Another thing I cannot refrain from observing here also, from experience in this retired part of my life, viz. how infinite and inexpressible a blessing it is that the knowledge of God, and of the doctrine of salvation by Christ Jesus, is so plainly laid down in the Word of God, so easy to be received and understood, that, as the bare reading the Scripture made me capable of understanding enough of my duty to carry me directly on to the great work of sincere repentance for my sins, and laying hold of a Saviour for life and salvation, to a stated reformation in practice, and obedience to all God’s commands, and this without any teacher or instructor, I mean human; so the same plain instruction sufficiently served to the enlightening this savage creature, and bringing him to be such a Christian as I have known few equal to him in my life.
La sua sola lettura ha bastato a farmi sì accorto de’ miei cristiani doveri, che mi ha condotto direttamente su la via del pentimento de’ miei peccati e, non mi staccando mai con la mente dall’idea del Salvatore della vita ed anima mia, ad una stabile riforma pratica e ad una sommessione perfetta ai divini comandamenti: e ciò senza l’aiuto d’alcun repetitore o maestro, intendo umano. Questa medesima piana istruzione attinta ai santi Libri valse tanto ad illuminare quel povero selvaggio, che ho conosciuti in mia vita ben pochi cristiani degni di stargli a petto.