' vour from you now ; but I will wait on ' you as foon as I can hope you will have ' Leifure.' MiJ". It will be a great Pleafiire and Bkfl'- ing to me, to be made an Inflrument in the Hand of God, to bring you from Darkuefs to I IJ^bty and from the Potver of Satan iir.to God *, that you may be made happy for ever. S 2 The I Triiiftei mKm n"«W"iP*-'*'p'- I l OHIi i'> (j ^« Instruction Dial.17 \ The PRAYER. Or ORD Ulus Chrift, who haft loved vis, and civcn thylelf for us, give us (iricc to love" and to forgive, and to do X^Andtkt, running the Way ott^^^^ Commandments, 1 '"^Y 1^^"^ i'^v ^w! en vant and find Mercy at the Great Day, when Ic muftall appear befor. the Judgnaent-feat of Chrilt. ^fnen. ' ....^> DIALOGUE XVII.l A » OrPuAVER W Thanksgiving hei/is ' ih" Means ^W Conditions dJ oh- ta'niing the Graces and Blessings oJ '"■•■- ' •-'' ' " ' Indian. *. r-vN .•* Y Am come again, good Sir, for your fiir- ^ I thcr Inftruaion.— You have explained c t mc the Commands of God, and con- .. vinctd me of the Neceflity of obferving ^ them, in order to be happy.-At the fame « time you told me, That we cannot ohfcnc ' //y,;/ \s ivc ought to do, without the Grace * cf God, w^'ic^ / nmU fed by dihgat the ani nei G. po he ob tlu G) a!J do • ( MwANiiiMii N Dial. 1 7. R. ho haft loved I- us, giv vrc, and to do he Way of thy nd die thy Scr- i-eut Day, when Judgment-feat i XVII. ;giving bei/i^ iiTioNS of oh- i Blessings of "■■*;•! ^ihiq''" 31r, for your fiir- .1 have explained God, and con- iiy of obferving )y. — At the fartie we cannot obfcnc without the Grace feek hy diligint Dial. 17. fii the INDIANS. 197 Mijfionary. So indeed it is : — For fiich is the Diforder and Wcakncis of our Natun.', and the Temptations to Sin lb many, that neither our lieafon^ nor the Goodnefs of God's Commands, — nor the Authority of lij powerful a Peing — nor the Happinefs wliicli lie propofcs, — nor the Danger of our Dif- cbcdiencc, arc fufHcifut to keep us within the Bounds of Duty, without Cjod's efpccial C,ya:e ; which he is fo good -as to promife to all fuch, as, being Icnfibie of their Want-s do pray for his Grace and Airiftancc. Ind. ' Pray, Sir, what do you mean by the * Grace of God ?' Miff, \Vc mean every Favour whicii God freely bellows on u?, in order to make his Ordinances and Commands elFedual for our Salvation. For Example, — God gives us his Moly Spirit, to be the Author of a new and holy I-,ife. — This Holy Spirit has made known to us in the Scriptures the Ways of Life, and of Death, — the Blefling and Happinefs of fuch as love and obey God, — and the miferabie End of the Wicked and Difobedient. — Thele are the firft Graces and Favours of God. Bcfides thefe, — to all fuch as are wel!-dli- pofed, and receive thefe Truths, the Spirit of God enlightens their Underftandings ; — touches their Hearts with a Fear of God^ and with a Fear for them/elves^ on account o^ iheir S 3 Sins, klHUi ^aki uita I 11.111 lJll_l>!W!pn^Bp»^5)IW(i^j|J^ J 98 yf« iNs'f RUCTTON Dial. 1 7. Sins, and the Corruption of their Nature ;— he (hews them the Neceflity of a Saviour, and what he has done to deliver them from Mifery, and to make them happy for ever. In fhorr,— whatever faving Trufh Men know, wha.jvcr Good they do, whatever Evils they avoid,— //j<'/^, and many, very many more, are the Effefts of the Grace and Favour of God, and the effeftual Workings of his Good Spirit on our Hearts and Minds. Jnd. * What do you mean by Prayer F' • Miff. We mean,— the laying our Wants and Defires before God, and begging of hiili to hear and help us, and particularly to give us the Amftances of his Holy Spirit. Ind. * Doth not God know all our Wants, » before we lay them before him ? — 'And ' doth not he give his Bleflings to many that * never pray lor them?' r,;,^>; Mff. God doth mod furely know our Wants, much better than we ourfclves do ;— He alio often gives us thofe Things which we neither dejire nor deferve ;— and yet He has commanded us to pray, and hath made it a Part of the Duty we owe to Him i — and this for cur own fake, and that we may be made more worthy of the Favours which He de- figns us, and that we may not forget (as too many do) our Dependence upon Him for Life^ and Breatb^ and all Things. ^ . ■ For, D w< iriiiri Miliar jMtfbiiiliMti N Dial. 17. icir Nature j — ■ of a Saviour^ /er them from ppy for ever. g Truth Men do, whatever id many, very f the Grace and lual Workings ts and Minds, by Prayer ?* ,i ■ ng our Wants begging of him icularly to give Spirit. all our Wants, e him ? — 'And 5s to many that ely know our mrfclves do i-r- 'hings which we ,nd yet He has hath made it a iim i — and this e may be made i which He de- >t forget (as too upon Him for For, Dial. 17. for the INDIANS, i^^ For, being obliged to pray to God daily, we can hardly chufe but think of Him often ; — of his Poiver to help us ; of his Gcodncfs and Promife to do fo ; — of his PFifdom to give what is bell for us ; — and of his Jujlice to punifh thofe that live without God in the World : We can hardly help thinking of our own Sinfulnefs and Unworthinefs of any Fa- vour at the Hand of God \ — and we are led to remember the only Way by which every Mercy is to be obtained ; even through the Merit and Mediation of our Lord Jcfus Chrift. — By all which we are taught to bwiv, to Icve^ to honour^ to obey^ to rely upon, and to fraife our Maker every Day more and more perfeftly, in all our Ways to acknowlege him» and live in an intire Dependence upon him -, — which is the fure Way to be happy for ever. Ind. * Hath God promifed to give Chri- • ftians what they pray for ?' Mff. He hath promifed to give them whatever they afk agreeable to his Will, and whatfoever He in his infinite Wifdom fliall think proper for them • And bccaufc through our Ignorance^ and the Corrttption of cur Nature^ were we left to ourfelves, wc fliould be tempted to pray for fuch Things as might hurt both ourfelves and others, and which would not be for the Honour of God, or for his Goodnefs, to grant ; therefore his • JabntXf. 14. Bid. xvi. zj. Matt. xxi. 22. S 4 Son^ wwin ■.l».JU|I|i#Piiow then, that it is called THE Lord's Praveu, becaute it was r/iven hv our Lord Chrift to rus Uiki- ple-stor the Ufc of them and his Followers ; and 'it is in the fe Words: Til E Lord's Prayer. Our Father which art in Hea- ven; 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 Trefpaffts, as we forgive them lifai 8'il-flilfr>ii«* MtmH^innminiKmm wmm -MOMMpilPIMIM )N Dial. 1 7*. hath given us ■ to diredt us afe God. It the moll ur- heart, and, by )n, may under- at a Lofs what fo good as to explain it to ■a /our to make id Meaning of vow then, that 'ER, becaufe it ft to his Uilci- his Followers ; RAYER. art in Hea- thy Name. ime. Thy rth, as it is us this Day And forgive 3 we forgive them Did. 17. for the INDI A N^S. 20 1 them that trefpafs againft us.— - And lead us not into Temptation, but deUver us from Evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amau InJ. ' I (hould be much to blame, indeed, * if I (hould not get fo (hort a Prayer by ' heart. You will now be fo kind as to ex- • plain it to me,' Alif. Before I do that, I muft firft obferve to you, That we are not taught to fay, Mj Father^ but Our Fathei\ — becaufe God, who is the God of all Mankind, would have all of us to love, and to be concerned for one another j — and to increafe and confirm our Love, he hath taught us, when we beg any Favour for ourfelves, to pray for all others^ that he may be glorified by them as well as by us i— and that none may be deprived of thofc Blefilngs which Jefus Chrift hath pur- chafed for Mankind. You will alfo obferve, that God hath per- mitted us to' call bim our Father^ to the end' that we may pray with an humble Confidence of being kindly received :— Being afllired, I'hat as a Father pitietb his (TlVH Cbildrerty f« the Lord pitietb them that fear bim *. •/>/«/. ciii. 13. 2"*^ --JtA^..... .-.-.^^AiM •mrnmrn'^ •mmr^mm^ loJ -^;; Instruction Dial, r 7. But then we are to confidcr, — That this Father is the God of Heaven, who fees our Behaviour^ and the very Thoughts of our Hearts i which fhould oblige us to approach him with Reverence^ and godly FeaVy be- caufe He is in Heaven, and IVe are upon Earth, which ]fi his Footftool. Laftly,— oblervc— That in the Three firft Petitions we pray for the Glory of God \ that we, and all People, may knew him, worfiip and obey him, as we ought to do. — And in the Three laji PetiticHS vjc prixy for ourfelves, —for the Nece/aries of Life,— for the Par- dan of our Sins, and Grace to do our Duty, — and for God's Prote£lion and Deliverance from the Evils we either /«^«* or fear. , » And therefore I befeech Thee, O Hea- « venly Father, not for myfelf only, but for * all thy Children, That wc may all live « worthy of the Relation which we bear to * Thee i— That we may not fin, knowing * that we are accounted thine, nor wilfully « offend fo great, fo good, fo tender a Fa- « ther : — But that we may love Thee not as « Slaves^ but as Children i^Th^t we may * put our whole Truft in Thee, and depend **upon thine infinite Powers IVifdom^ Good- « nefs^ and Promife to take Care of «s:— - « That we may kave it to Thee to chufe * what is bcft for us, and bear with Patience * and Di tiiHiirMi iiri'- n II II I'liiiiiiiiiiiilliiiit^ ' -^■"•""'^ Ill will immn^ a Dial. jy. ', — That this rEN, who fees 'hou^hts of our s to approach Fear^ be- IVe are upon the Three firjl of God i that him, ivorjhip do. — And in for ourfelves, —for the Par- do our Duty, nd Deliverance ■ or fear. , rhee, O Hea- f only, but for : may all live ich we bear to fin, knowing e, nor wilfully b tender a Fa- ve Thee not as ■That we may ee, and depend JVifdom^ Good- are of us :— — Thee to chufe r ifitb Patience ' and Dial. 17. for the INDIANS. 203 » and Refignation, all thy Fatherly Corrcr * aions : And that we may fcrve Thee with Comfort and Pleafure, all our Days, * in Hopes of Ithe everlafting Inheritance, » which Thou halt promiled to thy obedient * Children.' . . Hallowed be thy Name. Now in this nrft Petition we pray,— That all Men may have a very high Regard for the Divine Majefty of God, and for his Ho- nour : And efpecially, that all Chriitians, to whom he has made Himfelf and his Will known by no lei's a Pcrfon than his own Son, may honour him by a firm Faith in him, and by leading y«y? and holy UwtSy as becomes the Children of God, that others, feeing their good Works, may be converted, 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 * j that is,— he will blefs them, and make them happy. • Let us ever remember, O God, That * thou art our great Creator^ our abfolute * Lord^ our merciful Saviour, and our all- ' fi^'^g Judge, May we ftand in Awe of * thy almighty Povntr, thine all-feeing Provi- * I S»m. ii. JO. « dmctt MiiiiiiiMiii IWWpwwewiw)ppwwipiy»iy- »ii 11 J ii imi a loS ^« Instruction Dial.iS. Dial Give Bread. us tins Day our daily In which Words we pray, That God would be pleafed to give us all Things which are either needful or convenient for the Health and Support of our Bodies, and for the Good of our Souls.— Bread, being of moft necef- fary and univerfal Ufe, has obtained not only in Scripture, but in common Dilcourfe all over the World, to be put very often for all the NecefTaries of Life.— Thus Poverty is ex- prefled by Want 0/ Bread, and Profperity ^,v Fulrtefs 0/ Bread. Ind. * Why do you alk for thefe Things « Day by Day ?* MiJJ. Bccaufe we have by this an Occafion of remembring our daily lycpcadence \\\yotv God, and of giving him Ti>anki tor his Fa- vours to us every Day of our Liv- -, and i)y this Prayer, —not to be too much concerned or anxious for ounelves for the Time to come, — becaule God ever liveth to fupply our Wants. m» KMlfa ^liMrtilliHillTltii iMil 3N Dial. 1 8. our daily Iwt God would ngs which are for the Health d for the Good of moft necef- taincd not only 1 Difcourfe all Ty often for all s Poverty is ex- id Profperity h )r thefe Things his anOccafion \\iideuce upon Juki tor his l*"a^ Liv- -, and for- hat we de^iend hontfl Endea- t fhould no Day : fiich Ways for hope God will >i)y this Prayer, rned or anxious come, — becaule ir Wants. . Jn.i Dbl.iS. for the INDIANS. 209 Ind. ' It fecms, then, that Chriftlans are « not to pray ibr great Riches, Honours, and ♦ Powers, fincc they are direfted only to pruy for their daily Bread.' , Mi[[. It is certainly fo: For thefi; Things Hiouid be left wholly to God's Wildom, lince Men camiot^ and none but God can^ know what Ufe any one may make of fuch Things.—Not but that, if God gives Men fuch Things, they may receive them with Thanks, and lliould ufe them to good Pur- pofes. hid. * How may they do that ? Mtff. By afTifting, 'with their Riches, thofe that arc in Want :— By defending, with their Powtr, fuch as are oppreffed, ^c.