CHAP. XXI.
Of Religion, the Soule, &c.
| Manìt-manittówock, | God, Gods. |
Obs: He that questions whether God made the World, the Indians will teach him. I must acknowledge I have received in my converse with them, many Confirmations of those two great points, Heb. 11. 6. viz:
1. That God is.
2. That hee is a rewarder of all them that diligently seek him.
They will generally confesse that God made all: but then in speciall, although they deny not that Englishmans God made English Men, and the Heavens and Earth there! yet their Gods made them, and the Heaven, and the Earth where they dwell.
| Nummus quauna-mùckqun manit, | God is angry with me. |
Obs: I heard a poore Indian lamenting the losse of a child at break of day, call up his Wife and children, and all about him to Lamentation, and with abundance of teares cry out! O God thou hast taken away my child: thou art angry with me: O turne thine anger from me, and spare the rest of my children.
If they receive any good in hunting, fishing, Harvest, &c. they acknowledge God in it.
Yea, if it be but an ordinary accident, a fall, &c. they will say God was angry and did it.
| Musquantum manit, | God is angry. |
But herein is their Misery.
First, they branch their Godhead into many Gods.
Secondly, attribute it to Creatures.
First, many Gods: they have given me the Names of thirty-seven, which I have, all which in their solemne Worships they invocate: as,
| Kautántowwit, | The great South West God, |
to whose House all soules goe, and from whom came their Corne, Beanes, as they say.
| Wompanànd, | The Easterne God. |
| Chekesuwànd, | The Westerne God. |
| Wunnanaméanit, | The Northerne God. |
| Sowwanànd, | The Southerne God. |
| Wetuómanit, | The house God. |
Even as the Papists have their He and Shee Saint Protectors as St. George, St. Patrick, St. Dennis, Virgin Mary, &c.
| Squàuanit, | The Womans God. |
| Muckquachuckquànd, | The Childrens God. |
Obs: I was once with a Native dying of a wound, given him by some of the murtherous English (who rob’d him and run him through with a Rapier,) from whom in the heat of his wound, he at present escaped from them, but dying of his wound, they suffered Death at new Plymouth, in New England, this Native dying call’d much upon Mackquachuckquànd, which of other Natives I understood, (as they believed) had appeared to the dying young man, many yeares before, and bid him whenever he was in distresse call upon him.
Secondly, as they have many of these fained Deities: so worship they the Creatures in whom they conceive doth rest some Deitie:
| Keesuckquànd, | The Sun God. |
| Nanepaûshat, | The Moone God. |
| Paumpágussit, | The Sea. |
| Yotáanit, | The fire God. |
Supposing that Deities be in these, &c.
When I have argued with them about their Fire-God: can it say they be, but this fire must be a God, or Divine power, that out of a stone will arise in a Sparke, and when a poore naked Indian is ready to starve with cold in the House, and especially in the Woods, often saves his life, doth dresse all our Food for us, and if it be angry will burne the House about us, yea if a sparke fall into the drie wood, burnes up the Country, (though this burning of the Wood to them they count a Benefit, both for destroying of vermin, and keeping downe the Weeds and thickets?)
Præsentem narrat quælibet herba Deum.
Every little Grasse doth tell,
The sons of Men, there God doth dwell.
Besides there is a generall Custome amongst them, at the apprehension of any Excellency in Men, Women, Birds, Beasts, Fish, &c. to cry out Manittóo, that is, it is a God, as thus if they see one man excell others in Wisdome, Valour, Strength, Activity &c. they cry out
| Manittóo, | A God. |
And therefore when they talke amongst themselves of the English ships, and great buildings, of the plowing of their Fields, and especially of Bookes and Letters, they will end thus: Manittôwock, They are Gods: Cummanittôo, You are a God, &c. A strong Conviction naturall in the soule of man, that God is filling all things, and places, and that all Excellencies dwell in God, and proceed from him, and that they only are blessed who have that Jehovah their portion.
| Nickómmo, | A Feast or Dance. |
Of this Feast they have publike, and private and that of two sorts.
