CHAP. I. By a Colony we meane a societie of men drawne out of one state or people, and transplanted into another Countrey.

COLONIES (as other conditions 1. That Colo­nies have their warrant from God. and states in humane society) have their warrant from Gods direction and command; who 1. Argument from Gods Commande­ment. as soone as men were, set them their taske, to replenish the earth, and to subdue it, Gen. 1. 28. Those words, I grant, expresse a promise, as the title of a benedi­ction prefixed unto them here, & in the repetition of them to Noah, implies. Gen. 9. 1. But that withal they include a direction or command was never, as I conceive, doubted by any. Iunius upon them: [Page 2] Prout vim intus indiderat, sic palam mandatum dedit eurandae propagationis & dominationis exercendae. And Paraeus, Iubet igitur replere terram, non solum generatione & habitatione, sed cum primis potestate eultu & usu: Etsi vero nonnullae orbis partes manent inhabitabiles; habemus nihilominus totius dominium iure Divino, lic et non habeamus totius orbis usum cul­pâ & defectu nostro. And before them, Calvin; Iubet eos crescere & simul benedictionem suam destinat, &c. and divers other's.

It will be granted then that the words include and have the force of a Precept, which perhaps some may conceive was to continue during the worlds Infancy, and no longer; but such a limitati­on wants ground. It is true that some comman­dements founded upon, and having respect unto some present state and condition of men, received end or alteration when the condition was ended, or changed. But Precepts given to the body of mankind, as these to Adam & Noah, receive neither alteration in the substantials, nor determinati­on while men, and any void places of the earth continue, so that allowing this Commandement to bind Adam, it must binde his posterity, and con­sequently our selves in this age, and our issue af­ter us, as long as the earth yeelds empty places to be replenished.

Besides, the gift of the earth to the sonnes of 2. Argument from Gods gift of the earth to men. men, Psal. 115. 16. necessarily inforceth their du­ty to people it: It were a great wrong to God to conceive that hee doth ought in vaine, or ten­ders [Page 3] a gift that he never meant should be enjoyed: now how men should make benefit of the earth, but by habitation and culture cannot bee ima­gined.

Neither is this sufficient to conceive that Gods intention is satisfied if some part of the earth be replenished, and used, though the rest be wast; be­cause the same difficulty urgeth us still, that the rest of which we receive no fruit, was never inten­ded to us, because it was never Gods minde wee should possesse it. If it were then the minde of God, that man should possesse all parts of the earth, it must be enforced that we neglect our du­ty, and crosse his will, if we doe it not, when wee have occasion and opportunitie: and withall doe little lesse then despise his blessing.

Withall, that order that God annexed to mar­riage 3. Argument from the Law of marriage. in his first institution, viz. that married per­sons should leave father and mother, and cleave each to other, is a good warrant of this practice. For sometime there will be a necessitie, that yong married persons should remove out of their fa­thers house, and live apart by themselves, and so erect new families. Now what are new families, but pettie Colonies: and so at last removing fur­ther and further they overflow the whole earth. Therefore, so long as there shall be use of marri­age, the warrant of deducing Colonies will con­tinue. 4. Argument from the bene­fit that comes to mens out­ward estates.

It is true, that all Gods directions have a dou­ble scope, mans good, and Gods honour. Now [Page 4] that this commandement of God is directed vnto mans good temporall and spirituall, is as cleere as the light. It cannot be denyed but the life of man is every way made more comfortable, and afforded a more plentiful supply in a large scope of ground, which moves men to bee so insatiable in their desires to joyne house to house, and land to land, till there be no more place; exceeding, I grant, therein the measure and bounds of Iustice; and yet building upon a principle that nature sug­gests, that a large place best assures sufficiency: as we see; by nature, trees flourish faire, and pros­per well, and waxe fruitfull in a large Orchard, which would otherwise wither and decay, if they were penned up in a little nursery: either all, or at best, a few that are stronger plants and better rooted, would encrease and over-top, and at last, starve the weaker: which falls out in our civill State; where a few men flourish that are best grounded in their estates, or best furnished with abilities, or best fitted with opportunities, and the rest waxe weake and languish, as wanting roome and meanes to nourish them.

Now, that the spirits and hearts of men are kept in better temper by spreading wide, and by 5. Argument is from the fur­thering of god­linesse and honesty. pouring, as it were, from vessell to vessell (the want whereof is alleaged by the Prophet Ieremy as the cause that Moab setled vpon his lees, and got so harsh a relish Ier. 48. 11.) will bee euident to any man, that shall consider, that the husban­ding of unmanured grounds, and shifting into [Page 5] empty Lands, enforceth men to frugalitie, and quickneth invention: and the setling of new States requireth justice and affection to the com­mon good: and the taking in of large Countreys presents a naturall remedy against couetousnesse, fraud, and violence; when euery man may enjoy enough without wrong or injury to his neigh­bour. Whence it was, that the first ages, by these helpes, were renowned for golden times, wherein men, being newly entred into their possessions, and entertained into a naked soile, and enforced thereby to labour, frugality, simplicity, and justice, had neither leisure, nor occasion, to decline to idlenesse, riot, wantonnesse, fraud, and violence, the fruits of well-peopled Countryes, and of the abundance and superfluities of long setled States.

