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Lord Archbifliop of Canterbury^ &c. PRESIDENT; And the Refl of the Right Reverend, Right Honourable, and Worthy Members of the SOCIETIES FOR Propagation of the Go/pel in Foreign Parts^ AND FOR Promoting Chrijiian Knowledge at Home % This ESSAY Is Infcribed by The A U T H O R, A Member of totb tbofe Societies. i • ■ . , . ^ * I m f\ • i. \ ' 1 » >. ^.« . . • 4 • ' i ^ /r 1 ij J IV li ^ -:^i r*^' » '< • f r /i TO 4 The Honourable the TRUSTEES O F T H E toLONY of GEORGIA HIS Essay, be- gun at the In- AmcGof James Efquire, a Member of HOUR ABLE Board, and calculated to forward one great End, for which many :' •-:'.-' '. of Dedication, of You ar^ afSKkted, is prefented to You, from my Father, by the Hands of ^v'- ■* F Your mofi Obedient^ and \*^.' friofi Humble Servanty i' Thomas Wilfon- God' afho fatioi othei able conc( Genh boiirl a tra£ ofbei ftrudi than \ \' THE PREFACE. F the following Eflay doth in any mcafiire anfwcr its Title and Defign, the Rea- der mud know, that the Undertaking was, through God's Direction and Bleffing, owing to afhort, but very entertaining Conver- fation which the Author, and Ibmc other Gentlemen, had with the Honour- able and Worthy General Oglvthorp, concerning the Condition^ Temper ^;iw\ Genius of the Indians^ in the Neigh- bourhood of Georgia^ and thofc Parts oi America i who, as he aflUr'd us, are a tradable People, and more capable of being civilized, and of receiving In- ftrudion, and the Truths of Religion, than we are generally made to believe 5 a if a PREFACE. if fomc Hindrances were removed, and proper Meafurcs were taken to awaken in them a Scnfc of their true Intereft, and their unliappy Condition, while they continue in the State they are in at prcfent. And indeed that mod worthy Gen- tleman's great and generous Concern, both for the prefent and future Intereft of thofc Nations, and his earned Dcfirc and Endeavours, fo well known, to civilize thenifirft, and make them Men, and capable of Inftruftion, hi tlie Ways both of Religion and Civil Govern- ment, and his hearty Wifhes that fome- thing might be done to forward fuch good Purpofcs, did prevail with the Author, however indifferently quali- fied for fuch a Work, to fet about the following Eflay, for propagating tho Gofpel amongft the Indians and Ne- groes. And tho' the doing of that may be t|>ought a very difficult Work, yet God, "ji^ho would have all Men to be favedy and to come to the Truths as it is i^ JefuSy hath, purfuant to this his gracious De%n, made ail Men ca- pable PREFACE. • • • 111 pablc of receiving fuch a Meafurc of Ciiriftian Knowledge as lie hath deter- mined to reward, let them for the pre- fcnt be never fo rude and ignorant. St. Peter'^ Vifion {Ad.^.ii.) con- firms this5— intimating,That thcChurch and JCingdom of Chrift, then about to be propagated amongft the Gentries, was to be made up of People, which, before their Converfion, were as bru- ti(h as the Creatures, by which they are there rcprefcnted, — all manner of four- foetid Beafts^ wild BeaftSy creep- ing Things, and Fowls of the Air. ''' Sure it is, there are fome Nations fo barbarous^ ignorant and brutijh, — ^ and others accuftom'd to fuch Vices, as are utterly inconftftcnt with all the Rules of Reafon^ as well as thofe of Chriftianity, Which by the way fliews, what Reafon, as it now is corrupted, and under fo many Temp- tations to be byafs'd and led aftray, will end in, when God hath been provoked by their Sins to leave Men to thcm- fclves. — For a Time was, when all the Sons of Adam, and of Noah, knew tlie true God, and how he was a 2 to iy PREFACE. to be worfliippcd, how ignorant foevcr Co many of their Poftcrity arc now be- come, wo • b n " J There arc other Nations alfo which are accuftom'd to fuch Ways of living, as it is almoft impofliblc for any Mif- fionary to live and convcrfe with them. Notwithftanding all thefe Difficul- ties, fome Inilanccs may be given of Heathens in the darkeft Corners of the Earth, who have, even at this Day, been awakened and converted, by the BlcHing of God, upon the Labours and Converfation of fome very moderately learned, but enlightened Chriftiansi who by their good Examples, and Pa- tience in explaining the great Truths of the Gofpel, have reduced Men of very brutiih Pafllons, and fuch as be- fore were fuppofed to be of an i^ncon- querable Ignorance, not only to ac- knowledge the true God, and his Son our Lx)rd jfefus Chrtji 5 but alfo to be- come Co-workers with thofe good Pco- ple who were inftrumental in bringing them to the Knowledge of the Truth, and to endeavour to convince others of their own People of the great Hap- pincfs PREFACE. V pincfs they will deprive themfclvcs of, by continuing in the fad Way they arc in at prcfent. — And how this GraifP of Muftard-feed m2^Y trow, and in- creafey and fpready God only knows i — ^But blcffcd arc they that liavc fowa it! . . As to this Performance, the Author will fay little in its Defence 5 it is there- fore called an EJfay only 5 and in- deed, fince it is finifli'd in the midii of other Bufinefs of Moment, there arc fo many Dcfefts fo caly to be feen in it, that lie could almoft wifli, that it had not gone abroad fo imperfect as it is. Only thofe Defedts may fet fome better Hands at work, to petfeft what hath been here attempted* And if even that Good be done by it, the Author will be very thankful to God for enabling him in any meafure to promote a Work of fuch Importance, as is the Salvation of the Souls, which J ejus Chriji hath purchaied with his moft precious Blood. - i>^ ^ , There have been, 'tis true, many ex- cellent Books publifh'd> which give a larger and more learned Accxmnt of the a 3 Chriftian Vf PREFACE. Qhriftian Religion 5 but then many of tliofc have been written in a Style above the Capacity of the Icfs learned, and many, are mix'd with Controver- ftcs, which are not neceflary for fuch a. Work, .and are too apt to diftraft the Minds of both Teachers and Learn- ers, and to divert them from attend- ing to the great and faving Trutlis of Chriftianity. ' . . It will cafily be feen, that the Att' thor's Talent doth not lie that v^ays and he has taken what Care he could, not to give Offence to any ferious Chriilian,. who may have different Sen- timents with himfelf 5 nor to exprefs himfelf in Terms above the mcancflr Capacity. And indeed he hath failed of his Purpolc, it the Truths here re- commended, have not been made plain even to the Underftanding of an In- diaUy who Ihall be defirous to learn, and is difpofedfor eternal Life. What is aim'd at was, to follow the Example of our great Matter, To give Inflruftions fuitable to the prefent Neceflity and Strength of fuch as were to receive them, and according to the Graces P R E F A C E. VII Graces they {hould from time to time receive and improve. ' - ' And if this fhort and plain Inftriic- tion may but fcrve for a foM of an In- dex or Common-place for the Heads what are proper to be infilled on, and^ which may be more largely explained, it may be of fome Ufe to fuch Mif- fionarics, or others, that fhall think it worth their while to confult it. Had this Eflay been intended for the fole Ufe of Heathens,^ many Things might have been omitted : — But when one fcQS^ even amongft Chriftians of almoft all Denominations, too many, who with refpeft either to Knowledge or Praftice, are not much better than Heathens, who underftand not why the/ are called Chriftians, or that they ftand in need of a Saviour :- — But as the Apoftle defcuibes the then Pagan World, are without Chrift, expert no Benefits from his Sacrifice, and lb with- out Hope, and without God in the World : Upon this mournful Con- fideration it was thought proper to add many Things, which, through theBlef- fmg of God, and in the Hands of livell- meaning Via PREFACE. meaning and undcrftanding Chriftians, might be of Ufe to awaken fuch mifc- rable and unthouglitful People. With refpcft to the Manner of the Performance, As the Holy Spirit by Mafes did not begin the Hiftory of the Creation, nor St. Taul the Converfion of the Gentitcs, with Troofs of the Being ofGody but by fuppoling, that every Man who has Senfes, and his Eyes open, muft acljiowledge that there muft of Neccflity be fuch a Be- ing 5 - — it was not thought neceflary nor convenient to begin thefe Inftruc- tions with fuch Proofs^'^A^hich might confound, and have often ftagger*d the Faith of fimple Men. There may be pcrhi^s Atheifts amongft Chriftians, at leaft fuch as would wifh there were no God, to call them to an Account for their un- godly Lives : But we have no certain Account that there are any fuch amongft the Heathens: The very Hottentot Sy who are fuppofed to be the dullcft of Mankind, even thefe, as we have been inform'd by fuch as have been amongft them, do very naturally appeal Preface. h appeal to Ofie who is above thofc who do injurioufly treat them. And as we have lately been informed, fome of thcfe very People have been in- ftruded, and awaken d, and converted to the Chriftian Faith. '■ if^r The Proofs of the Chriftian Religion made ufc of in. this Eflay, ore not founded upon fuch Arguments as arc above the Capacities and Reafonings of limple and unlearned People, but from what they know and feel within themfclvesj- Upon the Cor- ruption of human Nature;- — Their Pronenefs to Evil ; The Fears that at- tend fuch a fad State 5 Upon the Ex^ perience of their own utter Inability to free thcmfclves out of this State, of Bondage; — —Arguments which every thoughtful Man, tho' never fo unlearned, if awaken'd, feels the Force of. And fuch Convidions as thefc will very naturally lead Men todefire, and embrace, and clofe with any reafonable Propofal of a Way to free them from fuch Doubts and Fears 5 and difpofe them to embrace fuch Arguments as IhaU X PREFACE. fhall be made ufc of to prove the Truth and the Blclling of Chriftiaiiity. Such is THE Goodness of God, who is not willing that any of his Creatures ihould be miserable, and efpedaily fo valuable a Part of his Creation as Man- kind Ihould labour for ever under thcfe Uncqrwiotics, tho' tliey have brought it upon themfclves; nor be for ever loft, without offering them a Remedy. Such alfo is the wonderful Com- paflioft of the Son of God, who to de- liver fo many Millions of Souls from Mifery and Ruin^ and to make them happy for ever, undertook, at the Price of his own Life and Blood, to redeem them from the miicrable Condition they were fiUlcn into.^ — And laftiy, fuch arc the Truths of thofe Scriptures where- in theCe glad Tidings are recorded and affured to us. All which Arguments the moft Unlearned, if well-difpofcd, are as capable of undcrftanding as the moft Learned. Indeed the Converfton of the Hea- thens may appear, at firft Sight, a very difconraging Undertaking, confider- ing WH PREFACE. XI D, who caturcs ially ib iS Man- :t thcfc wrought or ever emedy. Com- to de- ls from e them le Price redeem ndition ly, fuch ; where- led and uments fpofed, as the le Hea- a very ►nfider- ing ing the many Difficulties fuch a Work is like to meet with. But God, whofc Kingdom rulcth over all, having given Ais Son the Heathen f&r his Inherit- ancey and the utmoft Tdrts of the Earth for his Voffeffion 5 and hav- ing afllired us, that all the Ends of the Earth jhall remember themf elves ^ and turn unto the Lord: As he is able, fo he will moft aflTurcdly fee all this done in his own good Time, and by fuch Inftrumcnts as Ihall be moft for Ws own Glory, But whether the Churches of the GentileSy which at prefent are fo fat departed, not only from the Zeal and Prafticc, but many of them from the | Truths of primitive- Chriftianity, fo as ci;en themfelves want to be converted 5 ' — -Whether thefe fhall be made the Inftrument of fo glorious a Work, is much to be doubted. ' - Or whether, uihen the Times of the Gentiles jhall be fulfilled^ Luktxxi. 24. — that is, as the XekxtitAGrdtius underftands that Prophecy, When Go^s Patience and Ldng-fuffering with the Churches of the Gentiles^ which, when ,he xli PREFACE. t f he rcjcfted the JewSy he made his Te- culiumj Jhall be at an Endy and they Jhall have filledup the Meafure of their Sinsi Whether God will not then look upon his cverlafting Covenant with Abraham and his Seed, G^nef. xvii. 7. and caiifc the Jews to be converted, and make them the Inftru- mcnts of publifhing the Gofpcl to all the Nations of the World, amonsft whom his Providence hath already fcattcr'd them : That he may make thefc hislnftruments Thisfeem'd to the very learned Mr. Jofeph Mede no improbable Suppofition *. He fuppofeth St. TauH Converflon to be a Type of the Calling of the JewSy when their Tribulation and long Difperfion Ihall be ended 5 and that the fame almighty Power and Grace which converted him, and from a moft bitter Enemy and Perfecutor of JefusChrift and his Church, made him an Apoftle and Preacher of the Gofpel to the then Gentile World, — the fame * Mr. MedeV IVorhsy fol. Book v. ch. 2. See there his Reajb?fs at large, almighty aim thin mak Ene: man of, '. yetii dow fuffic vert nal i Bi God. amoi lovet rity, tliat 1 theE theK decrr TV prays come every own, every to ga P R E F A C E. xili almighty Power and Grace c^h, if he thinks fit, and after the like manner^ make the '^ew^^ tho* never fo great Enemies to Chrift at prefcnt, or fo many of them as he fhall make Choice of, 'Trenchers of the Gojpely to the yet unconverted Nations 5 — and ^n- dow them, as he did St. Vaul^ with fuificient Powers, to convince and con- vert all fiich as are ordained to eter- nal Life. But this niuft be as it fhall pleafb God. In the mean time, whoever among Chriftians feareth God^ and loveth the Lord Jcfus Chriflrin Since- rity, cannot but dcfire and endeavour, tlut he may be put into Pofltflion of the Rights his Father hath given him 5 and that all Nations may come to the Knowledge of their Maker and Re- deemer, and adore and glorify them. This is indeed what every ChriftiaA prays for, when we fay, Thj Kingdom comes but to how little Purpofe, if every one of us, by feme Ads of our own, and as far as God hath put it into every Man's Power, do not endeavour to gather and incrcafc the Number of b Chrift^ XIV PREFACE. ! I'. I I Chrift's Subjcds, and inlargc his King- dom, by the Convcrfion of the yet unbelieving Nations, and by deliver- ing his purchased ^ *ople out of the Hands of his Enemu », and from the Tyranny of thofe evil Spirits which have fo long held them in Bondage i We know it will be natural for Peo- ple to ask, What can be done by moft Men, more than to pray for this, That fuch as fit in Darknefs, and in the Shadow of Death, may be deliver'd, by what Ways God fhall think fit ? Very much mote, moft certainly, may be done, by almoft all good Chriftians, to promote fo glorious a Work, both by removing the Stum- bling-blocks that lie in the Way, and hinder their Convcrfion, as well as to fet it forward, through God's Bleffing, with Succefs. For Inftancej- — It cannot but be acknowledged with Shame and Sor- .Jrow; that the little Progrefs that the Gofpel hath made among the Indians and Negroes in the Weft, hath in a great nieafure been owing to the bad Lives of many of thofc Chriftians with whom i Wl otl m; Ex Bl( wi the tha wi( Ch reo J. feci and fee fen wor ' Hat will then bctti or t< lliipj > King- :hc yet iclivcr- of the om the which lage? for Peo- lone by for this, d in the eliver'd, ink fit? ertainly, ill good orious a c Stum- ay, and ell as to Blcffing, HXA- but be Ind Sor- that the Indians lath in a the bad [ians with whom PREFACE. XV whom they have fo long convcrfcd: For let the Miflionaries, or any other good Chriftian, fay never fo many true and afFeding Things of the Excellency of Chriftianity, and the Blefllngs attending it 5 thofc People will always judge of the Religion fo zealoufly recommended to them, by the Lives of the Generality of thofc that profefs it ; which, if they be wicked, do give (uch a Wound to Chriftianity, as all the Arguments to recommend it cannot heal. And if thofc poor People, inftead of feeing the good Fruits of an holy Faith and Religion proposed to them, fliall fee little or nothing but a general Cor " ruption of Manner s^iw^ as Intern- ferar^cCy Injufiice^ Covetoufnefs, Op- predion^ a Love of Tleafures and all worldly T)elights, a Want of Com- pajjionfor their Fellow Creatures, — • Hatred, Malice, and Revenge, it will be next to impofliblc to reconcile them to a Religion which hath no better EfFeds upon its Profeflbrsi or to fear a God who iufFcrs his Wor.- fhippers to do fuch Things, and break b 2 witlv XV3 PREFACE. s I i with Impunity thofc Laws, which they fay he hath given them for the Con- duft of their Lives. Heathens can i^afon as well as Chri- ftialis, in Matters of fo natural a Coii- fcquencc, and will miJkc this plain Conclufion;— -That if Chriftians, many of fuch as they cpnverfc with, do really hope, as they pretend, to be happy when they die, nobody need be much concerned how they live, or fear being miferablc hereafter. Such Chriftians as thcfc would do well to coofider the fad Doom prp- nounc'd by the Son of God againft fuch as give this Offence, and occafion the Lofs of fo many Souls, and draw upoti themfclves the Indignation of aa ^all-powerful and angry God. All ferious and thoughtful Chri- ftians, who live in the Neighbourhood of the Heathens, ought to conclude, that they are placed there by a fpecial Providence, who doth nothing by enhance, or iri vain, to give thofe Peo- ple an Opportunity of coming to the Knowledge of the true and only God 5 and by their Converfttion and good ch they ic Con- as Chri- L a CoiT- is plain. IS, many io really c happy be much :ar being rould do. om pro-! 1 againft I occafion nd draw on of an ul Chri- )Ourhood :onclude, a fpecial hing by :hoie Peo- 12; to the )nly God ; and good Wyes PR E F A C E. xvu *. Lives to difpofc them to receive the Gofpel, that they may be laved, that God may be glorified, and his^ Kinedom inlari?cd, and that his Name may become excellent in all the Earth. - Then indeed, thofc Heathens will have Rcafon to fay, what Mofes fiip- pofed the Nations would fay of the Ijraelites : — Surel/ thcfe are a wife and an und'erfianding T^eople^ wfjo have the Lord fo nigh unto them^ in all they call upon him for 5 — andwhat Nation is there fo greats that hath Statutes and Judgments fo righteous? It was certainly for fuch Ends as tliefe, and fuch other righteous Caufes, that Jofeph firft, and afterwards Jacob and his whole Family, were brought into Egypt y by uriforcfeen Provrdences, that That whole Nation, which was given altogether to Idolatry, might^ have a favourable. Opportunity of coming to the Knowledge of the true and only God, who, they inight'plarn- }y fee, knew all Things before tbry came to pafs, and order'd them for tiie Good.of fuch. as fear'd and ador'dhim. ^3 For ;-;■' xviii PRE FA- G Et For thisRcafon alio it was, that the fame Providence of God, who alone c^n bring Good out of Evil, did after- wards punilh the Sins of his own Peo- ple, by fending them Captives into Babylon 5 and at the fame time that he punilh'd themy and cffcdually cur'd them of the Sin of worlhipping Idols, he gave their Conquerors, amongft Avhom he had fcnt them for their Sins, a merciful Occafion of coming to the Knowledge of himfelf, and of his •glorious Attributes, and by the "wonderful Miracles he wrought in de- livering his faithful Servants Shadrach^ Mejhachy and Abednego^ from Death, ihe gave many Nations and Kingdoms fuffkient Reafons to fc€ the Folly of their abfurd and ftupid Idolatry, when their very Kings were forced to de- clare, that there was no God, but the God oiljraely who was able to deliver after that manner , and forbidding all , j|h^ ♦people of his Dominions to fpeak •any thing amifi againft the God who And indeed, if this is not fincerely ■cndcavour'd, it will be very difficult to !•: I XX P R E F A C E. to juftify the Trade ^buying, trans- porting, and SELLING them as Beajis of Burden. For tho' it fliould be allowed to be a Blcfling for thefe ignorant, rude, and unciviliz'd People, who can hardly be more miferable in any Country than in their own, to be brought, tho' in the Condition of Slaves, into a Country of civiliz'd People, where Mens Lives - and Liberties are fecur'd by Laws, and where they may be fuppofed in time to be qualified to receive Inffmdions of every kind, both for the Benefit of the Society, and for' the Salvation of their- Souls 5 yet. it would be great Barbarity and Injuftice, to make a Gain for ever of theirs and their Childrens Labours, and take no Care of their In- ftruftion, with rcfpcft to their Souls 5 nor contribute bountifully to thofc who are fcnt to do this for tiieni. This would fhew too plainly, that the Labours and Profit of their Slaves are more valued by their Mafters, than the Glory of God, or than their own, or theirServantsSouls5 FORGETTING THAT ! THEY THEMSELVES HAVE A M ASTER IN Heaven, And PREFACE. XXI I to be a de, and- ardly be f than in y in the Country :ns Lives iws, and . in time ftruftions Benefit of vation of be great ke a Gain Children^ t their In- eir Souls 5 to thofe tiieni. that the Slaves are than the : own, or •INGTHAT Iaster in And And it would be a terrible, but juft Judgment, if God fhould fuffer thofe Heathens to revenge his parrel upon fiich Chriftians, for the great Difhonour they do him, and for the Injufticc they do their Fellow Creatures, not only neglefting, but fometimes even op- pofing their Converfion 5 and by their unchriftian Lives, provoking God to pour down his Judgments upon their ungrateful Heads, who have been fo greatly favoured by the Light of the, Gofpel, and are neither thankful for, nor better'd by it. 'm And furely fome Attempts of this Kind, which have been already made, I fhould awaken (lich Chriftians as are concerned with that People, and ba look'd upon as gracious Intimations, of what God hiay fuffer them to do, if their Matters fhould either oppofc or negled their Inftruftion 5 this being ; indeed to oppofe the gracious Defign f of God, who would have all Flejh to fee his Salvation^ and to know that HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE CHRI- STIANS ONLY, BUT OF GeNTILES ALSO. And i: 1; !, :? 9 % m • •! -M I! xxti P R E F A C E. And all thofe Chriftians whom this may concern, would do well to re- member, that the Apoftlc, i Thejf.n. 16. gives this as a fare Token, That the Jews were then filling up the Meafure of their SinSy and that Wrath was then coming upon them to the ut- termoft\ as it foon did, when they op- pofed the Converfion of the Gentiles. Now to prevent thcfe Judgments, it will not be proper to tell thefe Negroes, as they fay many foolifh or profane Wretches do, whether in Jeft or Earneft, That they have no Soulst^—'Toi if they fhould be brought to believe THAT, they may be tempted to hazard their Bodies, in order the fooner to free themfelves from Slavery, as many of them have done. — - But the true Way, which all wife and good Matters will take with their Slaves,, and which will recommend themfelves and their Labours to the Blefllng and Protedion of God, will be,— To endeavour that their ^laves may have die Ties of Re- ligioti and Confcicncc, to oblige them tp be faithfuly peaceable y and contented ^th. their Condition. —And nobody ought ^.IM A^ P R E F A C E. lom this 1 to rc- Thef.n. :n, That up the tt Wrath the at- . they op- kntiles. jments, it Negroes, r profane )rEarneft, — For if p believe to hazard boner to as many the true d Matters Ind which and their rotedion .vour that s of Re- lligc them contented |d nobody ought XX 111 ought to queftion, but that thefe Peo- ple are as capable of receiving religious Inftrudions, as any other Gentiles, or even as we ourfelves were, when the Gofpel was firft preacli'd to us. And they that would infinuatc, to the Rc- roach of our Lord, and the Power of his Grace, that the Converfion of the Negroes would either be impof- fible, or be no Advantage to their Ma- kers, will have more to anfwer for, than one would believe they are aware And thofe Matters; if there be any iich, who envy their Slaves Time fuf- cient to be inftrufted in the Way of ife and Happinefs, and compel them |o profane the Lord's T)ay^ to pro- ure NecefTaries for their Support, and his in Contempt of God's Command irom the Creation, in Compalfion oth to 'Man and Beaft: 5 •-^— -iuch Ma- kers have no Reafon to expe£t tlieBlef- fing of God upon themfelyes in this orld, or in that which is tocome. j,, Thefe are fome of the Obttaclcs liich lie in the W^iy of the Cpnver- ion of I he Negroes and Indians, and caufe m (I • I tf xxiv P R E F A C E. caufc that glorious Work to go on Co flowly : And certainly they that arc conccrn'd to remove them, and will not, will be look'd upon as Enemies to God, and his Chrift, and as fuch will be treated at the laft Day. The Want of Miflionarics, both fot Number and Qualifications, to under- take fo difficult a Work, is another Reafon which delays their Converfion, and greatly to be lamented. Thefc cannot be hoped for, as the World now goes, without a fuitable Encou- ragement. In order to this, it pleafed God to put it into the Hearts of our Princes, TO ESTABLISH BY A CHARTER A SO- CIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE Go- SPEL IN FOREIGN Parts, which hath hitherto been <:ncourag'd and kept up by many worthy, but voluntary, Sub- fcriptions and Benefaftions. jind may God increafe their Number y and blefs the Subjlanu of all fuch Bene- fatiorsh But Experience hath con- vinced thofe that are chiefly concern'd in carrymg on this good Work, that a much greater Income than yet they have 1^ R E F A C E. XXV go on (6 f that arc and will Enemies 1 as fuch • , both for to undcr- s another Dnvcrfion, Thefc le World le Encou- A God to It Princes, rER A So- THE Go- ^hich hath id kept up nary, Sub- s. Jnd ^mbefy and uch Bene- hath con- r concerned V^ork, that 11 yet they have r have had, will be neceffary td fupply the Number of MiUlonatics that arc wanted, and every Day pray'd for, by fuch People as are well difpos'd, but not able of themfelves to maintain fuch |as may inftrud them. Tis now near forty V"ears, when thfe Author was firft chofen a Member of |this Society, that a Propofai was made [for an eftablilh'd Revenue^ for adding the Number and Qualification of ■iflionarics, but which hath not yet ►cen clofcd with. ; In the mean time we hope, and have Reafon to exjoed. that this excel- wt Undertaking, in which the Glory >f God is fo nearly concern d, will meet yith ftill more and greater Encourage- Ipient from Chriftians of all Dcnomi^ Rations, when they coafidcr the Obli- {'arions upon every one to put to theit elping Hand, according to their Abi- lity, and their Love for our Lord Jefus And in the firft Place, ourLotd, who fimfelf hath ordained, That they jhich preach the Gojpel^ Jhould live the Gqlpelj will iiirely cxped it at G oiit XXVI PREFACE. our Hands, That fuch as cannot in their own Pcrfons, and by their own Labours, preach the Gofpel to the Heathen, and to fuch Chriftians in foicign Parts, as are deftitute of neccf- fary Inflruftion, and not able to main- tain Perfons qualified to perform di- vine Offices amoiagft them; Tliat fuch fhould, out of the Revenues of the Church, and according to their Lot and Ability, contribute to the com- fortable Subfiftcncc of thofe Miffion- arics, who have undertaken, and are fcnt in Perfon by the Society, to preach the Gofpel 5 and to encourage fuch to undertake the Miffion, as arc ani- mated with a Spirit of Piety, and a Zeal for the Glory of God, and the Good of Souls. Were this a Matter of Choice in thofe we are fpeaking of, one would only ufe St. Vatih Argument, which v/e make ufe of to xS\z Laity i Let every Man do according as he is dij- fojed in his Hearty not grudgingly^ or of Neceffityifor God love th a chear- ful Giver. But if we fhould look upon the Revenues of the Church as a common . are ani- y, and a tlieGood Choice m lie would lit, which J Let he is dif- rudginglyj th a chear- ould look :hurch as a common IB. I common Stock, in which every Mini- I ftcr of Jeliis Chrift lawfully (cnt to la- % hour in the Word and T>oiirine^ have fome Right, it will then become a Duty, and not a Matter of mere Cha- rity, efpccially in fuch as poflefs the greater Revenues of the Church, to contribute to thisWork 5 and every worthy Miffionary may feem to have a Title to fuch a Part of that common I Stock, as is ncceflary to carry on the " /| Work of the Gofpel, where-ever he i» fcnt. And- how any Man, tho' not obliged by human Laws, can cxcufe himfelf before God, if he with-holds his Proportion, will be worth the Con- fideratlon of fuch as enjoy more than enough, for their own and their Fa-" >milies comfortable and decent Subfift- l^ncc, and for the Poor and Neccili- tons under their peculiar Care 5 efpe-! cially when ev'ery Benefaftor has good Realon to be fatistied, that his Contri- Ibution will not be milapplied, which is often the Pretence of Covctoufnefs,* when Men are refolv'd to wtth-hold what is duey when it is in the^Power^ of their Hand to give^ Prov. iii. 27. c 2.. The.: MTiii PREFACE. The Care^ the Zealy and the Cha-^ rasters of the Governors of this So- detjy confiding of Archhijhops^ Bi- fropsy and other ^ignituries of the Church, as alfo of l^obUmen, Gen-- tlemetij and Merchants j the moft particular Accounts of all the Bene- JaitionSy Receipts and ^isburjements^ that arc tnade every Year, in the Sight of the Wocld, and the many good Things that are done by the Society, are fuificient to filence all Objections, and to cacoiu:age every oae, who may be at a Lofs, as we know many have been, how to beftow their Charities tp the bcil Purpofes. The next to the ClcFgy^ who arc under an indifpcnfable Obligation to fupport and encourage thi$ excellent Work, arc thofc Gentlemen who draw great Riches from the Trafiic and La- bours ctf the Negroes, and from the Nations and Countries of the Indians y whether they live here, or in the In- dies. And indeed one cannot but believe, that thefe Gentlemen in the great and trading Towns of Endand, who arc FR E F AC E: XXTX- ic Cha-^ his So- PSy Bi- of the I, Gen-- ic moft : Bene- ements^ ic Sight ly good Society, icftions, ho may ly have ];harities • 9^ho are ation to xcellent lo draw and La- om thq ndianSy the Inr believe, reat and vho arc noft of them of a very generous Dif- * lofition, and ready to every good: ^V'ork, do only want to be put iiii mind, and made acquainted and ^Cw-y ible of the Good that is in their Power -. :o do this wav, and the Obligations which lie upon them to promote fo: pious a Work; and laftly, the efpe-: cial Blelllng of God upon their Traldey their Ships ^ themJelveSy and their Fa-^ tnilies^ which they might faithfully cxped: The Want of confidering hefc Things, one may believe, arc thc:.. eafons, why fuch able and worthy;^ entlemen are not all, or moft of hem, Members of fo ufeful a Society,. , br Contributors to the Support of lU In fhort, one would hope, that -: tU People who value thc Blefllng of t- being bred and born in a civilize^ and chriftian Country, will countC" nance this Work, fome by their Ailift-: . ^ancc, all by their Prayers :~ — Efpccially ,\vhcn they confider, that this very State j of "DarknefSy Ignorance^ and Brtaar, . Uityy which all tender-,heartcd Chrir^ rftians do commiferate in thefe poor s Heathens, which this Society is endea- c 5 vouring XXX P R E F A C E. vouring to free them from, as far as they arc able 5 That this muft have been our own Cafe to this Day, had not God in Mercy fent Mtffionaries to inftrud the Generations before us. This every Soul of us fhoul.d confidcr and remembcf , as long as we continue a chriftian People. And although there are many Chri- ftkns, who differ: in Opinions from one tocher, fomctimcs in Matters of lit- tle. Moment; yet furc, all fuch as agree in the great and faving Truths of th^Gofpei, will agree to weaken the Power of Satan, who ftill exerciferh kis Malice over fo great a Part of Man- kind; And altho"^ the Profelytes to Chri- Jlrianifty may not at prcfcnt be fo many as^cvej^y trwLovcr of jcfus Chrift could wi(h5 yet k will, no doubt of it, be a Work Vci^ acceptable to God, to en- 4ca¥Oui^ to take as many as poilible out of the Power of thofe evil Spirit s^ which thofc ignorant Souls do worfhip ^ their. Gods ; and to oppofe the Devil ift hU. own lenitorics^ where he has excrcifcd PREFACE. xxxt IS far as luft have >ay, had laries ta cus.