Tears of repentance: or, A further narrative of the progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England: setting forth, not only their present state and condition, but sundry confessions of sin by diverse of the said Indians, wrought upon by the saving power of the Gospel; together with the manifestation of their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, and the work of grace upon their hearts. Related by Mr. Eliot and Mr. Mayhew, two faithful laborers in that work of the Lord. Published by the corporation for propagating the Gospel there, for the satisfaction and comfort of such as wish well thereunto.

To the READER.

Christian Reader,

I Know thy Soul longeth to hear Tydings of Gods grace powred out upon these goings down of the Sun, because the Spirit of God by the Word of Prophesie, useth to raise up and draw forth such actings of Faith, as ac∣cord with the accomplishment of those Pro∣phesies, when the time of their accomplishment is come. When Israel was to return from Babylon, the Spirit by the word of Prophesie, raised up such actings of Faith, as were put forth in the exercise of all gifts necessary for the accomplish∣ment thereof. Daniel prayeth. Zerubbabel hath a Spirit of Ruling, the peoples affections are loose from their dwell∣ings, and have a Spirit of Traveling. Ezra, Nehemiah, and all the rest of the Worthies of the Lord, are raised at that time to accomplish what is Prophesied. In these times the Pro∣phesies of Antichrist his down fall are accomplishing. And do we not see that the Spirit of the Lord, by the word of Prophe∣sie, hath raised up men, instruments in the Lord hand, to accomplish what is written herein. And the Spirit of Prayer, and expectation of Faith is raised generally in all Saints, by the same word of Prophesie. In like manner the Lord ha∣ving said, That the Gospel shall spread over all the Earth, even to all the ends of the Earth; and from the riseing to the setting Sun; all Nations shal become the Nations, and Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ. Such words of Prophesie hath the Spirit

used to stir up the servants of the Lord to make out after the accomplishment thereof: and hath stirred up a mighty Spi∣rit of Prayer, and expectation of Faith for the Conversion both of the Jewes, (yea all Israel) and of the Gentiles also, over all the world. For this Cause I know every beleeving heart, awakened by such Scriptures, longeth to hear of the Conversion of our poor Indians, whereby such Prophesies are in part begun to be accomplished. Yea, the Design of Christ being to erect his own Kingdom, in the room of all those Do∣minions, which he doth, and is about to overturn: You shall see a Spirit by such words of Prophesie powred forth upon the Saints (into whose hands Christ will commit the manage∣ing of his Kingdom on Earth) that shall carry them forth to advance Christ to rule over men in all affairs, by the word of his mouth, and make him their only Law-giver, and supream Judge, and King.

It is a day of small things with us: and that is Gods sea∣son to make the single beauty of his humbling Grace, to shine in them, that are the veriest ruines of mankind that are known on earth; as Mr. Hooker was wont to describe the forlorn condition of these poor Indians. I see evident de∣monstrations that Gods Spirit by his word hath taught them, because their expressions, both in Prayer, and in the Confes∣sions which I have now published, are far more, and more full, and spiritual, and various, then ever I was able to express un∣to them; in that poor broken manner of Teaching which I have used among them. Thēir turning Doctrins into their own experience, which you may observe in their Confessions, doth also demonstrate the Teachings of Gods Spirit, whose first special work is Application. Their different Gifts likewise, is a thing observable in their Confessions, wherein it is not to be expected that they should be all Eminent, it is not so in any Society of men; but in that there be some a∣mong them that are more eminent, it is a sign of Gods favor,

who is raising up among themselves, such as shall be his in∣struments to conveigh a blessing unto the rest. Their frequent phrase of Praying to God, is not to be understood of that Ordinance and Duty of Prayer only, but of all Religion, and comprehendeth the same meaning, with them, as the word [Religion] doth with us: And it is observable, because it seemeth to me, That the Lord will make them a Praying peo∣ple: and indeed, there is a great Spirit of Prayer powred out upon them, to my wonderment; and you may easily ap∣prehend, That they who are assisted to express such Confessions before men, are not without a good measure of inlargement of Spirit before the Lord.

The points of Doctrine that are here and there dropped in their Confessions, may suffice at present for a little taste to the Godly discerning Saints, That they are in some measure in∣structed in the chief points of Salvation, though there be no Doctrinal Confession on purpose set down to declare what they have learned, and do beleeve.

If any should conceive that that word which they so often use [I thought, or I think] should need explication, as a godly Brother did intimate to me on the Fast day, let this suf∣fice, That it is to be Construed by the present Matter: For sometimes it is a thought of Faith; sometime of Fear; sometime of Ʋnbelief; sometime of Carnal Reason; and sometime of Ignorance.

Lastly, It is plainly to be observed, That one end of Gods sending so many Saints to NEW-ENGLAND, was the Con∣version of these Indians. For the Godly Counsels, and Ex∣amples they have had in all our Christian Families, have been of great use, both to prepare them for the Gospel, and also to further the Lords work in them, as you may evidently discern in most of their Confessions.

Beloved Reader, I have no more to say as necessary to Pre∣pare for the following Matter, only to beg, yea earnestly to beg

the continuance of all your Prayers; by the power whereof (through the Grace and Intercession of Christ) I beleeve this wheele of Conversion of these Indians, is turned: and my Heart hath been alwayes thereby encouraged, to follow on to do that poor little I can, to help forward this blessed Work of Spreading and Exalting the Kingdom of our dear Savior Jesus Christ, under the direction and protection of whose Word and Grace, by Faith committing you; I rest,

Your unworthy Brother, in our dear Savior, JOHN ELIOT.