—And taking care always to remember God m the midll of -, heir Abundance, and the Account they mull give to him of both the Ufe and' Abufe of it. * We look up unto, and depend upon ' The«, O Heavenly Father, for all the Ne- ' ceffaries, Conveniences, and Comlorts of ' this Life •,— And may our bodily Wants en- ' gage us to go daily to tj-?; Throne of Grace, « for the Wants of our Souls •, ' — Ltt thy^lefling go along with ou^ ' honed Endeavours, and keep us from ail • unjuft Ways of bettering our Condition, * and that with all thy other Favours, give T * tts, iMiMWi PPPMUT' aio y/// Instruction Dial. i8. » us, wc befeech Thcc, the BlcfluiiJ of a thank- • ful and contented Mind !' The next Petition which concerns ourfclvcs, is this following : — Forgive us our Trefpafles, as we forgive them that trefpafs againft us» Now in thefe Words wc pray, — That God, for Chrift's fake, would be merciful unto us, and forgive us our Sins, whether known or unknown, and that he would not punifh us as •we deferve. — And, to fhew our tbaukftilmfs for this great Mercy, we oblige ourfelves to forgive^ and lovCj and do Good to thofe who have any way injured us, as fincerely as wc hope for Pardon fr«m God. hid. * And may a Chriftian be affured, * that God will pardon his Sins, provided he * deals with others as kindly as he dcfir's * God would deal with him ?' MijJ. Vv'e have his faithful Promrife by his Son, that, upon our true Repentance, he will do fo * :— By which he hath, as it were, put our Pardon into our own Power, and left us to confider, that there will be no Mercy for him who will [ ot fhew Mercy. . • Matt. vi. 14. « Forgive Di; * 1 •>«• ^ ON Dial. 18. :flui^ of a thank- )nccrnsourfelvcs, frcfpafles, as that trefpafs iray, — That God, merciful unto us, hether known or d not punifh us as V our 'thankfulnefs •blige ourfelves to '3ood to thofe who IS fincerely as wc I. iftian be affured. Sins, provided he ndly as he dcfir's tn?' ful Pronnrife by his iepentance, he will th, as it were, put Power, and left us I be no Mercy for rcy. . • Forgive Dial. 1 5. for the 11^ D I AN S, an « Forgive us thofe Sins, O Heavenly Fa- « thcr, which feparate us from Thte : For- • give us every Day of our Lives, for every • Day we (land in need of Pardon ;— Give • me, and all Chriftians, a forgiving Temper, • —that we may fulfil the Condition of our « Pardon. Thou art good -.nd merciful « in forgiving us i—Grant that we may all « live in the f.imc charl'.able Temper, ia • which wc hope and dJire to die.* — The lafl Petition of this Prayer is :— Lead us not into Temptation ; but deliver us from Evil. That is, we pray that God would fo order Things in the Courfe of his Providence, that we may not be expbfed vo great and danger- pus Trials, which may prove hazardous to our Virtue.— rz&rt/ He would not fuffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but would ziitb the Temptation make a way_ for us to- fScape^ that we may be able to bear it. Ind. ' What muft I underftand by the ♦ Word BrSil ? ... Miff. Firfl: and chieHy.the evil Spirit, t. e. the Devil, who i^ the great Tempter of Mankind to all Evil. •i^ ■ T 2 a% ^^gy^^^^^gJSUMJil liiMiiii MMiifiaiMH tiiimmiijii ;.i.iiiiiiiii rmf^wmfimnmfnfin 212 y^« Instruction Dlal.iS. 2dly, Evil Praflices, and evil Examples. odly, Everlafting Mifery. Now you will obferve from this Petition, that it is not fufiicient to beg Pardon for our paft Offences,— but that every good Chri- ftian muft pray God to enable him to keep cut of the W?y of Temptation, and not fuffer him to fall again into the Sins he has repented of :— And that whenever he fuffcrs lis to be tempted for the Trial of our Faith and Truft in him, he would in Mercy de- liver us from the Power and Snares of the Devil i from our own corrupt lnclinatio;n\ —from the til Examples of a wicked World ; —and from everlajling Mifery, the riioft dreadful of all Evils whatever. ' "V":; And the Reafon why this Defire Is by our Lord exprefied in thefe Words And kad us not into 'Temptation, but deliver us fro.n Evil, is this: ■ !,>^' :.^. - To admonifh us. That even the bell of us are in Danger of falling into the fame Sms, that we have once, much more that we have often, been guilty of: and that, becaufe thei.e are feveral temptations ;- which in the Courfe of our L.ives we Ihall fuiely meet with; and therefore, that none of us are to be fecure, but ought always to watch and pray^ and (land upon cur Guard, "and to look well to ourfches, that we be not overcome. . And mtm mtk mm iiaaannM «*•*■ MMMIHIfP ON Dlal.iS. :vil Examples. m this Petition, ; Pardon for our 'ery good Chri- ible him to keep itation, and not the Sins he has enever he fufFcrs rial of our B'aith Id in Mercy de- id Snares of the mpt Inclinations ; wicked World ; (ifery^ the mo ft: ver. i Defire is by our 3rds- ^nd lecii ': deliver us fro.n ven the beft (if us to the fame Sins, lore that we have hat, becaufe there lich in the Courfe y meet with ; and are to be fecure, h and pray^ and d to look well to overcome. .. And Dial.i8. for the INDIANS. 213 And you will be further convinced of the abfolute Neceflity of this Petition, when you . fee fo many, even amongft thofe who bear the Name of Chriftians, running headlong into everlafting Ruin, for want of God's gracious Afliftance, which can only be obtained by conftant and diligent Prayer; * O God, who hatefV Iniquity, and knoweft * our Infirmities, — leave us not to the Malice. * and Power of the Evil one the Bevil^ to deal * with us as he pleafeth j — Leave us not,, O * merciful Father, to ourfelves, and to our ' own corrupt Hearts and Luft:!>,left we rafhiy * run into Temptations j — Keep us always * under the Proteftion of thy good Spirit ; — ' Suffer us not to be furprifed, nor off our * Guard, nor tempted above what we are able ' to bear ; — Give us Grace to refill the World, * the Flefh, and the Devil, and to watch and * pray daily, that we enter not into Temptar * tion.' t. r V ' f We conclude this Prayer with thefe follow^ log Words ; which are a folemn Form of Praife, and an Acknowledgment to Him to whom we have been praying. For thine is tjie Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Ameju That ,,. ^.Instruction DiaUS. That is in other Words,-We^r^»/^, ana nothing can rehlt , wn j e, ^^^ our chief Aim and Defire . wno and ^^Z/^^- "S ^'^^^^'"^^ therefore, we give daily cxpofed --To Thee, t^ ^"^ wifh l.^:rhe^V^ld -uld do the feme. ^S*lobferve,thatyo«conclude^allyour . Piayers with that Word,--AMEN. ^i.r/r Wi. i\n fo —By which we cxpreis ^^' a iV Defirc that God would our moft earneft ^^If ' ^"^ f^, ._which ed , or foy"// Pravers with laying *"^Xw'^2a7i. bc«p.acd that the loNO. • KANT and UNi-EARNft-fboutd pray? gggH^lm N Dial. I S. lee, '.he great, irhofe Kingdom -whofe Power ory ought to be who alone can .ray for •,— who and difpofe us o can help, fi- of Temptation, CO which we are ;refore, we give anks, and wifh do the feme. onclude all your -Amen.' ^ich we cxprefs hat God would yed for •,— which o, fo far as may i our beji hiterefi •, •ed, that no Man nd was confound- lopes •, and there- ayers with faying as "Joe have prayed, d, that the Ion 0- Ihould pray ?' Mif Dial. 18. ford^e INDIANS, iig Mif. It is moft fureiy the Duty of every Man, however ignorant and unlcamedy to pray and give Praife to God ; whereby he owns his Dependence upon him, for every thing he wants, and returns his Thanks for all the Bleff- ings he receives. Now every Man, even the moft unlearned, cannot but know, that he is fubje£l to be tempted to Sin, and that God only can deliver him from it. — Every one knows, that it is God only, that can blefs his honeft Endea^ vours for a Livelihood ;— that God therefore ought to be fought to for thefe Bleflings, and that every one is obliged to be thankful to him when he receives them. / /cry Child can tell his Father what he w.Tni ;.: d you fee God permits us to call hin. IV • >'ather, that we may lay ourDe- fires rt a vVants before him after the beft man- ner we are able, and leave it to him to help us :— He knows our Wants, however imper- fedly we exprefs them with our Tongues. And we may be affured, that, when we de- voutly ufe this very Prayer, God will hear and anfwer us, not according to our weak Under- ftandings ; but in a manner fuitable to our real Neceffities, and according to the Love tf a Father for his Children. Ind. * Do Chrifthins think, that they arc ! bound to pray efery Day l\ „ii,„tmmmaliiKtlmattaili mmmmmmmmmm^iimi •m0mm*^ N Dial. 1 8. id every good he knows he , and Bkffmgs, [Ad itischieHy Diity, that we ^ifchiefs even venture every emptations to rable, Without jod: And fleep, without the Powers of nts which may e Jhuty hut His fuch as cannot S, that People id, that (houkl I. Whoever is a Sinner, or 5 bound to pray L a Perfon wants lur, he will find f he is to afk it : of doing it in 11 wait with P.> fully.— Let him his Maker : and d with the De- Die of its Mifery and, Dial. 1 8. for the INDIANS. ny and Wants, will favourably anfwer his Re- quefts. " In J. * I obferve that you make Thankf- ' gi'ving alfo a Duty, and' a Service, which * you uv^c to God.* MJf. God himfelf has made it fo •, and it is agreeable to our Reafon. Was expeft Thanks from one another, when we have' done a Kindnefs — And if Chriftians would take notice of, and give God thanks for, the Mercies and Blejfings they receive daily from his Bounty, they would engage the Divine Goodaefs to multiply his Favours, \vhich they often hinder by their Ingratitude. < But ' then they mull Ihew their Thankful neis, . ' not only with their Lips, but by their ' Lives.' Ind. * How often fhould we pcay.* Miff. We Ihouid fray -vi-ithout ceafing f ; that is, we fhould let no Day pafs without begging God's BlefTing ; and giving him Thanks for his Mercies; — for every Bleffmg we recQJve; for every Danger we efcape; — and for every Affliftion we meet with, and are fupported under. Our Meals fliould put us in mind, that we do not live by Bread lilone; that therefore God's Blelling muft make our Meat to do us good^- In our J?«- jlnefs we Ihould remember, that it is but loft Labour, to rifejarly, and take little /2^,— ♦ I Tbej: V. 1 8. t li'ti. v. 1 7. % Deut. viii. 3. U if OllllllWil '-«"■"«# ji8 ^//Instruction Dial.iS. it God blefles not oor^Enckavours *.--In the ^^Icrning. vc mould pray God o b W^. m^ Labours all die Day ; and, "^ . '^« f ?f^f ; .r«urn.our humbk Thanks tor ^^}:%^^f^'^' ^f the foregoing Day and pray lor P._ef va- tinn irni the Other Mercies ot the JNig«t. "/;/' Are there any further Inftruftions * that you think neceiTary to give me. con- • cernina this Duty ot Prayer ? , ' . • aS Only remember. -That whenever yofffy this Prayer, or beg any Favour from Lod, you do it with the HuttjiUty of one who is fenhle of his fFants and Mtjiry i -with SfiZkn to God's Willi with great Reve^ rZTAnenHon of Mind, ^.^^^ that your Heart may go along with your Ltps. —And laftly, which you muft never for- fiet -- you muft aflc every Blefllng you .want of God, for the Sare of his Son J,"us CHRIST ; it being on h.s hcco^^^ alone, and for 'what he has ('.»'^"fj£'''2 that God will own us tor his Children, or erant us what we pray for. Jnd. ' I hope I Hiall always remember to * do to* * «c ■ m. Indeed it is of fo very great Mo- mcntf that Jesus Christ hanfelf has ap^ iKiintid an Holv Ordinance ^obeffc'^ d by all Chriftians, on purpofe that they may Jwaysrfwi^w^^^ the wondertirl Things he has ^^. • /yiA cmii. 3. • ^^,e, rm )N Dial.iS. ours *.— In the >d to blefs our in the Ei:enmg^ X aWr^t Mercies ay lor Pi-eferva- jf the Night. ;her Inftruftions . give me, con- That whenever ny Favour from nilityofone who Uiferj i with vith great Reve' and Deliheration^ g with your L//'^. \ muft never for- i?ery Bleffing you IRE OF HIS Son on his Account done and fufsred, his Children, or ivays remember to « ) very great Mo- r himfelf has ap- NCEtobeobferved lofe that they may rfirl Things he has done, Dial.18. for the INDIANS. 2ip done, and the great Bleflings he hath obtain'd for them : Particularly the Sacrifice of his Death, and the Benefits which we receive by- it ; viz. the Pardon of our Sins, and the fure and certain Hope of e -rJ " y Life. ■■ When, therefore, yc 'ome \\n to me, I will explain this to you more tuliy, than I can do at prefent for want of Time. Ind. * You have faid enough. Sir, to make ' mc return to you as foon as poflTibly I can.' The PRAYER. BLeffed be thy Name, O God, for this grea.t Privilege of laying our Wants before Thee, and Tor the great Hopes we have of beir\g heard. — ^Make me ever fenfible of my Wants, and of thy -Power and Goodnefs 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 Jefus Chrift \ that I may efFeftually obtain the Relieif of my Ne- ceiTities, and ever give Thee Praiie for the iame. jimen. ^ U 2 D I AtJ . . ,.,-;..