But that which should most sway our hearts, 6. Argument from the ad­uancement of Gods glory. is the respect unto Gods honor, which is much ad­vanced by this worke of replenishing the earth. First, when the largeness of his bounty is tasted by setling of men in al parts of the world, wherby the extent of his munificence to the sonnes of men is discovered; The Psalmist tells us that God is much magnified by this, that the whole earth is full of his riches, yea and the wide sea too, Psal. 104. 24. 25. And God, when hee would have Abraham know what he had bestowed on him when he gave him Canaan, wills him to walke through it in the length of it, and in the breadth of it, Gen. 13. 17.

Secondly, Gods honour must needs bee much [Page 6] advanced, when, together with mens persons, re­ligion is conveyed into the severall parts of the world, and all quarters of the earth sound with his praise; and Christ Iesus takes in the Nations for his inhenitance, and the ends of the earth for his possession, according to Gods decree and promise. Psal. 2. 8.

Besides all that hath beene said, seeing Gods command, and abilities to performe it, usually 7. Argument from the abili­ties wherewith God furnisheth men for this worke. goe together, we may guesse at his intention and will, to have the earth replenished, by the extra­ordinarie fruitfulnesse that hee gave to mankinde in those first times, when men manifested their greatest forwardnesse for the undertaking of this taske; which seemes to bee denyed to the latter ages, and peradventure for this reason among o­thers, because the love of ease and pleasure fixing men to the places and Countreyes which they finde ready furnished to their hand, by their pre­decessors labours and industry, takes from them a desire and will of undertaking such a laborious and unpleasant taske as is the subduing of unma­nured Countreyes.

CHAP. III. The English Nation is fit to undertake this taske.

THat this Nation is able and fit to send out Colonies into For­raigne parts will evidently ap­peare by the consideration of of our overflowing multitudes: this being admitted for a recei­ved principle, that Countreyes superabound in people when they have more then they can well nourish, or well employ, seeing we know, men are not ordained to live onely, but, withall and especially, to serve one another through love, in some profitable and usefull cal­ling. Granting therefore that this Land by Gods ordinary blessing, yeelds sufficiency of corne and eattell for more then the present Inhabitants, yet, that wee have more people, then wee doe, or can profitably employ, will, I conceive, appeare to any man of understanding, willing to acknow­ledge the truth, and to consider these foure par­ticulars.

1. Many among us live without employment, either wholly, or in the greatest part (especially if there happen any interruption of trade, as of late was manifested not onely in Essex, but in most

[Page 20] Now what a disease this must needes bee in a State, where mens necessities inforce them to inventions of all wayes and meanes of expence upon the instruments of pride, and wantonnesse; and of as many subtilties and frauds in deceitfull handling all works that passe through their fingers, that by the speedy wasting of what is made, they may bee the sooner called upon for new; I leave it to any wise man to judge. It is a fearfull condition, whereby men are in a sort en­forced to perish, or to become meanes and instru­ments of evill. So that the conclusion must stand firme, we have more men then wee can imploy to any profitable or usefull labour.

CHAP. IIII. That New-England is a fit Country for the sea­ting of an English Colonie, for the propagation of Religion.

NOT onely our acquaintance with 1. Argument or occasion, trade into the coun­trey. the soyle and Natives there, but more especially our opportunity of trading thither for Furres and fish, perswade this truth, if other things be answerable. It is well knowne, before our breach with Spaine, we usual­ly sent out to New-England, yearely forty or fifty saile of ships of reasonable good burthen for fish­ing onely. And howsoever it fals out that our New-found-land voyages prove more beneficiall to the Merchants; yet it is as true, these to New-England are found farre more profitable to poore Fishermen; so that by that time all reckonings are cast up, these voyages come not farre behind the other in aduantage to the State. 2. The fitnesse of the countrey for our health and mainte­nance.