— confidcr continue :> * my ehri- From one :rs of lit- 1 fuch as Truths of saken the ex a t of Man- to Chri- c fo many hrift could Dfit, be a ckI, to en- as pofliblc vil Spirits J io worfhip e the Devil ere he has cxcrcifcd cxcrcifcd an uncontroulablc Tyranny for fo many Ages. And it will be a prevailing Motive to endeavour this, when we confidcr how far this Charity may extend} for as we ourfelves do now cn^oy the Bleflings and Fruits of the Labours and Charity of thofe who fo long fince preach'd the Gofpel to thefc Nations, lb we have Rcafon to hope and be- lieve, that the mifcrable Countries and People we arc now concerned for, will in God's good Time, and by his Blcfllng upon this Society, be praif- ing God in the Ages to come, for touching our Hearts with a Scnfe of their Forefathers mifcrable State and Condition, and helping them out of it. vf. •• • i i Thefc, and many fuch Considera- tions, will, one would hope, prevail with all fuch wcU-difpofcd Chriftiahs, as Ihall come to thcKjiowledgcof this. Society, which we. fear too many are Strangers to> to enable its Governors to fend and encourage MifConarics,, fufficient for fo great and extenfive an Undertaking, and fuch as ^ are endued with. xxxir P K: E F A C E. >''V., 1 with a Spirit and Zeal for the Gloty of. God, and the Salvatioa of Men. And indeed, if this is not to ho- nour God with our Substance, we shall be at a loss to find a better way. In the mean time it mud not be forgotten, That every pious and underftanding Chriftian, wiiom the Providence of God hath placed among die Heathens, or is any way concerned with them, or with fuch iiZjnorant Cliri- ftians as hold the Truth tn Unrighteouf- nefs, every fuch finccre and a waken'd ChriAian, who lovcth his Saviour, may be capable, in fome mcafure, of be- coming a Miflionary, and may receive^ at leSft from God, a Ahljionarys Re- ward -y by difpofing fuch People to be- think themfelves, why they were fent into the World, and what may be- come of them when they leave it. , For Example, every fuch ferious Chriftian may, in his Converfation with Heathens, endeavour to convince them,^ — that the Gods they worihip are indeed evil Spirits^ and wliich will be their Ruin for ever,, if they do not renounce Wl fthi |tlJ ithJ \e\ IS PREFACE. xxxin lotv of * en. ro HO- rANCE, FIND A not be us and )m .the , anions >nccrnd It Chri- zhteoiif' wakcn'd )iir, may , of bc- receivey trys Re- Ac to be- vcre fent may be- c it. h fefious vcrfatioii convince worfhip 'hich will y do not renounce renounce and forfake them : That they are thefe evil Spirits which lead them, and all wicked Chrijiians, to do fuch Things as they miift know that an Holy and Good God, which wc Chriftians worfliip, muft be difplcas'd with> and which he hath dcclar'd he will punilh moft fcverely in the Life which is to come. He can ftirthci: inform them. That the God wc wor- fliip, is he who made us all, ^nd all the World, and all Things that ever were made 5 That they will find, when they come to know hinv, that he is moft worthy of their Love, moft worthy to be obey'd in every thing that he hath commanded us $ for he hath comnunded nothing but what is neceflary for our Good j That he would have all Men, without Refpeft <)f Pcrfons, to be happy ; and that he will make all Men happy, who will da what he hath commanded to fit them for Happinefs. At the fame time he can let them know> That ^his Great and Holy God is greatly ta V feared above all Things, by fuch |as will not obey his Commands, but cpnjt.ijiuQ xxxiv PREFACE. continue to do fuch Things as they muft know will difplcalc him : And he can appeal to their own Reafon and Conlcience, that they have done, and do fuch Things daily, as arc worthy to be punilVd by fo good and holy a Being;- and that they ought not to be eafy, till they know how to obtain his Pardon, and to be rcftor'd to his Favour. He can, in converfing with them, let them know further, That our God and Maker hath been fo exceeding good and kind, as to fend his own Son from Heaven, to make himfelf, and his Will, known unto Men 5 How they ought to live fo as to pleafe their Maker;- — How they may be reftor'd to his Favour, when they fhall have done any thing to difpleafe him: And to make us all more attentive to thefe Truths, the Son of God did aflUre us Chriftians, That this is not the World and Life wc are all made for, but that there is to be another Life after this; and that this Ihort Life is only a State of Trial, to fee how WQ will behave ourfclves in it, and to n I PREFACE. XXXV as they —And foil and nc, and orthy to holy a It not to obtain d to his Is. h them, rhat our icceeding )wn Son elf, and — How afe their : reftor'd I all have lim: :ntivc to lid aflUre not the Liadc for, ther Life ort Life fee how it, and to to fit us for a much better Life, if we arc not wanting to ouifclves. For God hath afllired us, ^ this his Sony that he hath determin d to raife all Men that have ever liv'd, and are now dead, to Life again, and to call (them to an Account, and to judge them either to Happinefs or Mifery, [as they fliall have deferv'd; and that all fuch as have obey'd God, and ed good Lives, or who, being fenfible h^t they have done Evil, have truly cpcnted of the Evil they have done, hall be happy for ever 5 but that fuch, hether Heathens or Chriftians, that lave led carelefs and wicked Lives in this World, and have not truly re- entcd and amended their Ways, ihail e fcnt into cverlalling Fire, Now by fuch Hints asthefc, and a houfand othcDTruths, which the good pirit of God will put into the Hearts f fuch pious Chriftians as love God, nd dcfue to have him known and lorified, fuch Hints as thefe will )e proper to raife in their Minds a •ear for themfelves, and a Defire to now more of the Will of God ; What XX XVI PREFACE. I' m mm What they muft believe, and how they muft live, fo as they may be happy when they die. And certainly, they that have Ne- groes in Servitude, will find this the beft way to fecure their Fidelity : Firft, by convincing them, which may be done by Maftcrs who ufe them as they that confider that they them- felves have a Matter in Heaven, (hould do 5 who may convince thcni^ that thdr State of Bondage, even in a ftrange Land, but amongft .People who are governed by Laws, is far better than always to have lived in • their own Country, where no Man can live in Safety, except a few law- Icfs People, who kill or make Siaves of all that they can overcome 5 where- as now they may live in Security, and have it in their Power to come to the Knowledge of the true God, who will aflliredly make them full Amends in the next World, for what they want or fuffcr in this, if they fhall bear their Condition, in which his Provi- dence hath plac'd them, with Patience, and obey his Laws. And low to PREFACE. md how may be lave Nc- this the lity : liich may them as y them- n, fhould hcm^ — - even in il People s, is far lived in no Man few law- e Slaves where- ity, and ome to d, who Amends ley want lall bear Provi- ^atience, i^xxvii And now, if any thing in the fol- lowing Eflay ftiall be of U&, either to fuch well-difpofed People as wc lavc been fpcaking of, or to any of \hc Miffionatics fent by the Society, •or laftly, to awaken any fi^ch imongft Chriftians, who have hitherto [iv'd without Fear of what muft come hereafter : — In a Word, if it may fcrve in the leaft Degree to iniargc the " ingdom of God, which we daily ray for, — Let all the ^raife and lory be toHim^ for whbfe Glory it as undertaken, and who by the eakcft Means can, when he pleafes> very great Good. All that the Author defires for \\x% lains, is, That he may have the prayers of fucih as fliall receive any Bc^ It by thefe Papers, for a Blefling them and upon himfelf $ and in Rer n he will not forget to pray for :m. That we may one T^ay meet in ? Taradife of God, to praife Him to Eternity. And EX- L xxxviii ] EXTRACT O F T H E Lord Bijhop of GlouccftcrV Sermon, ^ freach'd this Tear before the Society for Propagating the Gofpcl in Foreign Parts. If ii « tt €€ U n, t' M m api>inc(.s c mould Ion and but even Jvcs, to pafcverc :q th^m, CON:; CONTENTS. ART I. which is in order ta Cbrijlian Baptijhty DIALOGUE I. ^ ' ibidm 1 DIALOGUE II. Pfthe Corruption of our Nature, lo, DIALOGUE m. ^he Proofr of the Cbrifiiim Religion^ 20. DIALOGUE IV. Whe nsoonderfut Succefs and Progrefs of ''' the Firfi Preacinkg 6f the G^^l, 29* DIALOGUE y. ^he bad Lives ofCbriJlians objeSled^ and t anfweredy 37. DIALOGUE VI. ^he Holy Scriptures both necejfary and fufficient for the Salvation of Men^ 46. D I A. \ 1 CONTENTS. ' DIALOGUE VII. An Account of the Fall of Man^ and . what followed thereupon^ till the Co^ mingof Chrijl^ ^ ^ jy. DIALOGUE Vm. Jefus Chrift the Redeemer of the ff^orld, and the Head of the Churchy 66. DIALOGUE IX. Bemg an Abjlra£l oj the former Dia- logiies and InfiruStions^ . 78. DIALOGUE X. Of Bapttfm^ and what is required in \ order to that holy Ordinance, 92. DIALOGUE XI. J!be Articki of the Chrtftian ^ praSfically explained y Faith 108. ;.|^ DIALOGUE XIL yhe Commandments of God^ praSiicallj explained^ , 126. Di alogue' xm. Of Prayer and Thankfgiving 5 being the ^^ Means and Conditions of obtaining the . Graces and Blejjings of Gody 1 46. D I A- m. Man, and 'II the Co- hii. he World, h, bb. X. mer Dia- X. ?quired in ce, 92. \ i - 4^ XI. tan Faith 108. fraSiicallj 126. 5 being the taining tk )d^ 146. DIA. CONTENTS. DIALOGUE XIV. !}£ Sacrament of the Lords Supper explained^ 163, DIALOGUE XV. "he Delufwn^ the Danger y and the 4 Mifchiefy of being Chrijiians without . ^ Chrijiianity^ 178. }S^£i Scriptures and Prayers^ 198. V^ Supplication on Behalf of the Heathen JVorldy 200. \d Mijjionary Prayer^ 202. jrf Prayer^ proper for fuch as defire to be inJiruSied in the Chrijiian Religion^ private and Family Prayers^ &c. 2 i o feafonable IntroduSHon^ ibid. orning Prayer^ for any Perfon in private^ 215. f^ome Jhort Meditations for fuch as are welUdifpofedy and have Time to fpare, 219. \n Evening Prayer for a Ferfon in private y 221. hort Meditations for fuch as have Time^and are weludijpqfed^ 224*. Morning Prayer for a Family^ 227. On CONTENTS. On Sunday Mornings to be added to the daily Prayers^ 231. Proper Meditations for fuch as have Time J and are devoutly dij^ofed y 2^2. Evening Prayer for a Family ^ 236. Prayer for Sunday Evenings 240. ScleB Scriptures^ and Meditations upon them^ which may teach us how to pro- ft by reading the Sciptures^ 242, A Jhort Admonition to ally and efpeci- ally to Majiers of Families^ 2 4(J. Grace before Meals ^ 248. Grace after Meals^ ibid. •••■ Errata. P. 5. 1. ^. r. (ommand. p, 8. 1. 21. r. Terrorsi p. 47. 1. 28. Mper Duty, add and. p. 72. 1. 5. r. iincere. •A N E S S A Y TOWARDS AN Instruction for IND lANS. PART I. Which h in order to Chrijiian Baptifm. DIALOGUE I. Indian, HY are you fo earneft to perfuade me to become a Chriftian?; ^ • Aff^^^ryiBecaufe I know for certain, that if you live and die without becoming a Chriftian, you will deprive yourfelf of the greatett Happi- nefs which the Heart of Man can defire ; - - B bcfidcs ti '11 It 2 y/« Inst Ruc T ipN Dial. i. befides this, you will be in danger of being more miferable than at prefent you are aware of. Ind, * I will be veiy thankful if you will * be fo kind as to explain to me what you * fay concerns me fo very much.* MtJ]\ That I wrM do moft willingly ; for, to tell you the Truth, by inftruAing You, I myfelf fliall be a very great Gainer. Ind. *• I do not underltand what you mean « by that.*, Miff, I will t-11 you then. The Great God, whom we Chriftians worfliip, he who made the Work! and all things in it, and in whofe Hands our Breath and Life is *, and who would have all his Creatures to be happy. He has promifed an exceeding great Reward to all fuch as fhall endeavour to make Him, and His glorious Perfedions, and His moft gracious Purpofes, known unto Men, efpe- cially to fuch unhappy People as you, who know not for what End you were made, and fent into this World ; who know not what Duties you owe to ^^our Maker, nor on what Conditions he v/ill keep you front making yourfelves miferable, oi for ever happy when you die. Ind, ^ Indeed, Sir, thefe are fuch things * as I muft beg of you to give me fome ' Account of \ efpecially what you know * more than we do, concerning the God you • D0JI. V. 23. wor- Dial. 1. for the INDIANS. 3 * worlhip ; for we know and believe, that ' there muft be feme great Power above us, * who made us, and does govern ali things * here below.* Miff, But we Chriftians know a great deal more of that Great Power above, than you can know at prefent. We were indeed 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 10 make himfelf and his Will known to us, to our very great Comfort and Happinefs ; and we cannot but defire that every one may be as happy as all true Chriftians are in knowing their Maker's Will, and honour*- ing him,as reafonable Creatures ought to do. Ind, * May I afk you one thing— Why * did not that good Being, whom you call * your God, make all diis known to us as ' well as to you I * Mff, I muft tell you once for all, that we poor Creatures ought not to expedl: that the great God (hould give us an Account of every thing he has thought fit to do. It is enough for us to know for certain, that he is good and juft in every thing he does, or permits to be done*. — And what if your Forefathers did wilfully forfake the trueGod, and loft the Knowledge of him and his Will, and fell into all manner of Wickednefs ? will you think it hard or unjuft in him to leave * Job xxxiii. i^. B 2 them ■I 'ililf i 111 ill? \'. 4 yf;/ Instruction Dial^ i. them and their Pofterity that follow their Examples, to themfelvcs and their own wicked Choices ; and to deny them the Fa- vours he grants to others? Ind, * We muft not fay or think fo.—- * God is juft, and we are his Creatures as * weM as you. — We muft therefore have * deferv'd to be deprived of that Blefling * which you fay that you do enjoy, of know- * ing him and his Will. And this is what * I now intreat you will inikuft me in.* Miff. That I will moft gladly do ; for the Knowledge andBelief of God, this is to be the Foundation of all true Religion, and of the Happinefs of Men. Firji then, we know and believe the God we fcrve to be the moft perfeft of all Be*- ings ; and there is no other God befidcs or above him, to be feared, or loved, or wor- ihipped. That it is he who made the World; and that he preferves, and governs, and orders all things by his wonderful Wifdom and Power. That amongft other Creatures- he made Man to be Partaker of his Maker's Happi- nefs ; and in order to this, he gave him Reafon, that he might Underftand, and Adore, and Glorify his Maker. And to the end we Chriftians might know him more perfeflly, ?.nd love and fear him, hs has given us an Account of his Govern- ♦ ment Dial. r. for the IND TANS. 5 ment of this World ever fince he made ir. — By which Account it appears; — That he is Almighty,— i. e. he can do, and has done, whatever he thinks fit to do. That he is exceeding Juft, and Wife, and Good -, and can commend nothing but what he knows will be for the Good of his Creatures •, and will moft furely reward fuch as ftrive to pleafe him. — At the fame time, we know, by what he has done, that he is moft Holy, and has ever been difpleafed with evil Men, and their evil Deeds, and has punifhed them. And yet he is moft kind and compaffionate to fuch as have offended him, and being truly fofry for it, do return to their Duty. We know alfo, and are affured, from what he has done and made known to us, — That he fees and knows all the Aftions of Men j whether good or bad •, even our very Thoughts are known to him. — That he not only knoWs the things that are paft and prefent, but even all things that fhall ever happen hereafter, — Laftl)\ That he is moft faithful to his Word, fo that whatever he has promis'd be will moft furely make good ; and whatever lie has thrcatned, will as furely come to pafs. Imh * This Account of the great God is * moft agreeable to Reafon ;, efpecially now * you h.ive put me upon confidering it fo *- particularly/ ?'i' m If" ■ill W'S ■ Mi/r. s I 1*1 An Instruction* Dial, i; M[(f. Bat there are other Truths of the greateft Moment, which God has made known to Us^ and which our Reafon could never have difcovered j fuch as- thefe that follow : That there will be another Life after this 5 — and that the true Happinefs or Mifery of Men will not be known till after they are dead. Ind, * Till after they are dead. Sir!— * Why do you Chriftians really know what * fiiall become of Men after they are dead ?* Miff, Yesj^we C' ; and that moft certainly. —We know that this fliort Life is only a Life or State of Trials in order to mend our corrupt Nature, that we may be fit for a much better World when we die; and be for ever happy, if we behave ourfelves as we flioulddo, while we live here. For our God has made known to us. That after Death the Souls>of all good Eeople do go to a Place of Reft, and Peace and Happi- neft ; — and the Souls of wicked People to a Place of Sorrow and Mifery, . there to remain till the End of this World, and the Day of Judgment. Ind, * Pray». what do you mean by the " End of the World,., and 1:^ the Day of * Judgment? '" Miff. Why God has made known ta us* ll^at this World will hive an End;— that tbsn there will he a RefurreUm of the Dead\ both Dial, i; for the IND lANS. 7 both of the Jufi and Unjufl*^ both of good and bad Men ; all that ever have lived (halJ then be raifed to Life, and muft 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 v^*— and fuch as have done Evil, have led wicked Lives,..and have not repented in due time, fhall be for ever mi* ferable. Ind. * Thefe indeed are Truths which we * know nothing of; and if they are really * true, it certainly concerns me, and every * Man living, to think of them in good ear- * ncfl, and to order his Life accordingly. — ^ * But let me afk you, — Do all you Chri- * flians know thefe things, and believe them *' to be true J Mijf,^ It is at the Peril of their Souls if they do not* But I know why you afk that Queflion, and I promife to anfwer and fatisfy you upon that Head hereafter. In the mean time, it will be your befl and wifeft Way to take care of Oney tliat is.. for yourfelf ; and not to negled: this Opportu- nity, which God of his Mercy and Goodnefs offers you by me, of coming to the Know- ledge of your Maker, afid of the Duties you owe to him, to yourfelf, and to all others, left they be for ever hid from you, and ypu fuffer for it eternally. ♦ A^s xxiv. 15. Jnd. % : •m m W\Mm ': ■ ■ 4-*: ri 1 'l:»a mm 81-' l» t y& Imsthuctiom Dial. 1. hd. * I hope I (hall take your good Ad- * vice. But in the mean time will you give • me Leave to aflc you, — How did God * make thefe things known unto you Chri- • ftians?* MJf. that you (hall know in due time ; for you cannot know all things at once.— And thcfe few Truths only I have told you, at this time, that you may know and confi- der what you have to do ; — that you may in good earneft defire to be further taught, and told how you may be for ever happy, if it is not your own Fault; and how- you may avoid the Danger and Mi(ery you and all Men are exposM to, that are not very ferioufly concerned for their own Safety, — For once and again I muft aflRire you, as fure as there is a God, — that you and every Man living will be happy or miferable when they die, as fure as they now live.-— IVe therefore^ knowing the Terror of the Lord^ — And that we tnujl all appear before the Judgment-feat of Gody and receive a Sentence according to what we have done in the Body^ whether it he good or bad * : We knowing thefe things, endeavour to perfuade Men to be afraid for themfelves, and to live fo as to cfcape being miferable. What therefore I would recommend to you at prefent, for I would not overburthen * 2 Cor. V. 1 1 .• VOur Dial. I. for the INDIANS. ^ your Memory at once, is this,-— That you would pray to God to give you an Heart difpofed to hearken to the Truth -,— For unlefs God gives you a Heart to perceive^ and Ears to bear^ and Eyes, to feef , all that I can fay to you will fignify nothing towards your Converfion-, Ind. * I hope I fhall follow your Advice ; ' and I believe I fhall hardly forget the * things you have told me.* MiJJl Farewel for the prefent; and may God keep you in this good Difpofitipn, and give you a teachable Temper, * DiiUtr* xxix. 4. ^mi^u '1 D I At 10 -////Instruction Cial. 2, ■ Dial. «. 'aiv^i^^S:^ DIALOGUE II. Oj the Corruption of our Nature. Indian, AM come again, kind Sir, for your further Inftrudcion •, your laft Words have made me very thoughtful and uncaly^ when ybu told me with fo much Earneft- nefs, — That Happinefs or MUfery^ one of the two^ will be the certain Portion of every one after Death* MiJ^, I told you nothing but the Truth •, and I am not forry for yourUneafinefs;— for that may prove the greateft Blefling of your Life. hd, * I do not underftand how that can 'be.' Mtjf. But this you can eafily underftand, — jTA^/ they that are whole^ and who think themfelves in no Danger^ will not look out for Help ; but they that areftck, and ill at Eafe^ will be glad of Advice^ and will be apt to foU low it t . When once you are fenlible. -f, Matth, ix. 12. that of yoi lefs, finful God canno be glad to to, and pn be made h Befides, That the the more deliver yo afraid of-f be fo, wh which yoi World; 2 lofe, if yo Ind. ' * know V * made us Miff. ( have a C Reafon, a and to wh( moft c;lo] he might partake o Indi * (a) Rarii fieri Chrifti A Augufiinu that Dial. 2. ^ for the IND lANS. ii that of yourfclf you are ^ />(?^r, W/W, help- lefsy ftnful Creature * , one whom an holy God cannot take Delight in ; you will then be glad to know how you may be reftored to, and preferved in his Favour, and by him be made happy {a). Befides, I muft tell you another Truth, — That the more you are afraid for yourfelf, the more will the great God pity you, and deliver you from the Danger you are juftly afraid of -f -, and will have more Reafon to be fo, when once you know the End for which you were made, and lent into this World ; and the great Happinefs you will lofe, if you do not anfwer that End. Ind. ' Will you be pleafed to let me • know what the End is for which God * made us, and fent us into the World.* Miff, God made Man, that he might have a Creature upon Earth endued with Reafon, and capable of adoring his Maker, and to whom he might communicate his own moft gloi'ious Perfections ; and laftly^ that he might be an Honour to his Creator, and partake of his Bounty and Happinefs. Indi * Pray, what is that Happinefs you * Rev. iii. 17. (a) RariiTime acgdet, ut quifquam veniat volens fieri Chriilianus, qui non fit Dei tisnore percuffus. A Augujlinui de Catechizandis Rudibus, ' fpeak .i t mm :| pi V m^ •; 'if *■ f'li .1 !:. i:t le An Instruction Dial. 2. m danger of * fpeak of, which we are * Jofing?' Miff. I can only tell you what God him- fclf has told us, 77j.i/ Eye hath nc: feen^ nor Ear heard, mr hath it entred into the Heart of Man, the things which he hath prepared for them that love him *. Ind. ' You will be fo good as to let me * know how Men come to deprive them* * felves of this Happinefs ? ' Miff, They do it by being guilty of 5/«; that is, — by tranfgreffing the Law which God has given them. Ind, * Has God given Us any Law ? * Miff, Yes furely. He has given you and all Men Reafon, which is inftead of a Law or Rule, by which Ton ought to live, and may, in fome meafure, know what is good, and what is evil i — • what will pleafe, and what muft needs difpleafe an holy, juji and good God, Ind, * But it is too plain, that People do * not always obferve this Rule or Law.® Miff, It is fo, and that is their Sin, by which they difpleafe God, and deprive them- felves of his greater Favours, and are in dan- ger of being miferable, even beyond what they can imagine. ' Ind. ' But is not this the Cafe of many * of you Chriftians, as well as of Us ? * . * I Cor, ii, 19. Mi/f. Dial. 2. f6r the INDIANS. ig Mijf. It is furely fo, — and they muft dearly pay for it ; — God having given them other and plainer Rules, and greater Helps, to overcome and cure that Cor- ruption of Nature, which is One great Occafion of all the Wickednefs which we fee in the World. Ind. * Pray what do you mean by The * Corruption of our Nature ?* Mijf, That I will tell you •, — and what your own Reafon and Experience muft own to be true.^ By the Corruption of Nature we mean, A ftrong Inclination to Evil, which we not only fee and blame in other People, but what we very fenfibly feeJ in ourfelves \ that is, — fomcthing within us, which oppofeth our Reafon (and the other Laws which God has given us) ; fo that the Good which we would do^ and which our Rea- fon approves of^ ^hat we do fiot do •, And the Evil which we would not doy and which our Reafon and the Law of God condemns^ That we too often dof, Ind, ' This, indeed, is too plainly the * Cafe. ^ Men follow not their Reafon, but * their Paffions, their Inclinations, and their ' own Wills -, and which too often they ' have reafon to repent of.* Mif, And you cannot but have obferved, that this Inclination to Evil is often fo vio- . m [< 4 '« <|t3| II f Rom, vii. 19. c lent. '■•I'! -14 jln Instruction Dial, i^ h A' lent, that Men commit all Iniquity with Greedi- fiefs. \ and this is the Occafion of nil the Wickednefs which we fee and hear of i All xhe Cruelty^ the Oppreffton^ the Pride^ the Injuftice^ the Malice^ the Covetoufnefsy the Lewanefs^ the Impurity^ Murders^ Drunken^ nefsy by which Men diflionour their Maker and themfelves, and are a Plague to others ; infomuch riiat it is found neceffary to have fevere Laws made, even by Men, to hinder wicked People from hurting one another \ — of which Laws there would « no Occafion, if Reafon would have been lufRcient to go- vern Men ; which fad Experience (hews it is not:*, — there being too many upon whom no Reafon, no Advice, no Profpeft of Dan- ger, . no Hopes of Happinefs can keep from ruining tlienifelves and others. D:d. * I confefs there is Truth in what * you fay. — But fure this is not the Cafe ' of all People.* MtJ/'. I muft tell70u, — that the Wicked- nefs of others (hews us plainly what all Men are by Nature. — AH Men have the Seeds of Evil within themfolves, which would fpring up and appear upon every Tempta- tion, if not hindrcd bj^ fomething more than their own Reafon -, and they that are not fo wicked as others, may be tliankful to a Power above, who hinders them. — And your own Eleart and Experience muft tell you, that fijch as are not fo wicked as thefc we have been f 1^ Bial. 2. for the IND lANS. been fpcaking of, arc forced to ftrivc hard againft the Temptations they meet with, before they can follow what their Reafort tells them they ought to do or avoid \ — that: they are but too often unwilling to follow the Light or Reason which God has given them •, and too- too often make ufc of it only to hurt or over-reach one another. — AH this (hews, that our Nature is ftrimgely corrupt ; — fo that no Man can fay he is free from Sin, or not guilty before God. Ind. * I muft confels, indeed, that, ac- * cording to my bcil Senfe, there is Truth * in every thing you have told me.* Mijf. Well then, let this Truth fink deep into your Heart ; for without the Know- ledge and Belief of this, you will never have any true Knowledge or Senfe of the Good- nefsj Jufticey or Mercy of God to Men ; nor will you ever taily know the Value of Chriftianity. Ind. * But how Man, the Creature of fo ^ holy and good a God, fliould come to *" have a Nature fo corrupt and difordered, *' and prone to Evil, — This, indeed,, fur- * prizes me.*^ Mtjf. Far he it from any Man to imagine, that a good and holy God, and one who hateth Sin, that He fholild be the Caufe of this Corruptioa of our Nature, and of the Sin itoccafions. No,— he made Man at firfl upright, holy^ juji and goody and ca- C 2 pable ! ^^^'Tl i.-ii I' 1 M M I itai |! I' ^^ I'l i5 ^;; Instruction Dial. 2, pable to do every thing that became a rea- fonable Creature i but how he fell into this wretched and diftempered Condition, you fliall know in due time. Ind. * But fince Sin and Wickednefs are * difpleafing to God, why does he fufFer Sin * and Sinners to be in the World ? MJf. You do not confider, that all Men being Sinners, God muft either fufFer Sin to be in the World, or dettroy the Sinners •, that is, all the Race of Men.— But when you come to know the ChriftJan Religion, and what God has done to cure this great Diforder of our Nature, you will find that God can make the Sins of Men ta turn to his own Glory, and their Happinefs, if it is not their own Fault ; — and you will have Reafon to admire and adore hi$ wonderful Wifdom^ and Mercy ^ and Goodnefs to all fuch as (hall embrace and lay hold on his Offers of Grace, — as well as his jufl Difpleafurc againil fuch as defpifc his Mercy. And this is the Reafon that I have taken fo much Pains to convince you of the Cor- ruption OF OUR Nature, and of the Danger we are in on that Account^ that you may have no E.afe in your Mind, until you know how to be deliverer from fo fad a Bondage, and the Fears thiit ought to attend it. There is another Danger which we are all expofed to, and which you ought to know, which :y \,i Dial. 2. for the IND lANS. 17 which I will juft mention to you at this time •> — and that is, the Power and Malice of evil Spirits. Ind. * What dayoir mean by evil Spirits }^ Mijf, God has made known to us, that there are Creatures, both good and badi which we calf Angels or Spirits, and' which arc- ever about us, tho* we do not fte them,; they having no fuch Bodies as we have. — Such of thefe that are good are appointed by God to take care of his Servants ; — and they that are evil are fiicb as Have rebelled againft their Maker,, and having utterly loft his Favour, they ftrive to tempfMcn to all manner of Wickednefs, that they may be as miferable asthemfelves.— • And fo great is their Malice and Power over fuch as cake themfelves from under God*s Protection, — that God was provoked at one time to dVo^n all the Pfeople of the Earth, except one good Man and his H'oufliold, with a Flood of Waters •,. — and ar another time, to deftroy feveral great Towns with Fire from Hea- ven, for the Wickedncfs of them that dwelt 'Xi them. Ind, * Thefe, indeed, are fure Proofs of * the Power of evil Spirits over wicked * Men, and of the Corruption of our Na- * ture, and of God*ii Purpofe to punilh Sin * and Sinners, of which we indeed have no I manner of Knowledge.* ,i' ■*■■: -1 hm II m ■ i^S An Instruction Dial. 2. Mijf. But it is neceflary that you fliould know thefe things ; for whoever is not a Worfhipper of the only true God, whom Chriftians ferve ; is a Slave ip thefe evil Spirits, and too often are Worfhippers of them, tho* they do not know it. — When you confider thefe things, you will have Rcafon to be concerned and afraid for your- fclf. Ind. * And fo indeed 1 fhall be, if this * is Our Cafe.' Mijf, This is, in truth, the Cafe of every one that is ignorant of the True God, and of the Way by which he has decreed to fave his unhappy Creatures from ruining them- felves, and lofing that Happinefs which he has provided for fuch as love and obey him. Ind, * I do moft earneftly intreat you, * that at your Leifure you would give me * an Account of tl>e Chriftian Religion, * which you fay is the Way that God has * decreed to fave all Men from Ruin/ M£\ That I will do, thro* the Favour of God, the next time we meet: In the mean y^hile remember — what I aflure you cf, — that this Life is the Time, in which you are to chufe whether you arc to be happy or mi- ferable for ever ; and that your Happinefs or Mifery will depend upon your emlracing or nefrle5fing the Offer now made you^ by the great Godj of becoming a Cbrijiian. You oqeht therefore Dial. 2. for the IND lANS. 19 therefore to pray to the great God, not to let you lofe this Opportunity of being happy. And I will not forget to pray for you, that God may enlighten your Mind with faving Truth. m\ U I \m ) nil " ■> i' « i PI A- i m 20 yfo Ins T R -J c T : ON Dial. 3^ DIALOGUE III. ^he Proofs of the Chrijlian Religion. Indian. A M come againy. Sir^ to trou- ble you, fooner, I believe, than youexpefted. — Youfaid,- that it was good for me that I was in * Fear for myfelf y I cannot choofe but be fo, * fince you told me, that my Happinefs or Mi- * firy will depend upon my embracing or negle5f- * ing the C^er now made me of becoming ^ * Cbriftian. — I own I am not fatisfied with ^ my prcfent Condition i — I am convinced * by my Reafon, as well as by what you * told me; that we were made to be an * Honour to the Being that made us^ by living. ^ according to that Light and Reafon which *" he hath given us. — For my own part, I ^ fear I have not done fo : and if he Ihall * be difpleafed with me, I know not how * to help myfelf, or make my Mind eafy.* Mtjftonary. * AfTurc yourfelf, this is the pafc of every thoughtful Perfon, without the. * Hebr, xii. 15, to the J have be him by to do,- Know- Dial 3. for the INDIANS. 21 Knowledge of Chriftianity. — Our great Creator faw this, and in great CompafBon to his poor Creatures, that are in Pain and Fear for themfelves, has provided them a Remedy and a Way by which . they may be freed from the Fears and Bondage they labour un- der ^ and this is, by embracing the Chriftian Religion. Ind, * What does the Chriftian Religion * propofe to us, to cure us of thofc Fears ? * Mtjf, I will iirft tell you in fhort, and afterwards explain myfelf more folly.— In the firft place, — It will lead you .0 the true Knowledge of the true God, the Maker of the World, and convince you of his great Love for his unhappy Creatures, and will ^^cw you what he has done tp keep theni ^< froth ruining themfelves, — It (hews us how we muft anfwcr the End for which God made us, and fent us into the WorM. — It fets before us the Dangers we are liable to, iind how to efcape them. — It makes known to us thofe Laws by which God will judge the World, that Men may order their Lives accordingly.— It gives -us all Rules necef- fary to make us happy when we die, and ali necefliiry Affiftance to obferve thofe Rules, • It direfts us how we may be reftored to the Favour of God, whenever we fliall have been fo unhappy as to have offended him by our Sins, which we are but too apt to do. It affures us. That God is a boun- tiful Hi: I • I' ■ 'J 'i \ I K. l 42 -^« iNStRUCTlON Dial. Jr tifulRewarderofallfuchasfeek topleafe bim*^ — In fliort, — Chriftianity is the only Remedy to cure all the Diforders and Dan- gers and Miferies we are fubjeft to in this' Life i — and the only fiire Means, where it is lerioufly embraced, of making the World much better than it would be without it. Ind, * This is, Sir, a moft defirable Ac- * count you have given me of the Chriftian * Religion. — Will you be pleafed, as you * promifed, to explain thefe things more !' folly?' MJf. You muff know then, that we arc called Chrijlians^ from profeffing ourfelves to be the Difcipies and Followers of a moft holy and divine Perfon^ called Jefus Chrtft j who being the Son of the great God^ was by him fent from Heaven to make his Will and gracious Furpofcs knov;n unto Men» In order to this,, he being a pure Spirit, it was neceffary that he fhould take a Body like one of ours, that he might be fcen and converfe witb Men. — ^ He therefore fub- mitted to be born of a? Virgin, and he took the Soul and Body of a Man, and in tJiat Nature he converfed with Men, and madd known to them the things which I have already mentioned to you. Particularly, he gave them a clear Knowledge of their Maker, be being the exprefs Image of God his f flebr, xi. 6. Father] Dial. 3. for the IND IJNS. 23 Father ; and by his moft ferfe5i^ innocent ^ and holy Life, he (hewed the World what an excellent Creature Man was, when he was firft made, and before he fell into Sin, and be- came prone to Evil, as he now is. He affured them, that he had been d Peace-maker betwixt God and his rebellious Creatures, who by their Difobedience had loft his Favour, and forfeited the Happincfe he had prepared for them. And in order to reconcile them to God, and to incline them to their Duty and Obe- dience to their Maker, he brought them from h'''^ this moft gracious Meffage. — • That ai ch as became fenfible of their Error and Mtj and would refolve to return to their Obe nee for the Ttme to come^ Jhould^ (for his So 'sfake) receive a full and free Par- don for aU their paji Offences^ be reftored again to his Favour, and obtain that Happinefs which tbey had forfeited by their Offences. Ind. * Thefe are indeed wonderful Proofs * of the great Goodnefs of God.' Mi/f. But then you are to know, tliat all iuch as dcfpife this furprizing Goodnefs of God, he has determined in Juftice, not only "to deprive them of his Favour and Happi- nefs, but alfo to punifh them beyond what they can imagine. For you muft never forget what I told you before, and what Jefus Chrift has affured us of, 'Jhat this Jhort Life is only a Paffage to a Life that is to lafi for ever j I'i' ii • [Hi I m i^m^' %4i. ft4 ^;^ I N s T R tr c T I o N Dial. 3. ever ; and that he has determined to call all Men to an Account for their Behaviour in this World, and to reward or punifh them as they Ihall have deferved. Ind. * I have not forgot that.—— But * give me Leave, Sir, to ask you one Que- • ftion, — How are you Chriftians fure, that • this extraordinary Perfon did come from * God with this Mefliage toMen ?* Mijf. It if aMfary, that every one who intends to be Civiftian, fhould have the grcateft Affurance ot the Truth of this 5 for on this Truth the Chriftian Religion is founded. You muft know then, that this Divine Perfon, in order to give Men all poflible Affurance, that he was what he declared he was, the Son of God, and a Meffenger from his Father,— he did, before their Eyes, fuch wonderful Works as none but one fent from God could do. — For Example, — he healed all manner of Sickmfs and Difeafes with a Word of his Mouth.— He gave Sight to fuch as were born blind. — To fuch as were dutnb and deaf, he gave the Pomer of Speech and Hearing ;— and he made the Lame to walk. — He fed and fatisfied the Hunger ■of many Thoufands of People more than once, with a Morfel of Meat, which they faw multiplied before their Eyes, and were fo many thoufand Witneffes of this Miracle.— He commanded the Winds, and ih^ Storms, and 4 m Dial. 3. for the INDIANS. 25 and the Seas^ and they obeyed his Word. — He raifed to Life thofe that had for fome time been dead, by commanding them to live again. He convinced thofe with whom he converted, that he knew the very Thoughts of their Hearts, which none but God could do. Laftly, — the great God himfelf did more than once, by a Voice from Heaven, declare, ^hat be was his beloved Son^ and commanded^ that as fucb he Jhould be heard and obeyed, Ind, * Indeed, thefe are mod fare Proofs, * that this Divine Perfon was what he fliid * he was, The Son of God ; and that what- * ever he taught mufl be true.* MiJ/l But I have other things to tell you» in order to confirm your Faith or Belief in this Divine Perfon and his MefTage. ^ Amongfl many other things which he fore- told his Followers, this ftrange thing was One •, — That notwithflanding the wonder- ful things that he had done before their Eyes, his own and his Father's Enemies would put him to Death;— but that wtthin Three Days he would rife again to Life, — Accordingly, after they had treated him with all the evil Ufage that Spite and Malice could invent, they did mofl barbaroufly murder and cru- cify him. — And after Three Days he did rife again from the Dead ^ and converfed with his Difciples and Followers, with not kk tlian Five hundred at one time, many of wliom D lived 1 1 Mir*''''iTB jBjL' ' ,' 'i\ ' S f;'t ■"l t ' ' ' ui! ,1 iM 1||,j!; M M li ' ' 1 1'^ m tl :'m 1 m 1 li 'II .' m biiiii Wm% ill ':'^!'(l|jR i', 1;\J M|l 't . .[ :i,|i9 jk:U|9 r ■tiHrVjlK^BB >!|i Pi^^^^H i 1^ . 'W,il. F >^'*' ' w 1' ' ^iV\ fli i'.;W!!5 Ilia iiM'i «is 'I'll' B'wiH Awm IB^^tH^H i HHffl aSjaM^^H fflp-nH^H W: n .;;;^ w\m " «M W^'-Wm ^t-fff 1 T, :^f ^E '■' %fi^ »' Hr wff K k:^ Pl^ '<' ml ■<,\ KKi \Wm 'mw^M '■■ «ii ' ' BF'^lwB m^M i MM : HI V ' wffmK J:|l '< '\ 1 rli *■'! ' ■ ||| i'l; ih'.i^ 'if ;';iiJ ■ ' '" ^ ♦ ^1 ■ '^i^ r ' ' '' 'wi '■■ 1 'i-'/m ;■: ^ ;;_l • iMm ■•r i'v '■ 1^8 .1« 26 An Instruction Dial. 3. lived very long, and did bear Witncfs of his Refurreflion, at the Expence of their Lives. Ind, * I cannot forbear asking you, — * Why did God fufFer thofe wicked Men to * murder his own Son ?