A compleat history of the most remarkable providences both of judgment and mercy, which have hapned in this present age extracted from the best writers, the author's own observations, and the numerous relations sent him from divers parts of the three kingdoms : to which is added, whatever is curious in the works of nature and art / the whole digested into one volume, under proper heads, being a work set on foot thirty years ago, by the Reverend Mr. Pool, author of the Synopsis criticorum ; and since undertaken and finish'd, by William Turner...

CHAP. LXII. Remarkable Zeal and Charity, in Propagating Religion.

EVery thing is naturally apt to communicate its own Qualities, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water; the Sun, Moon, and all the Planets: the Light makes an Infant smile, and the Night affects us with dulness and sleepiness. God would make us good and happy as himself is, and the Devil bad and mi∣serable. Jews and Mahometans, and Hereticks, have a Zeal many times to promote their particular and unsound Principles: but we have some Examples of good Christians, who have been forward and zealous to propagate the Gospel in sincerity.

1. Mr. Tho. Gouge having a compassion for those parts of Wales, which were distressed with Igno∣rance, and wanted the Means of Knowledge, made a Journey into South Wales, and in every Town where he came, he enquired what poor People there were, that had any Children, whom they were willing to have taught English, and to Read and Write, and to learn the Catechism: and where he met with a competent Number, he enquired for fit Persons to instruct them; a Man for the Boys, and a Woman for the Girls, and agreed with them, as afore for a Penny, or Two-pence a Week, which he undertook to pay.

It was a great Work incumbent upon Mr. Gouge, not only to have poor Children taught to Read and Write, and to be carefully instructed in the Principles of Religion, but the Persons of grown Age, the Poor especially, should be furnished with necessary Helps, and Means of Knowledge, as the Bible, and other good Books, in their own Language: among which were, The Practice of Piety, The Church Catechism, The Duty of Man, with some other pious and useful Treatises, of which he caused a great Number to be Translated and Printed, and to be sent down to all the chief Towns in Wales, to be sold at easie Rates to those that were able to buy them, and to be freely given to such Poor as were not able. In both these Designs, through the Blessing of God upon his unwearied Endeavours, he found very great and good Success: for by the large and bountiful Contributions, which chiefly by his Industry and prudent Application, were obtained from charitable Persons of all Ranks and Condi∣tions; from some of the Nobility and Gentry of Wales, and of the Neighbouring Counties, and of se∣veral of that Quality in and about London: as also from some of the Reverend Bishops and Clergy; and from the Inexhausted Fountain of Charity, (the City of London) led on and encouraged by the most bountiful Example of the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, and Court of Aldermen; to all which he constantly added Two Thirds of his Estate (which was very considerable;) I say, by all these together, there were every Year Eight hundred, and sometimes a Thousand poor Children Edu∣cated, as afore is expressed. And by his Example and Perswasions, with the Magistrates in all the chief Towns in Wales, he prevailed with them to maintain and bring up, at their own Charges, the like Number of poor Children, and under his Inspection and Care. He also gave a very great Num∣ber of Books, afore spoken of, both in the Welch and in the English Tongues, to such of the poorer sort as were unable to buy, and willing to read, and make use of them. But that which was the greatest Work of all, and amounted indeed to a mighty Charge, was this: He procured a new and very fair Impression of the Bible, and Liturgy of the Church of England, in the Welch Tongue, to the Number of Eight thousand; One thousand whereof were freely given to the Poor, and the rest were sent to the Cities, and principal Towns in Wales, to be sold to the Rich at very reasonable and low Prizes, viz. at Four Shillings a piece, well Bound and Clasped; which was much cheaper than any English Bible, that was of so fair a Print and Paper, was ever sold for. See the Narrative of his Life.