^j«,:k»?i:«i<^ i^iMiiillii ^mm^* 220 ^/7 Instruction Dial.i^. •,-r'- DIALOGUE XIX. Tl^er finoe that « Sacrifice was oSered, this has brought me to " you now, as foon as I could hope you would « have Time to inftrud me;' Mijf. I have now Time ito do it.—- •You remember, 1 hope, what I have to^dyou before •, that there are ^ivo fpectal Ordt- nances of the Chriftian ReUgion, which we call Sacraments, appointed by Chrift hjmfelf as n^Q^ffary Means of Salvation, when they may be regularly had. Thefe are Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. — -By Baptifmvic arc introduced into the Chriftian Charatter j , at which Time we enter into a Covenant 'mth Gody wherein, on our Part, we promife, - to believe in him, to fear, to kve^ and ^^^^ him all our D^ys : And God, on his us iiiiiUifiiiiiiMitf mmfmm'imiimm N Dial. 15>. •0^ ^ _ r ' XIX. ord's Supper 3 explain to me E, which, you >und to obfervc, Ke of the Sacri- .cv>er finoe that IS brought me to hope you would do it.— — — 1 1 have told you wo fpecial Ordi- jn, which we call Chrifthimfelfas , when they may e are Baptism, —By Baptifm we iftian Charadter j :r into a Covenant *art, we promife, 'ear, to love^ and And God, on his Part, Dial. 19. forthe INDIAlSlS. lit Part, receives us into his Family, which ia- his Church, and promifeth to treat us as his Children, — to prote£l us^ while we live, and', when we die, to make us happy, if we have behaved ourfelvcs as his dutiful Children ought to do i and thtis we give ourfelvcs up unto Chrift. Ind. * This I have not forgot.' Mijf. But then, forafmuch as this high Fa- vour hath been beftowed upon Chriftians-— to be called and treated as the Children of God, net for any thing they have done to deferve it; but purely for the Sake of what his Son Jefus- Chrift hath done and fufferedfor them " * He hath appointed another Sacrament, which we call the Lord's Supper, in order to keep up the Remembrance of what he hath done for us : — His laying down his Life for us td redeem us from the Wrath of God^ to furchafe us to Himfelf to be a People zeakus of good PForks. Ind. * Why do you call this SACRAMfeNi' * by the Name or the Lord's Supper ?* MiJf. Becaufe our Lord Chrift did appoint THIS Ordinance at his laft Supper v/ith his Difciples, the Evening before he was crucified, to prefcrve the Memory and the Reafons of his Death ; the Knowlege of which is the Founda- tion of the Chriftian Religion, and that on which the Happinefs and Salvation of all Men doth depend. U 3 Ind. 2-2 y///lNSTRWcTioN Dial.tgf. Ittd ♦ You will not wonder, if I am very » defiroiis to know all that is neccffary con- < cerninK this Ordinance.' • Mid. That you may do fo, you muft carry your T-houqhts back t,o what I h^ve already told you of^— the>;Z Parents cf MMs —that they rebelled againft the.r Maker Comm^and -.--that they loft h.s F avour, and all Right and Title to the Happinels which, he had pTomiied them -.-that this very ^^«r. LcaL prone to Evil ---and both th^ and their Pofterity became fubicft to Sm, to Ah- fZLi to Jkath .-And, laftly . that the 5.» i/G.rf. pitying their Calamity, "ndertook to arid to>/«^ in hh own J*"^"^"^;^'^ ^^^^ as dfota impart to them a S/)»r»/ and Pn^ 1/, of a new Life, in order to renew that Na- tijre which they had fo fadly fpoi] d.- — In order to ^hich He was made JMi«rv and, having put himfelf in the Place f S.nner , It JJtA himfelf to fuffer Death for the.r Redemption ; by which^he reftcr*^^ the^ to his Fatbn'^ Favour, and to a ^o^^^^ ^ obtaining the Happinefs for which they at ^TLT wonderful GocK^nefs, andmoft worthy Sacrifice, God was fo well pl«fed.-- SrhJ hathfAr bis Son's Sak^^pron^^l^o pardon all penitent Sinners, and to mak€ tbem happy for ever. j^j^ it-Mti MOkn ■iiaMiUwiiMiiai^ li^ai^iSUa^wgllllll ON Dial. 19". r, if I am very i neccffary con- you muft carry I have already tjis of Mankind \ t their Maker's lis Favour, and >pinels which he his very Jr which they at xinefs, and moft b well pleafed,— >«l^^ promifed to and to make them Inl Dial. ip. for the IND lANS, uij hid. ^ All thi« I now remember you ex • ' plained to me •, and I thank you for puttinj^ ' me again in mind of it j and 1 hope now 1 • fliall never forget it.' Mi]}'. It will certainly be your Intcreft to- remembtr it •, for indi-cil your Happincls dc- pci>ds ujxjn it. Ind. ' Is it Uifficicnt for me to remember in ' this Sacrament, that there was fuch a Perfoti ' as Jcfus Chria?' lififf. No, fiirely ; much more is contained i,i i£.«_We are to call to mind his wonderful Love to Mankind, which engaged him ta take our Nature upon him, and to fubmic to the Infirmities and Miferics of it •, which made him content to live amongft us, and to die for us: It is to call to mind his unwearied. Patience and Diligence in doing Good^r-healicg the BifeafeSy and inftrud- ing the Igttorancey of Mea v and particularly his moft grievous .Sufferings and Deaths by whiph he made an Atonement to his Father *or the Sins of Mankind. — He was made Sin for u>s, who knew no Sin, that we might k made the ^hteoufnefs of God in him *. And if we truly remember him, we Ihall endeavour to copy the Example of his Virtues, and efpc- cially thofc which were moft confpicuous in his Life. • tCtr ?. 21. U4 Iitd. 224' >f// Instruction Dial. 19. Ind. * Where (hall I learn the Hiftory ot « his Life and Adions, that I may follow « his Fxample ? * Miff. In the Four Gospels, or in what is called the Nr.w Testament. Ind. * What do you mean by the Gospels ?* Miff. I mean Four small Treatises, in ■which the Life and Anions of our Saviour^ arc written for the Benefit of all fucceeding Chri- ftians 1 and, when it fhall ba your Happincfs to read them, you will there find abundant Matter and Rcafon for the perpetual Remem- brance of Jefus Chrift. Ind. * What Need was there of this Sacra- • menc, fince it feems impofliblc for Men • ever to forget fo great a Bcnefaftor ?* Miff. Jefus Chrift, who knew our Nature better than ve ourfelves do, and how very apt we are to forget the grcatcft Favours of God, has by this Holy Ordinance provided, that fuch as have any Senfe or Regard for his Love, or even for their own Happinefs, (hall never want a proper Occafion of remembering what he hath done and fullered to redeem them from Mifery, and to put them in a Way o( being happy for ever :— He likewifc intended this Holy Ordinance as a {landing Proof or Evidence of this important Fad of his Death, thereby to ftrengthen and renew our Faith in it. ' _ , Dl O ftiMM nr""" f^ummUUiiatmtik mmmt ON Divil. I p. 1 the Hiftory of it I may follow as, or in what NT. ytheGosPELS?* .Treatises, in f our Saviour arc fuccceding Chri- I your Happincfs •e find abundant ;rpetual Rcmem- erc of this Sacra- jofTible for Men knefador ?• knew our Nature and how very apt Favours of God, CB provided, that yard for his Love, linefs, fhall never jmembering what to redeem them hem in a Way of : like wife intended 1 a (landing Proof rtant Fad of his en and renew our , Jtui. Dial, t p. for the IND JANS. 12 5 hd. • You will now, Sir, be pleafcd to let « me know how he hath done this.' Mijf. Our GREAT LORD and SAVI- OUR JliSUS CHRIST, the Night before he was crucified, • took Bread, and bleficd * and brake it, and gave it to his Difciples, * and faid. Take, eat ■, this is my Body, that * is given for you : Do this in Remcm- * brance of me.^ After Supper alfo he * took a Cup of Wine, and gave Thanks, « and gave it to them, faying. Drink yc all * of this V— -for this is my Blood of the new * Covenant, which is fhed for you, and for * many, for the Renuffion of Sin.— Do this, * as often as ye Ihall drink it, in Remem- « brance of me -For as oft as yc (hall eat * this Bread, and drink this Cup, ye do (hew « the Lord's Death till he come.' Ind. * You will now. Sir, let me know « how this Sacrament is obfcrvcd amongCt « Chriftians.' Mif. They do it after this Manner : Firft,thcMinifterofChriftplaccth,opcaufeth to be placed, upon a Table in our Churches, a Portion of Bread and ^ne in the Sight ot ail the People. This Bread and IViiie, which are to reprefent the Sacrifice of Chrift's Body ami Blood, are fan£iified^ or fd apart, for thL holy Ufe, by giving Thanks to God for all h. Favours, and efpecially for having fent his only Son to redeem us by his Death v and by , * - . be-gmj{^ '&iaStftHMUti»'»m mmmfifmm'irmimmm mm 226 ^/Instruction DiaKi^. begging of him, that when w€ receive, and cat and drink this Bread and Wine, we may be i"o far made Partakers of tlTe Sacrifice of his motl bleflcd Body and Blood, as to fliare •in all the Benefits which he hath obtained ior us by his Death. At the fame time lie break- eth the Bread into Pieces, and poiireth the Wine into a Cup, to reprefent unto our Senfes, by thefe outward and vifible Signs, the Death of Chrift, whofe Body was broken^ and Blood toured cutf upon the Crofsi . , . Ind. ' Pray, Sir, how doth he, after thiy, ♦ difpofe of this Bread and Wine ?* Mif. This Bread and Wine, being >»/7?'- Ji^d by the Word of God and Prayer, hediftn- butes among thofe who are there prefentil— putting them in mind. That Jefus Chrift died for them, and for their Salvation j-^prcferring their Happinefs to his own Life -.-—(-^tbat therefore they ought never to forget fa great a Kindnefs, but to keep up the Remembrance of him^. after this Manner, which he hath ap- pointed, UNTIL HIS Coming again. . Ind. * Is this all that is required of Chn» « ftians,— " To keep up the Remembrance «« of Chrift, and of his Death ? " Mi[f. No, furely j— no ferious Chriftians think that alone fufficient. ^They know that it is an humble Heart in which. Chnft delights to dwell j— they therefore look upon this Sacrament as a proper Occafion ot hum- bhflf Dl. .^^ ,..,^,„.^^.^il l, n i^ ,ll li i iii , | (.)|gg.:->. )| || || Di.-f.^*.-^tw^^.-.v..^»!»-.^ ito-fliiaaa| |,.^^ *■ ON DiaKi^. w€ receive, and Wine, we may tire Sacrifice of ood, as to fliaiT ath obtained ior e time he break- ind poiireth the unto our Senfes, ligns, the Death ^oken^ and Blood :h he, after thisr, A'inc?* ne, h\i\ng fantli^ Prayer, he diftri- there prefent i — JefusChriiibdied ion •.---preferring i> Life -,-— *-*tbat :o forget fa great '■>e Remembrance of lich he hath ap- JG AGAIN. 8 air required of Chri* lie Remembrance ath?" ferious Chriftians .They know : in which. Chrift erefore look upon Occafion of hum- bling Dial. 19. for the INDIANS. 227 blitis themfelres before God, and of abhorring thofe Sins which coft- Jefus Chrift his Life and they know alFo, that iheBleffings obtained for us by Chrift's Death, of which this Sacra, ment Is a Remembrance, are as .much the Feod of the Soul, as Bread and Wine are ot the Body 1 that this Food or Support we re- ceive by a lively Faith in his Merits ; and do thcrefSre, at this Time, more efpccially ac- knowlege the Efficacy of his Death.-r/'/J is the true Bnad, which nourijheth to eternal Life * ^'}:hat God -who /pared not hts ownbon^ hut gave him up for us all, ^iH i>e not tvith kirn freely give us allThings? ^ Befides this, every penitent Ghnftian will look upon this as a proper Time to remember, and comfort. himfelf with, the great^/*«/ of GoSs Mercy declared by his Son, and^^thi* even,withanOath,^' That all Sms^fhall be » forgiven unto the Sons of Men t- Every humble Chriftfan alfo, who feels in his Soul the Want of God's Help to fupport him againit the Temptations of t^ PForlds the Fl°A and the Devil, will think this a very proper Time to beg of God his Son's Promife, L' That he will give the Holy Spirit to them * that aflc him/ ^ « u r Laftly,— ^Every Chriftian muft be lup- pofed to 'receive this Sacrament ia Token, «pinj',«i^*ii«i(i(fiii»iiu injf^wmmm'Wffifffimm Z2'8 ;^« Instruction DIaI. 15J. that he acknowlegeth Jefus Chrift to be hii Lord and Saviour, — to be his L^xvpver here^ and his Judge hereafter. . ? » : 1 : • > hid. * I remark, thar Chri(!' cottinl'affded * this Ordinance to be obferved by hisFol- * lowers TILE HIS CoMmo again :" Pray, * what is meant by that ? '' Mif. Why,, as I have told you before, we Chrillians do know, and firmly believe, thht Jefus Chrift v;ill come again at the End of the "World — TO JITDCE TI4E LlVINC AKD THE Dead ;— to call all'Men that ever have lived; to an Account for the Ufe they have made of the Favours which God has given them 5 and to reward -m putiiJB them, as they have Jived well or ill in this World. And this Intimation he gave his Followers, when he appointed this Ordinance, that they may confider, every time they go to this' Sa- crament, what Account they will be able to give of themfelves, * when he fhall come td •■ judge the World in Righteoufnefs.