* Mijf. That you fhall know hereafter. — In the mean time, I muft proceed to tell you, that after having converfed with his Difciples many Weeks, in the Sight of many of them, he afcended up into Heaven, — But as a fur^ Proof of his being there, before he parted with them, he told them, that he and his Father would fend another Holy Perfon in his Place and Stead, to be their Guide and Comforter, and to lead them into all Truths neceffary for the Work they had to do ; — not with a mortal Body like his, which his Enemies had with wicked Hands crucified, but a tnoft Holy^ Divine and Pure Spirit \ who, for the Confirmation of the Truth, fhould enable them to do all fuch mighty Works as he had done among them: According to which Promife, Ten Days after he afcended into Heaven, That Di- vine Spirit came amongft them after a moll wonderful Manner, and did enable them to underftand and fpeak all the Lan- guages of the then known World, to which they went in order to carry thefe good Ti- dings ; whereby we, and many other Na- tions, were brought out of Error, Ignorance and Dial. 3. for the IND lANS. 27 and Darknefs, into the clear Light and true Knowledge of GW, and of bis Son Jeftis Chrifty and oi that Holy Spirit which enabled them to preach thefe glad Tidings to all the World \ — That Chrift has made our Peace with God, if we fubmit to be governed by him, and by his Laws. Ind. * Well, Sir, you have given feme * Eafe to my Mind ; — / believe that Chrijl * is the Son of God \ and that what he faid * was moft true •, — and I fuppofe all that * know thefe things are Chriftians.* Miff, Indeed they are not ; and you will not wonder at it, when you confider what it is that hinders People from being Chri- ftians. — There are many who never think of their Maker, or of what mull become of them when they die. — Many hear thefe things, but their Hearts are fo fet upon this World, its Pleafures and Profits, that they cannot lay them to Heart. — And too many are fo fond of their own Ways, to which they have been long accuftomed, that they will not fee the Truth of what is propofed to them. Befides all this, — the Apoftl'.\s taught many things which wicked People would not hear with Patience. For Example, — That Murderers, Drunkards, Adulterers, Oppreflbrs, covetous Perfons, the proud, malicious and revengeful People, all Lov^^rs of Pleafures more than Lovers of God,— that all fuch as were guilty of thofe things D 2 mul iii • m 28 An Instruction Dial. 3. muft forfuke them, or they could not lie Chriftians. Imi, * Well, Sir, I am convinced, that * notwithftanding the Proofs of the Truth * of the Chriftian Religion, there might * be People who would not become Chri- * ftians. — But I fliould be very thankful, * if you would let me know, how the Chri- * ftian Religion did prevail at tl^ time the * Apoftles of Chrift made it known to all * Nations i* Mijf. That you fhall know ^hcn you come again to me. — In the mean while forget not to beg of God, for his Son's Sake, to give you an Heart always difpofcd to receive the Truth. D I A- Dial. 4. for the INDIANS. 29 DIALOGUE IV. ^'he wonderful Succefs and Progrefs of the Firji Preaching of the Gospel. Indian. HEN I left you laft, Sir, you promifed to let me know what followed upon the coming down of that Holy Spirit upon Chrift's Apoftles ; and how the Chriftian Religion was received in the World.' Mtjftmary. You muft know then, that when this happened, there were People out of all Nations then at Jerufalem^ the City to which they were come to worfliip the great God. — * Now when all thefe heard the Apostles of Christ, who before that time knew no Language but their own, when they heard them teach the People the wonderful Works of God, and this in the Language of every Nation then prefent •, they were aftoniflied, and being convinced that this muft be a Work of God, they ♦ Ms ii. I>3 flierefoFe 'M "fur i! '' mk <(f\' 'i y .f m 30 yfi« Instruction Dial. 4 therefore gave heed to them while they de- clared the moft gracious Purpofes of the great God towards Men ;— of Mercy, and Pardon, and Happinefs to all fuch as Ihould obey the Meflage he had fent to them by his Son-, — in fo much that no lefs than Three thousand embraced theChriftian Religion that very Day, and Five thou- sand more immediately after -, — andthefe became fo many Witneffes of thefe wonder- ful things, to the feveral Nations from whence they came thither to worfhip. After this, the Apoftles went into all Na-» tions, making known this joyful Meflage of God to Men,— That he would have all Men to he favedy and to come to the Knowledge of the Truth ;— that he was ready to be recon- ciled to all fuch as had offended him •, and that he would make them happy for ever, if they would be perfuaded to forfake their evil Ways, aqd be governed by fuch Rules as were neceflary to fit them for Happinefs. — So that in all Nations, all fuch as were ordained to eternal Life^ all fuch as were truly concerned for themfelves, and difpofed to receive the Truth, became Chriftians, and very great was their Number every-where. — And indeed Chrift himfelf foretold that it would be fo j — tho' at that time the moft unlikely thing in the World, — that all Na- tions fhould receive a Religion upon the Preaching of Twelve poor Strangers, who Dial 4. for the IND I A NS. ' 31 who had no worldly Power, Riches or Learn- ing to induce People to follow and believe them.— This fhewed it to be the Work of the great God ; — for the Rulers of the World oppofed them ; — and they required all Men to forlake the Ciiftoms and Religion of their Forefathers, — to deny their Luft, to leave their impious Ways of living, and to lead holy Lives, and to fuffer Death, rather than deny the Truths they told them. Ljd, * Pray, Sir, what became of thefe * Apoftles after this? ' Miffi Why, as they had taught all others to fuffer Death, rather than deny the Truths that the^ had received from God by his Son,— fo did they themfelve lay dowa their Lives for thofe Truths they had preached. — But; before they fuffered, they appointed c hers to fucceed them in publlfliing thefe Truths to all Nations ; by which Chriftianity haa continued unto this Day, and we are affured by Chrift himfelf, will continue unto the World's End.—— And a very great Change for the better has been made in all Nations whepe it has been received. Ind. * You will oblige me, if you will * let me know in what the World is become * better by this Religion ? * Miffl In the firft place, they that: thent profeffed the Chriftian Religion profeffed^ that they were only Strangers in this IVorld^ and going to a much better, which they expected ■■•i -fc f , 34 u^^ INSTRUCT ION Dial. 4, expeded after Death.— This niade them content with any Condition of Life, "which the great God (hoiild think fit to place them in.— This kept them from being covetous, or over-much concerned for the things of this world; which too often makes Men un- jutt and wicked. — They believed, that if they were poor, or in Mifery, God would make them amends in the next* Life, for what they fliould want in this. — Their great Rule given them by Chrifl: was this,-- *That they Jhould deal with all others^ as they themfelves would deftre to he dealt with, This made diem very juft in all their Deal- ings,— and careful not to wrong or opprefs any body. — Defrauding^ Cheating^ and Ly- ing was not fo much as known among them. — Their Religion obliged them to be at Peace with all Men as much as poffible. — So that ^arrehy and Fightings and Killing one another^ they utterly abhorred.— On the contrary, they were kind and compaflion- ate even to their Enemies ;— never return- ing Evil for Evil.-— They had always a tender Companion for fuch as ;/ere in Want or in Mifery •, — cloathing the Naked ^ feeding the Hungry^ and lodging the Stranger^ accord- ing to their Ability.— As to themfelves, they were exceeding foher^ and temperate^ not given to Gluttony or Drunkemiefs, which they knew their God would be highly dif- pleafed with.— They were chajle and mo- dcfi. Dial. 4- iejl, both I to their g^ had aj^poii Adulterer Heaven 01 fuffered al Death itfel the Autho of God, a from his I M. * * derful 1 ' Chriftia < gine ths « hurt the Miff. many •, - I toldy( wicked 1 Religion have do powerful the mor< creafed." in any c Enemie falfe Goi Part of do to t wicked that pre they d^ Dial. 4. for the INDIANS. 33 dejl^ both Men and Women ; all kept ftriAIy to their own Wives and Husbands, as God had a])pointed, who had declared, that no Adulterer or unclean Per/on muft hope fcH* Heaven or Happinefi. Laftly, - they fufFered all manner of Torments, and even Death itfel f, rather than deny JesusChrist, the Author of their Religion, to be the Son of God, and to have brought this Religion from his Father. Ind. * Indeed, Sir, this is a moft won* * derful Account of fuch as profeffed the * Chriftian Religion. — But one cannot ima- * ginc that they fliould have any Enemies to * hurt them.* Miff, But indeed they had, <»nd very many ;— for thofe Evil Spirits, which I told you of before, tempted all Sorts of wicked Peopk to deftroy them and their Religion, if poflible ; and would certamly have done it, but that the great and all- powerful God hindred it, — and caufed, that the more it was perfecuted, the more it in- creafed. — All fuch as had been brought up in any other Religion, became their mortal Enemies, efpecially fuch as worlhipped IdolSy falfe Gods, or ^// iS^inV^, which the greateft Part of the World then did, and too many do to this Day. — Befides thefe, Men of wicked Lives hated and pcrfecutrd thofe that profeffed the Chriftian Religion, bccaiife they declared that God would moft furcly caU . a : , i! ■ ' ■ ; ■ rii m £ ■ ^ ! iff ii^'Iiiit >*': . 1 'f ;''?! •t .; I . S^Jl m^ §■ ii k ■J \ ;■ .1 "jI '■ 3+ An Instruction Dial. 4, t| J lem to an Account, and judge them to X ^ *ifery that would never end, if they Jiid not forfake their Sins, and lead better Lives. On thefe, and on many other Accounts, Chriftians were every- where perfecuted, and Thoufands and Thoufands were mod barba- roufly murdered •, which they patiently en- dured, in a full Affurance of a better Life, which God, who cannot deceive them, had promifed. InL * Pray, Sir, are Chriftians ftill ufed * after this cruel Manner ? ' Mi{j, No, not every- where. — For in time many Kings and P r i n c e s of the World became Chriftians •, and when they favoured and protefted that Religion, many followed their Example, not always in order to fave their Souls, bu: for ')ther unworthy and worldly Ends. — And ' ^^as then, that many began to call themkives Chriftians, that in their Hearts and Lives were far from being fuch : — By which the Chriftian Re- ligion became extremely corrupted, and Men profeffed Chriftianity at the fame time that they lived in thofe Sins which that Re- ligion forbids on pain of Damnation ; and too ma:;/ to this Day do go under the Name of Chriftians, who have no Religion at all, and too many who have a very bad one. Notwithftanding this, the Chriftian Reli- gion, where it is truly profeffed, is ftil! the fanae j fame ; anc .^ en to th to that Ha We ha^ worftiip, God who hateth th( call all M according reward o ferved, v whether not.- true Com the Ange be a Chr will live InL ; ' for thij ' Chrifti ' hope, * they * Chrift * who f MiJJ, but the knov\r prefent Blcffinj certain worftii ven ar Dial, 4. for the INDIANS. ^5 fame ; ancl th.ir alone which muft reftore f/ en to the Favour of God, and bring them to that Happinefs which we all wifli for. We have the fame juft and holy God to worfhip, that thofe Firft Chriftians had \ a God who lo/eth the Good and Pious, and hateth the Wicked ; who will mod furely call all Men to an Account, and judge them according to their Works \ and who will reward or punifli them as they have de- fcrved, whether Men believe thefe Truths, whether they will think and mind them or not. So that every Man, who has any true Concern for himfelf, and would efcape the Anger of an offended God, will not only be a Chriftian in Name, but in good es^rneft will live as a good Cliriftian ought to do. Ind, ' I do mott heartily thank you. Sir, ' for this Account you have given me of the * Chriftian Religion. — — Now one would * hope, that if our People knew thefe things, * they might be prevailed on to become * Chriftians as readily as thofe Nations did, * who firft embraced Chriftianity.* Miff, We may wifh and pray for this ; — but there are fome Reafons, which you may know hereafter, that we fear may, for the preient, hinder fo general a Converfion and Bltffing to your People ; but a Time will certainly come, when you will all know and worfhip tl;.: true God, the Maker of Hea- ven and Eard'^ and His only Son, whom he .u... m •St ;i tia : ih iUs^' iV« i^ :S' ^i,.:iM 36 yfo iNSt RUC'i ION Dial. 4. he has ordained to he the Judge of the Living and Dead, — In the mean while, take you care for yourfelf, and beg of God that you may not lofe this Favour which he offers you at this time by me, one of his unworthy Ser- vants. Ind. * I hope I (hall do fo, and fliall not * forget what you have faid to me at this * time. — And I believe I fhall very foon * wait on you again for your further In- * ftrudion.' D I A- Dial, 5- for the INDIANS. 37 DIALOGUE V. The bad Lives of Chrtjliam objcdlcd^ and anfwered. Mtjfionary, Expeded, as you promifed, to have fcen you fooner \ has any thing extraordinary hindered you from coming to be further in- ftriiaed ? Indian. * Why truly. Sir, fince I was * with you, I have met withfuchDifcourage- ' ments as have given me great Doubts and * Trouble of Mind, and had almoft made ' me refolve againft troubling you any * more.* Miff, I fliould be exceeding forry, that any thing fliould make you do yourfclf fo great an Injury. Pray what are the Difcouragements you have met with ? Ind. ' I will tell you the Truth. — After * I parted with you, upon what you had ' faid to me, 1 told our People, that I had * feme Thoughts of becoming a Chriftian ; * for that I had met with one who had con- * vinced me, that my Condition at prefent "il £ was 38 ^/^Instruction Dial. 5^ was not fo fafe as I might imagine, and that I fliould certainly lofe the greatelt Happinefs that the Heart of Man can de- fire, if I fliould rf fiife, now it was offered me, to be inftrufted in the Knowledge of myfelf, and of the true God, and how to live and die in his Favour. — I told them alfo, how that you affured me, and this from the great God, that either happy or miferable will every Man living be when he dies, as fure as he now lives ; and that this fliort Life of ours is only a Time of Trial, and a Paffige to a Life of Hap- pinefs or Mifery, that is to laft for ever. — I told them moreover, — that Chriftians were afilired, That God had appointed a Day in which he %vould judge the JVorld^ all that ever have lived, moft righteoufly ; — and that fi'ch as had done good Jhould he happy for ever \ and fuch as had led wicked Lives, and did not repent^ and lead good Lives ^Jhould be punifloed with everlajling Fire. — And, that in order to this great Account and Judgment, God had given us, and all Men Reafon^ whereby to know Good from Evil, that they might choofe the Good, an 1 ic^afsi the Evil. But that befides thi., he had given unto Chriflians, by his owa Son, certain holy Rules, whereby they niiglu know how to live fo as lo be c n d :>iiOur to t:-ieir Maker^ und rhiit by fo uoing he miglit make ihem Pai t.tkcrs of 'his Dial. 5. for the INDIANS. 39 * his own Happinefs. Then I told them, * that for my own parr, I was perfuaded of * the Truth of all this ; which I did then * think all Chriftians did believe as furely as * any thing they fee with their Eyes/ Mijf, And fo I do afllirc you, all true Chriftians do. But what did they fay againft yoLir Purpofc of becoming a Chriltian i hid, ' Tho' I am almoft afraid to tell ^ you, yet I muft do it, both to eafe my * Mind, and to know whether any thing can * be faid to their Objedlions. * In the Firft place, they made a Jeft of * my Purpofe 5 — but I told them, that if * what I had been inftrudled in was true, as * I did believe it was, it concerned me too * much not to be laught out of my Purpofe. * Then they told me plainly, — the Chri- * ftians would have you believe what they * do not believe themfelves. For is it * likely that People, who believe fuch things * as they tell you, fhould lead fuch Lives * as they commonly do.^^ — What, fiid they, ' does it fignify to know the God which * they worfhip, and the good Rules he has * given them, if they are not able to make * them better than other People ? — Are not ' they as carelefs, as if they were fure that * nothing is to be feared or hoped for after * this Life ? - - You may be fure, that if * Chriftians did really believe what they told * you, there would not be a wicked Chri- E 3 ' ftian Mi- mil mH .it :t I n 40 ^//Instruction Dial. 5. * ftian among them; — and yet they are many * of them as bad, if not worfe than thole * who know nothing of the Religion they * h(\\ii cf, or of the Ilappineis or Miitry * they fpeak of. — Are not the fame Wick- * cdneftes feen amongft them, as amongft the * vvorft of People ? — They make no Con- ' fciencc to cheat and defraud even one an- * other; — and where they have Power, they * opprefs without Pity. — Whoredom and * Drunkennefs, and Falfliood and Deceit, * and Lying and Curfing, and Swearing and * Calling upon the God they worfhip to * plague each other, upon every foolifli Oc- * cafion •, — Thefe and many others are the * Crimes very common among thcfe People, * who tell you, that the great God will call ' all Men to an Account, and reward or * punifli them as they fhall have deferved. — * Can you think, that they themfelves be- * lieve this ? ' Alijl Well, what Anfwer did you give them ? IrJ, ' Why indeed I gave them no An- ' fwer. — I confidered, that what they faid * had too much Truth in it, and I held my ' Peace, and doubted with myfelf whether * I fhould trouble you any more or not.' Mijf. I hope however, that you will change your Mind, when you have heard what we have to fay to thefe Objedtions. In Dial. 5. for the TND lATSIS. 41 In the Firft place, all good Chriftians know this, and ure grieved to fee how much the Chriftian Religion mull fiifFer by the bad Lives of fuch People, by whofe evil Doings the Name of God and of Chrift is blaf- pliened, and we are become a Reproach to our Neighbours -, a Scorn and Dcrifion to them that are round about us i". However, fuITer not yourfelf to be too foon difcouraged. -- Nor judge of our Re- ligion by the diforderly Lives of thefe Peo- ple you have mentioned ; — for, afTure your- felf, that all are not Chriftians who go under that Name. — There are too many who live in a (liameful Ignorance both of the Truths and Duties of Chriftianity. — There are others that will not be at any Pains to con- fider the Religion they profefs, nor the Hid Danger they themfclves are in. And many there are who have been inftrufted ia the Way of Life -, but the Cares of this World, and the Dcceitfulnefs of Riches,, or the Love of worldly Pleafures, have blot- ted the Remembrance of the Truths they had learned out of their Minds. Nay, there are too many who even drive to for- get fuch Truths, becaufe they condemn their ungodly Lives. — They therefore endeavour to caft off all Fear of God, and provoke him to give them up to a Mind void of f Ram, vii. Pfal. Ixxix. E 3 \% "i^;il- if ,. ,»;i i ii;:f'! I,'' Ml ' N-.' Judg- S!^, ^J^,^ '> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // ^ ■<*.^ ^^|0 1.0 I.I ■tt Ui2 ■2.2 lii 12.0 lit liil ||||l.25 III U ,.6 ^ 6" ► VI /A ^ '^^/ /,. 7 /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 145M (716)S72-4S03 % u %>. A.^ .* 4^ 4 ^A^ i 42 ^//Instruction Dial. 5. Judgment, to commit all Iniquity with Greed inefs. Laftly, — There are fome who go under the Name of Cliriftians, who do not believe One Word of Chriftianity ; — and a much greater Number of fuch as profefs to know God^ hut in their Works do deny him, — Thefe, and all fuch asdiefe, are an Abomination in the Sight of God, and of all true Chriftians. Ind, * But you know, Sir, that thefe will * take it ill, if they are not called Chriftians,* Miff, They will fo ; but that is becaufe they think it a Name of Credit and Refpeft in the Place where they live •, and they con- tent tliemfelves with the Name, without thinking ferioufly what it is to be a Chri- llian. Ind, * Since there are fo many who go * under the Name of Chriftians^ and are not * fuch, how fhall we know which are true « Chriftians?' Miff, The God whom Chriftians worfhip hath given them a Rule, by which every one may know whether he himfelf be, and who elfe are true Chriftians. The Rule is this : — Let every one that nameth the Name cfChrift^ depart from Iniquity'^, — Whoever does not do fo, is no true Chriftian in the Account of God •, — and they, and they only, are true Chriftians, who believe the Truths, * 1 Tim. ii. 19. and Dial. 5. for the IND lANS. 43 and obey the Laws of the Chriftian Religion. . — That is, fuch as love the God that made them with all their Hearts, and fear to dif- pleafe and offend him •, — who love one- another, and all Mankind, as he has com- manded them to do ; — who make a Con- fcience of their Ways ; — and in their Lives are holy^ and jufl^ and foher^ and temperate^ and humble^ and meek^ and merciful to their Fellow-creatures ; — and laftly, fuch as dare not for all the World be guilty of thofe Vices which you juft-now mentioned. But then, that you may not be offended with the Faults and Failings of thofe that are even good Chriftians, you muft remember what I have already often told you, con- cerning the Weaknefs and Corruption of hu- man Nature. For the beft of Chriftians are Men of like PafTions with others, and may, through the Weaknefs of their Nature, or for want of Confideraiion, be fometimcs overtaken in a Fault, which afterwards they are much concerned for : — But a true Chri- ftian will not, cannot live in any known Sin, or bad Way of Life. Ind. ' Pray then, good Sir, what Anfwer * fhall I give to our People, who, to be fure, * will endeavour to difTuade me again from * hearkening to your Inftrudions, by fuch ' Reafons as I have already told you ? ' Mtff, Afk them, whether the great God has not given every-one of them Reafon, and ■k \ i % (I ■ ■V't M 44 ^« Inst RUCTION Dial. 5. and nnderftantling Souls, in order to iudge betwixt Good and Evil ? — Surely they will not fay, that Reafon^ the j^ood Gift of God^ is in fault when many of their own People do fuch wicked things as their Keafon for- bids and condemns. — No more ought they to blame the Chriilian Religion, becaufe fome that call themfelves Chrljlians lead fuch Lives as are a Reproach to Chriftianity. Lid, * It may be, they will tell me, that if * neither Reafon, nor Chriftianity, can keep ' People from being wicked, I need not be * at the Pains of learning the Chriilian Re- * ligion.' Mijf. Well then, I will fliew you in a few Words, — how much better, and for your everlafting Interefl: it will be to know the Chriftian Religion, than to be guided by Reafon only. ift. Your Nature is cor- rupt and prone to Evil -, Experience may convince you, that your Reafon alone can- not help to mend and cure this Corruption, fo as to keep you in God's Favour. — But the Chriftian Religion, where it is fincerely embraced, will moft furely do this. 2 J/j. Your Reafon will indeed accufe and condemn you when you do amifs, but can- not give you any comfortable Affurance of God's Pardon :— But the Chriftian Religion will fhew you a fure Way to be forgiven, and reftored to the Favour of your Maker, whenever you have offended him. Dial. 5. ^dly. thing very Inclinatior very muc when Met fure of w Chriftian you what which yoi vere Difp j^thly. '. you what but the C 1 have fti' according be happy fo will be this will I ging you ftian. ' Ind. * « ^You < ~ anc ' fuch r ' Inftru(J * have t( ' the Tr ready tc you an ' 5. Dial. 5. for the IND lANS. 45 '^dly. We are but too apt to think every thing very reafonable which we have a great Inclination for ; and this is the Occafion of very much Evil and Mifchief in the World, when Men make their own Will the Mea- fure of what they ought to do ; but the Chriftian Religion, and that only, will inform you what is right in the Sight of God, and which you mull do on pain of his moft fe- vere Difpleafure. 4.thly. Laftly, yourReafon cannot inform you what will become of you when you die ; but the Chriftian Religion can affure you, as I have (hewn you already, that fuch as live according to the Rules of that Religion will be happy for ever •, and that fuch as do not fo will be moft unhappy and miferable ; and this will be a very powerful Means of obli- ging you to live as becomes a good Chri- ftian. Ind, * Sir, I do moft heartily thank you. — You have given me great Eafe of Mind ; — • and I hope I fliall meet with no more fuch Difcouragements from hearing your Inftruftions. But fome few things I have to ask you, for the Confirmation of the Truths I am to believe/ Mtjf, Come when you will, I fhall be ready to inftrucl you. And may God give you an underftanding Heart, fc m D I A- ■ii 46 .//>^ Instruction Dial. 6. DIALOGUE VI. ne Holy Scriptures both Neceffary a7id Sufficient for the Salvation of Men. Indian. 5f S^ O U have convinced me, Sir, — ""^^&. that our Reafon alone is not fuf- ficient to make known to us the things which you fay arc moft furely believed among Chriftians. — That Reafon cannot direft us with whatWorfliip the great God will be pleafed, — nor give us any Certainty of the Happinefs or Mi- fery of the Life to come -, — which, to be fure, makes Men lefs concerned how they lead their Lives. — You have told me, and I am convinced of it, that our Rea- fon alone cannot aflure us upon what Terms the great God will pardon us when we have offended him, as all Men are apt to do ; and we all know and fee}, how hard it is even to follow what our Reafon tells us we ought to do. Of what Ufe then is Reafon to us?' Miff. Of very great Ufe moft certainly. — It will keep you from being impofcd ufon, Dial. 6. upon, when lief, as comi to judge, w it as fuch; have, your it muft be caufe a Goi deceive his of them bu their Good. Ind ' I ' am now * from yoi * made his ' alfo, whe ' made kn( ' no Man * ought to Mff. I tisfaftion ; ought to d what I tc God, in C Creatures, know hov Ways of would be return to And, laft Father to upon con I told yc Dial. 6. for the IND lANS. 47 upon, when any thing is propofed to your Be- lief, as coming from God •,— you will be able to judge, whether you haveReafon to receive it as fuch \ — and then, if you find you have, your Reafon will convince you, that it muft be neceffary for your Happinefs, be* caufe a God of Truth and Goodnefs cannot deceive his Creatures, or require any thing of them but what mull be neceffary, and for their Good. hd, ' It is for this very Reafon, Sir, I ' am now come to you, not only to learn * from you, by what other Ways God has * made his Will known unto Chriftians •, but ' alfo, whether thofe Ways, and what he has * made known and commanded, be fuch as ' no Man of common Senfe and Reafon * ought to gainfay, or call in queition, * Mijf, I hope I Ihall give you all the Sa- tisfaftion in thofe things, that your Reafon ought to defire. — You will remember then what I told you before, — That the great God, in Compaffion to his poor bewildered Creatures, fent his own Son to let them know how far they were departed from the Ways of Reafon and Truth ; and that they would be for ever miferablc, if they did not return to their Duty unto their Maker. And, laftly, that he had prevailed with his Father to be rtconeiled ro, and pardon them upon condition of heir future Obedience. — I told you alio, tiiat he gave them fuch a Proof I. "^ . 4 m 4? An Instruction Dial. 6. Proof that this Meflage came from God, and that he was the Son ot God, as could not be queftioned by any Man of common Senfe, Reafbn and Honefty. For he declared, and his Enemies knew it, ^hey will put me to Deaths and after 'Three Days I will rife again from the Dead 5 which alfo he did. Ind. ' I do remember all this. — But how ' can you be fure that this was really fo, it * being fo very long fince thefe things were * done? Miff. You yourf:^lf fhall judge. You muft know then, that that Divine Perfon, when he was on Earth, appointed feveral Perfons to be Witnefles of every-thing which he did^ or faid^ or taught^ or fuffered i— and that the moft neceffary of thefe things were put in Writing by them, not by One or Two only, but by Several^ and at the time when Thoufands and Thoufands were alive, who had been Witneffes of his Words and Actions, and while his Enemies, who had put him to Death, were alfo alive, without any one charging them with writing any thing that was not true. — Now, thefe Writings we call The Holy Scriptures. Ind, * But how are you fure, that thefe * People did fet down in Writing That Mcf- ' fage of God to Men, and all other things, « juft as that Divine Perfon had done and ' told them ? * Dial. 6. M\lf. W becaufe the write thofe hear them H Miracles^ that he was fo well con had written ing from G Death, rat they had with their Ind. ; ] * Queftion * fured, thi * have, an ' the very i * verfed w ' not they Mig. ^^ are the vei been altere< at that tir ried with diftant Nj one of an Language fime in Su to this Da Befides Mi[f. m Dial. 6. for the IND lANS. 49 Miff. We are well aflTured they did fo ; becaufe they were direfted and affifted to write thofe things by God himfelf, who did bear them fVitnefs^ by Signs ^ and Wonders^ and Miracles^ and other Gifts of the Holy Spirit^ that he was with them *. And they were lb well convinced of the Truth of what they had written, and what they taught, as com- ing from God, 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 * Queftion more : How can you be af- * fured, that thcfs Writings, which you now * have, and call the Holy Scriptures, are ' the very fame which thofe People who con- * verfed with Chrift did then write ? may ' not they have been altered ? * Miff. We have this Affurance that they are the very fame, and that they have not been altered : — Thofe Writings, were copied at that time by many Chriftians^ and car- ried with them into divers Countries, and diftant Nations, which had no Knowledge one of another, and put into their feverat Languages ; and they all: continue to be the fime inSubftance^whcre-everthey are founds to this Day. Befidcs all this, — From that very time to Hibr. ii. 4. i^ this. ro ^Instruction Dial. 6, this, there was One Day in Seven appointed, and very ftridlly obferved by Chriftians, on purpofe, amongft other things, to read thcfe Scriptures, to keep up the Memory of thefe things which I have told you of; fo that if any body had attempted to add or alter any thing of Moment, it would have immedi- ately been taken notice of by all good Chri- ftians. Ind. * Indeed, Sir, a Man mull be very * unwilling to believe thefe things, who will * not be fatisfied with this Account of die * Truth of thefe Writings ; efpccially, if * they are fuch as contain nothing but what * is highly worthy of the great God to com- * mand his reafonable Creatures.* Mijf, That you will be convinced of, wlien you come to know what he has com- manded them to believe and do. Ind, * But, is it true. Sir, that Chriftians * themfelves are not agreed about them ? * Mijf, Pray, confider, — that as long as Men ha/e corrupt Hearts, and different Ca- pacities, and Inclinations, and Intcrefls, they will differ with one-another, not only in what concerns Chriftianity, but in all other Matters. But aflure yourfelf, — that all Chriftians are agreed in thefe necefTary things ; — That thefe Scriptures are the very Word of God \ — that they contain the gopd^ and acceptable^ and perfcul Will of God, All things that God has commandc-1, or does require n e e if Dial. 6. for the INDIANS. 51 require of us, all thjic does belong to our Peace and Happinefs in this Life, or. in that which is to come -, — and that it would br. an unpardonable Wickedncfs to add to, or diminifli from them \ all Chriftians arc agreed in this. Ind, * In what is it then that they differ * among themfelves ? * Mijf, Some differ about Words only, and often about Matters .of no great Mo- ment. — Many are of a contentious Spirit, and exercife their Wits ohomfooUJk ^ejlions^ which mimjler Strife *, rather than the Dc- fign of God in his Word, which is to fave us from Ruin. Many take upon them to be teachers of others^ without tinderfiafidirg what they fay^ or whereof they affirm +. — Many will expound the Scriptures as will fuit beft with their own private Opinions, or corrupt Ways, inventing Ways of fervirig God, which he has not commanded,- And laftly, too many are brought up in grofs Ignorance, and either are not permit- ted, or will not be at Pains to fee and know the Truths which concern their Salvation. — Thefe and many fuch a^e the Caufes of Chri- ftians differing amongft themfelws. — But be affured of this, — that an All- wife and Good God can make thefe Differences ferve moft bleffed Ends j his Glory, and the Good • 2 Tim, ii. 23. f 1 Tim, i. 7. F 2 of If, %. .\ I W ' » -~;i- 52 An Instruction Dial. ^. of his chofcn and faithful Servants. — For by thefe he tries their Faith, whether they will give Credit to his Word, or to the De- lufions of thofe evil Spirits,- which lead the Simple into Error. — By thefe he makes his true Servants more careful of their Ways, and ta place their whole Dependence upon him, and his Grace, which they therefore pray for more earneftly. Laftly, thefe Differences have had this good Effcci, that forafmuch as all Parties of Chriftians do ac- knowledge thefe Scriptures to be from God, and the only Rule of Faith and Manners v — thty have ever been jealous of one-another, that nothing l^e added, omitted, or altered i)y any Party of Chriftians. And remember what I tell you for a cer- tain Truth, — That the Differences amongft Chriftians are not always of fuch a Nature as to deprive Men of God's Favour. — For he knows all our Hearts, and the Reafons of Mens Miftakes; — and no doubt will pity and pardon fuch Errors and Miftakes ;\s are not wilful, and do not plainly tend to deprave their own Manners, or the Lives^of other People. Ind, * lihave only One Favour more to * ask you concerning thefe Scriptures -, — • JVhat is the great Ufe and Necejfity of them ? * Mi[f.^ In the firft place, they are graci- Gufly given by God to fupply the Defefts of our Reafon, and to hinder us from abufing and Dial. 6. and pcrvc of God, wl| we are bu ourfclves a —In the can have n great God gracious and from thefe Scrip By thef and Wick Death itfel Men forfei Happinefs And in the ticular Ac( unliappy < time, fent out of thii and fuffere to awaken of thefe t them, thci AfTurance them that Happinef ing, and things wil forafmucl ^r Dial. 6. for the INDIANS. 53 and perverting that great Blcfling and Gilt of God, which, thro* our Lufts and Paffions, we are but too apt to do, to the Hurt of ourfclves and others. — In the next place, be aflured, — that you can have no full and true Knowledge of the great God, of his Will and Purpoles, and gracious Defigns, but from his own Son, and from what he has made known to us in thefe Scriptures * . By thefe Scriptures we learn, how Sin and Wickcdnefs, Sickncfs, Mifcries, and Death itfelf came into the World \ and how Men forfeited their Innocence, and loft that Happinefs for which God made them. And in thefe Scriptures we have a moft par- ticular Account, how God, in Mercy to his unliappy Creatures, and in his own good time, fcnt his own Son, to deliver Mankind out of this fad Condition, and what he did and fufFered for that end. — And, in order to awaken all that come to the Knowledj^yc of thefe things, and oblige them to^ mind them, thefe Scriptures give them tlie utmoft Aflurance, — that God has prepared for them that love him, and obey his Son, an Happinefs that pafleth Man*s Undcrftand- ing, and that fuch as will not mind thefe things will be miferable for ever. And, forafmuch as this Happinefs and Mifery will * Matth. xi. 27. yy ": I'M*:!' depend iM 54 Jn Instruction Dial. 6. depend upon Mens good or bad Behaviour in this Lifev — tliefe Scriptupes contain th:*t Law by which God has determined to judge the World, that all Men may order their Lives accordingly. ^ They teach us what Service is due from reafonable Creatures to their Maker v- — how we muft^ live fo as to pleafe him ^— what is truly juftj and good, and holy, and praife-worthy, and accept- able to his Divine Majefty ; — as alfo, what is wrong, and what he has forbidden upon pain of his evcrlafting Difpleafure. They contain many wanderfol Examples of God*'s Care of th®fe that love and obey him, and of his Difpleafure againft fuch as negleft or defpife his Commands^r In fliort, thefe Scriptures are a moft invaluable Bleffing^ without which we fhould be as ignorant of the things of the grtateft Concern to u^^i as the very Beafts of the Fields. Ind, • V/ell, Sir, you have raifed in m« * a very great Defire of knowing more of * thefe Scriptures, which contain thingsftrange * and unknown to us ind^d. * Miff. You muft give God the Thanks for that Defire, if it be fincere. lean only fpeak to your Ears ; it is God alone that can fpeak to your Heart.