No Countrey yeelds a more propitious ayre for our tempor, then New-England, as experience [Page 24] hath made manifest, by all relations: manie of our people that have sound themselves alway weake and sickly at home, have become strong, and healthy there: perhaps by the drynesse of the ayre and constant temper of it, which seldome varies suddenly from cold to heate, as it doth with us: So that Rheumes are very rare among our En­glish there; Neyther are the Natives at any time troubled with paine of teeth, sorenesse of eyes, or ache in their limbes. It may bee the nature of the water conduceth somewhat this way; which all affirme to keepe the body alwaies temperately so­luble, and consequently helps much to the pre­venting, and curing of the Gout, and Stone, as some have found by experiēce. As for provisions for life: The Come of the Countrey (which it produceth in good proportion with reasonable labour) is apt for nourishmēt, & agrees, although not so well with our taste at first; yet very well with our health; nay, is held by some Physitians, to be restorative. If wee like not that, wee may make use of our owne Graines, which agree well with that soyle, and so doe our Cattle: nay, they grow unto a greater bulke of body there, then with us in England. Vnto which if wee adde the fish, fowle, and Venison, which that Country yeelds in great abundance, it cannot be questioned but that soile may assure sufficient provision for food. And being naturally apt for Hempe and Flax especially, may promise us Linnen sufficient with our labour, and woollen too if it may be [Page 25] thought fit to store it with sheepe.

The Land affords void ground enough to re­ceive more people then this State can spare, and 3. Argument from the emp­tinesle of the Land. that not onely wood-grounds, and others, which are unfit for present use: but, in many places, much cleared ground for tillage, and large mar­shes for hay and feeding of cattle, which comes to passe by the desolatiō hapning through a three yeeres Plague, about twleve or sixteene yeeres past, which swept away most of the Inhabitants all along the Sea-coast, and in some places utter­ly consumed man, woman & childe, so that there is no person left to lay claime to the soyle which they possessed; In most of the rest, the Contagion hath scarce left alive one person of an hundred. And which is remarkable, such a Plague hath not been knowne, or remembred in any age past; nor then raged above twenty or thirty miles up into the Land, nor seized upon any other but the Natives, the English in the heate of the Sicknesse commercing with them without hurt or danger. Besides, the Natives invite us to sit downe by them, and offer us what ground wee will: so that eyther want of possession by others, or the posses­sors gift, and sale, may assure our right: we neede not feare a cleare title to the soyle.

In all Colonies it is to bee desired that the daughter may answer something backe by way of 4. Argument from the use­fulnesse of that Colony to this State. retribution to the mother that gave her being. Nature hath as much force, and founds as strong a relation betweene people and people, as be­tweene [Page 26] person and person: So that a Colonie de­nying due respect to the State from whose bow­els it issued, is as great a monster, as an unnaturall childe. Now, a Colonie planted in New-England may be many wayes usefull to this State.

As first, in furthering our Fishing-voyages (one 1. In our fishing voyages. of the most honest, and every way profitable im­ployment that the Nation undertakes) It must needes be a great advantage unto our men after so long a voyage to be furnished with fresh victu­all there; and that supplyed out of that Land, without spending the provisions of our owne countrey. But there is hope besides, that the Co­lonie shall not onely furnish our Fisher-men with Victuall, but with Salt too, unlesse mens expecta­tion and conjectures much deceive them: and so quit unto them a great part of the charge of their voyage, beside the hazard of adventure.

Next, how serviceable this Country must needs bee for provisions for shipping, is sufficiently knowne already: At present it may yeeld Planks, Masts, Oares, Pitch, Tarre, and Iron; and here­after (by the aptnesse of the Soyle for Hempe) if the Colonie increase, Sailes and Cordage. What other commodities it may afford besides for trade, time will discover. Of Wines among the rest, there can be no doubt; the ground yeel ding naturall Vines in great abundance and vari­etie; and of these, some as good as any are found­in France by humane culture. But in the possibili­tie of the serviceablenesse of the Colonie to this [Page 27] State, the judgement of the Dutch may somewhat confirme us, who have planted in the same soyle, and make great account of their Colonie there.

But the greatest advantage must needes come 5. Argument the benefit of such a Colony to the Natives. unto the Natives themselves, whom wee shall teach providence and industry, for want whereof they perish oftentimes, while they make short provisions for the present, by reason of their idle­nesse, & that they have, they spend and wast unne­cessarily, without having respect to times to come. Withall, commerce and example of our course of living, cannot but in time breed civility among them, and that by Gods blessing may make way for religion consequently, and for the saving of their soules. Vnto all which may bee added, the safety and protection of the persons of the Na­tives, which are secured by our Colonies. In times past the Tarentines (who dwell from those of Mat­tachusets bay, neere which our men are seated; about fifty or sixty leagues to the North-East) in­habiting a soile unfit to produce that Countrey graine, being the more hardy people, were accu­stomed yearely at harvest to come down in their Canoes, and reape their fields, and carry away their Corne, and destroy their people, which wonderfully weakened, and kept them low in times past: from this evill our neighbourhood hath wholy freed them, and consequently secured their persons and estates; which makes the Na­tives there so glad of our company.

CHAP. 5. What persons may be fit to be employed in this worke of planting a Colony.