* Ind. * Is there any thing elfe required of • Chriftians^ before they go to this Sacra- • ment?' '""*'" M£: Yes : They ought, in the Firft place, to confider what fort of Life they have led fince they took on them the Chriftian Cha- rafter ; — at which time they obliged them- felves * to make the Laws of God the Rule of • their Faith, andLife, and Anions : '-—And to Dial ms liiiiwuifitriity Miiiiifiintfin ■■mi" -""""' fmmmn^^m ON DIaI. 15). .'hrift to be hii Z^xvgiver here^ iff commanded sred by hisFol- AGAiN : Pray, you before, we ly believe, thhc rtiieEnaoftlie ^^INC AKD THE ever liave lived; ;y have made of ivcnthemj and they have lived re his Followers, nance, that they !y go to this Sa- r will be able to [le fhall a)me td :oufnefs.* " elfe requir^ of > to this Sacra- ;ht, in the Firfl: )f Life they have le Chriftian Cha- y obliged them- God the Rule of Anions:'— And to Dial. 1 9. for the IND I A NS. 22^ to examine themfelves, whether they have not led a wickedy at leaft, an idky ufelefs Life.;.— or whether they now live in any known Sin \ — becaufe they are bound, when they go to that Sacrament, ferioufly to acknowlege their Offences and Sins before God, and to beg his Pardon, with a full Purpofe of Amend- ment .of Life •, otherwife they will receive nothing there, but their own Condemnation. A Chriftian is obliged alfo to have a grate- ful Serife of God's Goodnefs^ by confidering his Mercy in fending 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 laftly, Jefus Chrift having exprefly commanded, * That all his Difciples (hould ' love one aaother, as he hath loved them, ' and given \\\& Life for them *,'— every Chri- ftian is bound, before he goeth to this Sacra- ment (the chief End of which is to put him in mind of this great Inftaxice of Chrift's Love, every Chriftian, 1 fay, is bound), to confider whether he hath any thing in his , Heart, contrary to this Pattern of true Love, and Command of his Saviour. Jnd. ' Do you believe, that Chriftians are ' generally careful to prepare themfelves fgjr ' this Ordinance after this mannel- ?' Mtff. All ferious Chriftians are fo:— But,'' * Jahn xiii. 34. too )1nf'iilllliifiinlriiilM«*ilKt l .il l fWUIIlli, l i| g||ip»p||«|IWW"yW'W"WP'l>*PP' J56 ^wInstructiok Dial. i^. too many, it is to be feared, are not.-Aftd this is the Realbn why fo many receive no Benefit from this Sacrament ;— for otherwile, THIS Ordinance would be a moft powerful Reftraint to keep them from leading a thought- Ms and an mV Life,-by affording them fo many blcfTed Occafions of renrcmbenng and renewing tlieir Covenant with God, laying them un^er continual Obligations of leading a ncwand Chriftian Life, and obtaining Grace from God to do fo. , ^. » What da you think of thofe Ujn- « ftians that never go to this Sacrament ? Miff. Why, they are generally to be eltcem- ed in the Wav of Ruin, without feeing their Dancer —They do not confider, that, as they arcSioti'ers, God cannot be pleafed with them i —and that there is no Pardon for Sinners, no Salvation to be hoped for but only through the Merits of Chrift»s Death, which is ccmmt- laor^z/^i in this Sacrament. InL- But fure. Sir, all Chriftians are not « fo thoughtlefs i— they muft have fomc Reu- « Tons for neglefting fo necefTary a Duty, as * vou fccm to reprefent it.' Miff. There may be Keafons and Scruples f«r abfenting/^r a rimes -but, generally beaking, fome of thefe following are the true Reafons, why Men turn their Backs upon tbe Lord's Supper when invited to it, let them pretend what they plcafe. larH imiiiimiA 5N Dial. If. are not.— Add any receive no —for otherwife, I moft powerful ■ading a thought- □rding them fo mcmbcring and th God, laying tions of leading obtaining Grace 1 of thofe Ghri- Sacrament ? ' illy to be eftcem- lout feeing their der, that, as they eafed with them i n for Sinners, no lut only through , which is ccmme- :hriftians are not I have fome Rea- sffary a Duty, as fons and Scruples ■—but, generally jwing are the true ir Backs upon the 1 to it, let them Eitlier Dial. 19. for the 1 ND I A NS. 23 1 Eit'her they live in fome known Sin, which they will not at prefent rcfolve to forlake j — or this IVorld, its Bufinefs or Pkdfures, have taken fuchPoflcflion of their Hearts, that they have no Time even to think of their Souls, or of what muft come hereafter . — Or laftly, — — they delude themfelves with a faint Pur- pole, that thus it fliall not always be with them i that fome time or other they will make the Care of their Souls their great Con- cern. But fuch Perfons ftiould confider, that while they thus defpife one of the greateft In- llances of God's Love, they continue in a Sin which^too nearly refembles the Denial of their LordznA Saviour: More particularly they fhould refled, that by perfifting in fuch a wil- ful Difobcdience to Chrift's pofitive Com- mand, th'*y have no well-grounded Aflurance, that any of their Payers will be granted : For as Chrift's Death is the only folid Founda- tion of Favour with God, fo his Mediation is the only Channel, through which it is to be conveyed to Chriftians. Whether, therefore, thofe who refufe to commemorate the one^ can lay any juft Claim to the other, is left to every Man's fcrious MeditatioB :— And they fhould confider with what Face they can hereafter appear before their Saviour in Judgment, whom they refufed to remember in his Ordi- nance here on Earth •, it having been ob- krvcd^—That whatever keeps a Man from the Sacra- .: i III i j,M ii W ! B I W iMj^W|yg||W H H| ]||| i j) i i i i |t,m ipiWI I I I JU j il. i null 231 ^Instruction Pial.19. Saaament, after he has been inftru£le4 in the true Nature of it, mlU generally /peaking, hin- der him from going to Heaven. Ind. ' Can a Chriftian know whether he * hath gone to this Sacrament as he ought to • have done, fo as to hope for the Bleffings ■* attending it?* Mijf. That will befl: be known by the Manner of his Life afterwards :— If a Perfon went as a true Penitent, he will be very care- ful of falling into the Sins he hath repented of— If he was indeed grieved with the Re- membrance of his Sins, and the Burden of them was intolerable i if he did in good Earnefi: pnrpcfe to lead a new.L'fe> he will be more careful to beg of God to enable him to -eing wife intbetr own Conceits f, will not receive the Son ot God as their r^acher, nor his Ccfpel as the Rttk o'i their Faiih and Manners .—Now thele Men often lead into very dangerous Errors fuch People as do not know or confider, upon what certain Proofs the Truths of the Gofpel arc mi furtly believed amon^n us. , _ . , , Jnd, ♦ I hope my Belief in the Gofpel is • confirmed fufficiently, both by the many • and wonderful Miracles of Chnft, and efpe- • (iaih hy his Refurreiiion from the Dead %. Miff. But you muft not forget, ^hat your Faiths and the Increafe and ConHnuame of tt, is the Gift of God j which you m«ft pray for, m ever you hope to be preferved free from Error. '-ntcOstfi ■•''"'' Ind, * Well, it is ftrange, hbwever, that • People of Underftanding in other Things, • who cannot but fee how much we arc apt • to be miftaken in the common Affairs ot • Matt. vii. 21. \ Mi ik 83. hm^ i. 4. 4 I /!*». xii. 16. mi Lift, mUma lijiMUiMtiattfH a>«timmu N Dial. 20. jch only as do 1 is in Heaven, "ul, if you will hat thus delude lay not toUow , that there are vife in- their own \ Son of God as as the Rule of low thefe Men lus Errors fuch ider, upon what ' the Gofpel are n the Gofpel is by the many Chrift, and efpe- t the Dead ^. >rgec. That your ontitmame cf it^ 1 m«ft pray for, hrved free from , however, that 1 other Things, niich we are apt imon Affairs of , xii. i6. « Lift, Dial.20. forthc INDIANS. a-^p ' Life, fhoiild, in Matters of the greatell * Concern, wholly depend upon their own ' Wijdom ami Poivcry even wnere God hath * undertaken to dircdl and afiift us.' " AiJ^. You will not wonder at this, if you remember, what hath been fo often repeated and proved -, — that iiich is the Corruption of our Nature, that when any Man, through a proud Conceit of his own tVifdom and Strength^ ihall provoke God to forfakc and leave him to himfelf, that Man will be capable of believing and doing the molt unreafonable Things, to which an evil Spirit ^ or his own corrupt Hearty can tempt him. Ind, • Pray, Sir, what other Miftakcs are * there amongll Chriflians, which endanger ' their.Salvation?' Mi§\ There are too .many^ who, for want of Attention to the: good Inftru6Hons whick are given them, confider not how they live^ nor what will become of them when they die ;— who know not the Evil oF Sin, nor the Mtfchiefs it has brought into the Work) ; —how hatfe&t it is to an holy God,A^how ' 111 id his Commands are to avoid it, and what the Portion of Sinners in the next Life is to be }--* Mattt xiii. 22. ■fc^YiiaiiilM fan giv the: ( anc Pe( dal the is i bci Sal Ne M( m^irm'^mmmifm ON Dial. 20. , I orant ; ^thcre •aid of being in- deed.* nd the Reafbn is, with Sinners, we ai their Deeds are ery great Danger, seloved Sins ; and and thofe unwel- in them, and their :r, therefore, that ans, by their un- ibelievers with Ar- heir Obftinacy, — ation. lo have be^n better z\) inclined; but, I poflefled with the 3u/:nefSj Riches, or :by the Knowkge Truth, and forget all into the Way ot' ian Religion con- : punifhed with the t>iitefs. And- there ig not caft off all rn for their Souls, ;s witlf a punftual / Part of Religion, )>//» xiii. 22, vainly Dial. 20 . for the INDIANS, i^i vainly thinking that an outivard Shew of re- ligious Worlhip will atone for the Want of that inward Purity of Heart, which is indif- penfably required from every Chriftian. Ind. * I would be glad to know, who this * Sort of miftaken Chriftians are.' Mijf. Befide thofe already mentioned, there are many, who, tho' they know themfelves , not to be in the Way of Salvation, make their * Minds eafy, by purpofing to repent, and be converted ; foolilhly fuppofing /bai Repcnt- snce is aifolutely in their cvon Power -, — at the fame Time provoking God, who alone car; give them the Grace of Converfion, to leave them to their own Choice and Deftrudicn. Others Hatter themfelves,- that Repmiavce^ and a Change of Life, are only required, where People have been guilty of great and fcan- Mous Sins, fuch as Murder, Adiiiter\\ and the ''ke j — not confidering that a Man, who is innocent of great Crimes, may be far from being a true Chriftian, .md in the Way of Salvation,;— the beft of Men {landing in Need of Repentance and Pardon, and of the Mercy of God. Ind. * I have heard, that Chriftians do * depend very much upon the Goodnefs and • Mercy of God.' MiJf. And fo they may, and ought to do, provided they do not deceive themfelves, by abufing his M&xcyy which is intended to Y lead iiiiliiliii^- "'■■ -^^ '^Wp^iiW^PPIWWWIIIiipWWtgB WI P p. i UI I II I. I 242 y^« Instruction Dlal.20. had Men to Repentance, and Amendment of Life I ■'■'7'lv^'.^'': hid. * Pray, how do Men abufe this Mercy * of God V ,. . Miff. When they continue to hve in any UownSm, or wilfully negleft any Duty ; and yet hope, that God of his great Mercy v/ill forsivethcm. . , , ^ ^ ind ' You have often mentioned the Lor- « ruttion and JFeaknefi of human Nature. * Will not this plead our Excufe, and prevail • with fo good and merciful a Being to par- • don fuch as have not done what he hath * commandtxl?* r . , r ^^ ' Miff. Yes : And he hath faithfully pro- fnifed, that upon Condition oi their Repent- ^,;.., andJmendmnt of Life (according to the Terms and Conditions in the Gofpel), he will pardon the greateft Sinnc rs. Ind. ' Perhaps they will fay, that they are * not able to perform thefe Conditions.' ■ MUf.^^^^ would you think of one who fhouid make that an Excufe, and yet would be forry to be made able, only becaufe he is unwilling to part with his Sins ? J„d * Such an one, to be furc, complains • without Reafon, and his Ruin will be from • himfelf.' ,' r r m 7 r. Miff. AndyetthisistheCafeofalU^r^/^/j and Med Chriftians.^God would have all his Creatures happy •,— he knows that Man Dia Ri! b< -,_mim m(m* )N Dial. 20. Amendment of )ufe this Mercy to live in any any Duty -, and reat Mercy will itioned the Cor- uiman Nature. :ufe, and prevail a Being to par- e what he hath . faithfully pro- of their Repent- according to the Gofpel), he will "ay, that they are ;:onditions.' ink of one who :, and yet would inly becaufe he is ns? ; fure, complains luin will be from Cafe of all carekfs id would have all knows that Man can Dial.20. for the INDIANS. 24.:? can never be happy, till his corrupt Nature be mended -■, — he has therefore, as 1 told you before, appointed the Chrrfiian Religion, as the moft elFedtual Means of our Recovery from Sin unto Holinefs. — By which we^are taught to depend upon the Almighty Power of God, even that Almighty Power -which rat fed Jefus Chrifl from the Dead*, to raife us from the Death of Sin unto the Life' of Rightcoufnefs, by enabling us tofee, to re/i/i, to overcome, and to root out, whatever is evil ifl us, and to reftorc us to the Image of God,' in which Man was at firft created,— Chri- ftians, therefore, do but delude themfclves, and blafpheme God, when they pretend they cannot do what he requires of them, in order to their Happinefs. And, to name no more AVays at prefent, by which Men deceive themfelves to their Ruin : — Very great is the Number of fuch as depend upon a Death-bed Repentance, for the making their Peace with God, and fitting themfelves for Heaven •, — living in the mean time wiiJcfC'Ut God in theWorld, neither fearing his Anger, nor regarding his Promijes. Ind. * Indeed, Sir, thefe are all fad M^f- * takes ; and I hope I fhall not fall into any » of them.