2. For the Highlands in Scotland.—The Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq; commiserating the Ignorance of the poor Highlanders, agreed with one Mr. W. Hewsdon, M. A. formerly of Edinburgh, for 10 l. and the Defraying of all his Charges, to make a Journey into those Parts, and procure a fit Person, to Translate, for him, the New Testament, Psalter, and Church Catechism, into Irish; who accordingly went, and procured one Mr. Kirk for the purpose. The Translation being finished, and Printed at Mr. Boyle's Charge, he, with Mr. Kirk, made a Journey into those Highlands, dispersed the Books ac∣cording to Discretion: Mr. Kirk stayed there many Years, 'till about a Year or two ago, he died there; but not 'till he had seen the great Success of the Translation, and his own Pains amongst them. Insomuch, that tho' before they had not any Books of Religion in their own Language, yet in a short time many Schools were set up; and so greedy were the People to learn the Contents of these new

Books, that in the Schools near Port O Kirk. Seventeen of the Scholars turned Masters, and so bred Seventeen Scholars more, for the East, West, and North Highlands; old People redeeming their time, from their ordinary Labour to get Knowledge; and in two Years and a half, they came ordinarily to Church with their Psalters in their Hand, viz. to South-End, in Kentaire, to the North of Sunderland, in Kaithness, Backham, &c. where there hath been a Sermon every Lord's-Day since 1684, and a Le∣cture on a Week-Day. There are Schools Erected for the Teaching of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew; People very industrious to learn; a great Emendation of Manners; the People extreamly thankful to God Almighty, for raising up such a one as Mr. Boyle, to distribute his Charity among them. I am informed there is a Printed Relation of this Great Work, and the Success of it; but not being able to procure it. I am satisfied with this Account of it, signed with the aforesaid Mr. Hewsdon's own Hand, and attested by Sir Peter Pett.

3. For the East-Indians, in the Isle Formosa, near China. —Mr. Robert Junius, late of Delpht in Holland, was Nominated by the Honoured and Pious Senate, of the famous Expedition of the Ʋnited Provinces, for the Conversion of the Eastern Indians, and particularly in Formosa: who accordingly undertook the Charge, went over to the Place, bestowed much Pains in laying the Ground-work, and Principles of Religion amongst them; so that of Persons grown up (Adult) in that Isle of Formosa, 5900 of both Sexes, gave up their Names to Christ; and professing their Faith, and giving fit An∣swers to Questions propounded out of the Word of God, were baptized by him. He set up School-masters to instruct others, and gained Six hundred Scholars to Read and Write; collected the chief Heads of Religion, and composed several Prayers, and translated certain Psalms into the Formosan Language; this in the Northern Parts mostly: but in the Southern also he planted Churches in Three and twenty Towns, and promoted the Worship of the True God. At last having set divers Pastors over them, being grown weak and unserviceable in Body, and desirous to see his Aged Mother, and Native Country, he returned home again. This Narration is Published in Latin, by Casp. Sabellius, and prefixed to his Book called, Antidotum Ambition••••, and Printed at the Charge of J. Jansonius, Amsterdam; and attested by several others. See the Narrative published at London, 1650.

4. Foro the Indians in New-England, Mr. Winslow, in several Relations, gives this following Account:

First Time. Octob. 28. 1646. Four of us, (saith he) having sought God, went according to Ap∣pointment to the Wigwam (or Tent made of Boughs and Mats) of Waaubon, (an Indian Governour) who had given up his Eldest Son before, to be Educated by the English in the Knowledge of GOD; where we found many Indians gathered together from all Quarters, to learn of us the Knowledge of GOD. We Preached in the Indian Tongue above an Hour; the Indians attended very diligently, professing they understood all that was taught them. Then we propounded Questions, and desired them to propound Questions to us: which they readily did.

• 1. Quest. How may we come to know Jesus Christ?
• 2. Quest. Whether God, or Jesus Christ did understand Indian Prayers?
• 3. Quest. Whether English-men were at any time so ignorant of God and Jesus, as they?

These Questions being answered, and we demanding, If they were not weary? They answering, No: and a time being agreed upon, for our coming again.

Second Time. Nov. 11. 1646. Meeting again at Waaubon's Wigwam, we found more Indians than at the first. After Prayer, we ask'd them Three Questions, which were thus answered.