First in sicknesse, or Drouth, or Warre, or Famine.
Secondly, After Harvest, after hunting, when they enjoy a caulme of Peace, Health, Plenty, Prosperity, then Nickómmo, a Feast, especially in Winter, for then (as the Turke saith of the Christian, rather the Antichristian,) they run mad once a yeare in their kind of Christmas feasting.
| Powwáw, | A Priest. |
| Powwaûog, | Priests. |
Obs: These doe begin and order their service, and Invocation of their Gods, and all the people follow, and joyne interchangeably in a laborious bodily service, unto sweating, especially of the Priest, who spends himselfe in strange Antick Gestures, and Actions even unto fainting.
In sicknesse the Priest comes close to the sick person, and performes many strange Actions about him, and threatens and conjures out the sicknesse.
They conceive that there are many Gods or divine Powers within the Body of a Man: In his pulse, his heart, his Lungs, &c. I confesse to have most of these their customes by their owne Relation, for after once being in their Houses, and beholding what their Worship was, I durst never be an eye witnesse, Spectatour, or looker on, least I should have been partaker of Sathans Inventions and Worships, contrary to Ephes. 5. 14.
| Nanouwétea, | An over-Seer and Orderer of their Worship. |
| Neennanowwúnnemun, | I will order or oversee. |
They have an exact forme of King, Priest, and Prophet, as was in Israel typicall of old in that holy Land of Canaan, and as the Lord Jesus ordained in his spirituall Land of Canaan his Church throughout the whole World: their Kings or Governours called Sachimaûog, Kings and Atauskowaûg Rulers doe govern: Their Priests performe and manage their Worship: Their wise men and old men (of which number their Priests are also,) whom they call Taupowauog they make solemne speeches and Orations, or Lectures to them, concerning Religion, Peace or Warre and all things.
| Nowemasúitteem, | I give way at the Worship. |
He or she that makes this Nickòmmo Feast or Dance, besides the feasting sometimes twenty, fifty, an hundredth yea I have seene neere a thousand persons at one of these Feasts: they give I say a great quantity of money, and all sort of their goods, (according to and sometimes beyond their Estate) in severall small parcells of goods, or money, to the value of eighteen pence, two Shillings, or thereabouts to one person: and that person that receives this Gift, upon the receiving of it, goes out and hollowes thrice for the health and prosperity of the Party that gave it, the Mr. or Mistris of the Feast.
| Nowemacaûnash, | Ile give these things. |
| Nutteaugûash, | My money. |
| Nummaumachiúwash, | My goods. |
Obs: By this Feasting and Gifts, the Divell drives on their worships pleasantly (as he doth all false worships, by such plausible earthly Arguments of uniformities, universalities, antiquities, immunities, Dignities, Rewards unto Submitters, and the contrary to Refusers) so that they run farre and neere and aske
| Awaun Nákommit, | Who makes a feast? |
| Nkekinneawaûmen, | I goe to the Feast. |
| Kekineawûi, | He is gone to the Feast. |
They have a modest Religious perswasion not to disturb any man, either themselves English, Dutch, or any in their conscience, and worship, and therefore say:
| Aquiewopwaûwash, | Peace, hold your peace. |
| Aquiewopwaûwock, | |
| Peeyaûntam, | He is at Prayer. |
| Peeyaúntamwock, | They are praying. |
| Cowwéwonck, | The Soule, |
derived from Cowwene, to sleep, because say they, it works and operates when the Body sleepes. Michachunck, the soule, in a higher notion which is of affinity, with a word signifying a looking glasse, or cleere resemblance, so that it hath its name from a cleere sight or discerning, which indeed seemes very well to suit with the nature of it.
| Wuhóck, | The Body. |
| Nohòck, cohòck, | My body, your body. |
| Awaunkeesitteoûwincohòck, | Who made you? |
| Tunna-awwa commitchichunckkitonckquéan? | Whether goes your soule when you die? |
| Anan sowanakitaûwaw, | It goes to the South West. |
Obs: They believe that the soules of Men and Women goe to the South-west, their great and good Men and Women to Cautantouwit his house, where they have hopes (as the Turkes have of carnall Joyes): Murtherers, thieves and Lyers, their soules (say they) wander restlesse abroad.