— Forget nor, there- fore, to beg of him to make himfelf and his Will known to you, and to blefs the Endeo- Tours of fuc^ as defire to inftruft you in the Ways of Truth and Happinefs,. lour Dial. 7. for thi IND IJ.NS. 55 ^^^msmmm^s^j^^m '14 } ! 1^' A^ DIALOGUE VII. An Account of the Fall of Man^ and what followed thereupon^ till the Cow- ing (f Christ ^ Indian. ^OU afliTired me. Sir, when V was laft with you, that God had made known to you many things, which our Reafon can- * not account fbr : — T am now come to put ■^ you in mind of One Difficulty,, which you * promifed to explain to me ;- — which was * this:' — Why^ the great God did fend his own^ ^ Son from Heaven to Earthy and fuffer him * to he murdered by wicked Men? * Mtjftonary, It is neceffary that you fliould know this ; for on this the Chriftiati Religion is founded. — But I muft firflf explain to you another Difficulty, which you asked of me ; which was: — HowMan^ the Creature of an holy and good Gbdy came to bavefuch a firangely difordered Nature^ andfo prone to Evil ? ' Ind, * This indeed is what our Reafon ^ cannot account for t and' I beg you will let * me In IiiHm. "E:|-.|: 56 jin IssTKvcTiou DUl. 7. * me know what God has made known to • you concerning this.* MiJ/l I am obliged to do fo ; for without the Knowledge of this, you can have no true Knowledge of the Jufticey and Mircy^ and Goodnefs of God. What therefore he has made known to us in the holy Scriptures, is this: — That after he had made this World, and all things in it, in Six Days, and that he might have Creatures capable of glorifying him for his wonderful Works, he made One Man and One Woman, called Adam and Eve^ deter- minifijg to make of One Blood all Nations of Men to dwell upon all the Face of the Earth *\ all which are the Offspring of that One Man and Woman. He has alfo made known to us, how thefe Two Perfbns were at firfl made after the Likenefs of their Creator, be- in^ endued with Reafon, and other heavenly Gifts V to the end that the great God» who was iK)t to be fcen by Men, might be feen in this his Imiage, bow good, ^ind wife, and Ixily, and perfect, their Maker waa.— -^ We learn alfo, how thefe otr Firft Patents, being thus made perfect and good, and ca- pable of living for ever t, were placed in an happy State in Paradifey wkh a Promife of Lfie and Happinefi, as long as they conti- nued obedient ta Lncir Maker's Commands v ♦ Ms xvii. 26. i Wifd. ii, 23. Dial. 7. — for thej all are at th preferve in their Depe Breath, an< tne Honoui them a cert ferved *, as Mifchiefs t of that Con than the Lc would not tinued obec Now tl how thefe ( to the Ten regarding 1 did/tf//fro in *, and, 1 fo it appea teous God highly dif] who left t their Innoi which thej became fac the Childi were born Parents, < you fee ii * Gen, —for Dial. 7. for the IND lANS. 57 — for they were in a State of Trial, as we all are at this Day, — and God, in order to preferve in their Minds a conftant Senfe of their Dependence upon him for Life and Breath, and all things they enjoy'd, and of tne Honour due to his Authority, had given them a certain Command to be ftridHy ob- ferved ; as alfo plain Warning of the great Mifchiefs that would follow their Breaking of that Command s — which would be no lefs than the Lofs of their own Lives \ and which would not have happened, if they had con- tinued obedient. Now the holy Scriptures inform us,: — how thefe our Firft Parettts, by giving heed to the Temptation of an evil Spirit, and not regarding the Command of their Maker *, Aid fall from that happy Condition they were in ; and, by that moft grievous Crime, (for fo it appears by the Puniftiment a moft righ- teous God inflifted on them for it) they highly difpleafed God, and his good Spirit, who left them to themfelves, and they loft their Innocence, and that Image of God in which they were created ; and their Nature became fadly changed for the worfe. — And the Children which they afterwards begot were born of Sin, became, even like their Parents, difobedient and prone to Evil,, as you fee it is at this Day : All which thcfc * Gift. iii. t /^/V. V. Firft ]' I. Ill !. !, gi u** lK5tllUCT10Nf Dial. 7. Firft Parents of Mankind brought upon thcmfclves and rfieir Pofterity. •It was thus that Sin, and Evife of every kind, and Death at laft, entered into thfe World, as the jaft Punittiment of Sin, and Difobedience to the Gomlnands of God •, — by which all Right to the Protftife of elerndl Life and Happinefs was forfeited and loft. Ind. * This Is indeed a plain Account * how Sin and Wickednefs entered into the * World, and we ougiit to believe it to be a ^ juft AcGOtont, (ince God has n>ade it knowh * to you.* Mijf. As to the Corruption, and the Sin nhat does To cafily befet us, your own Expe- rience will convince you of the Truth of it. — And no other Account can be given how it came into the World.- And yOu will learn by what followed this Rebellion, how tililpleafing to God it was, and the Punifi^ 'rneut it dcfervcd. 2»4. * Will you be fo kind as to let me * know what followed this fad Calanaity?* Mi/p. You will eafily conceive how mi- fcrabJc the Conditkxi of ihefe our Fii^ Pa- rents was now become •, — they knew that they had failed in their Duty to the Com- mand of then- Maker ; — their Reafon (X3uld not inform them how to help themfdvcs ;-*- the Senfe of their loft Innocence, and of tfceir Maker's Favour ; and of the Happinefi they had enjoyed, and the threatened Death which they Dial. 7. fop tht IND lANS. 59, they expefted \ — the Senfe of thefe things had moft ccitainly overwhelmed thera^ had not the good God immediately kept them: from Ipefpair. For tho* his perfcft llolinefs could not but bate the Sin, yet his Goodnefs inclined him to have Compaflion on the Sinner ; and from thence he took Oc- caflon to make known another of his moil: glorioipis Perfeftions, bis infinite Mercy, Ind. * I am moft defirous to hear how * that was done/ Mif. Why, as a Remedy for what had been done amifs, and could not be undone, their Mak^r was pleafed to enter into a New Covenant with them 5— -• fo that neither they, nor any of their Pofterityt Ihould, on ac* count oi their Difobedience^ be ruined, except it was purely their own Fault, Ind. * That was indeed a moft kind Of- * fer of their offended Mufcer: Pray, what * was thsit Covenant? Miff. It was this: — Itbal^ on hccouui of One^ who bad made Interceffion for tbentj and. nj^ho would in due time fatisfy bis Divine Ju- ftice for tbeir Offence, and take Vengeance on. that evil Spirit t bat bad tempted them to dif chey bis Command '^ be would reftore them to his Favour, upon certain Conditions, and would appoint them fuch Means, as that they and their Pofterity might, upon their Repentance^ obtain his Pardon when they Jhould do amifs, as now they would be but too apt to do. Ind, I '\:' k' iVM {■ m m.-s: ^ I! I f ^o yf;i Instruction Dial. 7. Ind. ' You will now be fo kind as to let * me know what followed this Promifc of * God to his finfiii Creatures.* Miff. You mutt know Aen, — that fome of their Children and Pofterity, keeping up aSenfe of thefe things, did live in the Fear of God * -, and God, to encourage all of them to do fo, took One of them from Earth, to Heaven, to ftiew how he would have dealt with our Firft Parents, and all their Pofterity, had they obeyed his Com- mands. — But many others of them, thro* the Corruption of their Nature, became ex- ceeding wicked : One of their own Sons murdered his Brother; for which God, to keep others from committing fuch horrid Crimes, baniflied him from his Prefence, and he fpcnt his Days in Mifery, At laft, Wickednefs increafed to fuch an Height, and became fo general, that God was provoked to deftroy the whole Race of Men (except One Man, whofe Name was Noah t , on account of his Piety, and his little Family) with a Flood of Waters, 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 In- ftruftions, and the Memory of that dreadful Judgment lafted, Men lived in the Fear of Dial. 7. God-,— b again: — ^ corrupting in their L could not I this forced fame Lang of the Eai lofing the into Idolat\ leading Mi Ind. '1 * which G Mtff. I Worftiip, God, to hi and even reprefenti Neveri out Witn his Hatre Favour Ages, ai this Day mities of — that other-, 1 Hands the Puni * Gen, V. 24. f Ibid, vii. God 5™ Dial. 7. for the IND lANS. 6f God ; — but too foon fell into Wickedr.cu again : — When God, to hinder their; from corrupting one another, fo con^'o^?nicd tlieln in their Language, that one Pau of th-m could not undcrftand another's Speech •, a .i this forced every Family, which fpake the fame Language, to go into fome other Part of the Earth. — After this, moft of thefe, lofing the Knowledge of the true God, fell into Idolatry, a Sin which God abhors, as leading Men into all other Wickednefs *. Ind. * Pray, what is that Sin of Idolatry^ * which God fo hateth ? * Mtjf. Ic is the giving that Honour and Worftiip, which is only due to the true God, to his Creatures, to the Sun, and Moon, and even to evil Spirits, — and to the Images reprefenting thefe. Neverthelefs, God never left himfelf with- out Witnefs t> but gave continual Proofs of his Hatred againtt Wickednefs, and of his Favour and Proteftion of good Men in all Ages, and amongft all Nations, even to this Day. And thus it is, — that Cala- mities of all kinds are brought upon Earth ; — that one Nation make^ War upon an- other 5 thefe being only Inflruments in the Hands of God, and by his Direftion, for the Punilhment of their Sins. * Rom, i. 28. f Adls Tivf, 17. .. ««^ Ind, 3^1 .■J ?iM il:r-: t^' £• ; . ':;i !■< f" 62 ^» Instruction Dial. 7, Ind. * Pray, had any of thefe Nations * ever afterwards an Opportunity of coming * to the Knowledge of the true God, and of * the Worfliip due to him ? * Mijf. Yes, indeed they had. For the holy Scriptures let us know, how God made choice of a certain Perfon whofe Name was yibrabamfy and called him and his Family from among the Nations given to Idolatry 5 — that to this Man he made himfelf and his glorious Perfeftions known ; and for his Encouragement to perfevere in his Duty, he promifed to make him a great Nation, even »as the Stars of Heaven for Multitude ; all which was made good in a moft wonderful Manner. His Pofterity increafed ex- ceedingly ; and where-ever they travelled, they communicated the Knowledge of the true God, and how he ought to be feared and worfliipped ; fo that many Nations might have known thefe things, had it not been their own Fault; — for God caufed them often to wander, that they might malce Jaim known amongft Men, and cure them of their Wickednefs and Idolatry. It was in the time of this good Man, that God ftiewed his Hatred of Wickednefs, and his Difpleafure againft great and bold Sin- ners, after a Manner the moft frightful and aftonifliing. There were feveral confi- f Cm, xii. derable Dial. 7. for the IND lANS. 6^ derable Cities, the chief of which were So- dom and Gomorrahy the Inhabitants of which, through P rid: y Fulnefs of Breads and much UlenefSy fell into all manner of Wickcdnefs ; which did provoke God to make them an Example of his Difpleafure againft fuch Sins i — for he rained dowr Fire and Brim- ftone upon them*, and utterly deftroyed both them, their Towns, and their whole Land, the dreadful Marks of which arc to be feen at this Day. At the fame time, God, to (hew his Care for thofe that feared him, fenc his Angels, and delivered One good Man, and his Wife and Children, out of that fearful Deftruftion. After this, the Children of Abraham^ td whonv the Promife was made, multiplied exceedingly 5 to whofe Pofterity God gave very particular Laws and Diredlions, how ihey might live fo as to pleafe their Maker, and not hurt onc-another "f" ; — and wrought moft wonderful things before their Eyes,^ when he delivered them out of a moft cruel Bondage ; to convi.ice them and all other Nations that Ihould hear of thefe things, that the Idols and evil Spirits, which they wor(hipped, were no Gods •, and that there was no God, but the God of this People. Ind. * Pray, what were the Laws and * Diredions that God gave this People and * Nation ? * ♦ Gen, xix. 24, f Exod. xjc G z Mf J! Hi I ; \'i V. K iikk . i W tl i! ;- . it ' ) 64 ^ifi Instruction Dial. 7, Miff, The chief of the., were thefc that follow : — That they Ihould neither have nor worfliip any other God but him who had done fuch Wonders for them. — That they fliould not profane his holy Name.— That they (hould keep holy One Day in Seven, to keep up the Remembrance of him and his Works. That they (hould love and honour their Parents*. That they Ihould love one-another, as being all the Creatures of a good God •, — and neither hate nor murder any one. That they (hould not commit Adultery, or be guilty of any manner of Uncleannefs. — That they (hould not (Veal, or lye, or bear Falfe-witncfs, or covet or fet their Hearts upon what was an- other Man's. — And, remember what I tell you, — thefe Laws, for the moft part of them, were given to all the Nations of the Earth, after that Flood which had deftroyed all but Noah and his Family, who gave his Children and Defcendants thefe Laws,— tho* they foon forgot them. Soon after God had given his People thefe Laws, he fettled them in a good Land, and, after a mod wonderful Manner, and ble(Ied them exceedingly while they obferved his Laws. — But even thefe People, through the Corruption of Nature, tranfgre(red his Commands i and he often and often puniflied ^ Exo4. XX. 12. them. ':kv Dial. 7: for the INI} I ANSI % them, and upon their Repentance pardoned them ; till at laft, they growing incurably wicked, he gave Power to their Enemies to dellroy mod of them, their Cities, their Land, and their Place of Worfliip ; and they are at this day difperfed over the Face of the Earth, without any fure Settlement. Now, a few Years before this happened, the Time was come, when the great God was pleafed to fend into the World that Per- fin whom he hadfromifed to our Firft Parents^ and who had made InterceJJion for them^ and bad engaged to make Satufa5iion to the Divine Juftice for their great Offence. But a. particular Account of this Perfon and Blef- fing will take up more Time than, I be- lieve, you have to fpare ; I Ihall therefore defer it till you come next to me. 1. . 1 , ft r^'h '1 .1- G J I>I A» 6d y^/» Instruction DLil. 8. DIALOGUE VHI. Jesus Christ the Redeemer of tht Worlds and. the Head of the Church. Indian. OU fhewed me,. Sir, when I waited on you laft", how Man came to fall from that upright and happy Condition in which he was created ; and how he, and all his Poftcrit)', became fubje^S to Sin^, to Aii- fery^ and to Death. — As alfo, how thcip Maker continued the Lives of our Firft Parents, altho* they had deferred imme- diate Death, on account of One who had interceded for them, and who had enga- ged tofiitisfy the Divine Juftice for their Tranfgreflion, and for the Offences of all their Poftcrity,. upon the moft merciful Conditions. And 1 left you with a moft earneft Dt^fire of knowing more of that Perfbn, who was to come into the World for that End, — and, as you inti- mated to me, did come about that Time, when God had, for their Sins, caft off that • People, whom he had fo long,, and fo * remarkablfe Dial. 8. for the IND lANS. 67 * remarkably favoured and protedled, above • all the Narions of the World/ MiJJionary. I told you before, as 1 remem- ber, that That Pcrfon was the Son of the great God, who, knowing into what a mife- rable Condition thofe Two unhappy Perfons had brought themfelves and their Pofterity^. by their Rebellion againll their Maker ; — how dreadfully fad their Punilhment would be, and of what an invaluable Happinefs they would be deprived ; — he, moved with. Compaflion for fo great a Calamity, became their Advocate, and undertook to fatisfy the Divine Juftice, by fufFering in his own Per- foa whatever they had deferved to fufFer. Ind. Pray, Sir, how did the Son of the •great God do this?* Miff. As I told you before, he, out of Love to his otherwife loft Creatures, todc the Body of a Man from a pure Virgin, that he might be feen and converfe with Men, and in their Nature be capable of fufitring what guilty Sinners in Juftice ought to fufFer, Now, in that Body, in the fkft place, he let Mankind know his Father's wonderful Goodneis, and his Readinefs to forgive Of- fenders, even the greateft Offenders, upon their Repentance and Return to their Duty; ; as alfo, how they ought to live fo as to pleafe and be an Honour to their Maker; — And by his moft wife and holy Life, and Dodrine, and Example, he ihewed what an I 11 1,' ^i' 68 Ah Instruction* Dial. g. an excellent Creature Man was, before he Idt his Innocence, and fell into a State of Sin and Corruption ; — as alfo, how hateful to God their Sin muft be, fince he, the Son of God, was obliged to come down from Heaven, to fatisfy God*s Juftice,. and to fave them from Ruin. After he had done this, and had convinced all well-difpofed People thai be was the Son of Gody and ient by him to declare his Fa- ther's Will to Men ; — after this, that as Son of God he might make full Satisfaftion to the Divine Juftice, fince no lefs a Sacri- fice could do it, he willingly laid down his own Life for his otherwife undone Crea- tures. Ind, ' I believe. Sir, I now underftand • what before I was amazed at, why God • would fuffer his own Son to he put to Death ^ iy wicked Men v and why his Son would • chufe to be fo dealt with, when he could • have hindered it -, — I fuppofe it was be* ^ caufe he had undertaken the Caufe of Sin* • ners, and had put himfelf in their Place • and Stead, and therefore was bound to • fuffer what they, as Sinners, were obliged • to undergo to fatisfy the Juftice of his of- •- fended Father, who therefore fuffered him • to be put to Death.* Miff, You underftand it right. — And the great God, to convince the World that his Juftice was fatisfied by this moft worthy Sacrifice^ Dial, ff* pr the IND lANS. 6g Sacrifice, he raifed him from the Dead, the Third Day after he had been crucified, dead and buried ; by which he^ was^ after this moji convincing ana powerful Manner^ declared to be the Son of God « ; of all whiph the holy Scriptures give us a particular Acqount, — and, for our Comfort, declare, — thai God bad laid on him the Iniquity of us all ^ \ — ^at he to/led Death for every Man "" , i. e. for every penitent Sinner, from the Firft Man that was made, to the laft that (hall be born into the World. Laftly, that he has redeemed us by his Bloody out of every Kindred^ and Tongue^ and People^ and Nation^ , Ind^ * It feems then,, that we aMb have an ^ Intereft and Right in the Bleffings which * he has purchafed by his Death.* Miff. Moft certainly you have •, — for fo he hath declared, — that the Gentiles^ Juch as were Strangers to the true God, fhould be FeU low Heirs with his chofen People, and of the fame Body, and Partakers of his Promife in Cbrift ' . Ind. * Pray, what is meant by the Gen^ * tiles being of the fame Body ? * Miff. The Meaning is this : — that you fhould be of the fame holy Society with God*s chofen People \ and that as we are the Creatures of one aad the fame God, and • Rom. i. 4. ^ IfaL IJ i. 6. ^ Heh, ii. 9. d Ke^. V. 9. « Iph, iii. 6. Children i -I'f H \K:\\ '''',!.! 70 An lN^STRtroTro% Dial.?. Children of one and the fame Father of all Mankind, — and redeemed by the fame Sa- viour, you ihould now be made Members ©f the fame Body,, or holy Society, which is called the Church of God, and of which Jtfus Chrift is the Head and Governor. Ind. * I fliould be very thankful^ if you * would explain that to me more particu* ' larlv.' Mijf, You muflr know then, — that after the Son of God had by his Death redeemed all Mankind^ he commanded his Apoftles, that the Bleflings he had purchafed ihould be offered unto all the Nations of the Earth, f«r Ofdcr to take out. of them a People for the Gloryr €f God I'--- and' that they fliould let all Men know the merciful Favours which the great God offered them by his Son, which wercjr- RepenUince onMrn^ par4^ and For^ g^inefs of Sins on t}^ parPof G^ ; (md that this fhould be preached in his Name among all Nations f. — And that all fuch as fliould receive him as their Redeemer and Law- giver, fliould be entered into One Society, called the Church or Body of Chrift^ becaufe lie 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 redeemed them, he might proteft, and govern, and keep them in the • ji^sxv, 14. f Luk, xxiv. 47. Dial. 8. Way of L that the g the holy tained, m conftan ly Ind. * * pie of fo * rent La^ * ciety ? * Mif. 1 they all aj to be govt —as they and all th worfliip tl they all ^ tures to b< they are t lieve •, — fame God the fame 1 are all dii pay unto < however ( ' — as the) ciety, bj Baptifm. Ind. * * well.— * you wc * vileges * this So< Way Dial. 8. far the INDIAN'S. 71 Way of Life and Happinefs ; — and laft]y, that the great Truths of Chriftianity, and the holy Scriptures, in which they are con- tained, might be preferved, being to be conftan ly read among them. Ind. * Bat, good Sir,— how can the Peo- * pie of fo many diftant Nations, and diffe- * rent Laws and Languages, be One So- * ciety ? * MiJ}'. They are all of One Society, as they all agree in One Faith,-- and profefs to be governed by One Law of Jefus Chrift ; — as they all engage to renounce the Devil, and all the Ways of an evil World, and to worlhip the One and only true God ; — as they all profefs to receive the holy Scrip- tures to be the only Rule and Law by which they are to live, and what they are to be- lieve ; — as they all pray to One and the fame God, in the Name, and for the Sake of the fame Redeemer and Advocate ; — as they are all direfted by the fame Holy Spirit to pay unto God the fame Worfhip and Service, however differently expreffed •, — and laftly, —as they are all received into the fame So- ciety, by one and the fame Ordinance of Baptifm. Ind. ' I think I underftand you very * well. — 1 (hould be thankful therefore, if * you would let me know what are the Pri- * vileges or Bleffings of being a Member of * this Society ? * MJf. Ill W' : I M I'l 72 Jn Instruction Dial. 8. Mijf, The Bleflings are many and great, — fuch as thefe following : — You will be enabled to anfwer the End for which you were made and fent into the World. If you enter into this Society with a fincete Purpofe of living as a Chriftian ought to doj aU your paft Sins will he forgiven you \ — and, if you afterwards fall into Sin, (as you will be but too apt to do) you will have Jefus Cbrifl an Advocate with his Father for your Pardon^ upon your Repentance^ and Return to your Duty i". — Befides this, you will be under the fpecial Care and Prote5lion of the good Angels of God -, — you will have the Minifters appointed by the Holy Ghoft to inftruft you, and that all-powerful Spirit to dired, fupport and comfort you in all your Diftr^ffes. You will have an Intereft in all the Prayers and Bleflings of that Society throughout the World ; every Member of that Society being bound to feek the Good of the whole Body, to relieve the Necefl^itics of fuch as are in Want, or in Miferies, and to pray for all other Chriftians, as all others pray for them. — Laftly, you will have a moft fure Title to eternal Life and Happi- nefs after Death. Ind, * There is no Man, fure, who is in * his right Mind, but would molt earneftly * defire to be a Member of this Society, if he f I John i. 9. ii. i . could Dial. 8. for the IND lANS. 73 * could hope to do what will be required of For, him as a Chrillian.- as I * remember, you told me, that a Chriftian * has many Enemies and Difficulties to ftfive * with. • Mijff. That is true. — But then take this moft certain Truth along with you, — ^hat a righteous and good God will not require any thing of his Creatures^ but %vhat he will enable them to doy if they will but ufe their own Endea- vours, Therefore, at our Baptifm,^ by which we are entered into the Society of Chriftians, we gre dedicated to Cod the Fa- ther ^ the Creator of the World \ to his Son Jefus Chrifl, the Redeemer of Mankind •, and to the Holy Ghoft^ an All-powerful Spirit ; — by which Spirit, every Perfon, who fincerely purpofes to become a Chriftian, has a molt fure Promife of being aflifted to pleafe 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 affift to make us fo. Which he doth, — by putting into our Hearts good Defires and Purpoles of pleafmg God, and a Fear of offending him ; — by convincing us, that nothing is required of us, but what is abfolutely neceffary for our Good and Happinefs -5 — by helping our good Endeavours, and defending us againft the Malice and Power of evil Spirits j — by H letting ili-i ■! iil.' ill m m H! ■;' 74 An Instruction Dial. 8. fetting home upon our Hearts, the Joys and Happinefs that are propofed to us, and the dreadful Mifery which will be the Portion of fuch as defpife them. All which that Holy Spirit doth perform in us by a fure, f;ho' an invifible Power. Ind, ' How can we be fure of this, fince * you fay he is not to be feen ? * MiJ[. Can you fee the Wind ? Ind. * No. » • Mid. How ^^"^ y<^ be fure there is fuch a thing ? Ind. * Becaufe I hear the Sound of it, and * feel the Force of it upon ftiyfelf.* Mijf, Are you fure that you have a Soul or Spirit within you, which governs all your A<^ions ? Ind. * I cannot but be fcnfible and fure pf • 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 ; you are fure of it only by its EfFefts. — And affurc yourfelf, every good Chriftian is as fcnfible and lure of this All-powerful Spirit abiding in him, as any thing he fees with his Eyes. . Ind, ' Pray make that plain to me.* Miff. Do not you know a Tree by the Fruit it bears ?— Do:h not a^oodfree bring forth Dial. 8. forth good 1 bring forth gocS Spiri plainly by alfo, when you may 1 Spirit. Ind. ' « And w( * me kno * gui(h a m-' fioverns a L AL( Sake •,— Able, wit that have given oui A Readi A conft; nipt Aff —Being humble, fuch as 1 governe On t a Man*J Spirit, i S Adi ♦ Ma Dial. 8. for the INDIANS. 75 forth good Fruit? — Both not a corrupt Tree bring forth bad Fruit "* ? — Juft fo, when a good Spirit governs any Perfon, you fee ic 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 diftin- * guifli a good Spirit from one that is evil ?* Mijf. The fure Signs that a good Spirit governs any Man, are thefe following Fruits: — A Love of God, and of Men for his Sake ; — Living in Peace, as much as pof- fible, with all others -f •, — Forgiving thole that have injured us, as we hope to be for- given our many Offences againft God ; A Readinefs to do Good to all Men ; A conftant Endeavour to mortify our cor- rupt Affe(Slions, our Lufts, and evil Difiresi — Being content with our Condition ;— Being humble, meek and temperate ; — thefe,. and fuch as thefe, are fure Signs that a Man is governed by the Holy Spirit of God t. On the other hand, — The fure Signs of a Man*s being led and governed by an evil Spirit, are fuch evil Fruits as thefe following: — Adultery^ Uncleannefs^ Idolatry^ Witch* * Mattb> vii. 16. f Gal. v. 22. % Rom, vii. 14, H 2 crafty Km i!!i! '. H jrfi An Instruction Dial. 8. crafty Envy^ Hatred znA Malice \ being ready to revenge^ and to murder one another ; — given to Drunkennefs^ Revellings^ and fuch Sins as thefe •, — God having exprefsly de- clared, that they that do fuch things fhall never be happy, but fliall have their Portion with Devils. hid, * One would think, that fuch as * know thefe things fhould tremble every * Day of their Lives, at the dreadful Condi* * tion they are in, till they amend their ^ Ways.' Mijf. They certainly would do fo ; — but having wilfully forfaken the Ways of God, they have grieved that Holy Spirit >yhich was given them at their Baptifm, and forced him to.depart from diem, and to leave them to themfelves v — fo that their Hearts are hardened, and their Minds are void of Underftanding. Ind, ' If I remember well, you told me, * that all Men are fubjeft to Sin, even Chri- * ftians, as well as others, tho* they have * received that Holy Spirit, for a Principle * of a new Life.* Mijf, I told you fo, and I told nothing but the Truth •, — for fo they are, until by the AlTiitance of that good Spirit, their Na- tures are changed for the better. — Ltold 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 Dial. 8. Holy Spiri continually Sin wha«e\ Ind. ' * And I 5 * have no^ *beg of * know, w ' to my b * ber of * convince * promife( Milf. "• vour to d —In the God— to fuch as d the Wayj Dial. 8. for the 1}^T>IANS. jj Holy Spirit, watches and drives againft Sin continually, fo as. never to live in any known Sin whatever. Ind. * I remember you told me fo before i * 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 * to my being baptized, and made a Mem- * ber of that Society, to which you have * convinced me fo many Bleffings have been * promifed by the great God,* Mijf. That I will very willingly endea- vour to do, the next time you come to me. — In the mean time forget not to beg of God — to give his Blefling, and Succefs, to fuch as defire and ftrive to inftruft you in the Ways of Life and Happinefs. m ■• m ii I Ha D I A- 78 ^^« Inst RUCTION Kal. 9. DIALOGUE IX. Being an Abjira£i of the former Dia-^ logues and InftruSliom. Indian. I N D Sir, I am come to put you in mind of your Promife to inftruft me. How I may he made a Member of that Society^ to which yon told me fo many Bleffmgs do belong* Miffionary^ I would now do it^ but upon fecond Thoughts I am of Opinion, it will be beft for you that I put you again in mind of the Truths you have already learned and aflented to, to the end you may be able to anfwer it to your own Reafon, and to every one who fliall a0c you,—- fVhy you chufe to he a Chrifiian ? And that your Faith being, furely eftabliffied, you may be convinced that it is your Intereft^ as well as Duty, to make fuch a Choice j — and that you may not hereafter become a Scandal to that Reli- gion, or be tempted to forfake it, on ac- count of any Difficulties you may meet with, or through the bad Example of wicked Chri- f^m%. Ind^ Dial. 9. bid. ' \ * Propofal " lingly.* Miif. 1 you are fn God of al is,— a Be jufi and g the Worl Power, h an underl might h: knowing moft wo Obcdieni Ind. ' * of, anc Milf. to pafs, Reafon ; that Goc Breath, hope for nor bom Ind. * you g * how t * to fall * dition * yieldi * rit, ar * their Dial. (). for the IND lANS. 79 Ind, * 1 heartily thank you for fo kind a * Propofal i and I will hear you moft wil- ^ lingly.' Mij^. You have declared already, that you are fully convinced, — that there is One God of all the Nations of the World •, — that is, — a Being moft powerful^ moft holy, mofl: jufl and^W;— who, after he had made the World, and all things in it, by his great Power, he made Man, and endued him with an underftanding Soul, to the end that he might have a Creature on Eartii capable of knowing and honouring his Maker, he being moft worthy of all the Love, Honour and Obedience that fuch a Creature can pay him. Ind. * I was and am moft fully convinced * of, and do moft firmly believe all this.* Mijf, How then do you think it comes to pafs, that fo many People endued witH Reafon are fo far from being an Honour ta that God on whom they depend for Life and Breath, and all things that they enjpy or hope for, — that they neither /^^;^, nor love, nor honour y nor are comerned topleafe him. Ind. * I have not„ Sir, forgot the Account * you gave me, — how this came to pafs 5 — * how the Firft Parents of Mankind came * to fiiU from that happy Temper and Con^ * dition in which they were made, — by ' yielding to the Temptation of an evil SpL- * rit, and breaking a ftrid Command, which * their Maker had given them for a Trial *of i t [i i .1: : .H: ;,£ 8o y^n tu%T1i\JCTtO}t Dial. 9, * of their Obedience : And what a fad * Change and Diforder 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 Evil, and fubjeft to Sin, and to * Death, and to all the Sorrows, Miferies ' and Affliclions which lead to Death ; * and that this was the true Occafion of all * the Mifchiefs and Wickednefs which we * fee and hear of in the World.* Mijf. I am very glad you remember this fo wdl. — For, indeed, without the Know- ledge of this unhappy Fall of Man, and the Corruption of our Nature, which followed, you can never fully underftand, nor truly value the Wifdom, the Juftice, the Mercy and the Goodnefs of God ^ nor would the Chriftian Religion appear to you fo great a Blefling as it really is. Ind. * You will be fo kind as to explain * this to me a little more particularly -, that * I may embrace it with full Satisfaftion, ^ and never forfake it.* Mi/f. You will remember what I told you before : — That we know, and are affured of this, by a Writing which came from God, of which we have moft undoubted Proofs, ais you yourfelf have heard, and by which we are informed, bow merciful God was in fparing the Lives of thefe our unhappy Pa- rents, which they had forfeited by their great ' Offence, Dial. 9. Offence, ai his beloved to fee his all proper their Often Duty they That in called Cbr have our 1 to Earth, c with Men, that he h: God and . was the S( a Meffeng known un mitted thd All wh Voice fro when on 1 pofed to r were true Works a alfo by th righteous and abovi nca,d, a been mui Ind. ' * defire 1 Dial. 9. for the INDIANS. St Offence, and this upon the IntercefTion of his beloved Son; and upon his undertaking to fee his Juftice fully fatisficd, and to ufe all proper Means to make Men fenfible of their Oifences, and bring them back to the Duty they owe to their Maker. That in order to this, his Son, who is called Chrift^ and from whcfn we Chrijlians have our Name^ came down from Heaven to Earth, and was made Man, and converfed with Men, — and declared unto them, how that he had been a Peace-maker betwixt God and his finful Creatures ; that he was the Son of the moft high God ; — and a Meffenger fent from him to make his Will known unto Men \ — and that God had com- mitted the Care of all Mankind to him*. All which God himfelf confirmed by a Voice from Heaven. And his Son, when on Earth, convinced all that were dif- pofed to receive the Truth, that thefe things were true, — by his doing fuch wonderful Works as none but God could do, — as alfo by the Holinefs of his Life, by the moft righteous Laws which he gave unto Men •,— and above all, by his Rifing again from the r)ca,d, after he had, by wicked Hands, been murdered, Ind. * All this I remember, and only * defire you will repeat again, ^he Mejpige .t ^ Matth, iii. 17. li 'I. which 82 -^« Inst RUCT ION Dial. 9. * which this wonderful Per/on brought from * Xiod to Men* Miff. In the firfl: place, he made known to them, — that their Happinefs or Mifery would depend upon their good or bad Beha- viour in this World : — For that God had iippointed a Day in which he would judge the World moji righteoufly*^ -—reward the Good, and punifh the Wicked : That as his Juftice could not let Sin go unpunifhed, - fo his Goodnefs would not let his unhappy Creatures be ruined, except it fliould be purely their own Fault. That therefore he had obtained of God, — that all fuch as fliould be made fenfible of their bad Condi tion,and weary of it, and would return to the Duty which they owe to their Maker, he would pardon all their paft Of- fences, receive them into Favour again, and they /hould be happy for ever : But that all fuch as fliould know this, and would not receive, and thankfully comply with fo kind an Offer, would die in their Sins, and be puniftied without Mercy, and that for ever. Ind. * Will you now. Sir, be fo good as * to let me know the Way which this won- * derful Perfon did make ufe of to prevail * with Men to embrace this mofl: kind Mef- * fage of God to Men ? * * A^s xvii. 21. mf Dial. 9. for the INDIANS. 