1. Quest. Who made you and all the World?

Answ. God.

2. Quest. Who do you look should save you from Sin and Hell?

Answ. Jesus Christ.

3. Quest. How many Commandments?

Answ. Ten.

After this we Preached of God, Christ, Sin, Punishment of Sin, God's now offering Salvation to them; with which some were much affected; one wept much. They propounded Questions to us.

• 1. An old Man ask'd, Is it not too late, for one so old as I am, to repent? &c.
• 2. Seeing we all come from one Father, how came the English to know God more than we?
• 3. How may we come to serve God?
• 4. If a Man have stollen, and restored again, and was not punished by the Sachim (Indian Governour) what then?

Answ. God's Angers burns like Fire against all such Sins, but if he fly to God's Mercy in Christ, and repent, God will forgive him. Upon this the Man drew back, hung down his Head, as smitten at the Heart, and his Eyes ready to drop, saying, Me little know Jesus Christ, else I should seek him better.

Third Time. Nov. 26.—46. We met again, found more Wigwams built, the Preacher hearing that other Indians had discouraged these, he encouraged them. The same Week one Wimpas, a Sage Indian, with Two stout young Men, brought his Son, and Three other Indian Children, to be taught English, and the Knowledge of God; the Two young men offering their Service for the like end; and certifying, that the Old Man, (who had asked, if such a one could be saved) his Wife and one of his Six Sons, (who were Pawaws, or Charming Witches) were resolved to hear the Word, and seek to the Devil no more.

Fourth Time. At the next Meeting they made Laws, Decemb. 4.

• 1. If any be idle a Week, he stall pay, 5 s.
• 2. A Man that commits Whoredom shall pay, 20 s.
• 3. He that beats his Wife, his Hand shall be tied behind him, and be punished.
• 4. Young Men without Service, shall set up Wigwams, and Plant.
• 5. Women that cut their Hair, or let it hang loose, shall pay, 5 s.
• 6. Women with naked Breasts, shall pay, 2 s. 6 d.
• 7. Men that wear long Hair, 5 s.
• 8. They that kill Lice between their Teeth, 5 s. This was to oblige the English.

Fifth Time. Decemb. 9. 1646. After Catechising and Preaching, the Indians offered all their Children to be brought up by the English, complained of their naughty Hearts, resolved to Keep the Sabbath. &c. See more at large, in the Book called the Day-break, in another called the Sun-shine; in Mr. Matthew's Letters; and concerning the great Pains and Success of Mr. Elliot, and the large spreading of the Gospel amongst them.

II. A LETTER, concerning the Success of the Gospel amongst the Indi∣ans in New-England: Written by Mr. Increase Mather, Minister of the Word of God, at Boston, and Rector of the Colledge at Cambridge, in New-Eng∣land, to Doctor John Leusden, Hebrew Professor, in the Ʋniversity af Utrecht. Translated out of Latin into English.