IT seemes to bee a common and grosse errour that Co­lonies ought to be Emunc­tories or sinckes of States; to drayne away their filth: whence arise often murmu­rings at the removall of any men of State or worth, with some wonder and admira­tion, that men of sufficiency and discretion should preferre any thing before a quiet life at home. An opinion that favours strongly of selfe-love, alwaies opposite and enemy to any publike good. This fundamentall errour hath beene the occasion of the miscariage of most of our Colonies, and the chargeable destruction of many of our Country­men, whom when we have once issued out from [Page 34] us we cast off as we say to the wide world, leaving them to themselves either to sinke or swimme.

Contrary to this common custome, a State that intends to draw out a Colony for the inha­biting of another Country, must looke at the mo­ther and the daughter with an equall and indiffe­rent eye; remembring that a Colony is a part and member of her owne body; and such in whose good her selfe hath a peculiar interest, which therfore she should labour to further and cherish by all fit and convenient meanes; and consequently must allow to her such a proportion of able men as may bee sufficient to make the frame of that new formed body: As good Governours, able Ministers, Physitians, Souldiers, Schoolemasters, Mariners, and Mechanicks of all sorts; who had therefore need to bee of the more sufficiency, be­cause the first fashioning of a politicke body is a harder taske then the ordering of that which is al­ready framed; as the first erecting of a house is ever more difficult then the future keeping of it in repaire; or as the breaking of a Colt requires more skill then the riding of a managed horse. When the frame of the body is thus formed and furnished with vitall parts, and knit together with firme bands & sinewes, the bulke may be filled up with flesh, that is with persons of lesse use and activity, so they bee plyable and apt to bee kept in life.

[Page 35] The disposition of these persons must bee re­spected as much or more then their abilities; men nourished up in idlenesse, unconstant, and affect­ing novelties, unwilling, stubborne, enclined to faction, covetous, luxurious, prodigall, and gene­rally men habituated to any grosse evill, are no fit members of a Colony. Ill humours soone over­throw a weake body; and false stones in a founda­tion ruine the whole building: the persons ther­fore chosen out for this employment, ought to be willing, constant, industrious, obedient, frugall, lovers of the common good, or at least such as may be easily wroght to this temper; considering that workes of this nature try the undertakers with many difficulties, and easily discourage minds of base and weake temper. It cannot, I con­fesse, be hoped that all should be such; care must be had that the principalls be so inclined, and as many of the Vulgar as may bee, at least that they bee willing to submit to authority; mutinies, which many times are kindled by one person, are well nigh as dangerous in a Colony, as in an Armie.

These are rules concerning electing of fit per­sons for Colonies in generall, unto which must be adjoyned the consideration of the principall scope whereat the Colonie aimes; which must be Religion, whether it bee directed to the good of others for their conversion; or of the Planters themselves for their preservation and continuance [Page 36] in a good condition, in which they cannot long subsist without Religion. To this purpose must be allotted to every Colony, for Governours and Ministers especially, men of piety and blamelesse life, especially in such a Plantation as this in New-England, where their lives must be the patternes to the Heathen, and the especiall, effectuall meanes of winning them to the love of the truth. Nay it would beè indeavoured, that all Gover­nours offamilies, either may be men truly Godly or at least such as consent and agree to a forme of morall honestie and sobrietie. As for other ends lesse principall, which are especially Mer­chandise & defence, common sense teacheth eve­rie man that the Colonie must be furnished with the greatest store of such persons as are most ser­viceable to the maine end at which it aimes.

CHAP. VI. What warrant particular men-may have to en­gage their persons, and estates in this imploy­ment of planting Colonies.

TO give a cleare Resolution to this Proposition, is a matter of no small difficultie: I shall declare mine owne opinion, and leave it to the censure of the godly wise. It is the con­ceit of some men, that no man may undertake this taske without an extraordina­ry warrant, such as Abraham had from God, to call him out of Mesopotamia to Canaan; their o­pinion seemes to rest upon a ground that will hardly be made good, sc. That the planting of Colonies is an extraordinarie worke. Which if it be granted, then the argument hath a strong, and for ought I know, a necessary inference: That therefore those that undertake it, must have an ex­traordinary Call. But that Proposition, That planting of Colonies is an extraordinary worke, will not easily be granted. This Argument lyes strongly against it.

That Duty that is commanded by a perpetuall Law, cannot be accounted extraordinary. [Page 42] But the sending out of Colonies is commanded by a perpetuall Law.

Therefore it is no extraordinary duty.

Now that the commandement is perpetuall, hath beene proved. First, because it was given to mankind; and secondly, because it hath a ground which is perpetuall, sc. the emptinesse of the earth, which either is so, or may be so while the world endures; for even those places which are full, may be emptied by warres, or sicknesse; and then an ar­gument presseth as strongly the contrary way. The undertaking of an ordinary duty needs no o­ther then an ordinary warrant; but such is plan­ting of a Colony, as being undertaken by vertue of a perpetuall law; therefore the undertaking to plant a Colony, needs no extraordinary warrant. Indeed Abrahams undertaking was extraordinary in many things, and therefore needed an immedi­ate direction from God.