83 Mijf. In the firft place, he (hewed them by his own moft holy, perfeft and good Life and Example, what an excellent Crea- ture Man was before he fell into Rebellion againft his Maker ; by which they might be convinced, how far they were departed from the Ways of Reafon and Truth : And that they might fee and judge how hateful to God all Sin muft be, by the Miferies, Affliftions and Calamities, with which God was obliged in Juilice to punifh Sinners, in order to bring them to a Senfe of their Errors. He then fhewed them what a tender Compaflion God had for his unhappy Crea- tures, who were wilfully going in the Way of Ruin, without perceiving it: How he was fo good as to fend his own Son from Heaven to fave them from Deftruftion. He told them further, — that the Sins of Men were fo many, fo great, and univerfal, that- no lefs a Satisfaction would be accepted for their Pardon, but the Death of his own Son, fince he had ta,ken upon himfelf the Caufe of Sinners, and put himfelf in their Place and Stead : And that for his part, his Compaflion for his poor Creatures (confidering the Happinefs they would other- wife lofe, and the Miferies they would bring upon themfelves) was fuch, that he was con- tented to fufFcr that Death which their Sins had defcrvcd, ' And II \ ill ^ «4 ^//Instruction Dial. 9. And God, to (hew Men how well he was fatisfied with his Son's great Compaflion for Sinners, he raifed him from Death, and fst him at his own Right-hand ; where he liveth for ever^ to make Interceffion for all fuch as come unto God by him f. Ind. * All this I remember, and I cannot * but admire the great Love of Ghrift for * fuch unworthy Creatures. Pray^ has he * taken any other Ways to bring Men to a * Senfe of the Duty they owe to their Maker, * and to promote their Happinefs ? * Miff, I hope you have not forgot what I told you, that upon his afcending into Heaven, he fent down the Holy Ghoft upon his Apoftks in a moft wonderful man- ner, who appointed that Society which we call the Church of Chrift^ as the moft proper Means of bringing Men to the Knowledge of the' true God, — and of the Duty they owe to him, to themfelves, and to all Man- kind. For in That Society he has appointed cer- tain Perfons his Minijlers^ who are to watch for the Souls of Men^ as they that muji give Account *\— to let them know what they muft do to be faved ; — to minifter to Men the Means of Grace and Salvation -, — to receive into his Church fuch as are worthy, and to ftiut out the Unworthy •, — — to in- f Eehr. vii. 25, Ih, xiii. 17. ftrua Dial. 9. for the INDIANS. 85 ftrn<5l the Ignorant, and fuch as are out of the Way ; to comfort and help the Weak, and raife up them that fall •, to offer up to God Supplications, Prayers, Interceffions and Thanks for all Men ; and, in one Word, to endeavour that none may deprive themfelves of that Happinefs, which Jefus Chrift has purchafed 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 judge * Mankind, according to their Behaviour in * this Life, he has given to Chriftians certaifr * Laws and Rules, by which they will be * judged to Happinefs or Mifery, at that * great Day ; — and that thefe Laws and * Rules are to be found in that Book which * you call ^e Word of Gody becaufe it was * written by Men appointed by God : — May * I beg you to give me a fhort Account of ' that Book ?* MJf. In the Firft Part of thofe Scriptures, called The Old Tejlament^ we have an Ac- count of the Creation of the World, and of God*s infinite Power, Wifdom, Juftice and Goodnefs in the Government of it ; — how in all Ages he protefted and bleffed the Good, and punifhed the Wicked -, — in or- der to convince Men, that he fees and ordtr- cth all things for his own Glory, and thq Good of his Creatures. I In -:;■ 1^ i| :i hi I 1,1^ ! m ' (.': ii 1' Ai^' 86 ^;'/ Instruction Dial. 9, In that Part of the Scriptures which wc call 'The Gofpely we have a particular Account of the Life of Chrift ; — his molt perfeft Example •, — his moft holy Precepts j •—his numberlefs and wonderful Miracles*,— how he was approved of God to be his Son, and the Meffenger of his Will to Men ; — how he was by wicked Hands crucified, died and was buried, and rofe again the Third Day from the Dead, — converfed with his Followers, and in their Sight afcendcd into Heaven ; from whence he /enl down the Holy Ghoft, who enabled his Followers to Ipeak all manner of Languages; — that they misj;ht be able to let all Men know thefc wonderful things, and to come to the Know- ledge of the Truth, that they might be favcd; and laftly, — how great Numbers of all the then known World embraced the Chri- ftian Religion ;— that is, all fuch as feared God, and were afraid for themfelves, all fuch faw plainly, that the Chriftian Religion was moft agreeable to Reafon ; and the Blef- fings 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 Bleffing you fpeak of ?" Miffl The Truths which concern us t€t. know are fuch as thefc : — That our Life here is only a State of Trial, and a Paflage to a Life eitlier of Happinefs or Mifery, which Dial. 9. for tbt IND I A NS. which arc to laft for ever; 87 that this Happinefs or Mifery will be according to our good or bad Lives ; — that fuch as have led the beft Lives, have done many things difpleafmg to an holy God ; that the Chriltian Religion, and that only, has made known to us, how fuch as have fallen under God*s Difpleafure may be reftored to his Favour, and have all their Offences par- doned ; how they ought, after that, to Jive fo as to be an Honour to their Maker, and a BlelTing to themfelves, and to others. ^ In (hort, — the Chriftian Religion pro- pofes a Remedy for all tlie Evils we are fub- jeft to, which we either feel or fear ; and is dcfigned to reftore Men to that holy Temper which is abfolucwly neceflary to fie them for Heaven and Happinefs ; — that is, to make them truly goody and j«^, and wife for themfelves, and kind^ and fober^ and chajie, and temperate^ and peaceahle^ and ufc- ful in their Generation* And it will be purely their own Fault, if they are not fuch J— for this Religion affords them all the Encouragement and Affiftance, that their Cafe can poffibly require, or their Hearts can defire. Ind. * You have. Sir, fully convinced * me of the great Blefling of being a Chri- * ftian i for which I heartily thank you.' 1 2 MJf. 83 y^;; Instruction Dial. 9. Miff, Give God the Thanks ; 'tis he only can open your Eyes, to fee both your Dan^ ger and your Intereft. InL ' If I (hall not be too troublefome, * I would only aflc you at prefent, what * Anfwer I fhall give to fuch of our People * as fhall prefs me to tell them, — Why I am * refolved to become a Chrijlian ? * Miff, 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 ; — that your own Reafon did convince you, — that fuch a Creature as Man could not be made, and fent into the World, only to eat, and drink, and live and die, as do the Beafts of the Field ; — that you had often wiflied to know for what End the great God did make Men i — what Service they owe him •, — whether the Way you were in was pleafing or difpleafmg to him ; — and often and often you wifhed to know, What becomes of Men afkr Death, You can tell them, that nobody with whom you did then converfe, could give you any reafonable Satisfaction concerning thefe Matters,.,— until meeting with fober People among the Chriftians, you iiave been convinced, — That you and many other People and Nations bad loft the Knowledge of the only true Dial. 9. true God^ in it •,— ^ them a \ and moft good Beir the Natioi and inno Parents < came to and fub} manyM they arc tell then fully go Will t \ to then ownH You God h und \y 4:heir I Hwp if the Will mane ^ver of th row, Dial. 9. for the IND lANS. 89 true God^ who made the fVorld, and all things in it ; — and that Chriftians have amongft them a Writing, which 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 Firft Parents of Mankind -f" •, — and how they came to be changed fo much for the worfe^ and fubjeft to fuch evil Difpofitions, to fo many Miferies and Afflidions as now we fee they are. By that Writing, you can tell them, Chriftians are allured how wonder- fully good and kind God will be to fuch as diligently fe^ him^ and defire to know his Will X ; — and diat all who arc not Enemies to themfelves, may be as happy as their own Hearts can wifii. You can tell them moreover, — That God hfts made known in thefe Writings, what Men endued with Reafon ought to do, and what to avoid, as they hope to plcafe "their M^ker and their Lord \ — what great Hfkppinefs they will deprive themfelves of, if tney ftrive not to know, and to do hi$ Will ; — for that fuch as obey his Com- mands will, when they die, ht happy for -ever ; — free from F^ follow, if you refolve to be the Servant ot God. Another Sin which the Devil tempts Men to, is, that of Lying : He is the Father of Lyes^ and would have all Men like himfelf ; becaufe he knows what God has declared, that fucb as love and make Lyes * Ihall have no Inheritance in his Kingdom. This you will confider and refolve againft, as you hope for riie Favour of God. There is another damnable Error, which the evil Spirits tempt Men to j — that is, to have an high Conceit of their own Reafon^ Wifdom and Ability to know^ and to do what is good and beft for themfelves. Now this Confidence in themfelves takes Men off from their Dependence upon God, his Will and IVord \ by which alone we can know what we muji do to be favcdy— upon what Terms God will pardon a Sinner ; and what will ♦ Re'v. xxii. 1 6. become Dial. 10. for the INDIANS. lot become of us when we die. Now nothing can provoke God more than for us poor Creatures to think that we want not his Help, his Grace and Light. Lajily^ you muft know, — that the Devil hath his Agents in every Place Thefe are Men of wicked Lives^ and wicked PriH" cipleSy — who make a Mock of Sin ; — who fear not to blafpheme that God, who can dejiroytbem Body and Soul in Hell, — Now the Spirit of God has affured us, that C(?«- verfation mth fitch Perfons will corrupt good Manners *.— Here then will be ycur^ trials — and you ought to confider before- hand, whether the Pleafure* of fuch Com- pany fhall prevail with you to negleft the Counfel of God ; and avoid them, as you would avoid Satan himfelf :— or whether you will run the Hazard of being ruined' for ever?: The next thing which at your Bapti fin you promife to renounce is,— the Worlds- and all its evil Cujloms and Manners \ — as alfo, all the ftnful Lufts of the Flejh^ fo a$ you will not follow nor be led by them. Ind. * I am afraid. Sir, that without your * Inftrudions I fliall not underftand this as * I ought to do.*' Mtff. You will remember, — that this is not the World you were chiefly made for,— f I. Cor, XV. 33: nor I i J I 1 1' J !l 102 An Instruction Dial. io. nor mull you look for any true and lading Happincfs here. — Now you will meet with many things in the World, which will tempt you with an Appearance and Shew of Hap- pinefs •, and if you are not refolv*d to avoid them, they will turn your Heart from the Love of God, and the Care of your SouL Ind, * You will be fo kind as to let me ' know what thcfe are. * Mijf. The Spirit of God will tell you,— They are the Lujls of the Flejh \ — that is,-— all finful, unchafte, and impure Pleafures, and whatever leads to fuch Sins. Se- condly^ — the Lufi of the Eyes ;— that is, — all finful and covetous Defires, and Love of kiches. And Thirdly^ — the Pride of Life ^ ; —or a great D^fire to be efteem^d above others. Ind. * Pray let me know more particu- * larly, what are the Lufts of the Flelb, * which I am to refolve againft.* Miffl I will repeat to you the very Words of God, that you may be convinced I do not tell you any thing but what will be ne- ceflary to your Salvation. Now thefe IForks of the Flejh are manifefi ; that is, they may eafily be known by any confidering Perfon, tho* never fo unlearned, to be dif- pleafing to a good and holy God.- Such as thefe:— Adultery^ Whoredom^ Idolatry^ * I John ii. 1 6. Witch. Dial 10. for the INDIANS. 103 TVttcbcraft^ Drunkennefs^ Hatred^ Malice^ Revenge^ Strife^ Seditions^ Murders^ Revels lings -^^ and fuch-like. Now how*- ever tempting many of thefe Sins may be,-— you muft fit down^ and confider, and re- folve againft them, or never hope for the Favour of God, living or dying. Ind. * You will now let me know what • is meant by-- 'The Luft of the Eyes* Miff. I told you before, that it is the €ager and covetous Defire of Riches. And that you may be convinced how dangerous a Sin this is, you fliall hear what Chrift him- felf has faid, — ^at it is very hard for a rich Man to he a good Chrijlian * ;— they having fo many Evils and Temptations at- tending them ; — fuch as thefe following : — They that have Riches are apt to love them too much,-— to put their Truft in them, and to forget their Dependence upon God ; to lord it over and opprefs their Inferiors ; — and to make Provilion for the Flefli, to fulfil the Lufts thereof, Befides all thefe, — they are often attended with fuch Cares as choak the good SeedX fown in the Heart of Men by the Spirit of God, fo that it becometh unfruitful. And tho* Riches may be made ufe of to good Purpofes, yet it will require a more than ordinary Grace of God fo to qfe them 5 — which Hi m 104 ^^ Instruction Dial. lo. — — which extraordinary Grace is feldom ask*d, and feldom given to fuch whofe Hearts are poflcfs'd with the Love of Riches. Ind. * One would conclude then,-— that * Chriftians ought not to defire Riches fo * eagerly as generally they do;— nor ought « they that want them to think themfclves * unhappy, or not beloved by God/ Miff, That is very true. And they that will not be convinced of thefe Truths by Faith, and 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, * You will now be pleafed to ex- * plain to me that Pride of Life^ which a * Chriftian renounces at his Baptifm.* Mtff, By the Pride of Life is meant, — that great Opinion, which, thro* the Cor- ruption of Nature, all People are apt and tempted to have of themfelves •,-— with an eager and reftlefs Defire after every thing that may diftinguifli them from others, and which may fct them high in the Efteem of the World. Now this Pride of Life is the Occafion of many Evils, and highly difpleafingioGod, and muft be refolved againft by every good Chriftian. The Evils are fuch as thefe that follow: — They that are under the Power of this Vice,, are more concerned for the Efteem of the World,. Dial, i^ Dial. 16. fof the INDIANS. World, than how to pleafe God: - They arc therefore too often tempted to fup- f)ort the good Opinion of the World, by aying that out on Vanity, which fhould be the Support of their Creditors, or of the Poor t And they are too apt to defpife the Poor, as if they were not Crea- tures of the fame Kind with themfelves. They look upon all the Favours, whether* of Nature or Fortune, as their Due -, and there* fore are generally unthankful to God, and rob him of the Honour of his own Gifts :-** In fhort, they are angry when they are not valued as they think they deferve ; they are apt to be difcontented, and to think that they deferve more than they have ; — to repine at Misfortunes, and overlook their own Infirmities ; and are therefore utter Stran- gers to that Humility^ which muft recom- mend them to the Grace and Favour of God : For he reftfteth the Proud^ and giveth Grace to the Humble *. Ind, * Well, Sir, I fee fufHcient Reafon, * why every one who purpofes to become a * Chriftian Ihould renounce the Devil^ and all * his pyorksy — the Vanities of the fVorld^ and * the Lujis of the Flefh. I am alfo * convinc*d of the great Advantage it will * be to fuch as are able to overcome thefe * Difficulties. But then I am difcourag'd * 1 Pet. V. 5. exceed- m io6 ^//Instruction Dial. io. * exceedingly, when I fee fo many who have * undertaken to beChriP-'ans upon thefe Con- * ditions, yet have in a manner renounced * that Reiigion,— either finding it impof- * fible to obferve thefe Conditions, or think- ' * ing, that they arc not fo very neceflary to * Salvation, as you fay they are.' MtJlf. It is not we only that fay fo ; but the God of Truth and Mercy, who would have all Men to be fav'd, and can require nothing to be done or avoided by Chriftians, but what is neceflary to their Salvation 5 — and which he will enr.ble them to perform, if It is not plainly their own Fault. As for fuch as call themfclves Chriftians, but do not the things which Chrift has com* mandcd, you muft not judge of the Chri- ftian Religion by them, but by your owa Senft and Want of a Redeemer, The^ Chriftians you fpeak of have never truly confidered the extreme Danger they are in % —nor what the Son of God has declared: — * That it were better for ihem^ that a Milfione was hanged about their Neck^ and they caft into the Sea, than they Jkould he the Occa- fton of Offence to well-difpofed People*, — ■ And indeed, none fcrve the Defigns of Sa- tan more than fuch Sort of Chriftians ; and who have no other Choice, but a true and timely Repentance^ or Damnation,-- And. •Dial. 10 Repenta choofe, tiencc ol with Te and Son •Dob before. Word, Difficul It is he take: is oblig .without Ind, ^ ble a* * explai « ftian * wait i Mifl mean t beg of tempts fee yo try all Purpoi the go ♦ Luke xvii. 2. Repent- •Dial. lo. for the INDIANS. 107 Repentance, one would hope, they would choofe, if they would confider the great Pa- tience of God, which ought to fill their Eyes with Tears, and their Hearts with Shame and Sorrow, which leadeth to Repentance, ' Do but remember what I have told you before, that a true Faith in God, and in his tVord^ will enable you to overcome all the Difficulties you can poffibly meet with. It is for this Reafon that every one, before he takes upon him the Chriftian ProfeiTion, is obligM to give an Account of his Faith, ^without which it is impoffible to pleafe God. Ind. ' Having given you fo much Trou- ^ ble already, I muft not now ask you to * explain to me the Particulars of the Chri- ' ftian Faith ; but with your Leave I will ' wait on you again very foon.* Mijf, As foon as you can. In the mean time, I muft put you in Mind — to beg of God to deliver you from the At- tempts of the Devil, who will be enraged to fee your Dcfign of leaving him, and will try all Ways to divert you from your good Purpofes. And may God keep you in the good Dilpofition you are in. D I A- 1 f y 1 I M ^ •'I * '( .1 !i;Sl M io8 -^Instruction Dial. ii. i DIALOGUE XI. TPje Articles of the Chriliian Faith f radically explained. Indian. ! OU t^ld me, Sir, when I left you laft, — 57^^/ without Faith no Man can pleafe God*, nor be admitted into theSociety of Chri- * ftians. — I am therefore now come to learn * of you, what that Faith is -, — what Chri- * ftians do profefs to believe before they are * baptized?* Miffionary. You muft know then, that there are many things which Chriftians know and believe, and which you will know hereafter, when you hear the Holy Scrip- tures read. In the mean time there are certain Truths neceflary to be known and believed before you can be baptized. hid. ' How fliall I know what thefe * Truths are?* Mtjf, For the Benefit of young Beginners, and for fuch as cannot read, or remember many things, thefe Truths are all contained , * Heb, xi. 6. in in Dial. II. for the IND lANS. 109 in this following fliort Account, which we call ne Creeds — or the Articles of the Chri- ftian Faith \ and thefc I mud prevail with you to learn to fay by Heart, that you may not forget them as long as you live ; —for the Belief of thefe will be a powerful Means to make you holy^ righteous and happy. The Articles of the Chrijlian Faith, I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth: — And in Jefus Chrift his only Son, our Lord, — who was conceived by the Holy Glioft, — born of the Virgin Mary^ — fuf- fered under Pontius Pilate^ — was crucified, dead and buried; — he defcended into Hell ; — the third Day he rofe again from the Dead ; — heafcended into Heaven,— and fitteth at the Right-hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence he fhall come to judge the Quick and the Dead, L I be- i " % i ''m i i no ^//Instruction Dial. ii. I believe in the Holy Ghoft; — the Holy Catholick Church; — the Communion of Saints ; — the Forgivenefs of Sins; — the Refurredion of tlie Body ; — and the Life everlafting. Amen. Ind. I will endeavour to fay them by Heart ; — and I hope 1 Ihall remember them as long as I live. And now I (hall be very thankful if you will fhew me, — How the Knowledge and Belief of thefe things are neceffary to make Men good, as, you fay, all Chriltians ought to be? Mijf, Remember then — ^at to believe in Cody is not only to believe that there is fuch a glorious Beings who made the World, and all Things in it ; — but alfo to believe what^r ever he hath made known to us, either con- cerning himfelf, or the Duties we owe to Him^ ourfelves, or others^ Now he hath made known to us, — ^at be never left himfelf without Witnefs '* \ but gave fufficient Proofs of \i\% Almighty Power ^ fVifdom^ GoodnefSy Truths and Jufiice^ in all Ages of the World. He hath made known to us, — hov by his Almighty Power he made the World, and all things in it 5 Dial. * A^s xiv. 17, — and **\ II. Dial. II. for the INDIANS. iii — and how, by his moft wonderful Wifdom, he has governed and prelerv'd it ever fmce it was made. Now the Belief of this is moft proper and neceflary to give us fuch worthy Thoughts of this great and glorious God, as may hum- ble us in our own Eyes; — make us fearful of offending one who has Power to punilli or reward fuch as pleafe or offend him. — On the other hand, — we fliall be difpofed to love him above all things, becaufe we believe him to be the Giver of all the Good we either enjoy, or ever hope for. And he having made known to us, — That his Eyes are in every Place^ beholding the Evil and the Good fy3,nd that from him no Secrets are hid : — This is proper to make us care- &1 of our Words and Aftions, and afraid of doing or faying any thing which may dif- plcaie fo great and holy a Being. And for his JiTjiice^ we have the greatefl Reafon to fear it ; becaufe he has made known to us many dreadful Examples of his Difpleafure againft fuch as had no Regard to Reafon, or his Commands ; and by this we learn what we muft expeft, if we provoke him by our Sins. Laftly, — when we fee, as wc find it in his Word, how this great God has been fo good as to fpare Men, even when they have deferved Punifhment, we f Prtyv. XV. 3. L 2 are in ■ 112 -^« Instructicj^ Dial. II. are hereby powerfully led to adore and ad- mire his Goodnefs and Patience, which doth^ or ought to lead Men to Repentance, Ind, I ani convinced, and do believe thefe PerfeftionsofGod; and I fee how neceflary and proper they are to be known and be- liev'd, in order to make Men fear before him, — to love and obey him. Mijf, But you have not confidered— what little Comfort the Belief of thefe things will be to a Man who knows himfelf to be a Sinner , and that as fuch he muft needs be under the Difpleafure of this holy, juji^ and powerful God 5 — and cannot be told how to be rcfl"or*d to his Favour. Ind, That is indeed a perplexing, tor- menting Thought ; — and I 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, the wifeft Men on Earth could not find it out, fo as to make the Minds of Sinners eafy. MiJf, I told you the very Truth. — And I could tell you of a thoufand foolifti and even wicked Ways, which Men tried in vain to make their Minds eafy. Now this will convince you of the very great Blejfmg of Cbrijliamty, — and the great Goodnefs and Mercy of God, in delivering Mankind from the Fear of Deaths and what may follow *, which before was the Tor- ment Dial. II. for the IND I A NS. 1 1 3 ment of Sinners, and kep them in Bondage all their Life long *. How God has cte- liver'd us from this Bondage, you will un- derftand in the next Article of the Chrijiian Faith, Ind, You will be fo kind as to explain that to me. MJf. That I will do.— But I muft be oblig'd to repeat fome Truths of Moment, which I have told you before: How that after the firft Parents of Mankind had loft their Maker's Favour, by their Difobe- dience, and brought Sin^ and Mifery^ and Death into the Wc: -1, — how God in great Pity promiled them a Redeemer \ one wJu) would fatisfy his Juftice, and reftrain tue Power of that evil Spirit which had tempted them to fo great a Sin. Now this promifed Redeemer is this very Perfon^ in whom we Chriftians profefs to believe, when we fay we believe in Jefus Chrijif the only Son of God^ our Lord. For when the World was grown exceed- ing wicked » and ignorant of the only true God, this his Son took upon himfelf the Nature of Man, by being horn cf a Virgin^ that, as a Man, he might be capable of fuf- fering what the Sins of Men had defer v'd, and which from the Beginning of the World he had engaged to fuffer-\'^ to fave us from be- ing loft for ever. * Hebr, ii. 15. f Rev, xiii. 8. L 3 Accord- ij 114 y//^ 1 MSTiiucTiON Dial. ri» Accordingly, the People of the Jcwsy amongft whom he was born and lived, be* ing grown very wicked, did not only rejedh him, and the Meflage that he brought them* from God, and the holy Rules of Living which he affured them were neceffary to pleafe God ; — but they alfo ufed him moflr barbaroufly, and at laft prevailed with Pon- tius Pilate^ their Governor, to put him to Death, even againft his Confcience; — which Death the Son of God fubmitred ta, becaufe he had undertaken for Sinners, and put him^ felf in their Place, and had promifed to fuf- fer what they had defer ved •, otberwife- he could eafily have delivered him/elf out of th^ Hands of bis Enemies^ Now, by wil- lingly offering himfelf to Death, he became a Sacrifice acceptable to God for the Sins oF the whole World;— and reftor'd all Man- kind to the Favour of their Maker upon> moft reafonable Conditions^ And that all^ fuch as do believe in him might be affur*d' ©f this. — God raifid him the third Duy from' the D^ad^ and Jhewed him openly "^ . And i)y this moft powerful Proof declared him ta iebis Son, — and that whatever he h^idfaidy. or done ^ or taught ., was according to his Wilt- and Appointment. After this, in the Sight of many, be ap tended into Heaven^ and was fei at the Right-- ■ '^ Rom. u 4% band Dial. ir. for tie IND IJNS. u^ hand of God^ having all Power given hiiii for the Benefit of his Church, to give eternal^ Life to all fuch as Jhall believe in, and obey him ^. And lajilyy We believe that this our Redeemer Jhall come again at the End of the World to judge the ^ick 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. Miffl You cannot but perceive the pow- erful Motives, which the Belief of thefe things muft needs have upon every thought- ful Chriftian. The Perfon in whom we believe is the Son of the Moft High God : Surely, faid God himfelf, they will reverence my Son "{".—• And have not Men all the Reafon in the World to do ib, fince, for os Men, and for our Salvation, he came down from Heaven^ — to redeem us, — tofuffer what our Sins had deferv*d> — to declare to us his Father's Rea- dinefs to pardon Sinners, — and to put us in the Way of Salvation. Indeed the Language of Snners,. and of fuch as will not obey the Laws of Chriflr, is,. — We will not have this Man to reign over «j:ti— but they do not confid€r,.that if they will not be the Subjefts of Chrift, they mufc of Neceflity be the Subjefts of Satan^, * John xvii. 2. f MaUk, xxi. 37 » X Luhiax, 14. m % !m f ID mmm 1^ i ii6 -^« Instruction Dial. ii. In the next Place, we receive Jefus Chrift for our Lord \ — we are therefore no longer our own Majlers ; — but we are to do what he hath commanded ; nor muji we pretend to ferve two Majlers^ — that is, our Lord^ and our own Inclinations, Our Lord is the Son of God '9 — he is there- fore able to defend us in all Affaults of our Enemies ; nor need we fear the Power of any Adverfaries of our Souls. He was made Man ; — he knows, there- fore, the Temptations^ the Weaknejfes^ the Miferies we are fubjedt to ; will pity us, and is able to help us in all our Diftrefs when we call upon him. By his being oblig'd to fufFer Death in the Place of Sinners ; — we learn h6w fad the Condition of Mankind was, fince the Juftice of God could not be fatisfied with a lefs Sacrifice. — By this alfo we fee the dreadful Nature of Sin, how difpleafing it is to God, and what Punifliment it muft have, if not repented of. But then, for our Comfort, we have this Affurance, 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 Refurre5iion of Chrift, and his Af cenfton into Heaven, our Brlict in him is confirmed beyond any Doubt; — and he having all Power with God, — (for that is i the 4 Dial. is a ftiansl that t] feffioi not ril great In of G( Reafc Tiigh i the o, h\ Inc havei Quef ftians Dang M own In what M redee of G that done are Dial. II. for the INDIANS. 117 the Meaning of fitting at his Right-hand) he is able to do for us more than we can ask or think. And the Belief of his Return from Hea- ven to judge the World in Righteoufnefsy is a molt powerful Motive to awaken Chri- ftians, and to oblige them to endeavour, that their Lives be anfwerable to their Pro^ feffion and Belief; and that their Sins may not rife up in Judgment againft them at that great Day of Accounts. In one Word, you may fee, that the Son' of God has given Chriftians the greateft Reafon to love and adore him, that they Tiight have the greateft Reafon to obey him, i their Lord and Redeemer^ and, by doing -b, by him be made happy for ever. Ind. I am very thankful for what you have now told me. — But may I ask you this Queftion ? — If Chrift has redeemed Chri- ftians, are they not then fafe and out of Danger? Miff. Yes, moft furely, if it is not their own Fault. Ind. I wifli you would explain to me what you mean by that ? Miff. It is very true, — Jefus Chrifi has redeemed us, and reftor*d us to the Favour of God. But then it is upon Condition, that fince we know God, and what he has done for us, we glorify him by our Lives^ and are thankful i— but if Chriftians will not retain ■*% 'H>' xi8 u^->/Instrtltction Dial. ii. r^/4/« G^^ in their Knowledge^ he deals with them as he did with the Pleathens, he gives them up to a Mind void of Judgment ||, to follow the Defires of their own Hearts, by which they will be ruin*d for ever. And this is the Reafon why you fee fo many even amongft Chrillians, upon >yhom neither the Fear of an Almighty and juftGod, — nor the Love of Chrift his Son, who r ^'^eined them, has any Power to keep them iL tie N^'^ay of their Duty. — And altho* they had theHJy Spirit to direct ^fan^ify and govern them, yet him they grieved by their wilful Sins, and forced him toforfake them, fo that they commit all Iniquity with Greedi- nefsf. Ind, You will now be fo good as to let me know what Chrillians believe concern- ing the Holy Ghoft. Miffl i have before fhew'd, how that, before Jefus Chrill afcended into Heaven, • — he pi omifed his Difciples to fend the Holy Ghoft to fupply his Place and Prefence with them. — Accordingly, this Holy Spirit did defcend upon them in a moft wonderful man- ner, and enabled them to fpeak all manner of Languages, as alfo to remember the Truths which Chritt had taught, and the Works which he had done, and to write diem truly for the Benefit of Mankind. II Rom. i. 28. •f" Rom* i. Dial. U\ of CI of CI the Cathc ftiansi at lej All one and one fame T< mifec Repe T< made from give that or St In mak< Fruii Belie Ghol thei tifm to fi whi( are i He Dial. II. for the IND lANS. 119 He alfo aflifted and direfted the Apoftles of Chrift to lay the Foundation of a Society of Chriftians, which are now fpread over the whole Earth, and are called the holy Catholick Churchy becaufe it confifts of Chri- ftians of all Nations and Languages, who at leatt ought all of them to be holy. All Chriftians, thus dedicated to God, are one Body, under one Head, the Lord Chrift, and as fuch are oblig'd to hold Communion one with another, as the Members of the fame Body ought to do. To every Member of this Societ) \i pro- mifed the Forgivenefs of Sins ^ upon his true Repentance, and Return to his Dutv. To this Church the fame Holy Spirit has made known, that all Men Ihaii rife again from the Dead with their own Bodies, and give Account of their own Works : — And that after this will follow an everlafting Life, or State of Happinefs or Mifery. Ind, Will you. Sir, now be pleafed to make me underftand what are the natural Fruits of fuch a Faith, and what fuch a Belief obliges Chriftians to do ? Miff. Remember then, — That the Holy Ghoft 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 j — which he does, — by convincing all fuch as are ordained, or dijpofed for eternal Life, and will 1 ki \ i 120 Jn IssTVLVcrtou Dial.ir. will attend to his holy Motions, — by con- vincing them that they are Sinners^ — that as fuch they ftand in need of a Redeemer: . As alfo by putting into their Hearts the Fear of Gody — a Love for his Laws, — and a fcrious Concern for their Souls; — by re- ftraining them from Evil, — and changing their Difpofitions from Evil to Good. Ind. But it is plain. Sir, that this Holy Spirit doth not thus govern and direft all Chriftians. Miff, That Is too true ; — but then, as 1 told you before, the Fault is purely in themfelves. They negleft to ufc the Graces which God has given them, and then he takes them away *.—— Too many grieve the Holy Spirit by their evil Deeds, and force him to forfake them. — And very many, who are not fo wicked, do yet never lay Claim to that Promife of God, that he will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him %. Whereas all good Chriftians do pray for this Holy Spirit, and do find the wonderful EfFedls and Bleffing of his Guide- ance and Affiftance. And here take notice of a Truth I now tell you ; — that every Soul of Man muft he governed either by good or evil Spirits + . When we are dedicated to the Holy Ghoft * Math. XXV. 29. f Eph. li, 2. } Luke U. 13. in Dial. II. forthe INDIANS. 121 in Baptifm, we are put under the Prote(5lion of God, and of his Holy Angels \\, Bjt then thefe good Spirits may be provoked by our very evil Lives to forfake us, and then the evil Spirits are always ready to take Pofleflion of ilich as they find forlaken of God, and not under his immediate Pro- tedlion, Ind. And pray. Sir, how is this to be prevented ? Mijf, Every Chriftian mufl keep in his Mind the Promife he made when he was baptifedi and if he has fliiled in any thing, he ought forthwith to beg Forgivenefs of God, left continuing in Sin wilfully^ he be- come a Slave to Satan and his Angels, in- ftead of being a Servant of God. Khali only mention another Blefling which we receive from the Holy Ghoft, and the Effeft it ought to have upon us. It is from him we have the Holy Scriptures, which are therefore very truly call'd the Word of God\ — and the Word of our Salva- tion, Thefe Scriptures, therefore, every one who would continue in the Favour of God, muft read, or hear them read, with the greateft Reverence and Attention. Ind. I remember what you told me con- cerning the holy CathcUck Churchy — and the Communion of Saints. in II Heb. i. 14. M i Miff. 121 y/i^ Instruc T ION Dial. II. MJf, Be fure then to remember the Duties which ftich a Knowledge, and fuch a Belief will nccefllirily oblige you to. — The Church is called fo/y, becaufe every Member of that Society obliges himfelf, by the gracious Af- fiftanceof God, io be holy. He that is not fo, and does not immediately repent and become fuch, is but a rotten Member, and is in danger of being cut of. As to the Communion of Saints \ As every Perfon owes fomething to the Society of which he is a Member, fo efpecially in the Society of Chriftiaiis, every one is bound, by the Laws of the Gofpel, to ufe the Talents or Advantages, which God has given him, whether of Learnings or Power y or Riches^ for the Good of the whole Body : — To pray tcr -, — to affift thofe that are in want -, — to inftruft the ignorant, and them that are out of the way, — and in ftU" dying the things that make for Peace^ and whereby one may edify another *^. Ind, You told me before, that in the Church of Chrift there is a Promife of the Forgivenefs of Sins, M[f[. And a mighty BlefTing fure it is, — That. Men, who on account of their many Sins are liable to the Difpleafure of God, — may be affur'd that, in the Church of CI irift, they have a certain Remedy againft their n d 1 m Rom. xiv. 19. Fears ; the the |any leir Dial. II. for the INDIANS. 123 Fears ; — it is an AfTurance of the Forgive^ nefs of their Sins upon mod merciful Con- ditions; upon a true Repentance, and Return to their Duty i — and being difpofed and ready to forgive others, as they thcm- felves do hope for Forgivenefs from God. The Resurrection of the Body, and AN EVERLASTING LiFE AFTER Death.