Worthy and much Honoured Sir,

YOur Letter were very grateful to me, by which I undestand, that you, and others in your fa∣mous University of Ʋtrecht, desire to be Informed, concerning the Converted Indians in A∣merica: take therefore a true Account of them in a few Words. It is above Forty Years since that truly Godly Man, Mr. John Elliot, Pastor of the Church at Roxborough (about a Mile from Boston in New-England) being warmed with a holy Zeal of Converting the Americans, set himself to learn the Indian Tongue, that he might more easily and successfully (open to them the Mysteries of the Gospel; upon account of which he has been (and not underservedly) called, The Apostle of the A∣merican Indians. This Reverend Person, not without very great Labour, Translated the whole Bi∣ble into the Indian Tongue: he Translated also several English Treatises of Practical Divinity and Catechisms into their Language. About 26 Years ago, he gathered a Church of Converted Indians, in a Town called Natick; these Indians confessed their Sins with Tears, and professed their Faith in Christ; and afterwards they and their Children were Baptized, and they were solemnly joyned toge∣ther in a Church Covenant: The said Mr. Elliot, was the first that Administred the Lord's Supper to them: the Pastor of that Church now is an Indian, his name is Daniel. Besides this Church at Natick, among our Inhabitants in the Massachusets Colony, there are four Indian Assemblies, where the Name of the True God and Jesus Christ is solemnly called upon; these Assemblies have some American Preachers. Mr. Elliot formerly used to Preach to them once every Fortnight, but now he is weakned with Labours and Old Age, being in the eighty fourth Year of his Age, and Preacheth not to the In∣dians oftner than once in two Months. There is another Church, consisting only of Converted Indi∣ans, about fifty Miles from hence, in an Indian Town, called Mashippaug: The first first Pastor of that Church was an English Man, who being skilful in the American Language, Preached the Gospel to them in their own Tongue; this English Pastor is dead, and instead of him, that Church has an Indian Preacher. There are, besides that, five Assemblies of Indians professing the Name of Christ, not far distant from Mashippang, which have Indian Preachers; John Cotton, Pastor of the Church at Plymouth (Son of my venerable Father-in-Law, John Cotton, formerly the famous Teacher of the Church at Boston) hath made very great Progress in learning the Indian Tongue, and is very skill∣ful in it; he Preaches in their own Language to the last five mentioned Congregations every Week. Moreover, of the Inhabitants of Saconet in Plymouth Colony, there is a great Congregation of those, who for distinction sake are called Praying Indians, because they Pray to God in Christ. Not far from 2 Promontory called Cape-Cod, there are six Assemblies of Heathens, who are to be reckoned as Catechumens, amongst whom there are six Indian Preachers; Samuel Treat, Pastor of a Church at Eastham, Preacheth to those Congregations in their own Language. There are likewise amongst the Islanders of Nantucket, a Church, with a Pastor who was lately a Heathen, and several Meetings of Catechumens, who are instructed by the Converted Indians. There is also another Island about seven Leagues long (called Martha's Vineyard) where are two American Churches planted, which are more famous than the rest, over one of which, there presides an ancient Indian as Pastor, called Hiacooms: John Hiacooms, Son of the said Indian Pastor, also Preacheth the Gospel to his Country-men. In ano∣ther Church in that place, John Tockinosh, a Converted Indian Teaches: in these Churches, ruling El∣ders of the Indians are joyned to the Pastors; the Pastors were chosen by the People, and when they had Fasted and Prayed, Mr. Eliot and Mr. Cotton laid their Hands on them, so that they were solemn∣ly Ordained. All the Congregations of the Converted Indians (both the Catechumens, and those in Church-Order) every Lord's Day meet together; the Pastor or Preacher always begins with Prayer, and without a Form, because from the Heart; when the Ruler of the Assembly has ended Prayer, the whole Congregation of Indians Praise God with Singing; some of them are excellent Singers: After the Psalm, he that Preaches, Reads a place of Scripture (one or more Verses, as he will) and expounds it, gathers Doctrines from it, proves them by Scriptures and Reasons, and infers Uses from

them after the manner of the English, of whom they have been taught; then another Prayer to God in the Name of Christ, concludes the whole Service. Thus do they meet together twice every Lord's-Day; they observe no Holy-days but the Lord's-Day, except upon some extraordinary Occasion; and then they solemnly set a part whole Days, either in giving Thanks, or Fasting and Praying, with great Fervor of Mind.

Before the English came into these Coasts, these barbarous Nations were altogether ignorant of the true God; hence it is, that in their Prayers and Sermons they used English Words and Terms; he that calls upon the most holy Name of God, says Jehovah, or God, or Lord; and also they have learned and borrowed many other theosogical Phrases from us. In short, there are six Churches of Baptized Indians in New-England, and eighteen Assemblies of Catechumens, professing the Name of Christ; Of the Indians, there are Four and Twenty who are Preachers of the Word of God; and besides these, there are four English Ministers who Preach the Gospel in the Indian Tongue. I am now my self weary with Writing, and I fear, lest if I should add more, I should also be tedious to you; yet one thing I must add (which I had almost forgot) that there are many of the Indians Children, who have learned by Heart the Catechism, either of that famous Divine William Perkins, or that put forth by the Assemblies of Divines at Westminister, and in their own Mother Tongue, can answer to all the Questions in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 But I must end: I salute the famous Professors in your University, to whom I desire you to communicate this Letter, as Written to them also.