1, He was to goe alone with his family and brethren.

2, To such a certaine place far distant.

3, Possessed already by the Canaanites.

4, To receive it wholy appropriated to himselfe, and his Issue.

5, Not to plant it at present, but onely sojourne in it, and walke through it for a time.

Now none of these circumstances fit our ordi­nary Colonies; and consequently Abrahams exam­ple is nothing to this purpose, because the case is different, though in some other things alike.

[Page 43] Others conceive, that though men may adven­ture upon the worke upon an ordinary warrant, yet none can give that but the State; therefore they require a command from the highest autho­ritie unto such as ingage themselves in this af­faire. Indeed that the State hath power over all her members, to command and dispose of them within the bounds of justice, is more evident, then can be denyed: but this power she executes diver­sly; sometime by command, sometimes by per­mission: as in preparations to warre, sometimes men are compelled to serve, sometimes they are permitted to goe voluntaries that will.

Againe, somtimes the Supreme power takes care of the whole businesse; sometimes (as in Mu­sters) commits it to delegates. If the power of State then proclaime liberty to such as will, to ga­ther and unite into the body of a Colony, and commit the care to some persons that offer them­selves, to associate to them whom they thinke fit, and to order them according to discretion; no man can deny but that the State hath given a suf­ficient warrant. Neither doth it appeare, that ever any State did more; The Romans use was to proclaime that they intended to plant a Colony of such a number in such a place, and as many as would give in their names should receive so ma­ny acres of Ground, and enjoy such other privi­ledges as they thought fit to grant them, which they then expressed: Those which gave in their names were inrolled till the number was full, [Page 44] and then had they certaine Commissioners ap­pointed by the State of see all things ordered and directed accordingly, and to put every man into possession of his inheritance; neither did the State interpose their authority in assigning, and choosing out the men, but left it free and vo­luntary to every man to take or leave.

Seeing nothing can beare out the hazzards, and inconveniences of such toylesome and dif­ficult undertakings, as is the planting of Colonies, but a willing minde: Men can digest any thing that themselves choose or desire; but a comman­dement makes pleasant things harsh, how much more harsh things intolerable?

But to come somewhat nearer unto the grounds of this resolution. In undertaking an new inploy­ment two things must be taken into consideratiō, upon which a mans warrant must be grounded.

1, His ingagement unto his present condition in which he is setled.

2, The tender and offer of the new service unto which he is called.

In both it must be first granted, that Callings are employments in which we serve one another through love, Gal. 5. 13. in something that is good, Ephes. 4. 28. not seeking our owne, but other mens profit, 1 Cor. 10. 24.

In furthering other mens good our ingage­ments are,

1, To the Church in generall.

2, To that particular State of which wee are [Page 45] members, either wholy, or any branch of it.

3, To our friends.

And these as they have interest in our labours of love in that order that is set downe, so they have power to require them in the same order, and that two wayes, either by their expresse; com­mand, or by the manifestation of their necessity, or speciall good proposed. The Church in gene­rall rarely layes any command but mostly chalen­geth our service by the discovery of her need, and use of our labours for her good. The particular State, besides the pleading of her necessity; inter­poseth her authority; and that either immediate­ly, as in deputing men to publike offices; or medi­ately by our parents, or other governours whom she authorizeth to direct and setle us in such par­ticular callings and imployments as may bee for her use and service. The State then by any publike intimation, proclaming free liberty to men to remove and plant themselves else-where, dis­chargeth these persons of the obligation wherein by her power and authority they stand bound to their particular calling wherein they are placed, and ought otherwise to continue. So that now particular persons stand no longer bound by the States authoritie, but by the manifestation of her necessities, which crave their ayde and service for their publike good and safety.

The next thing then to bee taken into conside­ration, is the advantages or benefits, which may be [Page 46] gained by our service either to the Church, State, or friends to whom wee have relation by private interest. In all these the first respect must be had to necessity, and the next to conveniency. How much is to bee yeelded to necessity, it hath pleased God to manifest; by dispensing with his owne worship and service, in cases of necessity, not only upon our owne persons: but upon our goods or cattell. It must therefore be duly waighed whe­ther we may be more serviceable to the Church in the State where wee live, or in that wee desire to erect: and againe, whether service is of more necessity: and whether appeares to be greater, that must carry us, unlesse some pressing wants of private friends challenge our service from them both, which in matters of moment & importance, to them must be conceived to be cast in by God, as a discharge from any other employment. As for example, The furthering of the Gospell in New-England, seemes to bee of more pressing ne­cessity, and consequently by a stronger band to call mee on to that worke, then the State at home to my continuance here; for here though I may doe something for the advancing of Religion, yet my labours that way are not so needfull in the land, because many others may put too their hands to the same work. In New-England there are none to undergo the task: but in this case if the preserva­tion of my fathers life or estate required my stay, that is a discharge unto me from this call to New-England; [Page 47] not because his life or estate is of greater weight then the Churches good, but because his necessity is greater; for no body can procure my fathers safety but my selfe, other men besides my selfe may doe the Church this service. Thus men that are free from engagement may see what weights are allowed to bee cast into the ballance to determine their stay or removall.