— Thefe Truths Jcfus Chrift has made known to his Church : — And they are as fure and true as God himfelf is true. And that they may make the greater Imprcffion upon your Heart, I will repeat to you the very Words of Chrift : The Hour is coming in which all that are in the Graves Jhall hear his Voice^ and come forth \ they that have done good^ unto the Refurre5fion of Life ; and they that have done evil^ unto the Refurre^ion of Dam- nation *. — So that all Chriftians who know this, may be aflur'd that this Life is. the Time to choofc where and what they arc to be for ever, and not to trifle away that Time allow'd tliem to prepare for Eternity. Ind, Well, Sir, I fee plainly the Reafon why every one who defires to be a Chriftian, fhould believe thefe Truths. Aijf, Thefe things are true, and will be found to be fo, whether Men believe them or not. And if any Man is loft for ever, for want of giving Credit to them, or for irs; * John V. 28. M2 not 124 -^i^ Inst Ru CT ION Dial. ii. ,fiot confidering them, it will fignify little whether he was called a Chrijlian or an Heathen, hid. Indeed one would wonder that fo many Chriftians, who know thefe Things, can be eafy and carelefs of their Salvation. Mijf, Be you careful for yourfelf, and mindful of what you now fay, when you are a Chriftian. In the mean time, I tell you again, — the true Reafons why fo many amongft Chriftians forget the Promifes they made at their Baptifm are thefe : — Through the Corruption of Nature, they fall into Sin •, — they do not what they ought to do, that is, repent and turn to their Duty imme- dtately ; — and continuing in Sin, thefe Truths are uneafy to them, — becaufe they put them in mind of then* Ingratitude to the God who made them,-— to the Lord Jefus who re- deemed them, — to the Holy Ghoft whom they had griev'd by confenting to know Ini- quity. They will not confider, that withoutHoHnefs, without keeping the Com- mands of God, and doing his Will, no Man can be laved ; and befides this, thefe Truths put them in mind of a Life of Happinefs, which they are not difpofed to prepare for, — and of an eternal Death, which they have Reafbn to fear above all things > — therefore they Itrive to forget the Truths they have known and believ'd ; and if the Good- nefs and Long-fufiering of God does not lead re- born Ini- that bm- Man :uths Inefs, for, Ihave ifore lave lood- not lead Dial. II. for the INDIANS. 125 lead them to Repentance, — thefe Articles t>f their Faith will be the Articles of their Condemnation. Ind. I am conviftc*d, Sir, that thefe Truths are moft powerful Motives, where they are known and believ*d, to oblige Men to keep the holy Will and Commands of God, and to walk in the fame all the Days of one's Life ; — which you told me was another Part of that Promife which Chriftians make at their Baptifm, and which I hope you •will explain to me when I come again. Mtjf. That I fhall gladly do. And for your Part^ I exhort you, to beg of God that he may confirm your Faith in him, and in his Son Jefus Chrift, and that it may bring forth in you the Fru'i of good Liv- ing, to his Glory, and your own Salvation. Ajnen. M 3 D I A. v; f..' i ^ (• 126 An Instruction Dial. 12. DIALOGUE Xn. The Commandments of God frantically explained. Indian, ,^^^^g^pU told me. Sir, that my be^ ^^' Y €t licving the Truths of the Gofpel will not qualify me to be made a Chriftian, unlefs I promife to obey the Will of God, and keep his Com- mands. MiJJioner, I told you the Truth ;— — for altho' we firmly believe, that it is only on the account of what his Son Jefus Chrift has done and fuffer'd for us, that God will par- don our Sins, and receive us into Favour :— • Yet it is on this. Condition that we repent and forfake our Sins>. and obey his Com- mands. Ltd. I hope you will Lontinue your Fa- vour, and let me know what his Will and Commands are. Miff, We learn from the Holy Scriptures,, that when all Nations had loft the Know- ledge of the true and only God, and the Way of worfhipping him, which he had appointed,. it / It ki ml vil G( Nl Dial. 11. for the INDIANS, 127 md res,. iw- ay it it plcafed him to make himfelf and his Will known again, at firft to one Man, whofc Name was Abraham^ and afterwards to his moft numerous Pofterit; , after he had con- vinced them, that he was the true and only God, by Miracles and Judgments without Number upon their Oppreffors, and by de- livering them out of a moft cruel Bondage and Slavery. After this, in order to preferve this Knowledge among them, and to keep them from being corrupted, he gave them certain Commands, and in a manner fo dreadful^ fo wonderful^ and fo aftonijhing^ that they could not but be convinced,. that they were the Commands of a God who was to be obeyed at their Pei 1. Ind, You will be pleafed to let me know thefe Commands. Miff. They were Ten in Number. The Firft of which was this : E r am die Lord thy God, — thou fhalt have none other Gods but me. The Defign, you fee, of this Command was, — to reftore and prefirve the Knowledge of the true God, he, and he only, having a. Right to be homur^d^ feared and lov% as the Author of all the Good we enjoy or hope for ; forbidding us therefore to €xpe6t our Happinefi from any other, or place :| m 128 !i<^ Instructiom Dial. 12, place our Dependence cai, or fear the Prn»rer irfany other Being in Heaven or on F^art:i. Tiivs foliowingwas th^ Second CmmaM: II. Thou flialt not make to thyfelf any graven Image, nor the Likenefs of any thing that is in Heaven abcwe, or in tlie Earth ben^^ath, or in the Water under the Earth : Thou fhalt not bow down to them, nor worfliip them ; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and vifit the Sim of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Gene- ration of them th.^t hate me, and fliew Mercy un : thoufands in them that love me, and keep my Commandments, Ind» You will be fo good as fo let me know the Meaning and Reafon of this Com- mand. Miff, You mufl: know then, that the Devil, that he might bring tlie great God into Contempt, had led moft Nations into a vileC^ilom of reprefenting and worlhipping God f^ in y Dial. 12. for fhe INDIANS. 129 God by Images, by which they came to have mean and unworthy Thoughts of the Divine Majefty, as if he were like to any thing we fee. Now, by this Command, God has forbid all that love and fear him, even to attempt to reprefent him by any Image or Pifture, or to worfliip him before fuch, and this on pain of his mod high Difpleafure upon them and their Pofterity who /hall difobey this Command ; — promifing an efpecial Blefling to them and their Children, who (hall take care to worfhip him as he has commanded. The ^hird Comjnand is this : III. Thou flialt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltlefs that taketh his Name in vain. Th<; Intent of this Command is, — «^— to preferve the great Regard ^vhich all Men ought to have for God, forbidding them to fpeak of him, or even to ufe his holy Namc> without Fear and Confideration. Ind, What are the neccffary Occafions which Men have to make ufe of the. Name of God ? J^Sff] Firfl:,when they worfliip him, which. they hould ftrivc to da with Reverence and Atten- I \ 130 ^» Instruction Dial. 12. Attention. Secondly, when by a lawful Authority they are obliged to take an Oath. — And laftly, when they fpeak of God, or of any thing that belongs to him, upon any ferious Occafion. Ind. Why are People oblig'd to take an Oath before a Magiftrate ? Miff, It is to put an End to Strife amongjl Men, It being God's Pleafure, That the Truth fliould appear, and Juftice 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 are in the Prcfence of that great God who has declared — That a Curfe Jhall enter into the Houfe of him that fweAreth falfly by his Name toconfume it*, Which is fu*'e fufficient to oblige every Man who believes and fears God, to fpeak the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, as they hope to efcape that Curfe, and God's Ven- geance.— As for fuch as out of an evil Cuftom do fwear^ or curfe^ hlaffheme^ or fpeak lightly of God, or of any thing that belongs to him, fuch Pcrfons have no other Ck) ce bi«r Repentance, and Amendment, or Damnation, And where thefe Sins D are beco^me common, and are not punifhed, that Nation and People may^xpcfl: publick and heav) Judgments to fall upon them f. * Ztch, y, 4. f Jer, jcxii. lo. Mai. ii. 2. Wc Dial. 12. for the INDIANS. 131 We come now to the Fourth Command: IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath Day: Six Days fhalt 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-Servant, and thy Maid-Ser- vant, thy Cattle and the Stranger that is within thy Gates ; — for in Six Days the Lord made Hea- ven and Earth, the Sea, and all that in them is, and refted the Seventh Day; wherefore the Lord bleffed the Seventh Day, and hal- lowed it. Ind, You will be fo good as ro fli w me the Reafon and Intent of rhis Comrv;.ind. Miff, Remember whac I cold you before, — That after God had made this "^^^ 01 la m Six Days, and Man the Governor of it, he ordain'd, by a perpetual Law, Friut the Seventh Day fliould be fee apart, x. 'a kept holy. 132 yf-« Instruction Dial. 12. holy, in Me^iory and Honour of him the Creator and Maker of all things. Now in Procefs of Time this Command, thro* the Corruption of Man's Nature, be* came neglefted, and the true God forgotten, and Wickednefs and Idolatry increafed every-where, which is the mifcrable Cafe of very many Nations to this Day. But when God feparated the People of Ifrael from the reft of the Nations, he re- newed this Command, fo that the Know- ledge of the true God has been preferv'd amongft them thrd' all Ages. Ind. Do Chriftians obferve that Day ? Miff. Chriftians do, according to the De- fign of the Law, obferve one Day in feven, which we call tie Lord^s Day^ becaufe on that Day the Lord Chrift our Redeemer did rife from the Dead. Sjnce which Time all good Chriftians do or ftiould lay afide h\\ worldly Bufinefs, Cares andPleafures,and meet — ^— to give publick Honour to God, .^ to acknowledge his Power, Wifdom, Juftice and Goodnefs, — to praife him for the Bieflings he has given them, — and to pray for the Bieflings they want. I»d. It is well if too many Chriftians will not think this a hard Command, and negleft it, when they muft lofe fo much Time, in which they might increafe their "Wealth, or enjoy their Pleafures. s Dial. 12. for the IND lANS. 133 Mijf. They niuft be Chriftians of very little Knowledge and Faith > and do not coniider the Power and the Protnifes of God, and of his Son *, to nnuke them fuffi- ciently Amends for the Lofs of their own and their Servants Labour. Thefe Four Commands have refpedl to God, and the Honour due to him. The Six foUowmg do concern our Neighbour, and the Peace and Welfare of the World, and of Mankind. Ind. * You will be pleafed to let me know * what they are.* Mif. The Efib is this : V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. /«J. * I beg you will explain thefe Com^ * mands to me, and let me know ihe Defign * of them.* Mif. The Defign of this Ftfib Command is, To teach us from our very Child* hood, to ftiew Honour and Obedience to our Parents ; that when we grow up, we may know how to reipeft and honour all that are our Betters •, Pec^le their Gt?- * Math, vi. 33. N vernors ; 134 -^« Inst RUCTION Dial. 12. vcrnors \ Servants their MaJierSy and all their Teachers, And the Peace and Good of the World does fo much depend on this, that God for our Encouragement hath promifed an efpecial BlefTing to luch as (hall obferve it faithfully. VI. Thou flialt do no Murder, This is the Sixih Command. — And is in- tended to fecure the Life of every Man, from the Malice^ Revenge and Violence of odiers. — This is a Sin hated of God, and a fure Vengeance has been obferv'd to follow thofe who fend Men out of the World un- jullly, and fooner than God and Nature in- tended. — And for the fame Reafon we are not to (horten Mens Lives by Opprejfton^ Injujllce or Evil-dealings j — for a Man may be murder'd, and his Heart broken by tbefe^ as well as by Violence \ — as alfo by Intern-' peraixcdy Gluttony and Drunkennefs, — '. — By thefe we may (horten our own, or other People's Lives, which we are forbid to do by this Command. VIL Thou fhalt not commit Adultery. '\ This is the Seventh Command. — In ofdef to underftand the Reafon of this, you irkift know, that God, at the Beginning of tfife World, did appoint Marria^e^ for the In- creafc f* Dial. 12. for the INDIANS. 135 creafe of Mankind, 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 fhould be unfaithful to the Marriage-Bed, — which would occafion in- finite Troubles and Calamities in Families, and after all a very bitter Repentance, or Damnation. VIIL Thou flialt not fteal This is the Eighth Command. — And is in- tended by a righteous God to fecure to every Man what is his own, — he having dccJar'd Ihat a Curfe Jhall enter into the Houfe of d ^hief and a Robber^ even to confume it * ; and, which is worft of all, fuch Perfons muft jnot expeft to go to Heaven, but to Hell. IX. Thou fhalt not bear falfe Witnefs againft thy Neighbour. This is the Ninth Command, — And who- ever confiders the Mifchiefs Men are capable of doing, to the Imjcs^ the EJlates, and the Good-name of their Neighbours, by falfe Oaths, lying Stories, and flanderous Speeches, muft fee how kind and good God has been to Men to forbid, on Pain of his Difpleafure, * Zecb, V. 2 Cor, VI, 1 3. N 2 fuch ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) h // .^/ ^ A .*\^ A f/- 11.25 2.0 i i WUlI M. 11.6 A /. Hiotographic Sciences Corporation ^/-^Q 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 '^ 'v- 136 ^/; Instruction Dial. 12. fuch Sins as tliefe, which are the Occafion of ib much Sorrow and Lofs to the unr happy Sufferers. . X. Thou flialt not covet thy . Neighbour's Houfe; thou flialt not covet thy Neighbour's Wife, nor his Servant, nor his Maid, nor his Ox, nor his Afs, nor any thing that is his. This is the 'Tenth and laji of thefe Com* mands. — Now the gracious Defign of God in this Command is to lay a Reftraint upon the very Defires of our Hearts, which are all known to him, forbidding us to covet, that is, to fet our Hearts upon that which is anothei's Right, and which he is not wil- ling, or has no Right to part with ; — for an unjuft Defire, thro' the Temptation of the Devil, has too often been followed by an unjuft Attempt to get what we defire, either by Fraud, Injuftice, or Violence. — So kind is God in putting a Stop to the very Beginning of Sin, which is in the Heart -f. Ind, ' I am convinced, Sir, of the Truth * of what you told me before, — That thefe * Commands of God are boly^ juji and good^ * and neceffary to keep the World in good * Order.* f Math. XV, 19. MJf, Dial. 12. for the IND lANS. 137 Miff. But I muft tell you befides,— That by thefe Commands, as they have been ex- plainM by Jefus Chrilt, and his Apoftles, we muft all be judged at the latt Day to Happinefs or Mifery 5 thefe, fo explained, being the Foundation of all the Duty which Men owe to God^ to their Neighbour^ and to them/elves. Ind. * Are thefe Duties hard to be undcr- • ftood and remember'd ?* Miffl You (hall judge yourfelf, when I have repeated them to you^. Your Duty to God is^ To believe in Hm, to fear him, to love him, with all your Heartj, with all your Mind, with all your Soul, and with all your Strength ; to worihip him, to give him Thanks, to put your whole Truft in him, to call upon him, to ho- nour his holy Name, and hk Word, and to ferve him truly all the Days of your Life, This is the Sum of your Duty to God, You (hall now hear the Duty you owe to your Neighbour and to yourfelf. N 3 Your If ll 138 u^/; Instruction Dial. i4. Your Duty to your Neighbour is, To love him as yourfelf, and to do unto all Men as you would they fhould do unto you ; — to love, and honour, and fuccour your Father and Mother ; to honour and obey the King, and all that are put in Authority under him; — to fubmit yourfelf to all your Governors, Teachers, Spiritual Paftors and Mafters ; — to order yourfelf lowly and re- verently to all your Betters ; — to hurt nobody by Word or Deed ; — to be true and juft in all your Dealings ; — to bear no Malice nor Hatred in your Heart ; — to keep your Hands from Picking and Stealing,— yourTongue from Evil-j(peaking, Lying and Slan- dering ; — - to keep yt)ur Body in Temperance, Sobernefs and Cha- ftity J — not to covet or defire other Dial. 12. for the INDIANS. 139 Other Mens Goods, but to learn and labour to get your own Liv- ing ; — and to do your Duty in that State of Life unto which it fhall pleafe God to call you. Now thefe fliould be got by Heart; and they will direft you, on all Occafions, how to live fo as to pleafe God : They will alfo awaken your Confcience, when at any time you do amifs, that you may repent, and obtain Forgivenefs of the fame, thra* God*s infinite Goodnefs and Mercy. Ind, * Can you. Sir, direft me how to * know for certain when I do, or do not my * Duty?* Mijf. You muft confuk your Life to know this, and compare your Way of Living with thefe Rules of your Duty. Ind. ' I 'Arifli you would fbew me how, * by fome Inftances.* Mtff. Your Duty u to believe in God ; — that is, — to endeavour to keep thefe great Truths in your Mind, — That God is moft Powerful^ molt Hely^ Juft^ Merciful and Good^ and that neither our Thoughts, Words or Actions can be hid from him •, — that therefore his Dlfpleafure is more to be fear'd than all things ; — and that his Love and Goodnefs to us requires all poffible Acknow*- ledgments on our Part. Now I' h ti 140 An Instructioh Dial.12.' Now you will very eafily fee, that you do not fear God as you ought to do, if you are more afraid of Men than of God^-^ or if you are not afraid of doing any thing which he has forbidden, or which you know will difpleafe him;— or laftly, — if you do not repent forthwith when you have done amifs, and return to your Duty. Nor muft you fay that you love God, — if you do not cften think of him, of his Mercy and Goodnefsy and of the Happinefs he has promifed to them that love him •,— if you do not take Delight in doing what you be<- lieve will pleafe him j — rejoice to fee him obey'd and honoured, and be troubled to fee him difhonoured by his own Creatures. Again, you will not fay, that you truft in God, if you are not well-pleafed, and chearfully fubmit to what his infinite Wis- dom and Goodnefs orders as the very befl: for you^ and for all others. You will not imagine, that you worfhip God as you ought to do, if you content yourfelf with having an high Efteem for him in your Heart, without paying him the Honour due unto his Divine Majefty, and that in tbi puhlick AJfemhlies of Chri" Jliansy — acknowledging before the World, That you are a miferable Sinner, and ftand in need of his Mercy and Pardon ; - that you owe him all poffible Thanks for the Bleffings you have rece>v*d from him; — and to i c Dial. 12. for the IND IJNS. 141 and that you want his Grace and Help every Day of your Life. Laftly, you yourfelf will not fay, — Tha( you honour God^s holy Name^ and bis fVord^ if you take an Oath without Thought and Fear •, or fpeak of God, and of what bcr longs to him, after an idle Manner, and without Reverence ;— — or delight in the Company of fuch as do fo:— < — And laftly, if you are notdefirous to hear \m holy Wordy which is to be the Rule of your Life, read and explain^ d,-^ You cannot but know, that this is not the manner of one who purpofes %o ferve God all the Days of his Life. Ind. * Pray what is meant by loving God * with all the Hearty and Soul^ and Mindy ' and Strength?* Miff, This is for the great Comfort of fuch as fincef cly ttrive to do their Duty 5— they fhall be accepted of God, tho* they attain not to that high Degree of Love -and Obedience which others arrive at, provided they love and fear and ferve God with all their Heart, that is, as well as they are able ; — God will proportion your Rewards to your Endeavours. Ind, * Now, Sir, if it would not be too * much Troubk, I would beg you would * explain to me, that Love which Chriftians * owe to themfelves, sind to their Neigh- * bour, that is, as you told me, all Mankind.^ MS i i i is I4fi' yfo Instruction Dial. 12. MJf. In the firft Place obferve,— That this is a Rule to fuch only as firft love and fear God^ — ThouJhaU love thy Neighbour as Men fearing God love themfelves. Now God being the God and Father of Mankind^ he would have every one to be fecure in his Life and Eftate, eafy in his Mind, good and holy while he lives, and happy when he dies. For this Rcafon he has given this Command, — ^hou Jhalt love thy Neighbour us thyfelf\ — which, if truly obferv*d, would have that blefled Ef- fect, and would be a Dircftion to the moft unlearned, how to behave himfelf to others, ib as to pleafe God *. , Ind. * You will, I hope, explain this a * little more particularly.* Miff, Confult then your own Reafon, and you will acknowledge the Jufticc of this Command, — That Men fliould love and deal with others as fincerdy as they would have others to love and deal with them : — And that they ihould do nothing which they themfelves would condemn a^; hard or un- juft, if done by another Perfon. For Example ; your own Defire is, that all People fliould refpefl: and love you, — that none fliould opprefe^ or wrong, or deal deceitfully with you ; — fliould take Advantage of your Ignorance or Neceflitics 5 * RQm. xiii. 10. f —or 1.12. That )e and cur as *,hfr of to be in his » and Icafon u Jhalt lich, if id Ef- moft others, ) this a on, and of this )ve and J would lem : — ich they or un- efire is, )ve you, ong, or lid take ceiTities \ —or ^1 Dial. 12. for the INDIANS. 14J — or (hould take tedious, fpiteful or expen- five Ways to keep you from your Rights. — ' You would have nobody to bear Malice, or imagine Evil in their Hearts againft you i —you are concerned for your own Good- name and Credit \ you grieve to be defpisM by thofe below you ; — you earneftly defire your own Welfare, Profperity and Peace of Mind, and Health of Body. Now as you, and every Man living is thus affeded towards himfelf, fo will every Man living be condemn*d by God, and his own Confcience, who does not deal with others and aft by this plain Rule. In (hort, Mn cannot live without one another.— Their Governors proteft them, — The Concern of Parents for their ChiUren^' r-the Care of Majiers for their Servants j-^ the Account that Pajiors muft give of theii* Flocky are great and neceffary •, and if all thefe are not honoured and obeyed, the World would grow wild and wicked, and we ourfelves, as well as all others, would be Sufferers and miferable. Ind. * Are Chriftians obliged to love • thofe that do not love them ? * Mijf. Yes, moft certainly , or ihey are no better than Unbelievers ; for tbefe love thofe that love them. But God lov'd us when we were Enemies to him by our evil Deedsj and he requires that we fhould fo love one another. Ind. II 144 ^« Instructiok Dral.i2^ JnJ. * Sure, Sir, Chriftians do not believe < thefe Duties to God and Man to be fo ir#« * cejfary as you fay they are •, or elfc tbcy • think it impojftble to obfcrve them.' fu Miff. Affure yourfclf, they are the Duim and Conditions on which their Happinefs or Mifery everlafting depends \ and they know this ; but too many will not lay it to Heart. They know alfo, That God, to whom all things are poflible, will not let them want any Aflillancc that they fincercly defire, and aflc tor. But they that are not willing to forfake their Sins, are not difpofed to beg that Help of God which is necefTary to enable them to break their Bonds ; and fuch, by a juft Judgment of God, are often left to their own fad Choices; ' — which is the great Occ^fion of fo much Wickedneis that is feen among Chriftians. Therefore, as ever you hope to do the Will of God, and by him be made happy, keep thefe Truths in your Mind and Me- mory ; not fudb is the Cor'ruption of our Nature y and Pronenefs to Evil,-- tbal we cannot of ourfehes^ without God^s fpecial Grace and Helpr keep bis Commands, and jerve htm as we ought to do\ — hut then God is fo good and merciful, that he has promifed, upon our fincerc Defires and Pray- ers, to give us all the Help we jJjall want to do our Duty, fo as to pleafe himy and to fe- cure our Happinefs for ever. . Prayer, % G th be G« c . Bl in «? un fo Dial. 12. /^ the INDIANS. 145 Prayer, therefore, being appointed by God himielf, as a Means of obtaining all the Bleflings we iland in need of, you mufl: be inftrudted in that Duty, how to a(k of God, fo as to obtain his Grace and Help. Ind, * I cannot in reafon expe£b that Fa- * vour from you now ; but I will wait on * you as foon as I can hope you will have * Leifure.* Mffl It will be a great Pleafure and BlefTing to me, to be made an Inftrument in the Hand of God, to bring you from Dark^ nefs to Lights and from the Power of Satan unto God *, that you may be made happy for ever. * JlSs xxvi. 1 8. o D I A^ 146 y//i I N s T R u c T I o N Dial.» 13. I i llil DIALOGUE XIII. r O/" Prayer and Thanksgiving; Being the Means and Conditions of obtaining the Graces and BleJJings of God. Indian. AM come again, good Sir» for your further Inftruclion. — You have explained to me the Commands of God, and con- vinced me of the Neccffity of obferving them, as ever I hope to be happy. — At the fame time you told me, nat without the Grate or Help of God, we cannot ohferve them as we ought to do* Miffioner, So indeed it is. — For fuch is the Diforder and Weaknefs of our Nature, and the Temptations to Sin fo many, that neither our Reafon^-r- nor the Goodnefs of God's Commands, — nor the Authority of £q powerful a Being, — nor the Happinefs which he propofes, — nor the Danger of our Dif- obedience, are fufficient to keep us within the Bounds of Duty, jwithout God's efpecial Grace, which he is fo good as to promife to all ial 13. II. MNG; ions of Tings of lod Sir» lion. — ' ) me the ind con- bferving y.— At without )t obferve r fuch is Nature, my, that wdtiefs of rity of fij \efs which our Dif- us within s efpecial romife to all Dial. 13. for the IJSfDIANS. 14? all fuch as, being fenfible of their Wants, do pray for his Grace and Afliftance. ind. * Pray, Sir, what do you mean by * the Grace of God ?* Miff. We mean every Favour which God freely bellows on us, in order to m ikc his Ordinances and Commands effcftual for our Salvation, if it is not our own Fault. For Example, — God gives us at o.ir Baptifm his Holy Spirit, to be the Author of a new and' holy Life. This Holy Spirit has made known to us in the Scri- ptures the Ways of Life, and of Djath, — the Blefling and Happinefs of fuch as love and obey God, — and the niifcrable End of the Wicked and Difobedient. — Thcfc arc the firll Graces and Favours of God. Befides thcfe, — to all fuch as are well- difpofed, and receive thefe Truths, the Spi- rit of God^ by a fecret Power, enlightens their Underftandings, — touches their Hearts with a Fear of God, and with a Fear for themfelves, on account of their Sins, and the Corruption of their Nature-, — he (hews them the Neceflity of a Redeemer^ and what he has done to deliver them from Mi- fery, and to make them happy for ever. In fhort, — whatever faving truths Men know, whatever Good they do, whatever Evils they avoid, — thefe and many, very many more, are the Effedls of the Grace and Favour of God, and of h O 2 good Spi Ind, f ^ n J48 ^« Instruction Dial. ij. InJ. * What do you mean by Prayer ?* JMiff. We mean — the laying our Wants and Defires before God, and begging of him to hear and help us. 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 for them ?• MiJ]'. God doth moft furely know our Wants, even better than we ourftlves do ; — he alfo often gives us tbofc things which we neither defire nor deferve ; — and yet be has commanded us to pfay, and hath made it a Part of the Service we owe to him % — and this for cur Sake, and to make us more worthy of the Favours which he de- figns us, and Fget, as pon him d daily, m often \ [ii$ Goi^ s Wifdofi^ nd of bis loutGod ive karn y, to nl^ ery Day Way to ive Chri^ Dial. 13. for the INDIANS. 149 Mi^ No, he hath not, and for this kind Reafon *, becaufe thro' o\xr Ignorance ^ and the Corruption of our Nature^ were we left to ourfelves, we (hould be tempted to pray for fuch things as might hui l both our- lelves and others, and which would not be for the Honour of Gody or for his Goodnefs to grant. Ind, ' Are not Chriftians then in danger * of difpleafing God, by afking fuch things * as they (hould not do ?* Mijf. For that Reafon his Son, and bur merciful Saviour, hath given us 2i Form and Pattern of Prayer^ in order-to direft us what to pray for, fo as to pleafe God, and never to be deny*d the things we pray for. And this Prayer is fo fhorr, that the moft unlearned Chriftian may get it by Heart, and by' a very little Help and Attention may underftand it fo well, as never to be ar a Lofs whaj: to a(k of God, or what he will be difpleas'd with, or deny. Ind, * I hope you will be fo good as to ^ teach me that Prayer, and to explain it to «me.* Miff, I will do fo, and endeavour to make you underftand the Reafon and Meanifig of every Petition.- You muft know then, that it is call'd The Lord's Prayer^ bccaufc it wast given by our Lord Chrift to his Dff- ciples, for the Ui'e of all his Follo'v/ti's,^arid it is in thefe Words: ' * " O 3-.- . "the I • 1 if II ' \i - m 150 uf^« Instruction Dkl.i3» The Lord's Prayer. Our Father, which art in Hea- ven ; — Hallowed be thy Name*^ — Thy Kingdom come. — Thy Will be done in Eartli, as it is in Heaven. — Give us this Day our daily Bread. — And forgive us our Trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trefpafs againft us. — And lead us not into Tempta- tion, but deliver us Irom Evil. -— For thine is the Kingdom^ the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Tnd. * 1 fliould be much to blame in- * deedy if I (hould not get fo fhort a Prayer * by Heart. You will now be fo kind as to- * explain it to me/ Miff'. Before I do that, I muff firft obferve to you. That v/e are not tai^ght to fay my Father^ but our Father^ — becaufe God, who is the God of all Mankind, would have alt of us to love and be concerned for one an- other ; — and to increafe and confirm our Lrove, he hath taught us, when we beg any Favour I '>4t^ Dkl. i3» i^ iHea- Name^ --Thy '' % >lame in- ' t a Prayer kind as to- •ftobfervc to fay my God, who [ 3 have all r one an- ifirm our e beg any Favour & Dial 13. fo^ih INDIANS. 151 Favour for ourfdires, to do the fame for all othcrs^, that he may be glorified by them as well as by us y— and that none niay deprivv fhemfelyes of thoie BielEtjgs wiiich Jefiis Chrift hath purcha»'d for aJl Mankind. yc»u will^fo obferve, that God hath per- rnitted us to call bim our Father^ to the end that we may pray with an humble Confidenee of being kindly receiv'd :r-p^Ifcing affur'd, ^af as a Father pitutb Us own Children^ fi the Lord pitutb tbsm thai fiar bim*. But th^ we are to cx)nlider,^ That this Father is the. God of Heaven, who fees our Behaviour, and the very Thoughts of our Hearts, which fhould oblige us to fcrve him with Reverence ar\d godJy Fear. Laftiy,?— obferve,^- That in tte tJbrte firfi PetiHom we pray fcr t^ Glory of God j — and that we, $IiIk] till Peopk, may know him, worihip and obey bim as WQ ought to do.-*-'— And in ibe three hfi Fetitkm^ we pray for ourfelves, — for the Necefiaries of Life, — for the Par^oo of our Sin$, and Grace to dQ our Puty^— and for God'sPro- t;e<9:ion and Pelivera£K:e from the Evils we feel or fear.. Hallowed be thy Name. Now in this firft Petition wc pray, ^— That aH Men may have a very high Regard for * Ffid. €iii. 1 3, the ' i! 11 'I! r^ 154 An Instruct ion Dial. 13, the Divine Majefty of God ; and for every thing that belongs to him. And efpe- cially, that all Chriftians, to whom he has made himfelf and his Will known by no lefs a Perfon than his own Son, may lead juft and holy Lives, as becomes the Chil- dren of God, that others, feeing their good Works, may be converted, and glorify their Father which is in Heaven. And for their Encouragment, God hath declared, — nat them that honour him^ hf will honour *"; tltat is, — he will blefs them^ and make' them happy. Thy Kingdoni cbrtie. In order to underftalfid this Petition, you muft know, — That where-ever theChriftian Religion is received, //&^r^ is the Kingdom of Gody becaufe God is there obey'd, fear*d, and lov*d.- — ^ We pray, therefore, in thefe Words, That all the Nations of the Earth may come to the Knowledge of the true and only God, the Creator and Preferver of all things; and that the Gofpel of his Son, which contains the Laws of his Kingdom, may every-where be received to the Glory of God, and the Good of Man- kind ; and that every one of us may labour to advance the Kingdom of God and his Honour, * I Sam, ii. 30, > *.-j We 'AUu. Dial. 13. f$r the iNl) lARS. 153 We are alfo fuppos'd to pray in this Pe- tition, — That God would be pleafcd to re- move whatever hinders fo glorio«JS a Work : — —That he would reftrain the Power of the.Devi'1, who Imdsjb many Naims captive at his WUl: — — That all fuch as are y«t ignorant of the true God, may no longer* Want tiie neceflary Means of their Conver- fions, by all Ways becoming the Spirit of t-h^ Gofpd ; — and that all Chriftians may, by their good Lives j convince Unbelievers, how happy they are inbeir^ under the Laws and Governmer4 of their*. Maker 4 Indi • But pray, godd Sir^ how can that * be callM the Kingdom of God, in which • there are fo many wicked Subje<9s l^ Miff. God permits it to be fo for rfie prefefit, in this State (f 7rid^ to make all Men fee what they would be withoat clofing with his Grace ^ to Ihew ht€ Goodneft and Patience, iy whkb many of the Witkei ane brought to Ripentame ; as aifo che Pawer of his Grace is &ea and glorilkd by the Cocv- vidlion of Sinners.^ — By thefe alfo he tries the Sincerity of \m hkhM Subject*- But a Time is coming, whm a Separation wild be made 5 and the J^jftice of God will a^ pear in the dreadful Punifliment of all fuch as now give Offence to his good Subjefts, and hinder the propagating of the Gofpd. Thy il ' t m TS4 An lusrKvctio^j Dial. i|, l| Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. \ This is the next Petition ; by which we pray, — That God by !iis Grace may difpofe the Hearts of all his Subjects to a chearful Obedience to* his Laws- and Sub- miffion to his Will and Choices ; — and do their Duty in that State of Life in which his Providence hath placed^ them ; — and thii as chearfully, as his Angels do their Duty and obey his Will in Hcarven-, — by which God will be greatly glorifyM, — his King- dom inlarg*d, — his Angel: rejoice, — and all that obey him will be preparM for Haps pinefs eternal. Jnd. * But will not the Will of God be ^ done, whether Men pray for it or not ?* Mi£l God will always do what will be for his own Glory, and for the Good of all his Subjedts, that do not rebel againft his Government. When therefore we pray that his fVill may he done^ we pray ?Mofor ourfelveSy that we may know his Will, and that we may not, as too many do, refift k to their own Ruin, and the Dilhonour of God. And now we come to the 'Three laft Pe^ iitionsy which concern our own Wants, and which none but God can fupply. The firft of thefe is Give In^ ^'1| be ] II the I for 5- ' 01 1 ^ j. oug r Lif I -i 4 Li' 1 i!* ^^.- r>iar.i|. i I Dial. 13- fir ibe^ INDIANS. 155 Earth, • by which race may DJeits to a and Sub« — and do I which his - and this :heir Duty by which his King- ice, — and 1 for Haps f God be »r not?* at will be rood of all igainft his e we pray ay zKofir Will, and , refill k honour oi 'ee lajl P«?i rants, and The firft Give Give us ihk Day our daily ^ Bread. In which Words we pray. That God would be pleafed to give us all things neceflary for the Health and Support of our Bodies, and for the Good of our Souls. . Ind. * .Why do you pray for Neceflaries * only, and thcfe for one Day ?' Mijf. Why really, as we are Sinners, we ought to be content with the Neceflaries of Life only, and thankful for them: — — And we aflc for one Day only, becaufe he who gives us Neceflaries To-day, can and will give the fame To-moi row, if .we pray for them, and fl:rive to deferve them. Be- fides, we have by this anOccafion of re- .membring our Dependence upon God, and jof giving him Thanks for his Favours to us every Day of our Lives 5 and forafmuch as we acknowledge that we depend upon God*s Blefling upon our honeil Endeavours for our daily Bread, we fhall no Day of our Lives attempt to take fuch Ways for a Livelihood, as we cannot hope God will blefi. And laftly, — we learn by this Prayer, not to be too much concerned for ourfelves for the Time to come,— be- .caufe God ever liveth to fupply our Wants. Ind. * It feems, then, that Chriftians are * iiot to pray iox great Riches^ Honours^ and ^ Powers f I. ! )| tii Iw 156 An Ins^Tiittrion Dial. 13. ' Powers y but only for the Ncceflaries of « Life.* Mif. It is certainly fo. For they cannot, and none but God can know, what bdd Ufb any Man may nK^e of &ch things, to the Dilhoneur of God, and the Hurt of himfelf and others. Not but that, if God gives Men fuprefled, C^. -^ And taking care not to fcM^et God m the midft of dieir AbundaiKce, or to think them- fehres felf^^tfficknt, and that they are never to ^e an Account for what diey have more than the Neoeflkries of Lffe ; wMch they certainly ntMiR: do^ however licde Men think i£ this. The next PctiMh M^uch concerns our- iflv«$, 18 Ais foHdwing :— -^-i-i- f'dtgive lis our Tre^afleSy as ^t. IbrgiYe them tl^t tsd^ais dglinft Xis. Now in thcfe Words we pray, — That God would be merc^ unto us, and forgive us our Sins, whether known (x* unknown, and (bat be wiaiuMi not punsih us as w« de- fcrve# I ■i \m c c Dial. 13. k j flaries of i 1 For they lOw, what [Ji things, B Hurt of jt that, if f may rc- 3 them to • cheSy lihofe ling, wUb d,Gfe.