* Miff. I hope fo too •, — but then you mufl be very humbUy and Avrays fear for yourfrit; •iJ«». vi.4. " •''^.-•*^^- 1 Y 2 and Hi ^44 -^/2 Instruction Dial. 20. and bee of God to keep you from fuch Mif- ?akes which are the Ruin of fo many, who let call and think themfelves to be Ch"fti.n •, Ilotherwife your being made a Chnftian will not fecure you from Danger. Ind ' Pray, Sir, what are the Thmgs . ^;hich are moft likely to offend the good . SpSt of God, and force him to forfake luch . as^aJe dedicated to him, and put under hiS ' W'tLeFirft place, Chriftians do cri^e'tha^ good Spirit^-by negledtrng to fmprove the Graces beftowed upon them .,- for as 1 told you before, this is a Rule of the GoVpel -r J/ .. hm '^^0 makes good Ufeof tbeFaiours which God hath given hm God Zllgive more -. md he that wUl not dofo.Jhall lok what he had*. _. ♦utc TJnl#. /«J. ' I hope I fhall not forget this Rule * ^r^In^ie next Place, a Chrift-^n runs theXard of lofing the Help and Comfort of the Spirit of God, by r./«m«^ mto that Way of Life, and to thofe Sins, which he re- Zuled at, his Baptifm .,-eipecially when he falls into, and continues in, any known and wMSin v-fbr then he will naturally hate fiod, and God will forfate him. Ind * Hate the God that made us! MJf. Wc^i, as monftrouB a Sm las you rii 'h ir SI Dial. 20. rom fuch Mif- fo many, who .beChriftiansv iChriftian will -e the Things ffend the j!;ood 1 to forfake luch J put under his Chriftians do ' negledting to 1 upon them -, — is a Rule of the takes good Ufe of given him., God >Ul not dofo^Jhall forget this Rule a Chnftlan runs elp and Comfort turning into that sins, which he re- fpecially when he , any known and i/ill naturally hate t him. at made us !* )UB a Sin Tas you think Dial. 10. for the INDIANS. 245- think that is, it is certainly true :— For any Man, whofe Confcience tells him, that he 1.^ always doing that wh.ch muft olfend an bcly^ fuft^ and powerful God, cannot but wilh there was no fuch Being to call him to an Account, and to puniih him i nor can he pombly love fljch a Being. •; .; f*;,.^r'.;-- ^^U.r, Thirdly -^—Another Way of grieving tlic Holy Spirit is by negleding, which in 'i'riith is deipifing, thofe Means of Grace, whuli JefusChrilt hath appointed to bring JVI.ii 'into, and to keep them in, the Way ol: Sal- vation. Ind. * I have not forgot what you have * formerly told m.e ^,—th^t the hearing an^l « ferioufly thinking of the Word ot God, m * which a Chriftian's Ducy is contain'd, as ' well as the Promifes to encourage, and the ' Puniilaments to deter us, is one of thofc ' Means you fpeak of, mod proper to con- ' vert Men, and to keep them in the Favour ' of God.' ^^ ^^ , Mijf. And the others are ;— The Holy Oidinances which Chrift himfelf h:.'.th ap- pointed ; the one to receive Men into his Church, and die other to enable them to grow in Grace, • • , 1 Now, as the Ufe' of thefe Means, join d with earneil Prayer to God, for Light to dif- cover .what is evil in us, and for Power to root it out, is the fure Way of prefevving the •Y 2 J^^k PP^WWWSWWPWBfSWPf -::46 An Instruction Dml.20. Fello'i^M of the Holy Spirit ',—-io, when any Chritlian, depending upon his own Rea- fol IVijdcm. or Pc^er. nnd forgetting that 'all our Suffidemy to do any Good, :s of bed , docs neoktt thcfe Means, the good Spirit WA\ forfake l\ich a Ferfon, and leave him to b.imfclf, and to the Delufion and Government of evil Spirits, which, without .1 fincereKc- rcntanre, will be his Ruin. And moft of all, .;vhen he trufts to any thing he has done as meritorious in the Sight of God, mllead of t'-at, which Chrift has ..one and fullered ror 'Ik * This, I hope, will be a Warning to • ine, never to ncgieft thefe Means of Grace * and Safety' MifT. And I hope too, that you will never forgef io give God the Glory of nil the Good you do; for be affur'd of this,-^/.^/ neither 'the Reafonablemfs of any Duty, uox the Baje- nrfs of any Sin, nor any other Confideration, can enable you to do what is good, andwdU Dkftrz to God, or to avoid ivhat is evil, bu^ only his Grace, and that good Spirit to which YOU are dedicated at your Bapnim.— To him you muft apply for Light to fee your Duty, and for Strength to perform it -—and to hm 'jou muft give all the Glory. , •, r-u • Ind. ' Since there are fo many bad Lhn- « ftians to be met with, I fhould be glad to U 'Ih 2 Cor. iii. > know iiirriiwmiiri ON Dial.20» ; fo, when Tk his own Rea- forgetting that ody is of Gcd *, le good Spirit id leave him to [\d Government )ut a fincere Ke- '\nd moflof all, he has done as God, inlleadof and fuffered for )e a Warning to Means of Grace u you will never i of all the Good is, — That neither ty^ nor the Bafc- ;r Confideration, is goodi and well- tvbat is evil, but 3d Spirit to which ipriim.— To him fee your Duty, ^ it i — afid to him many bad Chri- fhould be glad to * know Diat.ao: for the IN D I ANS. 24/ « know whr they are whofe Example I may ' lafely fellow.' Miff. I would not advife you to make the Lives and Anions of other People altogether a Pattern for you to follow •, but always ra- ther have an Eye to what you believe will pleafe or difpleafe God, and what you know he has commanded or forbidden : — Altho* good and bad Chriftians may, for the moP: part, be known by the Lives they lead, as a 'I'ree is hiotun by its Fruit. r'fs When, therefore, you fee Men pay a great Regard to God and his Laws, honouring his Holy Name, and his JVord, and every thing belonging to him -,— when you fee xhtrnjujl, and kind, and merciful, and not given to Re- venge, but ready "to forgive, and ^/w,^and love, as becomes the i-'oUowers of Chrift ; — when you fee them temperate and chajle, mo- defi and humble, and dealing iiith others as they themfelves would be dealt zvith ■,— you will have Reafon to take thefe for good Chri- ftians, if you are convinced, that they do thefe Things out of Love and Obedience to God, and as the Fruit of Faith in the Lord Jefus Chrift. On the other Hand,— If you fee among thofe who call themfelves Chriftians, fuch as make no Confcience of their Ways, but lead carelefs, idle, ufelefs, or difordcrly Lives ;— exceeding /o;i^ of the IForld, and its Vanities ; Y 4 —and mm iii iii i i m i j "pp^r « »**;■'- -■ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductlons / Instltut Canadian de microreproductlons historiques IJM^ Dial. ao. for the IN D IAN S. ajs " Ind. * This I fully purpofe to do.' Miff. Laftly,— Will you dedicate and de- vote yourfelf" to the Holy Ghojl, that good Spirit, that he may, by his all-powerful Grace and Help, keep you from Sin and Wicked- nefs, and aflift you in the Way of Holinefs and Happinefs, that you may never be a Re- proach to that Religion which you are going to profefs ? Ind. * I will moft thankfully dedicate my- * felf to himi that, by his Afliftance, I may ' be able to pleafe God, and perform what I * have promifed.' Mijf. You will not fail to do fo, if yoii often confider, that your evcrlafting //«/>/>/- nefs or Mifery will depend uponyour ohferving or negkiiing the Vows and Promifes you make at your. Baptifm. And if, to this, you add your fincere Pray- ers to God, to direiJ and hkjs you in the Work you are defirous to undertake, he will moft furcly bear your Prayers, and grant your Pe- titions, which you may make in-iE(>tne fuch Words as-thefcfoUowiug.—^ I vi.# SeUvf '^^f^!^^^^^ •tmmmi'ifif* i ' {' '[ 254 ] I ' '^- ' JJ* 1 Ji-M SCRIPTURES AND ^ '" P R AYERS. Matt. vi. 10. ^hy Kingdom come. MAY the Kingdoms of the World be- come the Kingdoms of the Lord, and •f his Chrift ! O Thou who art the Maker and Redeemer of all, have Mercy upon all whom Thou haft made and redeemed -, and grant that none may make themfelves incapable of that Hap- pinels which Jefus Chrift hath purchafed with bis moft precious Blood. — To this End, we befeech Thee to blefs the pious Endeavours of all Perfons and Societies, which ftrive to propagate the Gofpel -, — —That its Divine Truths may be received in all the World j — That thy Ways may be known throughout the Earth, thy faving Health among all Nations j— That thy Name ' may be great among the Heathen, and reverenced and ad- ored by all thofe that are yet Strangers to thy molt ^flUi'uViiinVii'iiiiiiii'iifrfc IMlHlllilliiii wmummmr URES < R S. dom come. the World be- )f the Lord, and ;r and Redeemer ;hom Thou haft grant that none ble of that Hap- I purchafed with fo this End, we ous Endeavours , which drive to That its Divine II the World J— own throughout alth among all ; ' may be great vcrenced and ad- , Strangers to thy molt SekB Scriptures, &c. mofl: glorious Perfeftions. — Have Pity upon all thofe milerable People, who itill fitinDark- nefs, and want the neceflary Means of Inflru- aion : and grant that, by the Preaching of the Gofpel, they may, in thy good Time, be delivered from their Ignorance, Idolatry, and the Bondage of Satan, in which they have been fo long enflaved. — And may thy good Providence reveal the Means by which thy Kingdom may be enlarged, and the whole- Earth filled with the Knowlege of the Lord ! Grant this, O merciful God, for Jefus Chrift's Sake : To whom with Thee, and the Holy Ghoft, be all Honour, Glory, Domi- nion, and Power, for ever and ever. Amen. A Supplication on behalf of the ^p5 i- Heathen World. Matt. ix. 36. Jefus, feeing the Multitude, was moved with Camp-on, becaufe they were as Sheep having no~ Shepherd.— Pray ye the Lord cf the HarveJf, that he would fend Labourers into Jbis Harvest. TT O W many, O Jefus, of thy Sheep have Jtj ..i> Shepherd ! none to ihew them their Dan^ r --»none to keep them out of Danger J none iv. ' ;ad them where they may find Pa- fturc! May iiiiWniflilrtT* 356 SeleSi Scriptures May thine infinite Wifdom and Goodnefs, O Lord, reveal to us the Means, by which thy Gofpel may be preached unto them •, and prepare their Hearts to receive the Truth, that they may be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption, into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God ! Send them Paftors after thine own Heart i full of Knowlege, Compaffion, and Zeal i that, pitying their fad Conditica, they may inftrudt them m the Ways of Truth, and of eternal Life.— In- creafe the Number and the Graces of thy Mef- fengers and Minifters j and touch the Hearts •of all Chriftians with a true Compaffion, like thine, O Lord, for all fuch as are Strangers to Thee, and to the Merits of thy Death, by which they have been ttdecmed, that they may chearfully contribute to a Work fo ac- ceptable to the Divine Majefty.— And may thy Holy Spirit, by the Preachm^ of the Gofpel, add daily to the Church fuch as Ih^ be laved, thro' thy Merits and MccUation, O I ,ord, and Lover «f Soub ! Amm, . \ ■.a:^>mM ( flMllitiliilitriiiirtilii- rriiiiiiitwffftfify-rf-^^l RES and Goodncfs, ans, by which ito them •, and ive the Truth, m the Bondage ous Liberty of them Paftors of Knowlege, , pitying their udt them in the rnal Life. — In- ices of thy Mef- )uch the Hearts :ompaffion, like IS are Strangers i of thy Death, ctned, riiat they I a Work fo ac- fty.— And may reaching of the rch fuch a& fhall d MecUation, O ^mvi %:ir -■■■■ ft^. AMif- and Prayers. A Miflionary's Prayer. ^'57 John xvii. 20. Neither pray I for thefe aloie^ but for all thofe that fijall believe through their Word. ON this thy efficacious Prayer, O Jefus; I depend for Succefs in tiiis my Un- dertaking and Miniftry. — To this Prayer we all owe our Faith and Converfion. — In a grateful Senfe of which, I befeech thee, O Lord, to make me an Inftrument of {Propa- gating thy Gofpel, and of converting others, and of fulfiUing thy Father's Will, who would have all Men. to be faved, and to come to the Knowlege of the Truth. Teach me, O Lord, by thy Spirir, thy Word, and thy Example, how I oiight to teach others: And, by thy preventing Grace, prepare them for InftruClion i— give them a great Concern and Fear lor them- felves, that,, feeling their own Miiery, they may feek for Help, and thankfully accept ir, when offered to them. On thy Almighty Grace, O God, I rely for Succefs in all my Labours and Miniftry, and for a Zeal Jpoth prudent and fervent to promote thy G^ry, the Inter eft s of thy King- dom, and the Good of Souls, for Jcfus Chrift'.'i Sake. Jmenl Z A Prayer iiiiiiiiiriiiliilBlrintifiit'''' iiiMmrititttir- "^'^'"^ Piifp"W*lW"'' *! im wm'"^' ■M^PVIP* imfmmn 158 Selef? Scriptures % A Prayer proper for fueh as dehre to be mftrufted in the • Christian Religion. Aas xvi. 30. Si,j, what muft I do to hefaved? And they f^id. Believe in the Lord Jefus Chift, and thou JkaU be faved :-Ana they fpake unto him the IVord of the Lord, &c. ai:d he is: as baptized, GREAT God, have Pity on me ; for I am in Diftrefs and Fear for myfelf.