All the difficulty that remaines, is, who shall cast the scales (that is) who shall determine which benefit or necessity is the greater? No question that which conscience well informed, assures mee to be so: but who shall informe my conscience, or by what rule shall my conscience judge? It is out of peradventure that God must informe the conscience. But how shall I discover what God adviseth? It is as certaine that if the word, by scanning the grounds which it proposeth, can give a Seer resolution, it must be followed. The things that are revealed belong unto us and our children that we may doe them, Deut. 29. 29. But many rules of Scripture though cleere in themselves, yet are doubtfull and ambiguous in the application, be­cause they cannot determine particulars. In this case then wee must have recourse to Christian wisdome; assisted: First, By the advise and counsell of godly wise friends. Secondly, By the observati­on of the concurrence of opportunities, Occasiones sunt Dei nutus. Thirdly, By and consideration of the inclination of the heart proposing a right end [Page 48] scope after frequent and earnest prayer. A resolu­tion taken after all these meanes used, as in Gods presence, without prejudice, with a sincere de­sire to know and bee informed of Gods will, and obey it, may be taken for the voice of God at pre­sent, and ought to direct the practise, though it binde not the conscience to embrace the things resolved for an infallible and onely the most pro­bable direction. And the truth is, that unlesse this advise and resolution by Christian wisedome, ap­plying the generall rules of Gods word to our owne particular case after wee have sought coun­sell of God, and our Christian friends may be ad­mitted for a rule to direct our practise, I know not what rule to prescribe to bee followed. Sup­pose I would marry a wife, nothing but Christian wisedome so assisted, as is expressed before, can shew mee which is the woman.

CAP. 7. Answering Obiections against the maine bodie of the worke.

CHAP. VIII. A digression manifesting the successe of the Planta­tion intended by the Westerne men.

THE first imployment then of this new raised Stocke, was in buying a small Ship of fiftie tunnes, which was with as much speed as might be dispatched towards New-England vpon a Fishing Voyag:

[Page 72] The third yeare 1625. both Ships with a small Vessell of fortie tuns which carried Kine with o­ther prouisions, were againe set to Sea upon the same Voyage with the charge of two thousand pounds, of which summe the Company borro­wed, & became indebted for one thousand pounds and upwards. The great Ship being commanded by a uery able Master, hauing passed on about two hundred leagues in her Voyage, found her selfe so leake by the Carpenters fault, (that looked not well to her Calking) that she bare up the Helme and returned for Waymouth, & having unladen her provisions and mended her leake, set her selfe to Sea againe; resolving to take aduice of the Windes whether to passe on her former. Voyage or to turne into New-found-land, which she did, by rea­son that the time was so far spent, that the Master and Company dispaired of doing any good in New-England: where the Fish falls in two or three mounths sooner then at New found land. There she tooke Fish good store and much more then she could lade home: the overplus should have beene sold and deliuered to some sacke or other sent to take it in there, if the Voyage had beene well man­naged.

But that could-not be done by reason that the Ship before she went was not certaine where to make her Fish; by this accident it fell out that a good quantitie of the Fish she tooke was cast a­way, and some other part was brought home in another Ship. At the returne of the Ships that yeare, Fish by reason of our warres with Spaine [Page 73] falling to a very low rate; the Company endevoured to send the greater Ship for France: but she being taken short with a contrary Winde in the West-Country, and intelligence given in the meane time that those Markets were over-laid, they were en-Forced to bring her backe againe, and to sell her Fish at home as they might. Which they did, and with it the Fish of the smaller Ship, the New-Eng­land Fish about ten shillings the hundred by tale or there about; the New-found-Land Fish at six shil­lings foure pence the hundred, of which was well nigh eight pence the hundred charge raised vpon it after the Ships returne: by this reason the Fish which at a Market in all likely-hood might have yeelded well nigh two thousand pounds, amoun­ted not with all the Provenue of the Voyage to a­boue eleaven hundred pounds.

Vnto these losses by Fishing were added two o­ther no small disaduantages, the one in the Coun­try by our Land-Men, who being ill chosen and ill commanded, fell into many disorders and did the Company little seruice: The other by the fall of the price of Shipping, which was now abated to more then the one halfe, by which meanes it came to passe, that our Ships which stood vs in little lesse then twelue hundred pounds, were sold for foure hundred and eighty pounds.