Farewel, worthy Sir; the Lord preserve your Health for the Benefit of your Country, his Church, and of Learning.

Yours ever, Increase Mather.

Boston in New-England, July 12th, 1687.

Mr. Hammond in his Sermon, in the Casuistical Morning Exercise, gives us (out of Ecclesiastical History) two remarkable Passages of the Promotion of the Gospel by private Christians.

1. THE one is related by Ruffinus, who gives this account of the Conversion of the Kingdom of the Iberians to the Faith. There was, saith he, a certain poor Woman, who had been tak∣en Captive, and lived among them: she was at first taken notice of, for her Sobriety and Modesty, and then for her spending so much time in Prayer: these raised a great admiration of her in the Minds of the Barbarians. At last, they brought to her a sick Child, which upon her Prayers was restored to Health: This spread her Fame abroad, so that the Queen of the Country was brought to her, and by her Prayers recovered: Whereupon the King and Kingdom were won over to Christ; and the King sent to Constantine the Great, for some to instruct them farther in the Christian Religion; Ruffin. Hist. Eccl. l. 1. c. 10. The holy Conversation, and the ardent Devotions of private Chistians, are ex∣cellent means to recommend the Gospel, and to represent it, as most amiable and desireable.

2. The other is of Frumentius & Aedecius. These being Christians, were left young in one of the Kingdoms of the inner India, and were after some time, for their excellent Parts and unspotted Life, honoured and employed by the Queen of the Country, during the Minority of her Son. In Process of time, some Roman Merchants came to Traffick among them; then Frumentius understanding that there were some Christians among them, invited them to reside with him, and provided a place for them, where they might offer up their Prayers to God, after the Christian manner; and himself, ha∣ving obtained leave of the Queen, went to Athanasius in Alexandria, requesting him to send some Bi∣shop to that Kingdom, to promote the farther Entertainment of the Gospel among them, to which they were well inclined and disposed for the reception of it Athanasius ordained Frumentius himself, who returned, and by God's Blessing, met with wonderful Success, Ruffin. Hist. Eccl. l. 1. c. 9. Socrat. Eccl. Hist. l. 1. c. 15. Sozomen. l. 2. c. 23. If Providence (says my Author) shall bring these Lines to the view of Christian Travellers, Merchants, and Mariners, who come among the poor Hea∣then, let the Examples laid before them, excite and encourage them to use their Endeavours to bring them to the Knowledge of Christ, and the Entertainment of the Gospel.

The Reverend Mr. Annesly (whose non-such Zeal in promoting the Gospel, has been so successful in this part of the World) gives the following Account of the Reverend Mr. Brand, in the Narrative of his Life, wherein he seems to have been actuated by a double Portion of the same Spirit, whilst he writes the Story of that is Friend.— He tells us, His Zeal for promoting the Gospel was so ex∣tensive, that besides his constant weekly Catechising where he resided, he promoted the constancy of it in all Schools, and places to which he was a Benefactor; and engaged all Ministers, to whose support he Contributed, to be diligent in it, often examining the Conduct and Success of those he trusted with it: And besides these, again, he hired several other Persons in distant places, to catechise Children, and all others willing to Learn; and once a Month, or oftner, rode to visit and catechise them him∣self. And to encourage them to do well, and especially those who were Old, and yet Ignorant, and therefore ashamed to come to frequent those Exercises, he gave them Books or Money, according to their Quality. And to allure Masters and Parents to send their Children or Servants, he would also present them with Books curiously Bound and Guilt, and to such as were Poor, he would give more Money than they could earn in the time spent in Learning. His Discourse with Parents and Ma∣sters themselves was Catechistical, and yet not disparaging: All his Questions to all sorts so instructive∣ly Worded, that they could not miss a right Answer, and his whole Method charming and welcome in Families, Schools, and publick Assemblies, to both Old and Young, Ignorant and Knowing: He exhorted all he came near to become Catechists, or Catechumens: He gave away many Thousands of