-- 1 have been convinced, that I (hall live for ever, after I leave this World, in either Hap- nincfs or Mifery.— This gives me great Un-- eafinefs, when I conHder what mutt become of ire when I die.— My own Confcience ac- cufcth me of having done manyThings,whicU I know muft greatly difpleafe Thee,--i hnd myfelf inclined to do Evil continually, ana I know not how to help it i fo that my Fears increafe upon me daily— Thy People aflTure UK- that Thou art good and merciful to iuch as call upon Thee in their Diftrefs •, and that for the Sake of Jefus Chrift, thy beloved Son, •Thou wilt pardon Sinners, #nd recetve theni into Favour. In Confidwicc of thiSf—l befcech Thee to pity my diftjefled. Condi- tion, and deliver me from the fgnorai.ce ' ana ia.-....,^^.^..;...ijfe^^.;.^^iiL£L.^>:.».a||ipi^ i#iMifli1n [ i i.pi il i iiii iiM iii iyi RES for fuch as ifted in the [ON. / do to hefaved ? the Lord Jefus %ved: — And they of tbe Lordy &c. ity on me ; for I :ar for myfelf. — It I (hall live for d, in either Hap- ?es me great Un- bat muft become n Confeience ac- anyThings,whicli afe Thee.— I find continually, and , fo that my Fears rhy People aflTure d merciful to fucli Diftrefs •, and that , thy beloved Son, *nd receive them id«ice of thisi — I difttefled. Cdndi- rn the Ignorance and ■ and Prayers. ij^ and Fears 1 labour under.— Caufc me to know Thee, and thy Son Chrift, more per- feftly -, and teach me how I muft live \'o as to pleafe Thee. Reward the Endeavours of fuch as are fo kind as to inllrud me. — Give me an underftanding Heart, a teachable Temper, and an obedient Will, that I may thankfully ufe the Means, which Thou haft ordained for my Salvation. — Defend me from the Power and Malice of evil Spirits, which may ftrive to hinder my Converfion. — Thefc BlelTings I beg for the Sake of thy beloved ion, the Lord Jefus. Dan. xii. 3. They that turn many to Righte- oufnefs, Jhall Jhine as the Stars for ever and ever. O Merciful God, increafe theNumber and the Graces of fuch as are zealous for thy Glory, and for the Converfion of Sinners : Impart to them the true Way of In- ftru«5Hbn, and may thy Blefllng go alone:; \vith. their pious Eaieavours 1 '^• Zt Ik'. iJMM mmn'^limm qm* L o(jo Si'Ie^f Scriptures « Tic. iii. .?• I'^'f' "'■^^ oitrfdves loere fometlmes foolifljy dijobedient, deceived, fcrving divers Lujls and Pleafures, living in Mdue and Envy, hateful, ^td bating one another, THIS, O Jefus, had ftill been our fad Condition, hadft not Thou redeemed us by tliy Death, and blefred us with the Light; of thy tjofpcl. May this, O Lord, be the Fruit of our Faith in Thee, and of our Gra- titude for thy Mercies to us, that we pity the Milcrics of the Heathen World, and endea- vour to make them Partakers of the fame Bleflings wc ourfclvcs enjoy ! U: Afts xviii. 26. fFhen Jqttila and Prifciila had heard ApcUos /peak, %vho knew only the Bnptifm of John, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the Way of God more perfctHy, ... ■•, ..j ^ . " , . ,., ;* LE T it here be obferved,— That thefc two Perfons, both ot the Laity, a Man aiKl his Wife, were', by the Spirit of God, made Inftruments of perfedling the Faith of Apollos, a Man of otherwifi great Abilities : -To Ihew Chriftians th«ilmp6rtanc€ of what St. PW tells us C i C^Jr,.; xii. 21.) ^T/^* Eye cannot fay of the Hand, 1 bane no need -^„.iiiairaifeaia, mmnmim '" ved,— That thefc the Laity, a Man le Spirit of God, dling the Faith of ft great Abilities : ;h«|Imp6rtanc€ of Ci,.>,,^,^^.-y-^i^^„JM...^ "flp-rf iiy v>'^ ,1, end in their rid, but always )Ut a Miracle ot lave no R.?*fon . j . w • in:— The con- ' this Duty is a wlege and Re- Word and Pro- 11 have no Mo- nor any Rcafon him. lead fuch People ,nly,--To forget Mifery ; — That ith, and even to :ge is neceflary, 1, even to awaken jy a true Repent- ; bitter Pains of rcatens, that fuch Kmwlege (whi<^ vg to him daily), d reprobate Mind, idgment •, — To do ,yes, let what will * rtaiiily be*this : — ivil flngels, who wiU Prayers, ^c. 26$ will lead them, as he did the Heathen Worla, to commit all Iniquity with Greedinefs, till they are fit for no Place but Hell. Now, if thefe be Truths of the Gofpel, as moft furely they are, one would hope, there would need no other Words, to perfuade every one who is in his right Mind, and not already in the fad Condition before-mentioned, . To beg of God to keep him, by his Grace, from falling into fuch dreadful Cir- cumftances. The moft fure Way to avoid it is, — To dedicate fome Time every Day of our Lives to the Worfhip of God : Humbly to acknow- lege our Dependence upon him:— To con- fefs our own Weaknefs to help and govern ourfelves : — To beg Pardon for having of- fended him :— To pray for his Grace, and Piotedion, anu Bieffing:— And to give hira Thanks for his Mercies and Favours to us. By doing this, we Jhall retain God in our Knowlege : — —This will be a true and folid Foundation of Peace, and Comfort, and Happinefs : — Provided it be performed out of a deep Senfe of our own Wants and Mi- feries: Witha firm Faith in God's Pro- mifes to fulfil the Beftres of them that fear him: And with an Eye to the Blood* of Jefus ouis^ Redeemer, for whofe Sake, and thro' whofe Suffei*igs, we are reconciled to God, and Gol to us. A a The T mm "nm^ ««l!l»' "*■< 66- Private <»» and in fuch a Mealure, as (hall be moft for thy Glorf, and my Salvation. Poflcfs my Soul, I befcech Thee, with a true and faving Faith, and with fuch aSenfe of thy Goodnefs to m^ and of my Depend- » ence upon l^hee^ that it may be my Delight, as it is my Intereft and Duty, to fervc and obey Thee. . , ' ' t But that I may ferve Thee with a quie^ Mind, forgive me all my Sins, 1 befeech Thee, for thy deap 'Son's Sake, and, with- hold the Judgments of which my COnfcience is afraid. _^ Keep it ever in the Heart of' twy^Wvan^ that it is an evil Thing and bitter, iGJorfakt md offend the Lord.-^Am, above all Jhings, Keep mi from wi^i and deliberate SiriSj that I may f\^er<^feve thy Moly Spirit^, nor pro- voke THle to leave me to myfeif. A , •I'l* Aa 2 ^ct '^■- ^8 Private end Family l^et thy reftraining Grace preferve me from the Temptations of the Worlds the Flejhy and ^be Devil:, That I may fall into no Sm, nor run into any kind of Danger ; — But that all my Doings may be ordered by Thee, that I may do always that which is righteous m thy Sight ;— And that I may live and ad as having Thee, O God, the xonftant Witnefs of all my thoughts, Deftgnsy Words, and ASiions. W* May I never render myielf, by new Sms, unv^rorthy of thy Guidance and Protection 1 — Suffer me not to go aftray, or bring me ,back by fuch Ways as to Thee fliall fcem ineet. May I love Thee with all my Heart, and all Mankind for thy Sake!— And may I ever have this fure Proof of thy Love abidmg in me, that I ftudy to pleafe Thee, and to keep thy Commandments! And that I may forgive, and love, and do Good to my Neighbours, as becomes a Difciple of Jefus Chnll!. Affift me, by thy Grace, faithfully to per- form all the Duties of my Calling-, and thank- fully to receive, and patiently toisear, what- ever thy Providence fhall order for me. Preferve me from an idle and ufele/sLAk ; ever remembering,— ?"/&«/ the Night cometb^ lohen np Man can work: An^ Winnow is • f he Time in which to provide for Era"nity. i % c ' And ■'■ ■' ., . 'm * ily ■eferve me from , the Flejh^ and ill into no Sin, ger i — But that ibyThee,-that is righteous in live and adt as onftant Witnefs J, pf^ordsy ind f, by new Sms, md Protedioni ly, or bring xne rhee fliall kem my Heart, and And may I ever Y Love abiding fe Thee, and to And that I do Good to my Difciple of Jefus faithfully to per- iling; andthank- ly toi>ear, what- der for me. ' and ufelefsUk j the Night Cometh^ -Anjd that^wow is le for Ero-nity. And Prayers, S?r, 26p And grant, O Lord, that no worldly Pleafure, no worldly Bufinefs, may ever make me lofe the Sight of Death. And may the Thoughts of Death oblige me to be truly and fincerely good -, To moijify all Pride and Vanity, -^Coveto nefs^ Hatredy Envy, and Malice; — To ht Joioui^ foBeVy and watchfuly while I continue in this State of Trial ! Hear me, O Heavenly Father, not accord- ing to my imperfedt Petitions, but accord- ing to the fuU Meaning of that holy Prayer, which thy only Son hath taught us, in Com- paffion to our Infirmities : OUR Father, which art in Heaven-,— Hallowed be thy Name.— Thy King- dom come.— Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. — Give us this Day our daily Bread.— And forgive us our Trefpafles, as we forgive them that trefpafs againft us. — And lead us not into Temptation.-*-But de- liver us from Evil. — For Thine is the King- domy and the Pozvery and the Gloryy for ever and ever. Amen, "!>■. ■'.^ A a 3 f< omo ; ,-,.^...>.-,:JA'.^v»itMtfMa*|| ' "pw imm m * mm 270 Private and Family Some Short Meditations, for fuch as are well-difpofed, and have Time to Ipare. fem^f;M.oM ^ John xvi. 23. Ferily I fay unto yctiy What- foever ye Jhall ajk the Father in my Name, Hejhall give it you, , , .^ft^i^ EVERY thing is promifed to this Duty, when we pray as we ought to do •, i. e. —In the Name, and through the Merits, of Jefus Chrift ; Out of a Senfe of our own Wants and Miferies j—With the HumiHty off finful Creatures ;— And with a full Purpofe ef doing what we know will pleafe God. O Lord, vouchfafe me thefe Difpofitions, that I may never alk Thee any thing in vain, or render myfelf unworthy to receive thy Bie flings. Prov. iii. 5, 6. Lean not unto thine own Un- derjlanding ; in all thy Ways acknowkge God, and hejbali direct tky Paths, ^ , Do Thou, O God, direft my Paths, and teacfi me to guide rny Affairs with Charity, Difcretion,. Juftice^ and Piety. Shew me the Way that I (hould walk in, and give me Grace to follow the Conduft of tlw, good Spirit, for the Sake of Jefus Chrift. f- ,.s.?a - 1 Cor. ■■MliJ.t>.^^iiia»iTii(Wliiii aMuriiWiMI nily ' ' N s, for fucli id have Time unto ycut What- her in my Name, "ed to this Duty, ight to do •, i. e. h the Merits, of Jenfe of our own 1 the Humility df h a full Purpofe I pleafe God. lefe Difpofitkuis, ny ^hirig in vain, ' to receive thy ito thine own Un- s acknowlege God, Prayers, ayi V. •iJjU : « S b my Paths, and irs with Charity^ \- Shew me the 1, and give me ft of thv. good i Chrift. 1 Cor. XV. 33. Evil Commttnlcatians corrupt' •,n«r i* -?v, Zo<''^ Manners. No Man mud fay, that he has any Res World to a blefled End,— That I may -^.^ m Peace, and rejf in Hope, and rtfe in dory^-j^ 274 Private and Family Through Jefus Chrift in whofe Name, and according to the full Meaning of that holy Prayer which he hath taught us, I mod humbly befeech Thee to hear me, for myfelf, and for all Chriftian People. OUR Father, which art in Heaven; — Hallowed be thy Name.— Thy King- dom come. — Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. — Give us this Day our daily Bread.— And forgive us our Trefpafles, as we forgive them that trefpafs againft us.— And lead us not into Temptation. — But de- liver us from Evil. — For thine is the King- dom, a.id the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. ^miH. Short Me D I tat 10 n s for fuch as have Time, and are well-difpofed. ■••"rtt *ivTj| iL'H— * Eph. iv. 26. Let not the Sun go down upon your IVrath. . ^ > LORD, grant I may lie down to fleep, with the fame charitable Difpofuions with which I defire to die. — I befeech Thee for all that are my Enemies ; Not for Judgment and Vengeance, but for thy Mercy y -»-For their Pardon and Converfioii, and for iheir eternal Happinefs. Hcb. nily n whofe Name, cleaning of that lught us, I mod me, for myfelf, t in Heaven ;— ne. — Thy King- lone in Earth, as lis Day our daily ir Trefpafles, as ifs againft us.— tation. — But de- line is the King- 1 die Glory, for or fuch as have -difpofed. jm g9 down upon e down to fleep, able Difpofitions —I befeech Thee 1 ; Not for )ut for tiy Mercy y nverfioii, and for Hcb. Prayers, UTS Heb. iii. 7, 8. To-day, if ye will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts. This is the Day, and this the Life, in which God fpeaks to us in Mercy.-Lord, grant that I may not harden my Heart againft this Truth-, nor let me dip this Day of jhy f a- tiencej that neither the Cares nor the Flea- fures of this Life may ever make me torgct^ that this is the Day on which my Salvation depends, fo far, that 1 know not whether I (hail have another. Rev. iU. 3. Thoujhalt not know what Hour I .