The occasions and meanes then of wasting this stocke are apparently these. First, the ill choice of the place for fishing; the next, the ill carriage of our men at Land, who having stood vs in two yeares and a halfe in well nigh one thousand [Page 74] pound charge, never yeelded one hundred pound profit. The last the ill sales of Fish and Shipping. By all which the Aduenturers were so far discou­raged, that they abandoned the further prosecuti­on of this Designe, and tooke order for the dissol­uing of the Company on Land, and sold away their Shipping and other Provisions.

Two things withall may be intimated by the way, the first, that the very proiect it selfe of planting by the helpe of a fishing Voyage, can ne­ver answer the successe that it seemes to promise (which experienced Fisher-men easily have fore­seene before hand, and by that meanes haue pre­uented divers ensuing errors) whereof amongst divers other reasons these may serue for two. First that no sure fishing place in the Land is fit for planting, nor any good place for planting found fit for fishing, at least neere the Shoare. And secondly, rarely any Fisher-men will worke at Land, neither are Husband-men fit for Fisher-men but with long vse & experience. The second thing to be obserued is, that nothing new fell out in the managing of this stocke seeing experience hath taught vs that as in building houses the first stones of the foundation are buried vnder ground, and are not seene, so in planting Colonies, the first stockes employed that way are consumed, al­though they serue for a foundation to the worke.

CHAP. IX. The vndertaking and prosecution of the Colony by the Londoners.

BVT to returne to our former subiect from which we digressed. Vpon the manifestation of the Westerne Aduentu­rers resolution to give off their worke, most part of the Land-men being sent for, returned; but a few of the most honest and industrious resol­ved to stay behinde and to take charge of the Cat­tell sent over the yeare before; which they perfor­med accordingly: and not likeing their seate at Cape Anne chosen especially for the supposed commoditie of fishing, they transported them­selues to Nahum, keike, about foure or fiue leagues distant to the South-West from Cape Anne.

Some then of the Aduenturers that still conti­nued their desire to set forwards the Plantation of a Colony there; conceiving that if some more Cat­tell were sent over to those few Men left behinde; they might not onely be a meanes of the comfor­table subsisting of such as were already in the Country; but of inviting some other of their Friends and Acquaintance to come over to them: aduentured to send over twelue Kine and Buls more. And conferring casually with some Gen­tlemen of London, moved them to adde vnto them as many more. By which occasion the businesse came to agitation a-fresh in London, and being at

[Page 78] ration) are nothing else but the fruits of jealousie of some distempered minde, or which is worse, perhaps, savour of a desperate malicious plot of men ill affected to Religion, endevouring by ca­sting the vndertakers into the jealousie of State, to shut them out of those advantages which other­wise they doe and might expect from the Coun­tenance of Authoritie. Such men would be entrea­ted to forbeare that base and unchristian course of traducing innocent persons, under these odious names of Separatists and enemies to the Church and State, for feare least their owne tongues fall upon themselves by the justice of his hand who will not fayle to cleare the innocency of the just, and to cast backe into the bosome of every slaun­derer the filth that he rakes up to throw in other mens faces. As for men of more indifferent and better tempered mindes, they would be seriously advised to beware of entertaining and admitting, much more countenancing and crediting such un­charitable persons as discover themselves by their carriage, and that in this particular, to be men ill affected towards the worke it selfe, if not to Religi­on (at which it aymes) and consequently unlikely to report any truth of such as undertake it.

CHAP. X. The Conclusion of the whole Treatise.

NOw for the better preventing of such sus­pitions and jealousies, and the ill af­fections to this Worke, that may arise thereupon; two things are earnestly requested of such as passe their Censures upon it, or the persons that undertake it. The first is, that although in this barien and corrupt age wherein we live, all our actions are generally swayed and carryed on by private interests; in so much as sin­cere intentions of furthering the common good; (grounded upon that love through which wee are commanded to serve one another) be the wonders of men; notwithstanding men would not thinke it impossible, that the love which waxeth cold and dyeth in the most part, yet may revive and kindle in some mens hearts: and that there may be found some that may neglect their case and profit to doe the Church good and God service, out of a sincere love and affection to Gods honour and the Chur­ches good. Why may not wee conceive that God may prevaile upon the hearts of his servants, to set them on as effectually to seeke the inlargement of his kingdome; as a blind zeale fomented by the art and subtiltie of Satan may thrust on Priests and Iesuites, and their partisans, to engage their persons and estates for the advancing of the Devils Kingdome? Or if in the Worlds infancy, men out [Page 80] of an ambitious humour, or at present for private advantages and expectation of gaine, thrust them­selves out from their owne dwellings into parts farre remote from their native soyle; why should not we conceive, that if they doe this for a corrup­tible crowne; that the desire and expectation of an incorruptible (the reward of such as deny them­selves for the service of God and his Church) may as strongly allure such as by patient cōtinuance in well-doing, seeke immortalitie & life? And yet the favourable conceits that men entertaine of such as follow in all their actions the wayes of their pri­vate gaine, and the jealousies that they are apt to entertaine of such as pretend onely the advance­ment of the Gospell, manifestly argue that the gene­rall opinion of the world is that some may be true to themselves and the advancement of their owne private estates, but hardly any to God and his Church. I should be very unwilling to thinke, they cherish this suspition upon that ground that moved that sensuall Emperour to beleeve that no man was cleane or chaste in any part of his body, because himselfe was defiled and uncleane in all. This is then the first favour that is desired, of such as consider this action, to beleeve that it is neither impossible nor unlikely that these mens intentions are truely and really such as they pretend, and not collours and cloakes for secret dangerous purpo­ses, which they closely harbour in their breasts, especially when all apparant circumstances con­curre to justifie the contrary.