Catechisms, and many Hundreds with Expositions, not only of those of the Assemblies, but very ma∣ny of Dr. Combers, and of Mr. Thomas Adams's Principles of Christian Religion, cleared and confirm∣ed by the Articles and Homilies of the Church of England; neither would he be quiet till he made his Disciples throughly understand the Points he put to them. In short, our Author says, His Heart was on his Exercise living and dying, and that he never knew any one so painful, and at such care and cost a∣bout it, as he.

He disperst incredible Numbers of the most practical pious Books of all sorts, not only of Small, but considerable Price, viz. some Thousands, if not ten Thousands of Catechisms, many with Ex∣positions, some Thousands of Shepherd's Sincere Convert, R. Allein's Vindiciae Pietatis, Mr. Joseph Allein of Conversion, several of Mr. Baxter's Works, as his Call to the Ʋnconverted, his Now or Never, his Saints Rest, &c. Particularly he and some others, of whom he was chief, having agreed for an Impression of 20000 of Mr. Joseph Allein's Book of Conversion, he paid down 50 l. himself, as Earnest, for the Printing and Dispersing them through England and Wales, and afterwards procured an Impression of 20000 more, to be Sold at under Rates. He also disposed some Writings of Conformists, viz. Pink's Trial of sincere Love to Christ, Caley, of Eternity, Wade, of Redemption of Time, Dent's Plain Mans Path-way to Heaven, Scudder's Daily Walk, Reiner's Pre∣cepts, &c. also Fox's Martyrs in 3, and Charnock's Works in 2 Volumes. Several Annotations and Commentaries on the Scripture, and several Libraries to young Students, and Candidates for the Mi∣nistry; but he remembers not he dispersed any Books of Controversie, but Pool's Nullity of the Roman Faith, and his Dialogue between a Popish Priest, and an English Protestant, being more for promoting Practical Godliness: Above all, his Care and Policy was to disperse Bibles, by giving away, perhaps, some Thousands, and when he found some were so tender of charging him with such Gifts, that they had rather be without, he contrived between his Friends and himself, to distribute them at 1 s. 6 d. a piece, on condition not to sell them again, by which means he caught many that refused them Gratis, and returned some Money towards buying more; and he not only gave such Books to assist the Poor, but to allure and oblige the Rich, he presented them also with Books most proper for them, richly Bound, to render them more acceptable, which was a powerful Artillery to subdue their Minds to Piety, his only Aim. In a word, all Houses and Places where ever he came, or could send, were stored with pious Books, where they would accept them; and he never made Journey, but in every Inn, or other place where he lodged or stopt, he imployed all the little time he had, and all opportu∣nities he could find, to fasten good Counsel, or good Books, or both, on all he met with, of what con∣dition soever, of which our Author gives several Instances in p. 60, &c. to 65.

To Sum up his charitable Expences, a notable prying, intelligent Person, who lived some Years in the same House with him, affirms, That to his Knowledge, he spent above 300 l. per Annum, that way, besides what he could not find out, which could not but be very considerable, besides the many large Charities he continually procured from others, which no Man was more successful in doing, even from the most covetous Persons; he sometimes using to say, He would not sell his Estate, because entail'd, but he would squeese it as long as he lived; and that he would accept of no Mans Estate, if he must be tied from using it on Spiritual accounts; and he would often pity the condition of wicked Rich Men.

In fine, His Zeal for doing good was such, he could as soon cease to live, as cease to attempt it; there being one place where he was contriving to settle a Minister, notwithstanding his Weakness when he died. Such was the Life, and such the Exit of this Godly Man. The Author applies the whole, with the same Counsel to the Reader, that our Saviour gave the Lawyer, Go thou, and do likewise.