— rod kithe link them- f are never have more rtuch they Vfen think oerns our« iStcSy as taie%ais , — That nd forgive unknown, as we de- ferve# I Dial. 13. for the INDIANS. 157 fcrve, And to flicw how thankful we fhall be for this great Mercy, we oblige ourfelves to forgive, and love, and do Good to fiich as have any way injurVl us, and this as fincerely as we hope for Pardon from God. Ind. ^ And may a Chriftian depend that ' God will pardon his Sins upon this Condi- * tion, That he will deal with others as * kindly as he hopes God v. -11 deal with 'him?' Miff, We have his faithful Promife by his Son, that, upon our Repentance, he will do fo* : By which he hath, as it were, put our Pardon into our own Hands. And they that do not clofe with this Condi- tion, do, in effed, fay, — I do not forgive^ nor do I expert God to forgive me ; not confidering that there will be no Mercy for him who will not fliew Mercy. The laft Petition of this Prayer is this :— And lead us not into Temp- tation, but deliver us from Evil, Amen. Now you will obferve from this Petition, that it is not fufficient to beg Pardon for our paft OfFenceSj — but that every good Chri- ♦ Matth. vi. 14, P ftian .1. t M- t- ..*• 158 -^//Instruction Dial. 13. ftian muft beg of God to enable him to keep out of the Ways and Temptations to Sin, and not fiifFer him to fall it ^ the Sins he has repented of. And thai whenever he fiiffers us to be tempted for the Trial of our Faith and Truft in him, he would in Mercy help and deliver us, and not leave us to our- felves. That he would deliver us from the Power and Snares of the Evil one ; — from our own 'evil Inclinations \ — from the evil Examples of a wicked World, — and from everlafting Deaths the moft dreadful of all Evils whatever. And you will be convinced of the abfolute Neceflity of this Petition, when you fee fo many, even amongft Chriftians, going headlong to everlafting Ruin, for want of praying daily to be kept under the Protec- tion of God. We conclude this Prayer with thefe fol- lowing Words ; which are a folemn Form of Praife, and an Acknowledgment to him to whom we have been praying. For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. That is, in other Words, — We praife and wor/Ijip^ and depend upon thee, the greats and true, r^nd only God \ ~- whofe Kingdom ruleth i A M 11 I Dial. 13. for Ihe INDIANS. 159 J ruleth over all the World ; — whofc Power I nothing can refift ; — whofe Glory ought to be our Aim and Defire \ — who alone can give us what we want and pray for \ — who alone can forgive us our Sins, and difpofc us to forgive one another ; — who c:infavey and helj) :xndfecure us in the Hour of Temp- tation •, and deliver us from the Evils which we either /^^/ or fear, To thee, there- fore, we give all Honour^ Praife and ^banks, and wiih that all the World would do the fame. Amen. Lid, ' I obferve that you conclude all * your Prayers with that Word, Anien,^ Miff. We do fo. — By which we exprefs our moltearneftDcfirejthatGod would grant us what we have pray'd for ; — which we firmly believe he will do •, — forafmuch as we are afllir'd, Hhat no Man did ever trufl in the Lord, and was confounded ^^ or difap- pointed of his Hopes. Ind. * Can it be expedled, that the I^no- * rant and Unlearned fhould pray ?' MifJ", Itismoft furely the Duty of every Man living to ferve, honour and obey his Maker. We do this, when we own our Dependence upon him, for every thing we want or value, and return our Tlianks for all his Bleflings, * Ecclef. ii. 10. P2 Now H! 5 :;| •ti I i ' t .Uils nil .'■ ■ !l 160 yf« Inst RcrcT I ON Dial. 13. Now every Man, even the moft un^ learned^ cannot but know, that he is a Sin- ner^ and that God only can pardon him;— every Man knows, that he is fubje^ to be tempted to Sin, and that God only can de- liver him from Evil. Every one knows that it is God only, that can blefs his honeft Endeavours for a Livelihood •, that God therefore ought to be fought to for thefe BlefTmgs, and that every one is oblig'd to be thankful when he receives them. A very Child can tell his Father what he wants; — and you fee God permits us to call him our Father, that we may lay our De- fires and Wants before him after the beft manner we are able, and leave it to him to help us ;— he knows our Wants, how fimply foever we exprefs them with our Tongues. And we may be afllir'd of it , That when we devoutly ufe this very Prayer, God will hear .nd anfv/cr us, not according to our weak Underfiandings, but according to the full Mtaning of thefe Words, and ac- cording io the Love of a Father for his Chil- dren, Ind, ' Do Chriilians think, that they are * bound to pray every Day ?' Miff. They fiiould do fo •, and every good. Chriftian will do fo, becaufe he knows he wants God's Help, and Pardon, and Blef fings, every Day of his Life. And it is for want of doing fo, that we fee fo much Wicked- Jii Dial. 13. moft urt' J is a Sin- •n him ; — hje^ to be y can de- )ne knows liis honeft that o for thefe oblig'd to n. r what he us to call r our De- : the beft to him to owfimply Tongues, it, That •ayer, God ording to :ording to , and aC" ■ hh ChiU. t they are ^ery good knows he and Blef-^ And it is fo much Wicked- > t. I, ;■ ■■I Dial. 1 3-. for the IND lANS^. i5r Wickednefs and Mifchicfs even amonglt Chriftians. People venture every Day into a World full of Temptations to Sin, and of Dangers innumerable, without begging the Proteftion of God : And they too often lie down to fleep, without praying to be delivered from the Powers of Darknefs, and the fad Accidents which may befal them, when all Eyes arejhul hut bis only who never Jleepeth, hid, * I obferve that you make the givin/^ * of Thanks a Duty, and a Service which ' you owe to God.' Afijf. God himfelf has made it fo *, — and Reafon fees it. We expeft Thanks from one another, when we have done a Kind- nefs. And if Chriftians would take no- tice of, and give God Thanks, for the Mer- cies and Bleffings they receive daily, they would engage the Divine Goodnefs to mul- tiply his Favours, which they often hinder by their Ingratitude.- But then they mujl j}jew their 1'hankfulnefsy not only with their Lips^ hut by their Lives, Jnd, ' Are there any further Inftruftions, * that you think neceflary to give me, coi> * cerning this Duty of Prayer?' Mijf, Only remember, — That whenever you fay this Prayer, or beg any Favour from God, you do it with the Humility of I Thef. V. I 8. P 3 one i^ 162 yA/ Instruction Dial, r j. one who is lenfible of his own Wants and Mifery •, — with Submifiion to God's Choices for you ; — with great Reverence^ Attention of Mind, and Deliberation^ that your Heart may go along with your Lips. And laftly, which you muft never forget, — you muft afl< every BlefTing you want of God, FOR THE SAKE OF HIS SoN JeSUS Christ ; it being en his Account, and for what he has done, that God will own us for his Children, or grant us what we pray for. Incl ' I hope I fliall always remember • to do fo: Mijf] Indeed it is of fo very great Mo- ment, — that Jefus Chrift himfelf has ap- pointed an Holy Ordinance^ to be obferv*d by all Chriftians, on purpofe that they may always remember the wondmul things he has done, and the great Bledings he hath obtained for them. When, therefore, you come again to me, I will explain this to yo'j more fully than I can do at prefent, for want of Time. Ind, * You have faid enough, Sir, to * make me retura to you as foon as poflibly ' I can,' i m D I A* '■iflMI Dial. rj. Vants and i's Choices ', Attention our Heart And get,— you t of God, N Jesus oiint, and I will own s what we remember 2;reat Mo- ;lf has ap- )e obferv*d : they may things he gs he hath refore, you in this to )refent, for 1, Sir, to as poflibly Dial. 14. for the TND lANS. 16^ ^ DIALOGUE XIV. T^e Sacrament of the Lord's Supper explained.. Indian, ' WM§§^ OUR Promife, Sir, to explain ' i^f Y M' to me an Boly Ordinance^ whicb 1^ you told me all Ghriftians are D I A* bound to underftand, — this has * brought me to you now, as foon as T ' could hope you would have Time to in- ^ ftru6t me.' Miffioner, I 'have now Time to do it. — - You remember, I hope, what I have told you before ; that there are Two efpecial Ordinances of the Chriftian Religion, which we call Sacraments^ appointed by Chrifl: himfelf as neceflary Means of Salvation, when they may be regularly had Thefe are Bapttfm and the Lord*s Supper, By Baptifm we are made Ghriftians ; — at which Time we enter into Covenant with God^-^ on our Part, — to believe in him, to fear,. to love and obey him all our Days : And God, on his Part, receives us into his Fa- mily, which* is his Church, and promifeth to i\ 1^4. ^;/ IrfSTRircTiON Dial.14. to account us as his Children, — to give his Angels Charge of us, while we live, and, when we die, to make us happy, if we be- have ourfelves as his Children ought to do s and thus we are made Chriftians, Ind, * This I have not forgot.* Mijf. But then, forafmuch as this Favour hath been beftowed upon Chriftians, to h caWd and treated as the Children of God^ not for any thing they have done to deferve fuch a Favour^ but purely /(?r the fake of what his Son Jefus Chrijl hath done and fuffer*d for theniy he hath appointed another Sa- crament, which we call the hordes Supper^ in order to keep up the Remembrance of what he hath done for us. Ind. * Why do you call this Sacra- *^ MENT by the Name of the hordes Supper?* Miff. Becaufe our Lord Chrift did appoint THIS Ordinance at his laft Supper with his Difciples,,the Evening before he was cru^ cified, to prefer ve ^tMemory^ and the Rea^ fons of his Death \ the Knowledge of which being the Foundation of the Chriftian Reli- gion, and that on which the Happinefs and Salvation of all Men doth depend. Ind. ^ You v/ill not wonder if I am very * dcfirous to know all that is neceflliry con- * cerning this Ordinance.' Miff, That you may do fo, you muft look back to what I can never repeat too c^ften, to the firft l^arents of Mankind •, — • how m- Dial. 14. to give his live, and, , if we be- jht to do s his Favour ians, to h en of Gody to deferve ake of what nd fuffer^d rHER Sa- 'd*s Supper y nbrance of s Sacra- '$ Supper ?* lid appoint upper with le was cru^ id the Rea*- ;e of which iftian Reli- )pinefs and i. I am very :eflliry con- you muft repeat too mkind •, — • how 5 Dial. 14. for the INDIANS. 16 how they rebelled againft their Maker's Com- mand ; — how they loft his Favour, and all Right to that Happinefs which he had pro- mifed them •, — how their very Nature be- came prone to Evil ; — and both they and their Pofterity became fubjedt to Sin, to- Mifery, and to Death:- — And, laftly, how the Son of God^ pitying their Calamity, un- dertook to redeem them, — to fatisfy his Fa- ther's Juftice, and lofuffer in his own Per- fon what their Offence had deferv'd ; — as alfo to impart to them a Spirit and Prin- ciple of a new Life, in order to mend that Nature which they had fb fadly fpoil'd :;— How that, In order to this, he was made Man ; and having put himfelf in the Place of Sinners, he was oblig'd to fuffer that Death, and all thofe Indignities and Miferies which Sinners ought to fuffer. All which he did chufe to undergo, to fave fo many Millions of his Creatures from Ruin , and to reftore them to his Father's Favour, and to a Poflibility of obtaining this Happinefs for which they at firft were made. By which wonderful Goodnefs, and moft worthy Sacrifice, God was fo well pleas'd, — that he hath, for his Son's fake, pro- mifcd to pardon all penitent Sinners, and to make them happy for ever. hid, * All this I now remember you ex* * plain'd to me , and I thank you for put- * ting I t U'M rim j66 yf^ Instruction Dial. 14. • ting me again in mind of it, and I hope • now I fhall never forget it.' Mijf. It will certainly be your Intereft to remember it •, for indeed your Happinefs depends upon it. But Jefus Cbriji^ who knew our Nature better than we ourfelves do, and how very apt we are to forget the greateft Favours of God ; — he hath, by this holy Ordinance, provided, — that fuch as have any Senfe or Regard for his Love, or even for their own Happinels, (hall never want a proper Occafion of remembring what he hath done and fufFer'd, to redeem them from Mifery, and to put them in a Way of being happy for ever. Ind. ' You will now, Sir, be pleafed to ' let me know how he hath done this ^ and • how Chriftians do obferve this Ordinance ? * Mijf, They obferve it as Chnft himfclf did appoint it to be done : — For he^ in the fame Night and Evening lefore he was crucify^ d^ took Bread, and blejjed^ and brake ity and gave it to his Difciples^ and /aid y Take, eat, this is my Body that is given for you •, — Dd? this in Remembrance of. me, After Supper alfo he took a Cup of Wine, and gave Thanks, and gave it to them, faying. Drink ye all of this ; — for this is my Blood cf the new Covenant, which is fhed for you, and for many, for the Remiffion of Sin, Do this as often as ye fhall drink it in Re- membrance of w^.—— For as oft as ye fhall eat M Dial. 14. I Dial. 14. for the IND lANS. 167 and I hope 1 eat this Breads and drink this Cup^ ye d§ )ur Intereft : Happinefs Cbrtfl, who VQ ourfelves ) forget the lath, by this tiat fuch as is Love, or fhall never ibring what deem them n a Way of pleafed to e this ; and )rdinance?' rift himlilf For hey in ore he was /, and brake 'faidy Take, 'n for you \ After iT'iNE, arid nn, faying^ is my Blood ^ed for youy f Sin. k it in Re- as ye fhall eat '% 1 m \fhew the hordes Death till he come, Ind, * Without your farther Help, Sir, * I cannot underftand the Meaning of this.* Miff, I will endeavour to explain it to you: Jcfus Chrift, fomeTime before this, had told his Difciples and Followers, ' — That his Body and Blood was to be their Food * •, — and that nothing but this could make them happy. This they did not then underftand, — how his Body and Blood could be their Food and Salvation. But afterwards, when their Minds were enlighten'd by the Holy Spirit of God, they underftood,— That when Chrift took Bread and Wine, and bleffed them, and idid^Thefe are my Body and Blood which are given and fhed for you, — they then perceiv'd what they were to underftand by that Expreflion : •—That as his real and natural Body and Blood, which he then devoted as a Sacrifice to God for the Salvation of Mankind, was neceflary to reftore them to the Favour of God, and to caufe them to live for ever ; — even fo — that Bread and IVine, fet apart by Prayer and Thankfgiving, fhould there- after be in the Place of his natural Body and Blood \ — and that every Chriftian receiving thefe by Faith fhould be Partakers of his moft bleffed Body and Blood, and of all * St. Jthn vi. the ; ■. .niil! li'-?' ^168 -^//Instruction Dial.14. the Benefits which he had purchafed by his Death ; — that they fliould be as truly united to him, as their Food is made a Part of their Bodies •, — that they (hould live in him by Faith, and he would live in them by his Holy Spirit, and bring them to everlafting Life ; — this being that Spiritual Food which was neceffary to preferve their Souls from Death. Ind, ' Fray what do you mean by Spiri- iualFood?* Miff] Spiritual Food is that to our Souls^ which Bread is to our Bodies, For as Bread is neceflary to fupport our Bodies, even fo is Faith :n Chrill crucify*d neceflary to make us holy •, Holinefs being the Life and Health of our Souls, without which wc muft never expedl to be happy. That, therefore, in order to this, as we received from our firft Parents, and their Pofterity, a Nature corrupt and prone to Evil, fo muft we, being united to Chrift, receive from him a Spirit and Principle of a new and holy Life, to make us capable of being happy. Ind. ' I hope I fhall underftand this more * perfedlly, when I have confider'd it again.* Mijj'. Depend upon what I am going to tell you as a moft certain Truth of Chrifti- anity •, — That to fuch as defire to know the Will of Gody and do make life of the Know- ledge and other Favours which he hath given them^ ^ Dial. 14. lafed by his truly united Part of their in him by hem by his everlafting Food which Souls from an by iS/j/rf- our Soulsy — For as 3ur Bodies, *d necefTary ig the Life It which wc this, as we and their d prone to \ to Chrift, rinciple of us capable cl this more d it again.* n going to of Chrifti- know the the Know- hath given them^ Dial. 14. far the INDIANS. 169 them, to them be will Jtill increafe his Fa- but from fuch as will not deftre and vours ,ft. 'm 1 ■ ii !,■'•"? Jlrive to improve them, he will deprive them even of thofethat he bad already girjen them*. Ind. ' You will now. Sir, let me know * how this Sacrament is obferv*d amongft * Chriftians. ' MiJ/l They do it after this manner : — Firft, the Minifter of Chrirt, who is the Steward of his Hoiife and Family, placech upon a Table, or Altar, in our Churches, a Portion of Bread and Wine in the Sight of all the People. This Bread and Wine, which are to reprefent Chrift's Body and Blood, are fanftify'd, or fet apart for this holy Ufe, by giving Thanks to God for all his Favours, and efpecially for fending his only Son to redeem us by his Death, and by begging of him, that when we receiv^e, and eat and drink this Bread and Wine, we may be Partakers of his moft blefled Body and Blood, and of all the Benefits which he hath obtained for us by his Death. At the fame time he breaketh the Bread into Pieces, and poureth the Wine into a Cup, to reprefent unto our Senfes, the Death of Chrift, how his Body was broken, and his Blood poured out, upon the Crofs. hd. ' Pray, Sir, how doth he, after this, * difpofe of this Bread and Wine ? ' Mar A iv. 25. CL Mif 170 An Instruction Dial. 14, MiJ[. This Bread and Wine being now, after a fpiritual manner, made the Body and Blood of Chrift, hedivides them amongft thofe of Chrift's Family that arc there prefent-, — putting them in Mind, how that Jefus Qirift died for them, and for their Salva- vation •, — preferring their Happineft before his own Lite *, — that therefore they ought never to forget fo great a Kindnefs, hut to keep up the Rememhrance of him, after this manner which he hath appointed, until HIS Coming AGAIN. Jjjd. ' Is this all that is required of * Chriftians — Ti? keep up the Remembrance of * Chrijl, and of his Death ? * Mijf. No fui;ely,— no thoughtful Chriftians think that alone fufficient. They know that it is an humble Heart in which Chrift delights to dwell ; — they therefore look upon this Sacrament as a proper Occafion of humbling themfelves before God, and of abhorring thofe Sins which coft Jefus Chrift his Life and Blood. They know alfo, that this Sacrament is to be the Food of their Souls, and that which muft unite them to Chrift ; — that this Food muft be receivM by Faith ; — that there- fore, at this time efpecially, they ought to confirm their Faith with fuch Truths as thcfe : — -^hat this is the true Bread which nourifheth to eternal Life : That God who fpared not his own Son^ hut gave him up for us Dial. 14. for the INDIANS. 171 us ally bow will he not with him give us all things * ? Befides this, every penitent Chriftian will look upon this as aproper time to remember, . and comfort himfelf with, the great Extent of God*s Mercy declared by his Son, and' this even with an Oath ; T^hat all Sins [hall he forgiven unto the Sons of Men "f. Every poor Chriftian alfo, who feels in his Soul the Want of God's Help to fup- port him againft the Temptations of the ff^orld, the Flejh and the Devil , will think this a very proper Time to plead with God his Son's Promife,- l^hat he will give the Hcly Spirit to them that ask him, Laftly, — Every Chriftian muft be fup* pofed to receive this Sacrament in Token that he acknowledgeth Jefus Chrift to be his Lord and Redeemer ^ — to be his Law- giver now, and when he comcth again, to h&hxsjudge. Ind. ' I remark, that Chrift commanded * this Ordinance to be obferv'd by his Fol- * lowers //// his coming again : Pray, what 'is meant by that ? ' Mif. Why, as I have told you before, we Chriftians do know, and firmly believe, that Jefus Chrift will come again at the End of the World— TO judge the Quick AND THE Dead; to call all Mm that ever have lived to an Account for the * Jo^n vi. f Mari iii. 28. CL2 Ufe »!»< t i 172 An In'struction Dial. 14. Ufe they have made of the Favours which God has given them ; and to reward or punijh them, as they have lived well or ill in this World. And this Intimation he gave his Fol* lowers, when he appointed this Ordinance, that they may confiJer, every time they go to this Sacrament, what Account they will be able to give of themfelves, when bejhall come to judge the World in Right eoufnefs. Tnd. ' is there any thing elfe required of * Chrilttans before they go to thfcs Sacra- * ment ? * Yes : They are obliged, in the ill il Place, to confider what fort of Life they have led fince they were made at which time they bound Ghriifti^ms-; themfelves to make' the Laws of God the Rule of their Faith^ and Life^ and Jilions: — Whe- ditf they have not led an idle or a ufclefi Life ;— or do not live in any known Sin j — for if this be their Cafe, they are bound, before they go to that Sacrament, — fferioufly to acknowledge their Offences and Sins be- fore God, to beg his Pardon, with a full Purpofe of Amendnxent of Life ; otherwife they will receive nothing there, but their own Condemnation. A Chriltian is obliged alfo to have a grateful Senfe of God's Goodnefs, by con* HJcring his Mercy in fending his own Son to redeem us,, a Race of finful, helplefs Creatures, 'iris Mi's W - . his Fol- Ordinance, le they go ' they will wn bejhall ufnefs. required of his Sacra- Ito have a by Gon* own Son , helplefs Creatures, Dial. 14. for the INDIANS. 173 Creatures, whom by his Death he hath reconciled to his Father, and put them in the way to be as happy as the Angels of Heaven, if it is not merely their own Fault. And laftly, Jefus Chrift having exprefly commanded,— That all Christians DO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS HE HATH LOVED THEM, AND GIVEN HIS LiFE FOR THEM ', — every Chriftian is bound, before he goeth to this Sacrament, which is to put him in Mind, and fet before him the greateft Inftancc of Chrift's Love, — every Chriftian is bourid to confider whether he hath any thing in his Heart, contrary to this Pattern of true Love, and Command of his Saviour. Ind, * Do you believe that Chriftians are * generally careful to prepare themfelves for * this Ordinance after this manner ? * Mijf, All ferious Chriftians are fo : But too many, it is to be fear'd, are not.— And this is the Reafon that fo many Chrifti- ans live on, without amending their Lives \ — for otherwife, this Ordinance would be a moft powerful Reftraint to keep them from leading a thoughtlefs and an evil Life, — by affording them fo many bleffed Occafions of remembering and renewing their Covenant with God, laying them un- der continual Obligations of leading a new John xn, 34' 0.3 and ?'' \\[ ' i74r Ah Ins'TKVCTioif' Dial. 14. and Chriftian Life, and of obtaining Grace from God to do fo. hd. ' What do you think of thofe Chri- ' llians that never go to this Sacrament ? * Mtjf. Why, they are certainly in the way of Ruin, without feeingtheir Danger. — They will not confider, that as they arc Sinners, God cannot be pleated with them j and that there is no Pardon for Sinners, no Sal- vation to be hoped for, but only by plead- ing with God what his Son hath done to re- {lore them to his Favour, — and this in the manner which he himfelf hath ordain'd. Iml. * But fure. Sir, all Chriftians are * not fo thoughtlefs ; — they muft have fomc * Reafons for negledling fo neceflary a Duty, * as you feem to reprefcnt it. * Miffl There may be Reafons and Scru- ples for abfenting for a time ; but gene- rally fpeaking, fome of thefe following are the true Reafons^ why Men turn their Backs upon the hordes Supper^ when invited to it. Jet them pretend what they pleafe. Either they live i/i fbme known Sin, which they will not at prefent refolve to forfake ; — or this World, its Bufincls or Pleafures, have taken fuch Poffedion of their Hearts, that they have no Time even to think of their Souls, or of what muft come hereafter: ^-Or laftly, — they delude themfdves with a faint Purpofe, that thus it (hall not al- ways be with themj— — that fomc time or other Di ott ' the the £ S ,'f I ^•1' Dial. 14. firthe INDIANS. 175 other they will make the Care of their Souls their great Concern. In the mean time, they dcfpife one of the greateft Inftances of God's Love ; — they continue in a Sin too like the denying the Lord that bought them; and» that which ought to ftartle them, not any one Prayer that they make to God will be granted, except it be for their Con- verfion and Amendment. This being a certain Truth, — Th a t wh a t eve r ke e ps A Christian! FROM going to thi-s Sacrament, will, generally speaking, hinder him from going toHeaven, — this being thegreat means of making our Perfons and our Prayers ac- ceptable to God ; — for which Reafon we conclude all our Prayers with thefe Words, '^This Favour we beg for Jefus Chrift*sfake. 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 \ti* Miffl That will bed be known by the manner of his Life afterwards : — If a Per- fon went as a true Penitent^ he will be very careful of not falling inco the Sins he hatK repented of. If he did in good Earnefl purpofe to lead a new Ltfe^ he will be more careful to beg of God to enable him to do fo. If he went with a lively Faith in God*s Mercy thro* Chrijl^ that Faith will appear in a better Obedience to God*s Laws. — If I '.i':' i i i'' •■"ill Ml 176 yf« Instruction Dial. 14.. If be had a thankful Remembrance of Chri/i*s Death, — that Love which brought the Son of God from Heaven will ronftrain him to live fo as to pleafe his merciful Redeemer. — Laftly, if he went with a truly charita-- He Difpojition to the Sacrament, he will afterwards make the Love of Chrift the Pattern of his Love for all others j he m\\ forgive, and^it'^, znd love, as becomes z Difciple of Jefus Chrift. Ind. ' Will not the Bleffings which Chrift * hath obtain'd by his 'Death, encourage * Chriftians to hope for Salvation without * Amendment of Life ? * Miffl Ignorant and unthoughtful People may delude themfelveswithfuch vain Hopes; — but all Chriftians ihould know, and will one Day knovr to their Sorrow, if they will not now believe it, — 7T:)at Chrift indeed died for ally but that it was, that fuch as live^ Jhould not live unto themfelves, thai: is, .after their own Minds and Will, and the Ways of the World, hut according to the Will and Commands of him who died for them ^, — that he might deliver them from this prcfent evil World -f', and dedicate that Life to him which he had redeemed from eternal Death. Ind. ' I cannot. Sir, but be very thank- « ful for the great Pains you have taken to Di u 2 Cor, V. 15, f Gal, i. 4. ' inftruft Dial. 14., ofChrift's It the Son in him to Redeemer. ^ charita-- he will 'hrift the . he s becomes ich Chrift: mcourage without ^/People n Hopes; and will they will ideed died as livci is, .after 1 Ways of mil and "^9 — that J prefent Life to 1 eternal y thank- taken to ^1 .h 4. for the INDIA-NS. 177 * inllrufl me, and to make me fenfible of * the BlefTing of being a Chriftian ; — and in- ' deed. Sir, I am very defirous to be * baptized, if you know of nothing that * ought to hinder me. * Mijf. 1 would not hinder jwu one Mo-^ ment ;— but that I have one thing more to make you fenfible of, before I would en- courage you to be baptized. — And this is,— The Delusion, the Danger, and the ivilschief,of being a christian WITHOUT Christianity. Ind, * Indeed, Sir, I do not underftand. * you. * Mif. I will explain to you what I mean,., when you come to me again. In the mean time, I fhall pray God to keep you in this good Difpofition, and frbm every thing that may any way hinder your true Converfion. D 1 A- e<5t from ou fliould ; that Re- , nor any for what id there- fore, t)ial.i5. for the INDIANS. 17.9 fore, left, feeing this, you fliould be tempt- ed to fufpeft the Truths I have told you, and fo either renounce Chriftianity, or elfe content yourfelf, as too many do, with the borrowed Name of a Chriftian, and with mere Shadows of Religion, without en- deavouring after that Holinefs, without which no Man muft ever hope to be happy. Ind, * I am very thankful for your Con- * cern for me, and I fliall hear with Atten- * tion the Infeuftions you will be pleafed to * give, to hinder me from falling into fo '* great a Mifchief. * Miff. You muft know then, ' that the Chriftian Religion is intended by God to cure the Corruption of our Nature, and to make us happy^ by making us holy and good '9- by making Chrifiians the beft Neighbours^ the trueft Friends^ — the kindeft Majlers^^tht moft faithful J^r- vants^ — the beft Hujbands and Wives, — the moft careful and tender Parents, and the moft dutiful Children, the jufteft Magijlrates, and the moft faithful and obe- dient 5//i^>^j ;— and above all, the de- vouteft Worjhippers of the true and only God, and ftridl Obfervers of his Laws. — Now my Fears are, That when you fliall fee too many Chriftians live without any Regard to thefe Duties, profeffmg to know Cods 'i ■II t'l 'li 180 ^//Instruction Dial. 15. Gody hut in their Works denying him *; I fay again, I cannot but be afraid for you, — left you fhould forget the Holy Cove- nant you made with God, when you were baptized, — and fall infenfibly into the Way of the World, which leads to Deftruction. Ind, * Pray, Sir, what do you mean by * the IVay of the World ? * Mijf. I mean that fad^ hut too common Delufwn^ of heing Chriftians without Chrjli- anity: That is, — of profeffing to ohey the Laws, and to follow the Example of Chrift, and at the fame time leading care- lefs and uncbriftian Lives ; — by which God is exceedingly diihonoured, — theGofpel de- fpifed,- and too too many deceived to their cverhfting Ruin ; and, which can never be fufficiently lamented, the poor Hea- thens obferving that thefe People do value themfelves for being Chriftians, and yet feeing them corrupt in their Manners, Con- temners of the God they worfliip, and his Laws ; — neither minding his Promifes nor Threats ; — and their Hearts only fet upon their worldly Interefts or Pleasures: They feeing this, do very naturally con- clude, — that if fuch People as thefc can think themfelves fafe, nobody needs to be concerned whether he be an Heathen or a Chriftian. M c < 4; c > t T'M W * Tit. ii. 12. Ind. If m. Dhil. I:;, firihe INDIANS. iSi Iml, ' You remember, Sir, what I told * you before, that this very thing had once * made me refolve never to think of be- * coming a Chriftian ; till you afliired me, ' That fuch as thefe are no true Chrijlians ; * — but are either wholly ignorant of what ' they profefs, or deceive themfelves with * the Thoughts, that there is fomething in * the very Name of a Chriftian^ which may * recommend them to the Favour of God, * and fave them from his Difpleafure^ and * their own Ruin. * Mijf, I told you the Truth, and what the Son of God hath commanded all Mankind to take Nodce of; — That not every one who calls himfelf a Chriftian^ Jhall eni.r into the Kingdom of Heaven^ hut fuch only as do the Will of his Father^ which is in Heaven^ and obferve his Laws *, Ind, * I (hall be very thankful, if you * will let me know who they are that thus * delude and deceive themfelves, that I may * not follow them to my Ruin. * MJ7[ I mud firft tell you, that there are thofe amongftus, who ^ being wife in their cwn Conceit f, wiH not receive the Son of God as their Teacher, nor his Gofpel as the Rule of their Faith and Manners: — Now thefe do often lead into damnable Errors fuch People as do not know, or confider * -^«^^' vii. 2. f Rom. xii. i6. R Upon Hlji I •>'! i m I ill ii M H IV, tt> your Life's End. S % Ind., i''' tv 196 y^/^ Instruc T ION Dial. 15. InJ. * I hope I (hall never forget to pray • for fo neccflliry a Grace. * Mijf. I have only a few Queftions to ask you, in order to your being baptized, which you muft anfwer, as you will anfwer to God, when you are to be made a Chri- flian. And firft,— Confider, whether there are any H^ays ef Life^ or Cu/lcms^ which at prefent you are fond of, which you will not uMrly forfake J when you ftiall be con- vinced that they are forbidden by God, or difpleiifing to him ? Ind, * 1 know of none which I will not • forfakc, in order to pleafe God. * MiJJl Will you, fincerely devote, yourfelf to God the Father and Maker of all things, that you may become his faithful Servant unto your Life's End ? Ind. * I purpofe by his Help to do fo, • and become fuch. * Mijf. Will you, with the fame Sincerity, devote yourfclf to bii Son our Lord Jefus Cbrijl^ for whofe fake, God has promifed to pardon all your Sins, to receive you into Favour, and to make you happy, if you continue to obey him all your Days ? Ind. * This I fully purpofe to do. * Mijf. Laftly, Will you dedicate and de- vote yourfelf to the Holy Ghofty that good Spirit, that he may, by his all-powerful Grace ;yid Help, keep you from Sin and Wicked. Dial. 15. fir the INDIANS. 197 Wickcdnqfe, and affift you in the Way of Holincfsand Happincfs, that you may never be a Reproach to that Religion which you are going to undertake ? ' Ind. * I will moft thankfully dedicate * myfelf to him, that by his AfTiftance I * may be able to plcafe God, and perform * what I havcpromifed. * MJf. You will not fail to do fo, if you often confider that your everlafting Happ- nefs or Mifery will depend upon your ob- ferving or negkRing the Vdws and Pro- mifes you make at your Baptif?n. And if, to this, you add your fincere Prayers to God, to direSl wnd blefs you in the Work you are defirous to undertake, he will moft furely hear youf* Prayers, and^ grant your Petitions, which you may maktt. in fome luch Words as thefe folk>wihg. ■ i ■ V Sl- SELEC^P f ^98] i!: •^ - SELECT SCRIPTURES AND PRAYERS. Mat. vL 10. Hy Kingdom come. A Y the Kingdoms of the World become the King- doms of the Lord, and of his Chrift ! O Thou who art the Creatpr and Redeemer of all, have Mercy upon all whom thou haft made and redeemed; and grant that none may deprive themfelves of that Hap- pinefs which Jefus Chrift hath pur- chafed with Hi^ 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 J —That Jtsfaving Truths may be Wfe»«- Sele£t Scriptures, &c. 199 be received in all the World -, That thy Ways may be known upon Earth, thy faving Health among all Nations ; . — That thy Name may be great among the Heathen, and hallowed by all thofe that are yet Strangers toothy moft glorious Perfedions. Have Pity upon all thofe miferable People that fit in Darknefs, and are yet deftitute of neceflary Means of Inftrudtion ; and grant that by the Preaching of the Go- fpel,, they may,, in thy good Time, be delivered from their I^norance^ Idoh-- try^ and the Bondage of Safatij in which they have been fo long inflaved.— And may thy good Providence find out Means by which thy Kingdom may be inlarged, and the whole Earth filled with the Knowlec^e of the Lord. Grant this, O merciful God, for Je- fus Chrift his fake : To whom with thee, and the Holy Ghoft, be all Ho- nour, Glory, Dominion and Power, forever and ever* ^men. M 'i!E ?U\i h 200 Sek^ ScftlPtURES ^ A Supplication on Behalf of the Heathen World. Matth. ix. 36, jfefus^ feeing the Multi- tude, was moved with CompaJ/ion^ be-- cauje they imre as Sheep having no Shepherd. Pray ye the Lord of the Harveji^ that he would fend Labour-- eri into his Harve/l, O W many, O Jcfus, of thy Sheep have no Shepherd! none to ftiew them their Danger ! — - none to keep them out of Efenger!- — none to lead them where they may find Pafturc ! May thine infinite Wifdom and Goodnef^;, O Lord, find out Means. by which thy Gofpel may be preadiea unto them -, and prepare tlicir Hearts to receive the Truth, that they may be delivered from the Bondage of Cor- ruption, into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God. Send them Paftors* after thine own Heart 3 full of Know- ledge, ^li^- and pR AVERS. 