„ ■ will come upon thee. Let me give Credit to Thee, O God, Lord ^f Truth, and not to my own corrupt Hjeart, which would flatter me, that I may Jave Time and Warning fufficient to prepare for Death I -But give Se Grace, O Lord, to be prepared for i\i?^ unknown Hour, by a fpeedy Repent- ance, a true Converfion, and an holy LUe. Matt. xvi. 26. What is a Man profited, £ he Jhall gain the whole World, and lofe bts awn Soul. How many live without thinking of this t _We admire, and we envy, thoje who get great Eftates for themfelves, and for ^heUt mmmm ^ M Bsspi 276 Private and Famify Children ;— making their Riches their De- light, their Happinefs, and the whole Coi> «ern and Bufinefs of their Lives.—— Lord, deliver thy Servant irom fuch a Blindncfs, as mull end in my everlalting Ruin, and in the Lofs of my Soul, for which the whole World cannot make mc Amends. Luke xiii. 7, 8. Behold^ thefe three Years, I come feeking Fruit on this Fig-tree, and find none. Cut it down : JVhy cumberetb it the Ground ? — Lord, let it alone this Tear alfo : .^Jf it kar Fruit, well; if not, then, after that, thoufhalt cut it down. I adore thy wonderful Patience, O God; tpwards me •, and thy merciful Interceflion, 6 Jefus, with thy Father for fparing me : —May this Goodnefs and Long-fuffering 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 ! ' vcn^eii' Morning Prayer for a Family. Jofh. xxiv. 15. Js for me and my Houfe, we will ferve the Lord. -^.f : THIS ought to be the fmcere Refolu- tion, and coaftant Pradice, of every Chriftian Mafter of a Family.- — Without this, mify iiches their De- the whole Coi> .ives.' ■ int irom fuch a everlalting Ruin, il, for which the me Amends. >efe three Tears^ I Fig-tree., and find by cumberetb it the one this Tear alfo : if not i thetu after m. Patience, O God; ciful Interceflion, for fparing me : id Long-fuffering And may thy all- e to bring forth e, and worthy of s,;-R *i'i.T-^hive>t*i)P.ii for a Family. and my Houfe^ we Lord. • iTj**.... « lie fmcere Refolu- Pradice, of every ni!y._ Without this, Prayers, &e^ 277 rfiis, none can reafonably expcft to have (Uiti- ful Children, or faithful Servants-,— nor juftly hope to have God's Blefllng in this World, or in the World w come. x-Mx.S }'K'r 7'-' '-, • Ut one devoutly read or fay what followetb^ the reft of the Family ferioufly attending. TH E Lord hath brought us fafe 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 dlrefl and rule our Hearts, teaching us what to do, and what to avoid : , • u That the Grace of God may ever be with us, to fupport us in all Dangers, and carry us through all Temptations : That the Lord may blefs all our honelt Endeavours, and make us content with what his Providence fhall order for us :— And that we may continue his faithful Servants this Day, and all the Days of our Life. For all which Bleflings let us devoutly pray. then all devoutly kneeling^ let one fay y OMoft Gracious and Merciful God, by whom the World is governed and pre- fcrvcd, we give Thee humble Thanks for thy ° fatherly 278 private <7»^ Family fatheriy Care over us ; in preferving us from the Dangers of the Night paft, and m bringing us fafe this Morning to fee another Day. We eratefuUy acknowlege our Dependence upon Thee for all the Necefaries, Conveniens cies arid Comforts, of our Life i-for all the Means of our WeU-being hert, and of our cverlafting Happinefs hereafter. We give Thee Thanks for the Light of thy Gofpeir and the Helu of thy Grace, and for the PromifeThou haft made us of Pardon and Forgivenefs thro' thy Son Chrift Jefus, on our fincere Repentance and Amendment. Give us, we befcech Thee, fuch a Senfe of thefe 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 i-Make a Confcience of all our Ways i^ And, fearing to offend Thee, may jiever fall into the Sins we have repented ol. ■ Enable us to refift and overcome the! emp- tations of the World, the Flefh and theDe. vil —To follow the Motions of thy good Spx- tit .—To be ferioiis and holy in our Livtis 1— true and juft in our Dealings i-watchful over bur Thoughts, our Words, and our Anions ; ^ ^diligenfin our BuQncfc, and temperatt in; *"(^ve"us brace honeftly to improve all the ' Talents which Thou hafl committed to our Xruft ;.^— and may m- worldly Bufmfs, no ■ * worldly .mily referving us from I, and in bringing noiher Day. e our Dependence (faries^ Convenien- .ife i— for all the her&, and of our fter. .r the Light of thy \y GTace, and for e us of Pardon and hrift Jefus, on our lendment. ;e, fuchaSenfeof cies to us, as may rhee for them, may ever walk as nfcience of all our offend Thee, may have repented of. ^ercome theTemp- Flefh, and the De-. msofthygoodSpi- ►ly inour LivtiSi— TS-, — watchful over i^ and our Anions -, , and temperate in * to improve all the " : committed to our worldly Bujmefst no worldly Prayers, ^c. 279 •worldly Pleafures, divert us from the Con- cerns of the Life to come ! May thy Bleffing be upon our Perlons, upon our Libot^rs, upon our Subftance 1— And upon all that belongs to us '.—And may we never undertake any Work, which we dare notbecofThee toprofper! ,, ^ ^ , - By thy Grace defend us in all AffauJcs of our Enemies:— And grant that this Day we fall into no Sin, neither run into any kmd ot Dangers : -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 vs needful tor us, and Grace not to abufe thy J^avours :— Give us, we befeech Thee, contented Minds •. ^And make .us ever mindful of the Want of others. , , , V 1 - -.^ Give us, in this World, the Knowlege of thy Truth, and, in the World to come, l.itc everlafting. Jmett. ■ Hear us, O merciful God, not according to our imperft^a Petitions, but according to the full rvleaning of that Form of Prayer which Jefus Chrift hath taught us, and tor his bake. OUR Father, which art in Heaven •,— Hallowed be thy Name.— Thy Kmg- dom come.-Thy Will be Jone in Eatoh, « it is in Heaveru-Give us this Day our dady . ;j.|j|!Piiiiii4i'''i'Wi a«o Private fl»^ Family Bread.-And forgive us our Trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trefpafs agamft us -And e3 us not into Temptation -But dehver us from Evil.— For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. ; jj^>4». ^& Ul^l' THE Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift. and the Love of God, and the Fellow- Ihip of the Holy Ghoft, be with us all, ever- more. Jmen. Proper Meditations for fuch as have Time, and are devoutly difpofed. .i\ Pfal.cxxvii. I. Except the Lord buill the Houfe, they labour in vain mt build tt. UNhappy and blind are they, who expcd to profper without thy Bleffing,0 Lord. ^1 do therefore beg that Bleffing upon myftlf And F^imify, my Labours imdSubJhnce.---Ana may I never hinder thy Bleffings, by imder- takins any Work which may dilhonour Thee, or my Chriltian Profeffion !—Fit us, O Lord, bv thy Grace, for that Houfe not made mtb Hands, eternal in the Heavens, prepared Wr them tteit lave and fear Thee. Hab. lily Prefpafles, as we rainft us.— And —But deliver us le Kingdom^ and r ever and ever. ird Jefus Chrift, and the FcUow- vith us all, ever- r fuch as have ly dilpofed. > Lord build the t that build it. they, who cxped BleffingjOLord. effing upon nrffilf I Subflance. — And ffings, by under- ^diihonourThee, —Fit us, O Lord, ufe not made with ens, prepared for lee. Hab. Prayers, G?r. 281 Hab. ii. 9. ^f^oe to hint that eoveteth an evil Covetoufiiefs to his Houfe, that he may fet his Neft on high, that he may be delivered from the Power of Evil! ^ sm-^\ Deliver us, OGod, (rom Covetoufnefs, the Root of all E-y/'/i— which leads Men to truft in thtmfelves j— To forget their Dependence upon Thee •,— and foolilhiy to hope to be out of the Reach of Misfortunes, and thofe Evils and Affliftions, which are defigned in great Mercy, for the Punifliment of Sin, and for the Salvation of Sinners.— Prefcrve us, O Lord, from this too common, but damnable Sin of Covetoufnefs, for Jefus Chrift's Sake. Jmen. Luke xvii. 26, 27, 28, 29. ^s it was in the Days of Noah, and of Lot.—Th<;y did eat^ they drank, they bought, they fold, they planted^, they builded -^—till the Day that Lot went out of Sodom, when they were all dejiroyed. ' Lord, open our Eyes before we are furprifed by Death, as tliofe miferable Sinners were in the Days of Noah, and of Lot.—M^y this be a Warning to us! And keep us, by thy Grace, from fetting our Hearts too eagerly upon the Bu/tnefs, the Cares, or Pleafures, of this*Life, without confidering how foon and fuddenly we may be called out of it j— /^d that Day overtake us unaware, Bb Col. t^mm aSi Private ^' hing up ymr Chil- i Admonition of the of oiit Lord' Jeftis , blefs my Children and underftanding jrts, that they may ,11 their Days.— Let from the Tempta- and may I never be y Duty to theniT!— Faith and Duties of ?incc them of their Faults, Faults, and correft them in Reafon and Love, —O be Thou, O God, their Father and theit Portion in this World, and in the World to- come ! Amen. Evening Prayer for a Family. , i^i one of the Family read or fay diftinmy what folhweth, the rnJi frnoujly attending. - BY the Favour of God, we are come to the Evening of this Day i an^ we are lo.much nearer our latter End. Let us ferioufly confider this, and pray God- to prepare us for the Hour of Death. Let us, with penitent Hearts, befeech Hun to pardon our Offences, and to deliver us from> the Evils which they have deferved. Let us refolve to amend whatever we have done amifs, and pray God, that H«s Grace may keep us from returnmg to thofe Sms which we have repented of: „. p„ And that we may be fafe under His Fro- tedion, who alone can defend us frpm the Powers of Darknefs. For all which Bleflings kt us devoutly pray. rben, all devoutly kneeling, let one dijlin£lly f'^O'y OLORD, and Heavenly Father-, we ac- knowlege thy great Goodncfs to us, m fparing us when we deierve PumOiment v-^ln 'i"""o Bh i giving, illia-|»«hiiMII»i 2 § 4- ' Private and Family «rivincrustheNeccminesofthisUfe, and in Setting before us the Happinefs of a better o' merciful God, pardon our Offences, cor- redt and amend what is amifs in us, that as we grow in Years, we may grow 'n Grace, and the nearer we come to our latter End, the bet- ter we may be prepared for it. In the midft of Life we are in Death. Lord, grant that thefe Thoughts may make us careful how we live, that we may efcape the. bitter Pains of eternal Mifery. Take from us all Ignorance, Hardnefsot Heart, and too much Carefulnefs for the Things of this Life. . Make us an Houlhold ftaring Thee O God, fubmitting ourfelves to thy g^?^ P»^^; lure, and putting our whole 1 ruft in thy, Givi us a true Knowlege of o^^felvcs -,-- Of the Corruption of our Nature^- And the Neceffity of thy gracious Help to fave us from ^Tnd may the Spirit of Chrift ever live and ' rule in us, poflfcmng our Souls with a fincere Love of Thee, O God, with an f yeft Defire to pleafe Thee, and with a Dread of oftending '^^Sanftify us wholly, we befeech Thee, that our Spirits, and Souls, ^^^ ^^^les^ay^t^ WMHiidbiiaMlltdhd nilv ;his Life, and ia inefs of a better )ur Offences, cor- s in us, that as we )W in Grace, and tterEnd, thebet- t. %re in Death. oughts may make Are may efcape the ry. nee, Hardnefs of uefulnefs for the ftaring Thee, O to thy good Plea- lole Truft in thy, e of ourfelves •,— Jature •,— And the elp to fave us from hrift ever live and 3uls with a fincere li an carneft Defire :)read of offending Defeech Thee, that id Bodies, may be preferved Prayers, (^c. 285 preferved blamelefs unto the Coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift. Continue to us, and to all Chriftian Churches, the Means of Grace and Salvation ; and may the faving Truths of the Gofpel be publiflied and received in all the World ! Vouchfafe unto us an Intereft 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 for- give our many Offences againft our Neigh- bour. Blefs, we befeech Thee, O God, all thofa whom thy Providence hath fet over us, whe- ther in Church or State.— And give us Grace to honour and obey them forConfcience-fakc Defend us from all Adverfities which may happen to our Bodies, and from all evil rhoughts which may affault and hurt our Souls i— and prepare us to receive with an humble Refignation, whatever thy Providence fliall think beft for us. And, finally, we befeech Thee to give us Grace, that we may lead and end out* Lives in thy Faith and Fear, and to thy Glory, thro* Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. Hear us, O fnerc ful God, for ourfelves and for all Mankind, not according to our weak Under ftandings, but according to the full Meaning of that holy Prayer, which thy be- loved Son hath taught us. # . Our m:"- ' fWWWi"*"* "^WP*^ 2^6 Private ^//^ Family OUR Father, which art in Heaven;— Hallowed be thy Name.— Thy King- dom come.-Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Hcavcn.