Question

What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: "Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity," etc.

What might be the central idea of the passage above?

Answer 1

The central idea of the passage is the dependence on divine intervention and guidance during hardships, highlighting faith and justice in the context of early settlers and historical struggles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea of the passage is rooted in the dependence on divine intervention and guidance in the face of extreme difficulties and adversities. It portrays the historical struggles faced by early settlers, emphasizing their faith and appeals to God for deliverance and sustenance in a new land. The passage suggests that the descendants of these settlers have a right to invoke their ancestors' experiences and faith as a testament to their own resilience and spiritual inheritance. Moreover, the broader context aligns with themes of justice, liberty, and divine providence in challenging times experienced by various groups throughout history, as reflected in the additional references provided.

Answer 2

It means to say that the English soldiers came and "save them" if you take the literal meaning of it. But actually, it means that these British came and Christianized them. These people that were considered barbarians were then considered part of the civilized.