201 ledge, Compaflion, and Zeal; that pi- tying their fad Condition, they may in- ftriift them in the Ways of Truth, and of eternal Life. Increafe the Num- ber and the Graces of thy Meflengers and Miniftersj and touch the Hearts of all Chriftians with a true Compaflion, like thine^ O Lord, for all fuch as are Strangers to Thee, and to thy Blood, by which they have been redeemed, that they may chearfuUy contribute to a Work fo acceptable to the divine Ma- jefty, And may thy Holy Spirit, by the Preaching of the Gofpel, add daily to the Church fuch as ihall be faved, thro' thy Merits and Mediation, O Lord, and Lover of Souls. Amen. ■i"'« 1 n A % 1 1 ! I w< 'ill 202 iS^/r^ Scriptures. A Miffionary Prayer. John xvii. 20. Neither pray I for thcfe alone ^ but for all thofe that Jhall be- lieve through their Word. N this thy etficacious Prayer, O Jefus, I drpend for Suc- cefs in this my Undertaking and Miniftry, - — ^ Ta this Prayer we all owe our Faith and Converfion. In a grateful Senfe of which, I befeech thee, O Lord, to make me an Inflrument of propagating thy Gofpel^ and of converting others, and of fulfilling thy Father's Will, who would have all Men to be faved, and to come to the Knowledge of the Truth. Teach mc, O Lord, by thy Spirit, thy Word and thy Example, how I ought to teach others: •^-— And by thy preventing Grace prepare them fori^n- ftrudtion ; — give them a great Concern and Fear for themfelves, that feeling tJieir own Mifery, they may feek for Help, and thankfully accept it, when offered to them. On and Pr AVERS. «03 On thy Almighty Grace, O Gocj, I fclie for Succels in all my Labours and Miniftry, and that I may have thy Glory^ tlie Intei^ejis of thy Kingdom, and the Good of Souls, much at Heart j tor Jclus Chrift s fake. Amen. 11 A Prayer proper for fuch as defire to be inftruded in the Christian Religion. Afts xvi. 36. Birs^ ivhaf muji I do to befaved? And they fat d^ Believe in the Lord ye/us Chriji^ and thoujhalt be J'aved : And they /pake unto him the Word of the Lord^ &c. a7id he was baptized. RE AT God,,hav^ Pity on me ; for I am in Diftrefs and Fear for myfeif. 1 have been convinced^ that I (hall live for ever, after I leave this World, either in Happinefs or Miiery. — -This gives i»e great Uneafinefs, wl>en I confider what muft •5/->.1 : ii> m ii 204 SeJe^ Scriptures muft become of me when I die. — - My own Confcience accufeth me for having done many things, which I know mull greatly difpleafe thee. 1 find my felf prone to do evil continually, and I know not how to help it ; fo that my Fears increafe upon me daily. Thy People aflure me, that thou art good and merciful to fuch as call upon thee in their Diftrefs; and that for the fake of Jefus Chrift, thy beloved Son, thou wilt pardon Sinners, and receive them into Favour. In Confidence of this, 1 befeech thee to pity my Condition, and deliver me from the Ignorance and Fears I labour under. Caufe me to know Thee, and thy Son Chrift, more perfeftly, and how I muft live fo as to pleafe thee. Reward the Endeavours of fuch as are fo kind as to inftrudt me. Give me an underftanding Heart, a teachable Temper, and an obedient Will, that I may thankfully follow 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 Con verfion. Thefe Blcflings I beg for the fake of thy beloved Son, the Lord Jefus Chrift. Dan. Prayers. los Dan. xii. 3. They that turn many to Right eoujhefs^ Jhalljhine as the Stars for ever and e'ber. Merciful Gb3, iricreafe the Number and the Graces of fuch as are zealous for thy Glory, and for the Con- verfion of Sinners : Im- part to them the true way of Inftrudlion, and may thy Bleffing go along with their pious Endeavours. Tit. iii. 3. For we ourfehe^ were fome-- . times foolijh^ difobedienty deceived, ferving divers Lujls and Pleafures, living in Malice and Envy^ hateful and hating one another. HIS, 0}efus/had ftillbeeh our fad Condition, hadft not thou redeemed and blefled us with the Light of thy Go- May this, O Lord, be the Fruits fpel. yi 2o6 SeleSi Scriptures of our Faith and Gratitude to thee, for thy Mercies to us^ that we pity the Mi- feries of the Heathen World, and en- deavour to make them Partakers of the fame Bleffings weourfelves enjoy. Ads xviii. 26. When Aquila and Prif- cilla had heard Apollosfpeak^ who knew only the Baptifm of John^ they took him unto them^ and expounded unto him the way of God more perfeSily. E T it here be obferved — ■ That thefe two Perfons, both of the Laity, a Man and his Wife, were, by the Spirit of God, made Inftru- ments of perfedting the Faith of Apol- loSy a Man of other wife great Abi- lities. • To Ihew Chriftians the Im- portance of what St. Paul tells us, ( I Cor. xii. 21.) The Eye cannot jay of the Hand, I have no need of thee \ nor again, the Head to the Feet^ I have no need of you. Grant, and Prayers. 207 Grant, O Lord, that the exemplary Zeal and Piety of thefe two Perfons, may encourage all good Chriftians to put their helping Hand to promote the Glory of God in the Converfion of Heathens ; ■ and to awakea fuch Chriftians, amongft ourfelves, as are afleep, into a Senfe of their Danger. Grant this, O God, for Jefus Chrift his fake. Tit. iii. 8, Thefe things I will that thou affirm con/antly^ that they which have believed in- God^ may be careful to maintain good Works. ^ O D grant that all Chriftians may, by their good Lives, {hew the Goodnefs and Power of the Religion they profefs, and woula have others to embrace ! that they may add to their Faith, Virtue ! And that by their Examples the Lives and Manriers of Men may be reformed, this being the great Defign of the Gofpel, and the Condition of the future Happincfs of Believers ! T2 EVERY m 2o8 ScleSt S c R I p T u res , VERY private and welK diipofed Chiiftian would do. well to confider what a great deal of Good he may do, by fuch Hints as thefe following, to his Servants or Slaves. The great Corruption of hunian Na-^ . fure. — ~The Mifery of Man, and his Danger thro' Sin. The utter Im- poffibility of helping ourfelves. The Neceffity and Bleffing of a Redeemer. ' — ' The great Love ef God for His poor Creatures, in fending his Sojn to redcerq.,^ them. - — That all our Hopes of Par- don and Happinefs are from God's Mer^ cy thro' Chrift our Redeemer. -' That as ever we hope for Happinefs, we mull live according to His Doftrine and Example; endeavouring to grow every Day better, without afcribing any thing to ourielves, but all to the Grace of God : Which Grace is fuffi- cient to enable us to overcome all the Difficulties we can meet with. If we add to thefe the Certainty of a fu- ture and Pravi?rs. 209 ture Life, and a future Judgment; ai^d the Rewards and Punifhments of another World, &c. Such Hints as thefe, feriouflyand often repeated, will, thro' the Grace of God, awaken the the moft Carelefs and Ignorant, and force them to ask, What muft I do to befaved? And they may be directed to fuch as are fent and ordained to inilrucl them in the way of Salvation; And the merciful God give them good Succefs! Ti Private [:2lo ]" I I'll H ^^^ntri ^Kn i^^Bi! ;'.' ^KK mm Wi H Private anci Family PRAYERS, b'c. A feafonable^ Introdufiim^, UB L IC K and private Prayers and Thankfgiv- ings are an Hv^age and Duty, which all Men owe to Gpd as their Cr^^?/e?r,their I^rd^nd King; and by which they are to acknowledge their 0^^^/V;7ce' to, and their Dependence upon Him, for I^jfe, and Brpath, and all things which they either enjoy or hope for. This, therefore, God hath made our indifpenfable Duty : And it will, be a downright Rebellion^ for any Man to refufe this Homage any Day of his Life ; — — the wilful Negled: of this, being, in effedt, to difown Him for our Lordy ■ and His Power over us, His Goodnefs to help us in our Neceflities, His P^iEl AVER S,. CSC. 2 1 1 — — His Jujiice to punifh fuch as tranf- grefs His Commands; And tc quef- tion His Fidelity y and His Promife to pardon the truly Penitent Sinner, and to reward all fuch as fincerely ftrive to pleafe Him. The Confequence of this Negled and Difobedience^ is veryoftenpunifhed with God's leaving Men to. themfelves, and to their own wicked Choices ; which ever did, and ever will end in their R uin, - — very often in this World, but a ays in the World to cpme, with- out a 'racle of Grace, which fuch Sinners lave no Rjeafon to hope for. The Reafons of this are plain: The conftant and wilful Omiffion of this Duty is a fure way to lofe the Knowledge and Remembrance of God, of his Word and Promifes : And then Men will have no Motives to fear, or to love God, or to hope for any Good from Him. It will alfo very naturally lead fuch People to depend upon themfelves only, — To forget their own fad Gbnditiori and Mifery ; ■ ^ That they are liable to God's Wrath, and even to Damnation j which Knowledge is-necefTary^ and for that 212 Private and Familf that end was revealed, to awaken and humble Sinners, that by a true Repent- ance, they may cfcape the bitter Pains of eternal Derth. Now the Spirit of God aflures us, that fuch as mil not retain God in their Knowledge^ which can be done only by Praying to Him daily, God will give them up to rt^robate Mind^ that is, to a Mind vo.JI of Judgment }, To do what is right in their own Eyes, let what will follow. And that which will then certainly follow, will be this : They will fall under the Power and Government oi Satan and his evil Angels, who will lead them, as he did the Heathen World, t^ commit all Iniquity with Greedinefs^ till they will be fit for no Place but Hell. Now, if thefe are Truths of the Go-- fpel, as moft furely they are, one would hope, that there would need no other Wojrds, to perfuade every one who is in his right Mind, and not already in the fad Condition before-mentioned, To heg^of God to keep him, by his Grace^ from falling into, fo dreadful CircumT ft^ces. The hs P R A Y E R S, Cfr. 213 The moft furc Way to avoid this, will be, To dedicate fome time every Day of our Lives to the Service of God, for His Glory, and our own Hap- pinefs) Humbly to acknowledge our Dependence upon Him, — To confefs our own Inability to help and govern ourfelves; — — — To beg Pardon for having offended Him ; To pray for His Grace and Proteftion, and Blef- fingi And to give Him Thanks fc«^ His Mercies and Favours to us. By doing this, we jhall retain God in our Knowledge : This will be a true and folid Foundation of Peace anu Comfort, and Happinefs : Pro- vided it fee perforiiked c«i* /of , a 4e^i Senfe of oar ovm Waists aiui Ml£^ies ; — ' .With a firm Faith in God*s Promifes, to fulfil the Dejires of them that fear Him-y- — And with an Eye to the Blood of Jefus our Redeemer, for whofe Sake and Sufferings we are reconciled to God, and God to us. The following Devotions are here added, that they who ftand in need of fuch Helps, may be direded what to pray for, every Morning and Evening of their Lives. Not but that every ^rious 2T4 Private and Family ferious Chriftian will find qccafion to afk many more Favours and Blellings than can be fet down in any Form of Prayer whatever. For this Reafon there are added, after every Prayer, fome fhort Inftruftions, as alfo proper Texts of Holy Scripture, with (hort Meditations upon them, to help the Devotion of fuch as are well- difpofed, as alfo to lead them into a way Oi profiting at all times, by the Holy Scriptures heard or read by them, or others, which, God knows, we all too often hear without being bettered by them* Morning Prayer for any Per- fbn in private. E R Y many are the evil C>nfe- quences of going without God into a World full of Tempta- tions and Dangers, which of ourfelves^ we can neither forefee nor efcape. Whoever confiders this, and the in- fiqite Mifchiefs which follow, will never Pu A y E R S, CSc. 215 never venture abroad, without praying for God's Guidance^ ProteSiion and Blcjjing^ every Morning of his Life. Morning PRAYER. LESSED be the Lord for his Mercies renewed unto me every Morning ; jl For my Prefervation and Refrejhment y and for all the Bleflings of the Night paft, for which all Thanks and Glory be to Thee, my God and Father. Gracious God, continue to me thefe, and all other thy Bleflings, fo long, and in fuch a meafure, as fliall be moft for thy Glory, and my Salvation. Poflefs my Soul, I befeech Thee, with a true and faving Faith, and with fuch a Senfe of thy Goodnefs to Me^ and of my Dependence upon Thee^ that it may be my Delight, as it is my Inter- eft and Duty, to ferve and obey Thee. But that I may ferve Thee with a quiet Mind, forgive me all my Sins, I beieech !■ i m 1^' 216 Private and Family bcfeech Thee, for thy dear Son's fake, and avert the Judgments which nxy Confciencc is afraid of. Keep it ever in the Heart of thy Ser- vant, that it is an evil Thing and bitter, to forfake and oftend the Lord. And, above all things, Keep me from pre- fumptuous SinSy that I may newer grieve thy Holy Spirit^ nor provoke Thee to leave me to myfelf. Let thy reftraining Grace prefeive me from the Temptations of the Worlds the Flejh^ and the Devil-, That I may fall into no Sin, nor run into any kind of Danger: — ^ But that all my Doings may be ordered by Thee, to do always that which is righteous in thy Sight; And that I may live and adt as having Thee, O God, the conftant Witnefs of all my Thoughts^ -Dg/^"/^^, Words and Abliom. May I never render myfelf unworthy of thy Guidance and Protedlion ! Suffer me not to go aftray^ or bring me back by fuch ways as to Thee fhall feem meet. May I love Thee with all my Heart, and all Mankind for thy fake ! And may I ever have this fure Proof of thy Lrove P R A Y K KSy &C. i\J Love abiding in me, that I ftiidy to pieafe Thee, and to keep thy Com- liiandments ! — — And that I may for- give, and love, and do Good to my. Neighbours, as becomes a Difciple of' JefusChrift! . Affift me, by thy CSfface, faithfully X6 perform all the Diities of my Calling ; ahd thankfully to receive, and patiently to bear, whatever thy Providence (liall order for me. Prefervc me froiil ^n idle and a tife^ , Ufs Life ; ever rehicmbering ------ 7!&/^/ the Night cometh^ when no Man can mrk'y Arid that 71018; is thieT'irtie'iii which to provide for Eternity. ' And gfant, O Lord, that no world- ' ly Pleafure, no worldly Bufinefs, may* ever miake me lofe the Sight of Death. Ahd may the Thoughts of Death oblige me to a fineere Holinefs j - — To ' nlortify all Pride and Vanity, ——Co- vetoufnefs, and carnal Security; — -, To be ferious^ fober and ivmchfttfy^ while I continue in this State of Trial. Hear me, O Heavenly Father, not according to my imperfeft Petitions, but according to the full Meaniit^ of that holy Prayer, which thy only Son. U hath' U • I it' 2 1 8 Private and Family hath taught us, in Compaflion to our Infirmities. OUR Father, which art in Heaven; Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this Day our daily Bread. And forgive us our Trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trefpafs againft us. — — And lead us not into Temptation. But deliver us from Evil. For Thine is the Kingdom^ and the Poiicer^ and the Glory ^ for ever and ever. Amen. % •'I Some R A y E R s, £?f. 219 Some fhort Meditations, for fuch as are welWifpofed, and have Timetofpare. John xvi. 23. Verily T fay unto you^ Whatfoever ye Jhall ask the Father in my Name y He Jhall ghe it you. I VERY thing is promifed to this Duty, when we pray as we cught to do; /. e. — In the Name, and through the Merits of Jefus Chriit ; ' . Out of a Senfe of our own Wants and Miferies ; — — With the Humility of finful Creatures ; And with a full Purpofe of doing what we know will pleafe God. O Lord, vouchfafe methefe Difpofi- tions, that I may never a(k Thee any thing in vain, or render myfelf un- worthy to receive thy Bleflings. f If iii'^> Vrf % 'I -'■ U2 Prov. .220 Private and Family Piov. ill. 5, b.Lean not unto thine ownUn- derftanding^ in all thy ways acknow^ ledge God^ and He pall direSl thy Paths, ' " ' .Do thou, O God, dired: my Paths, and teach me to guide my Affairs with Charity^ DifcretioUy Jufiice^'cXxA Piety. -^ Shew me the way that I fhould walk in, and give me Gi*ace to follow the Conduct of thy good Spirit, for the fake of Jefus Chrift. - I Cor. xr. 33. E'^il Communications corrupt good Manners. No Man muft lay that he h|ls any refped for God, or F^ar for himfisif, who choofeth the Converlation of wick- ed Men, Their idle and profane Dif* courfes will leave evil Inipreflions up- on the Mind, — Their making free with the Name of God, and things fa- cred, will leffen the Reverence we owe to the Divine Majefty. — Their filthy and lewd Talk will deftroy Modefty, and every Grace and Virtue, and will not fail to wear off the Thoughts and Fears of what may come hereafter. — — May thy Grace, O God, keep me from Prayer Sj&c. 221 a Converfation fo difpleafing to Thee, and fo deftrudive to the Souls of Men 5 grant this for Chrift's fake ! I Peter i, 17. Pafs the Time ofjourfo- journmg here in Fear. Give me, O God, a falutary Dread of the Unfaithfulnefs of my own Heart. — Make me ever mindful of my In- firmities, and Backflidings, that I may be more watchful, and more earneftfor Grace^ for the time to come; An Evening Prayer for a Perfon in private. LEEP\ faid a great Man^ is Jo Uke Deaths that I dare 720t triifl it- without faying my Prayers, • And in- deed, for fear of the worfl', a thoughtful Chriftian will take care to make his Peace with God, before he goes to fleep; And put himfelf un- der God s Protection, every Evening of his Ufe^ that he may be fafc from Fear, ©fEvih U3 Aa. m m ii^:*i mi m m m J2? Private and Family An Evening PRAYER. J. II, I ^HAT it hath pleafed God to add Jl another Day to the Years of my Life, and that none of His Judgments, to which for my Sins I am juftly liable, have fallen upon me : Accept, O Lord, of my unfeigned Thanks, for this thy conftant Care over me ; For delivering me from the Dangers of an evil World ; And for the many and undeferved Bleflings beflowed upon me. Day after Day. Bleffed be thy Goodnefs, that my Sins and Ingratitude have not hin- dred Thee from bringing^me fafe to the Evening of this Day ! O Lord, infinite in Mci cy, pardon my Sins of the Day paft, w h through my Frailty I have committed : And grant that they may never rife up in judgment againft me. Prepare me, I befeech Thee, for the Continuance of thy Favours, by giving, me the Grace of a true Repentance, and of a fiiicere Converfion. Make me truly fjnfible of the Weak- nefs, aad the Corruption of my Nature; jr. and J^ ff^-: P KL A y E R S, ^C, 223 ER. d to add •8 of my gments, y liable, ifeigned It Care ne from — And Bleffings Day. hat my ot hin- € to the pardon :hrough : And e up in for the \ giving ntance, Weak- N^ature; and find th?: Neceflity of Tliy Help, an4 Grace, iiat I may pray for it continu- ally. May I ever make a good Ufe.of the Time which thy Goodnefs fhall yet vouchfafe me ; not daring to abufe thy Patience and Long-fufFering. Make me ever fenfible of my latter EnJ^ that Death may never overtake me unprepared. ■ And in the Hour of Death, and in the Day of Judgment, good Lord, deliver me. O God, all-powerful, take me this J^ight under thy Prote wbai Hour I will come upon thee. Lctmegive Credit to Thee, O Lord of Truth, and not to n^y own cjorrupt Heart, v^hich would flatter nic, that \ may have Time and Warning fiifficicnt to prepare for Death ! iBut give me Grace, O Lord, to be prepared for that unknown Hour^ by a fpeedy Repent- ance, a true Converfion, and an holy Life, I' I 1" i i I 7 ' -x. M -I'll 1! Mat. 226 Priv ate a?id Family Mat. xvi. 26. What is a Man profited^ if he Jhall gain the whole Worlds and loje his own Soul? How many do live without thinking of this ! We admire, and we envy thofe who get great Eftates for them- fclves, and for their Children; — making their Riehes their Delight, their Happinefs, and the whole Concern and Bufinefs of their Lives. — Lord, deliver thy Servant from fuch a Blindnefs, as muft end in my ever- lafting Ruin, and in the Lofs of my Soul ; for which the whole World can- not make me Amends. »■ Lukcxiii.7, 8, Beholdy thefethr^i Tears ^ I come Jeeking Fruit on this Fig-^tree^ and find none. Cut it down ^ why cum^ hretb it the Ground? - — hord^ let it alone this Tear alfo : If it bear . Fruity welly if not, then after that ^ thou jhalt cut it down^ I adore thy wonderful Patience, O God^ towards me; and thy merciful Interceffion, O Jefus^ with thy Fa- ther for fparing me : — May this Goodnefs and Long-fufFerini of 'g to Prayers, G?c. 227 to Repentance ! And may thy all-powerful Grace enable me to bring forth -Fruits anfwerable to Amendment of Life, and worthy of thy future Care. 'In l\ Morning Prayer, for a Family. Joih. Kxiv. I f. As for me^ and my Houfe^ we willjerve the Lord. ■ HIS ought to be the fincere Refolution and Praftice of every Chriftian Mafter of a Family. Without this, none can expeft to have dutiful Chil- dren, or faithful Servants ; «' or to have God s Bleffing in this World, or in the World to come. JLet one devoutly read or fay whatfollo'W'' ethy the reft oj the Family Jerioiifty 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 !J. ill i% *i.''a 52^8 Private and Family Let us pray rfiat we may live in the Pear of God, and continue in Love and Charity with our Neighbours. That His Holy Sjiirit may dired: and rule our Hearts, teaching- us 'what to do, and what to avoid. That the Grace of God may qver be with us, to fupport us in all Dangers, and carry us through all' Temptations. That the Lord tnay blfefs all our ho- n^ft Endeavours, and make us content with what His Providence (hall order for us : And that we may continue His faithful Servants this Day, and all the Days of our Life. For all which Bifeflings let us de-- voutly pray. Then all devoutly kneeling ^ let One fay y OGOD, by whom *the World is governed and preferved, we give Thee humble Thanks for thy fa- therly Care over us 5 befecching Thee to give us true Repentance, to pardon our Sins, To make us truly fenfi- blc of tihy Mercies, and thankful for them.. Give in of Tl ha^ e in the * n Love irs. red: and /hat to ever be dangers, • Ltions. our ho- content I order Dntinue and all ' us de« lefay, brld is , wc :hy fa- Thee 3ardon fenfi- ful for Give Prayers, G?r. 229 Give us Grace, that we may walk as in thy Sight j — — Make a Gonfcience of our Ways j — And fearing to offend Thee, may never fall into the Sins we have repented of. Enable us to refift, and overcome, the Temptations of the World, the Flefti, and the Devil j « — To follow the Motions of thy good Spirit ; To be ferious and holy in our Lives ; -— true and juft in our Dealings; watchful over our Thoughts, our Words, and our Anions j diligent in our Bufinefs, and temperate in all Things. Give us Grace honeftly to improve all the Talents which Thou haft com- mitted to our Truft \ and that no worldly Bufinefs^ no worldly PleaJureSy may divert us from the Concerns of the Life to come. May thy Bkffing be upon our Per- fons, upon our Labours, upon our Subftance j And upon all that be- longs to us ! And may we never undertake any Work^ which we dare not beg of Thee to profper ! By thy Grace defend us in all Affaults of our Enemies : And X grant ^ ^^^< IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I _ JM US Ml 13. ■■■ u iU \^ U& |2.0 il.8 1^ 1 '-^ U4 < 6" ► O^ / f Hiotographic Sdences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WEBSTIt.N.Y. UStO (716) 172-4303 '^'°^*^' ^ ^.V^ '^ 230 Private and Family grant that this Day we fall into no Sin, neither run into any kind of Dangers : — But that all our Doings may be ordered by thy Governance, to do al- ways that which is righteous in thy Sight. Give us, gracious God, what is needful for us, and Grace not to abufe thy Favours : Give us, we befcech Thee, contented Minds ; And make us ever mindful of the Wants of others. Give us, in this Wwld, the Know- ledge of thy Truth, and in the World to come. Life everlafting. Amen. Hear .us, O merciful God, not ac- cording to our imperfedl Petitions, but according to the full Meaning of that Form of Prayer which Jefus Chrift hath taught us. and for his fake. OU R Father, which art in Heaven ; Hallowed be thy Name. — — Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this Day our daily Bread. And forgive us our Trefpafles, as we' forgive them that trefpafs againft us. And Sin, Igcrs : |y be lo al- thy at is bufe fcech And Its of now- odd t ac- , but that hath iven ; ill be 5 we t us. And Prayers, &c. 231 And lead us not into Temptation. But deliver us from EviU For thine is the Kingdom^ and the Power ^ and the Glory y for ever and ever. Amen. H E Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and the Love of God, and the Fellowftiip of the Holy Ghoft, be with us all evermore. Amen, On Sunday Mornings let the folloiving be ^ added to your daily Prayers, LORD, to whofe Honour and Service this good Day is confecrated, give us Grace fo to obferve it, that it may be the Beginning of an happy Week to usi And that none of thy Juclg- ments may fall upon us for profaning it. ^— Fix in our Hearts this great Truth, That here ive have no abiding Place ; that we may ferioufly and timely provide for another Life : • — • And grant that this great Concern may make us very defirous to learn our Du- ty, and to do what thou required of us. And bleifed be God, that we have X 2 Churches \^r i^i iik" 232 Private and Family Churches to go to j that we have Time to glorify our Creator, and that we have Pallors to teach us our Duty ! — - The Lord profper their Labours, and give us Grace to profit by them j that they and we may enjoy an ever- lafting Sabbath, with thy Saints, for Jefus Chrift's fake ! Amen, Proper Meditations for fiich as have Time, and are devoutly difpofed. Pfiil. cxxvii. I. Except the Lord build the Houfe^ they labour in vain that build it. NHAPPY and blind are they, who exped; to profper without thy Blefling,0 Lord. 1 do therefore beg that Blefllng upon myfelf^ and Family^ my Labours^ and Subjiance. -^ — And may I never hinder thy Bleflings, by under- taking any Work which may diflionour Thee, P R A Y BR S, &C. 233 Thee, or my Chriftian Prdfeflion. — * Fit us, O Lord, by thy GracQ^ for that Houfe not made with Hands ^ eternal in the Heavens^ prcpafed for them that love and fear Thee. Hab. ii. 9. Woe be to him that covet eth an evil Covetoujhejs to his Houfe ^ that he may fet his Neft on high] that he may be delivered from the Fear of Evil. Deliver us, O God, from Covetouf- nefs^ the Root of all Evil ^ Leading Men to truft in themfelves, -^ — To for- get their Dependence upon Thee j So fooliflily to hope to be out of the Reach of Misfortunes, and thofe Evils and Afflidlions, which are defigned in great Mercy, for the Punifliment of Sin, and for ihe Salvation of Sinners : Preferve us, O Lord, from this too common, but damnable Sin of Covet- oufnefs, for Jefus Chrift his fake. Amen, I: 'I n X3 Luke 234 Private and Family Luke xvii. 26, 27, 28. As it was in the Days of Noah^ and of Lot. They did eat^ they dranky they bought^ they foldy they planted^ they builded \ till the Day that Lot went out of So- dom^ when they were all dejiroyed. Lord, open our Eyes before we are furprlzed by Death, as thefe miferable SMiners were in the Days of Noah^ and of Lot. May this be a Warning to us ! And keep us, by thy Grace, from fetting our Hearts too eagerly, up- on the Bujinefs^ the Cares^ or Pleafures of this Life, without confidering how foon and fuddenly we may be called out of it ; And that Day overtake us unaware. Col. iv. I. Mailers y give unto your Ser- vants that which is jujl and equals knowing that ye alfo have a Mafier in Heaven. O Heavenly Mafter, blefs me with good and taithful Servants ; And grant that I may perform all the Duties of a Chriftian Mafter; That I may have a tender Concern for the Welfare both of their Bodies and Souls, and be an Example to them of Sobriety, Juftice and and Hoil thy my for P R A r E R S, &C. 23y and Piety ; and that we may be an Houdiold fearing God. And may thy Blefling be upon them, and upon all my Affairs committed to their Truft, for the lake of thy beloved Son. Parents for Children. Eph. vi. 4. TeParentSy bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admo- nition of the Lord. OG O D, the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, for His fake, blefs my Children with healthful Bodies, un- derftanding Souls, and fanftified Spirits, that they may, remember their Creator all their Days, Let thy Grace pre- ferve them from the Temptations of an evil World, and may I never be want- ing in any Part of my Duty to them! • but inftrudt them in the Faith and Duties of a Chrillian Life ; - — Con- vince them of their Faults, and corredt them in Reafon and Love. O be thou, O God, their Father and their Portion in this World, and in the World to come ! Amen. It; Evening 2^6 Private and Family Evening Prayer for a Family, Let one of the Family read or fay di^ finally what followethy the reft fe- rioufly attending, Y the Favour of God, we are come to the Evening of this Day ; and we are fo 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, bcfeech Him to pardon our Sins, and to deliver us from the Evils which our Sins may have deferved. Let us refolve to amend where we have done amifs, and pray God that His Grace may keep us from Backlliding. And that we may be fafe under His Protedlion, who alone can defend us from the Prince and Powers of Dark- nefs. For all which Bleffings let us de- lle c voutly pray, ^Ihen \ly. , we ngof re {o End. ifider s for eech liver may we that His i us irk- de- ben. Prayers, &c. i^j Then, all devoutly kneeling^ let one di- Jiin£tly Jay, OL O R D, and Heavenly Father, we acknowledge thy great Good- ncl's to uSj in fparing us when we de- lerve Punifliment ; In giving us the Neceflaries of this Life, and in fetting before us the Happinefs of a better Life. . O merciful God, pardon our Offences, correct and amend what is amifs in us, that as we grow in Years, we may grow in Grace, and the nearer we come to our latter End, the better wc may be prepared for it. In the tnidjl of Life ive are In Death. Lord, grant thefc Thoughts may make u$ careful how we live, that we may efcape the bitter Pains of eternal Death. Take from us all Ignorance, Hardnefs of Heart, and too much Carefulnefs for the Things of this Life. Make us an Houftiold fearing Thee, O God, fubmitting ourfelves to thy good Pleafure, and putting our whole Truft in thy Mercy. Give us a true Knowledge of our- felves ; Of the Corruption of our Nature \ An4 of the Neceflity of thy 238 private and Family thy Help and Grace to fave Os from Ruin. And may the Spirit of Chrift ever live and rule in us, poflefling our Souls with a fincere Love of Thee, O God, with a Defire to pleafe Thee, and with a Dread of offending Thee ! Saiidify us wholly, we befeech Thee, that our Spirits, and Souls, and Bodies, may be preferved blamelefs un- to the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrifl. Continue to us, and to all Chriftian Churches, the Means of Grace and Sal- vation ; and may the faving Truths of the Gofpel be publifhed 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 U3, and forgive our many Offences againft our Neighbour.' , Blefs, we befeech Thee, O God, all thofe whom thy Providence hath fet over us, whether in Church or State. -^-— . And give us Grace to honour and obey them for Confcience fake. Defend ma^ all and ceiv^ cvci givt our thy Lor from ever Souls God, with feech and suru irift. iftian Sal^ s of din nail hich the and our , all fet ate. and end Prayers, Gfc. 239 Defend us fr^m all Adverfities which may happen to our Bodies, and from all evil Thoughts which may aflault and hurt our Souls ;— and prepare us to re- ceive with an humble Refignation, what- ever thy Providence fliall bfing forth. " And, finally, we befeech Thee to give us Grace, that we may lead and end our Lives in thy Faith and Fear, and to thy Glory, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. Hear us, OmercifulGod, forourfelves and for all Mankind, not according to our weak Underftandings* but according to the full Meaning, of that Holy Prayer^ \yhich thy beloved Son hath taught us. 9UR Father, which art in Heaven; Hallowed be thy Name. Kingdom come. — Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this Day our daily Bread. And forgive us our Trefoaffcs, as we forgive them that trefpals againft us. ' And lead us not into Temptation. ^ — But deliver us from Evil. • For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. THE 240 Private and Family ^ I ^HE Grace of our Lord Jefus I Chrift, and the Love of God, and the Fellowfhip of the Holy Ghoft, be with us all evermore. Arnen. Prayer for Sunday Evening. On Sunday Evenings this following may be added to our daily Prayers. LMiGHTY God, by whom all Things were made, and are preferved, give us Grace to glorify Thee, for thy won- derful Works of the Creation \ % ^ For thine adorable Providence in pre*, ferving every thing that Thou haft made; And for thine infinite Power, Wifdom, and Goodnefs, in the Go- vernment of the World. "But above all, we acknowledge thine infinite Love in the Redemption of the World, by thy Son our Lord Jefus Chrift ; and thy Goodnefs in fending by Him this com- fortable Meflage to thy diftreflfed Crea- tures; That whojoever receiveth and believeth in Him^ Jhould notperijh^ but have everlafting Life. ■ We blefs Thee '. • Prayers, C^c, 241 Thee for His holy Doftriiie and Ex- ample ; For His precious Death, and glorious Relurredion, by which our fad Condition, and thine unfpeak- able Love, have been wonderfully ma- nifefted.-- — — .Wcgive Thee Thanks for thy holy Word^ by which thy Works of Mercy and Providence have been preferved, and thy holy Will made known unto Mankind. We blcfs thy holy Name, for fandlifying one Day in f even to thy Service, to keep tip the Knowledge and Remembrance of Thee and of our Creation^ and. Ke- demption \ * And for appointing thy Minijiers to publish thefe Truths, and to fandlify, and blefs thy People in thy Name, that they may render unto Thee that Honour^ Love^ and Obedi- ence ^ which becometh Creatures to pay to their great Creator. — — And we bcfeech Thee, O God, to give us all fuch a deep Senfe of thy great and un- deferved Mercies to us, that our Hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may glorify Thee, not only with our Lips^ but in our Lives^ by giving up ourfelves to thy Service, and by Y walking ^^ y^ I2r\2 Private and Family walking before Thee in Holinefs and :Righteoufnefs all our Days; An4 that as we often hear how we ought to walk and to pleafe God, we may con- tinue to do fo unto our Lives End, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. Seledl Scriptures, and Meditations upon them, which may teach us how to profit by reading the Scriptures. Matth. X. 30. Tloe very Hairs of your Head are all ?2umbered, |ET this thy wonderful Provi- dence, O God, and Care over \\ us, be evermore our Comfort aiid Defence, again ft all the Evils which may happen to our Bodies, and all evil Thoughts which may alTault and hurt our Souls y — Againft the diftradting Cares of this Life^ Againlt the Fears and Adverfities which may befal us, , . : n Thine infinite Wijdom knows \ . Prayers, CSc. 243 knows all our Wants and Dangers ; ■ Thy Fatherly Goodnefs cannot but pity us ; Thy Power is able to help us, — '. and thy Faithful- nefs can never fail ur O ! may we never render ourfelves unworthy of this thy divine Protedlion ! I* Luke IX. 23. Jefus /aid unto them ally If any Man will come after me^ let him deny himfelf and take up his Crofs daily y nnd follow me, ^ O Jefus, who haft made this the ItuleandMeans of our Salvation, enable us by thy Spirit ^ thy DoSlrine and Ex-^ mnple^ to obferve it daily j To Wean our Hearts from a Love and Fondnefs for this Worlds Its Pleafures, Profits, aiid all its Idols j To mortify our cotrupt Affcftions, and to corre(?r/ Admonition. 247 iitudQ, is of the Devil, who makes the Tables of too many to become a Snare and a Curfe to them, by Intemperance, 'Gluttony, and Drunkennels. . All Chriftian Families, who have any regard to the Example of their Sa- viour, who always glorified God, and gave Him publick Thanks for His Blef- iings J or to the Example oiSl.JPauI^ who would not omit this Duty, thouga in Bonds, and in the Prefence of a numerous Company, of Heathens; All Chriftians feeing the Reafonablenefs of this Duty, and the Sin of omitting it, or of not performing it after a godly manner, will be inexculable before God, if they negled: to glorify Him at their daily Meals. Now, that the moft Unlearned may not want Words toexprefs their Thanks, and beg God's Bleffing upon themfelves, and their daily Food, thcfe following may be made ufe of. ' Grace 24? Graces bef-^re and after Meals. « Grace before our Meals^ GOD, whogive/l Food unto all Flefti, grar/t that we may receive thefe thy Gifts, with thy Blefling, and ufe them with Sobriety, and thankful Hearts, through JefusC3irift our Lord. Amen. Grace after our Meals. LESSED be the Lord for pro- viding fo well for us\ May His Grace make us ever mindful of the Wants of others, and give us the Bread that nourifheth to eternal Life, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. FINIS. leals. unto imay with them ^arts. ^jf^ pro- His dful the -fife,