Now because this Book (by Gods good Providence) may come into the hand of many fearing God, who may also have many an opportunity of occasionall discourse with some of these their wild Brethren and Sisters, and may speake a word for their and our glorious Maker, which may also prove some preparatory Mercy to their Soules: I shall propose some proper expressions concerning the Creation of the world, and mans Estate and in particular theirs also, which from myselfe many hundredths of times, great numbers of them have heard with great delight, and great convictions: which who knowes (in Gods holy season) may rise to the exalting of the Lord Jesus Christ in their conversion and salvation?
| Nétop Kunnatótemous, | Friend, I will aske you a Question. |
| Nntótema, | Speake on. |
| Tocketunnántum? | What thinke you? |
| Awaun Keesiteoûwin Kéesuck? | Who made the Heavens? |
| Aûke Wechêkom? | The Earth, the Sea. |
| Mittauke, | The World. |
Some will answer Tattá, I cannot tell, some will answer Manittôwock, the Gods.
| Tà suóg Manittowock, | How many Gods bee there? |
| Maunaúog Mishaúnawock, | Many, great many. |
| Netop macháge, | Friend, not so. |
| Paúsuck naúnt manìt, | There is onely one God. |
| Cuppíssittone, | You are mistaken. |
| Cowauwaúnemum, | You are out of the way. |
A Phrase which much pleaseth them, being proper for their wandring in the Woods, and similitudes greatly please them.
| Kukkakótemous, wachitquáshouwe, | I will tell you, presently. |
| Kuttaunchemókous, | I will tell you newes. |
| Paûsuck naúnt manít kéesittin keesuck, &c. | One onely God made the Heavens &c. |
| Napannètashèmittan naugecautúmmonabnshque, | Five thousand yeers agoe, and upwards. |
| Naúgom naúnt wukkesittinnes wâmeteâgun, | He alone made all things. |
| Wuche mateâg, | Out of nothing. |
| Quttatashuchuckqunnacaus keesitinneswâme, | In six dayes he made all things. |
| Nquittaqúnne, Wuckéesitin weqâi, | The first day hee made the Light. |
| Neesqunne, Wuckéesitin Keésuck, | The second day Hee made the Firmament. |
| Shúckqunne wuckéesitin Aúkekà wechêkom, | The third day hee made the Earth and sea. |
| Yóqunne wuckkéesitin Nippaúus kà Nanepaúshat, | The fourth day he made the Sun and the Moon. |
| Neenash-mamockíuwash wêquanantiganash, | Two great Lights. |
| Kà wáme anócksuck, | And all the Starres. |
| Napannetashúckqunne Wuckéesittinpussuck-seesuckwâme, | The fifth day hee made all the fowle. |
| Keesuckquíuke, | In the Ayre or Heavens |
| Kawámeaúmúasuck, Wechekommiuke, | And all the Fish in the Sea. |
| Quttatashúkqunne Wuckkeésittin penashímwock wamè, | The sixth day hee made all the Beasts of the Field. |
| Wuttàke wuckèwuckeesittin pausuck Enìn, or, Eneskéetomp, | Last of all he made one Man. |
| Wuche mishquòck, | Of red Earth. |
| Kawesuonckgonnakaûnes Adam, túppautea mishquòck, | And call’d him Adam, or red Earth. |
| Wuttáke wuchè Câwit mishquock, | Then afterward, while Adam or red Earth slept. |
| Wuckaudnúmmenes manit peetaúgonwuche Adam, | God tooke a rib from Adam, or red Earth. |
| Kà wuchè peteaúgon Wukkeessitínnes pausuck squàw, | And of that rib he made One woman. |
| Kà pawtouwúnnes Adâmuck | And brought her to Adam. |
| Nawônt Adam wuttunnawaun nuppeteâgon ewò, | When Adam saw her, he said, this is my bone. |
| Enadatashúck qunneaquêi | The seventh day hee rested |
| Nagaû wvchè quttatashúckqune anacaúsuock, Englishmánnuck, | And therefore Englishmen worke six days |
| Enadatashuckqunnóckat-taubataumwock, | On the seventh day they praise God. |
Obs: At this Relation they are much satisfied, with a reason why (as they observe) the English and Dutch, &c. labour six dayes and rest and worship the seventh.