[Page 81] The next request that is presented to all indifre­rent minded men is; that they would be pleased to set before their eyes that which hath beene al­readie mentioned, that as there followed the chil­dren of Israel a mixt multitude out of Egypt, so it is probable there may doe these men out of England, and that of divers tempers: some perhaps men of hot and fiery spirits, making change and innovati­on their scope, may conceive that (when they see that for the desire and care of preserving unitie and love, and taking away occasions of offence to ten­der consciences, some changes and alterations are yeelded unto) they have gained what they expect, and may as fondly triumph in their supposed Vic­tory, as if they had overthrowne all order and dis­cipline; as they doe absurdly mistake the grounds and ends which the course of Government propo­seth and aymeth at: and thereupon in their Relati­ons to their friends, represent things not as they are really done and intended, but as they appre­hend them in their fantasies. Others there will be that prooving refractary to Government, expec­ting all libertie in an unsetled body; and finding the restraint of Authority, contrary to expectation, in their discontented humours, meeting with no o­ther way of revenge, may be ready to blemish the Government with such scandalous reports as their malicious spirits can devise and utter.

Now although some say, that malice is a good informer, notwithstanding no wise or good man admits it for a fit Iudge; if therefore men will be [Page 82] pleased to forbeare the over-hastie beliefe of such reports, as shall be sent over or given out, either by men of foolish and weake mindes or distempered humors, untill they receive more assured satisfac­tion from such as understand and are acquainted with the grounds and secret passages of the affayres of Government, they shall keepe their owne hearts upon the even-ballance of a right judgement, and provide for the innocency of those upon whom they passe their censure.

If by these meanes jealousies and suspitions may be prevented, I make no question but the relati­ons which this Worke hath both to the State and Church, will upon mature advise so farre pre­vaile with all well-minded men, as to move them not onely to affoord their prayers for the prospe­rous successe of this new planted Colony, that from small and contemptible beginnings, it may grow to a setled and well formed Church; but with all their best furtherance, Consilio, auxilio, re, by advise, friends, and purses. Which howsoever the principalls of this worke, out of their mode­stie, crave not, yet the necessary burdens which so weightie an undertaking chargeth them withall, will certainely inforce them to need, whatsoever men judge to the contrary. Neither is or will the burden be intolerable to this State; A common stocke of ten thousand pound may be sufficient to support the weight of generall charges of transpor­ting and maintaining Ministers, Schoole-Masters, Commanders for Warres; and erecting of such [Page 83] buildings as will be needfull for publique use for the present; and for time to come it cannot be que­stioned but the Colony it selfe having once taken roote, when mens labours beginne to yeeld them any fruit, will be found sufficient to beare her own burden. Alas, what were it for a Marchant or a Gentleman of reasonable estate, to disburse twen­tie-fiue pound or fiftie pound, for the propagating of the Gospell, who casts away in one yeare much more upon superfluities in apparell, dyet, buil­dings, &c: and let men seriously weigh and consi­der with themselves, whether a worke of so great importance, so neerely concerning Gods honour, and the service of the Church calling upon them (as Lazarus upon Dives) for some of the wast of their superfluous expences; if they lend a deafe eare to the motion, will not assuredly plead strong­ly against them at the barre of Christs judgement­feate at the last day? Nay, what a scorne would it be to the Religion we professe, that we should re­fuse to purchase the propagation of it at so easie a rate, when the Popish partie charge themselves with such excessiue expences; for the advancement of idolatry and superstition? Its true, it will be valued at a low rate, that the Colony is able to re­turne you againe by way of recompence; perhaps the enjoying of such immunities and priviledges, as his Majestie hath beene pleased to grant unto them, and an hundred or two hundred acres of Land to every man that shall disburse twentie-fiue pound, and so for more proportionablie, for the [Page 84] raising of the common Stocke; yet their posteri­tie (if not themselves) may have cause in time to come, to acknowledge it a good purchase that was made at so low a rate: but if they lend, looking for nothing againe, wee know the promise Luk. 6. 35. he is no looser, that hath made Your reward shall be great, and you shall be the childrē of the Highest Luk. 6. 35. God his debter.