-Give us this Day our daily Bread.— And forgive us our IrefpalRs, as we forgive them that trefpafs agamlt us — And lead us not into Temptation.--But de- ifver us from Evil.-For Thine is the King- dom, and the Power, and the Glory, tor ever and ever. ^men. >, , >, v^;;.* THE Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and the Love of God, and the Pellow- ftwp of the Holy Ghoft, be with us all ever- nriore. yail«» . * •»,* Li .< -^*r\ .i \ .^Vvs-i- t *■*■* Seleft Scriptures, and IVTEDiTiCTTb'ws • upon them ; which may teach us how - to profit by reading tlie ^cnj^f^^^ro. Matt. X. 30. The very Hairs ofyeurjteaS'm all numbered. LET this thy wonderful Providence, O God, and Care over us, be eyermore our Comfort and Defence againft all the Evils which may happen to our Bodies, ar.U ailevu Thoughts, which may aflault and hurt our Souls i-Againft the diftrading Cares of this ti imiiti i riMwi ii -i ii i I wti x ^'t t im Umtmmm^t f mlly t in Heaven ;— ne.— Thy ICing- done in Earth as lis Day our daily ur Trefpaflfts, as jafs againft us. — nation.— But de- "hine is the King- i the Glory, tor ,ord Jefus Chrift, 3, and the Fellow- : with us all evcr^ rEDlT>TTb'NS nay teach us how le Scnpi;ures.^ ^ oimj. , ..-ft i . - 4--' ' ''- .' jVj of your jteaS'are ed. ful Providence, O r usv be evermore againft all the Evils Bodies, ar.a ail-evil* flault and hurt our • radins Cares of this Lifev Prayers, &c. 287 I-.ife ;— and againft the Fears and Adverfities which may befal us. — Thine infinite Ulfdotn knows all our Wants and Dangers, and the propereft Means of conveying Relief and Suc- cour to us. Thy Fatherly Goodnefs cannot but pity us i— Thy Power is able to help us ; —and thy Faithfulnefs can never fail us. — O f may we never render ourfelvcs unworthy of this thy divine Proteftion ! •"^; Luke ix. 23. Jefus /aid to them alU If any Mutt will come after me^ let him deny him- felf and take up bis Crofs daily, and fol- low me, . , i » J X -^M. O Jefus, who haft made this the Rule and Means of our Salvation, enable us by thy Spi- ritj thy BoHrine^ and Example, to obferve ic daily ; — To wean our Hearts from a Love and Fondnefs for this World, — Its Pleafures, Profits, and all its Idols ; — To mortify our corrupt AfFeftions, and to correal and amend what is araifs in us : — That we may be meek» and humble, and temperate j and learn to fub- mit our Wills to the Will and Law of God : —And grant, O Loi-d, that we may never lead Heathens and Unbelievers to have un- worthy Thoughts of Thee, and of thy Reli- • gion, by our ungodly Lives, while we pretend to be thy Followers. , . ,Ai Luke ^^jj^^Sfe^^^^ j88 Private '.:u. When you (onjtfs year Sins, do it with gnut Scrioufiicrs a:id Concern, rcnic-mbering that you are for ever undone, if you arc not forgiven. And then h-u* with Comfort upon what Contiicion God will patJon you : If you repent, and believe the (Jf/pcl^ you arc fure to be forgiven. When t\wirci\!ofCioJ\s read or preached, be careful to miiid it, that you may know your Duty, and the Reward of doing it; that you may obferve rhe Way of God's dealing with Mankind, in punifhing the Wicked, and in protcding and rewarding the Righteous ; that you may know the Manner of our Re- demption, and the great l.ove of God in bring- ing it to pafs 1 that you may fee the Dangers you are liable to, and the Bleflednefs that is fct before you, ever remembering, that Faith, without ivhich we cannot fleafe God, cometh by Hearing, and Hearing by the IVcrd of Cod^ Rom. X. 17. And be fure to behave yourfelf with great Reverence and Devotion, while you are in the Hou^ •nd'Prefence of God ; for if, when you Ihould be on yourKnees, alking God's Pardon C c a aud mttiaiiii ^■^-y. tjiyy i J pa Private tfW Family r.nd Bknrmgs, or {landing to jDraifetheCrcatnr of Heaven aid Earth -. if, inScad ot doing fo YOU fit and neep away the Time, or cardeny laze and think of other Matters then you will return from God's Houfe with a Curie, and not with a Bleffing. , ^. ,1 „„^ And yet the very beft of us, after an or Care, have Caufe to heg Pardon even f o tl e Faults of our Devotions. Therefore btfoi^ you rife from your Knees, fay privately tks frjcrt Fra^er: ■■' ^- AJboTt Prayer before you leave the Churcb.^^ THE good Lord accept of our Duty, and Service ..pardon our Sins and In- firmities ; give us what is needful for our sXandL our Bodies -. and l^eep - ever- ,nore under thy Protedion, for the Sake ot Jefus Chrift our Saviour ! Amen. ^^^ ' And now, God forbid that you fbould fue^d the Remainder of this good Day fo S begun, in Sin and Vanity ! Rather thmk ho-w yo^u may do molt Honour to your Cre- %;1 caiS you can both inftrua your- felf and them that will hear you. ^ If you haveChildren and Servants, vou can teach them how to fear, and to love, afld to pray to God. ' And sMMMMMifiwwiiiiiiMi lily raife the Creator ead of doing fo, me, or carelcdy itters, then you ;fe with a Curie, us, after all our lion even for the rhercfore, before ay privately this avc the Church. pt of our Duty, our Sins and In - needful for our md keep us ever- , for the Sake of Amen. that you (bould ;his good Day, fo uty ! Rather think inour to your Cre- both inftrudl your- ar you. I Servants, |0U can ad to love, afld to T And P R A y E R s, £?<:. 25)3 And if you are unlearned, you can think of what you have heard atChurch, and refolvc to do, to the beft of your Knowlege, as you have been taught. Then will the Lord be with you, to.blcfs you in the Way you go i to preferve and to profper you. For this is what he hath de- clared, Them that honour me, J will honour \ and they that de/pife me, pall be lightly ejieemd^ 1 Sam. ii. 30. .; ^ iid ^- ^-j-rn ->:n u- A Prayer for Sunday Morning. OLORD, who haft eonfecratedxhis Day to thy Service, give us Grace fo to ob- ferve it, that it may be the Beginning of an happy IVeek to us •, and that none of thy Judg- ments may fall upon us for profaning it. Fix in our Hearts this great Truth, that here ibe have no Abiding- place, that we may feriouny and timely provide for another Life •, and grant that this great Concern may make U» very defirous to learn our Duty, and to do what Tnou requireft of us. And blefled be God, that we have Churches to go to, thatj*e have fuch Tim?s fet apart for the more public Worlhip of our Creator, and that we have Paftors.to teach us ! The Lord profper their Labours,and give us Grace to profit by them, that they and we may enjoy an everlafting SabbaA with thy Saints in Heaven, for Jelus ChrilVsSake! yf/»^». Cc3 A iMiiifiiii •^WH i„.a. iiirmmwii* "W ■Wk 25)4. Private and Family A plain and uicful Inftrudion for SimJay Evening. Concerning the Providence of God, or his Wifdom World. and Goodncfs in govcrni.ig ttoe THAT God is great, and to be greatly feared, we know by the World he hath made, and from his dreadful Judgments. That God is good, and to hz loved and worfhipped, we arc convinced from his Cure of the whole Creation. _, For his tender Meniei u/e over all his iFcrks, Pfal. cxlv. 9. Therefore have his Creatures the Comfort of the Rain and Sun, of Food and Shelter ; the Earth yields Increafe, and the Seas are ftorcd with Creatures innumerable. In the Hand of God are thefe and all other Blefllngs, which he wlth-holds, or giveth, ac- cording to his goodPleafure, to teach us, that we wholly depend on him i that Man livetb not by Bread alone^ nor by his own Induftry, but by the Providence of God, who ordereth all Conditions of Life for the beft, for iho^e that cannot chufe for themfelves. And, if he fuffers/ow^ to be poor^ it is be- caufe that Condition is beft for them noiVy but he will make them a great Amends in the next World for what they want in this, if they will m^ •WK 111'"" lily ion for Su?ulay if God, or his governing the nd to be greatly ; World he hath . Judgments. o be loved and ^1 from his Cure ver alibis iFcrks, Lve his Creatures d Sun, of Food Increafc, and the :s innumerable, hefe and all other dsjorgiveth, ac- , to teach us, that i that Man livetb is own Induftry, od, who ordereth ;he beft, for tho^e elves. be poor^ it is be- forthem»ciy; but imends in the next n this, if ihey will be Prayers, ^c. 2pf be content and honeft, neither murmur a,t their own Lot, nor envy that of others. IVhen Godgiveth Riches, it is not to make them an Occafion of our Ruin, but to try our Virtue •, for, if we are not high-minded i if we truji not in wiartain Riches, but in the liv- ing God 1 if we do good with them, and readily dijtributc to the Neceffuies of othe) s •, then are Riches a real Bleffing, and help to bring us to eternal Life, i Tim. vi. 17. Jf he hringeth us into JffliSlion, it is not that he is pleafed with the Miferies of his Creatures, but he isjhewing them their Tranfgreffton, he is opening their Ear to Difcipline, that they may return from Iniquity, and fave their Souls from Death eternal, Jobxxxvi. 9, If he fuffers us to be tempted, it is not that we might fall, but to make us more fenfible of our own Weaknefs, that we may come to him for Help ; on whom we depend, who wiU «c^ f^ff<^ «s to be tempted above what we are able to bear j and who will reward our poor Endeavours with unfpeakable Happinefs. 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 corrcd us, or to make us careful of our Ways. The Devil himfelf, that powerful Spirit, is under God*s Command, to execute |jis Judg- ments upon wicked Men, while they'that truft in leSi- iiiifii um! ilHI onft Private and Family f„'heLordha.= no4ingtofear.forhch«l> "°H ''::,'ar="«V''X know thrfe Things „,r:S«:Sbefore-UapP,..fwe ^^^?ihan call upon fe'» ff, f " ktfX „.:^%SnS^"»pi^hisBle.,ng«h« ""W'J^S "S.^upon God's Tim. as *e berand not grow W«« "^en ourDc ,Hi„gthatbcftllc*u.-dhop.fo^^^^^^^ even when he is ang;?^ . ^° j ^^ /^^^ PaUHfecurc]rmFiarofEv.l. A Prmr for Sunday Evmitig- 8 MfMM ^Mi ggg|g tfMH •mmf nj nlly fear, for he hath low thefe Things ver happy, if we the Lord -with all to our ovon Under- for what we want, at he is pleafed to e Good at the Hand , Favour when we ahisBleffingwhcn Jod's Time as the tient when our De- iilsHand in. every i hope for his Mercy knowing, that all r for Good to tbm '28. 'rhusjhallwe • the Moft High, and f Evil. iday Evening. -horn all Thiflgs were 'rvedy make us truly Tful Works of Crea- tion i pR AV Eits, &c. J lege and Remembrance of Thee, and of our ; Creation and Redemption •, — And for appoint- ing thy Miniflers to publifh thefe Truths to- us in thy Name, that we may render unto Thee xhzz Honour, Love, and Obedience, which bccometh Creatures to pay to their great Creator.— -And we befeech Thee, O God, to give us all fuch a deep and lafting Senfe of thy great and undeferved Mercies^ to us, that our Hearts may be unfeignedly D. thankful,- ■I mtiii i«ilii mmmmmm jpS Private tf«^ Family thankful, and that we may (hew forth thy Praife, net only with our ZipJ, but in our Lives^ by giving up ourfelves to thy Service, and by walking before Thee in Holinefs and Righteoufnefs all our Days •, And as we often hear how we ought to walk, and to plcafe God, we may continue to do fo unto our Lives End, thro* Jcfus Chrift our Lord. Anten. ■f^ A Prt ADMONITION to All, and efpecially to Maflers of Families. ANJongft the many growing Vices of this pro^nc Age, one wretched and ungodly Cultom is too common j viz. of Peoples fall- jng to their Meals, as Beafts do to their Fodder, without any TI>bughts of God, or Thanks for his Blcffing§ •.—And even too many of ihofe, who have not quite laid afwe this Chriftian Duty, perform it after fuch a ilight and negligent Manner, as makes it as finful as the Omiflipn. • Grace before Meals, the Pr?ftic« of the Xniuinf. Nee friut aut EpttUui. aut Muatra gr^a lyf^K Fartuiquam ttti^Jftfmt, ^uep, mlla frtcatMS Li men/am. ^il- italicus. « Nor touch'd the Meat, nor tafted was the Wine, • Tittev'ry Gwftimj^ifd the Pow'rs Divine.' "When m^mmnititim iiriiMMlMMitMMdlUIMtfliMili If I"" I! 1; mily y (hew forth thy LipSy but in our ires to thy Service, ee in Holinefs and 5 i And as we : to walk, and to inue to do fo unto s Chrift our Lord. TION to Ally rs of Families. >wing Vices of this etched and ungodly liz. of Peoples fall- 8eafts do to their )ughts of God, or *. — And even too not quite laid afide >rm it after fuch a ler, as makes it as ■^6iicc of the Romans. /bpiira gf^i If/'f't nepi mltafrttatHs tafte Grace after our blcah. ■-■» AiVu. truly thifcfol. O Lord, for I^vSt;'rT«\«V.ofall''Good. for ]ef« Chrift-. Sakt. /*«* -4J7 I N I *• Chriftian Knowlegc. I t I.I i HHI i IJiMW mily r Meals. od unto all Flefli, receive thefe thy ind ufe them with Lcarts. thro' Jefus r M:alsv jjcful, O Lord, for and for all other e: And help us to Sivtr of all Good, J S. heen hteh tranflated. age^ and printed at ie Prolejiani Churches of item are in the ;//er, at the Bible and and may be bad upon iety for promotin: ^^utammni^ ■f