Besides, they will say, Wee never heard of this before; and then will relate how they have it from their Fathers, that Kautántowwit made one man and woman of a stone, which disliking, he broke them in pieces, and made another man and woman of a Tree, which were the Fountaines of all mankind.
They apprehending a vast difference of Knowledge betweene the English and themselves, are very observant of the English lives: I have heard them say to an Englishman (who being hindred, broke a promise to them) you know God, will you lie Englishman?
Obs: After I had (as farre as my language would reach) discoursed (upon a time) before the chief Sachim or Prince of the Countrey, with his arch priests, and many other in a full assembly; and being night, wearied with travell and discourse I lay down to rest; and before I slept I heard this passage: A Qunnihticut Indian (who had heard our discourse) told the Sachim Miantunnómu that soules went up to Heaven, or downe to Hell; For, saith he, our Fathers have told us, that our soules go to the Southwest. The Sachim answered, But how doe you know yourselfe, that your soules goe to the Southwest; did you ever see a soule goe thither? The Native replied; when did he (naming my selfe) see a soul goe to Heaven or Hell? The Sachim againe replied: He hath books and writings, and one which God himselfe made, concerning mens soules, and therefore may well know more than wee that have none, but take all upon trust from our forefathers.
The said Sachim, and the chiefe of his people, discoursed by themselves, of keeping the Englishmans day of worship, which I could easily have brought the Countrey to, but that I was persuaded, and am, that Gods way is first to turne a soule from its Idolls, both of heart, worship and conversation, before it is capable of worship, to the true and living God, according to 1. Thes. 1. 9. You turned to God from Idolls to serve or worship the living and true God. As also, that the two first Principles and Foundations of true religion or Worship of the true God in Christ, are Repentance from dead workes, and Faith towards God, before the Doctrine of Baptisme or washing and the laying on of hands, which containe the Ordinances and Practises of worship; the want of which, I conceive is the bane of million of soules in England, and all other Nations professing to be Christian Nations, who are brought by publique authority to Baptisime and fellowship with God in Ordinances of worship, before the saving worke of repentance, and a true turning to God, Heb. 6. 2.
| Nétop kitonckquêan kunnúppamin michéme, | Friend when you die you perish everlastingly. |
| Michéme cuppauqua neímmin, | You are everlastingly undone. |
| Cummusquauna múckqun manìt, | God is angry with you. |
| Cuppauquanúckqun, | He will destroy you. |
| Wuché cummanittó wockmanâuog, | For your many Gods. |
| Wame pitch chíckauta mittaúke, | The whole world shall ere long be burnt. |
Obs: Upon the relating that God hath once destroyed the world by water; and that he will visit it the second time with consuming fire: I have been asked this profitable question of some of them, What then will become of us? Where then shall we be?
| Manít ánawat Cuppittakûnnamun wèpe wáme, | God commandth, that all Men now repent. |
The generall Observation of Religion, &c.
The wandring Generations of Adams lost posteritie, having lost the true and living God, their Maker, have created out of the Nothing of their own inventions many false and fained Gods and Creators.
More particular.
Two sorts of Men shall naked stand,
Before the burning ire
Of him, that shortly shall appeare,
In dreadfull flaming fire.
First, Millions know not God, nor for
His knowledge care to seeke:
Millions have knowledge store, but, in
Obedience, are not meeke.
If woe to Indians, where shall Turk,
Where shall appeare the Jew?
O, where shall stand the Christian false?
O blessed then the true.