The second Chapter sheweth, that it is lawfull and
necessarie to trade and traffique with the Savages:
And to plant in their Countries: And divideth planting
into two sorts.
AND first for traffique, I say that the Christians may
lawfully travell into those Countries and abide there:
whom the Savages may not justly impugne and forbidde in
respect of the mutuall societie and fellowshippe betweene
man and man prescribed by the Law of Nations.
For from the first beginning of the creation of the
world, and from the renewing of the same after Noes
flood, all men have agreed, that no violence should be
offered to Ambassadours: That the Sea with his Havens
should be common: That such as should fortune to be
taken in warre, should be servants or slaves: And that
strangers should not bee driven away from the place or
Countrey whereunto they doe come.
If it were so then, I demaund in what age, and by
what Law is the same forbidden or denied since? For
who doubteth but that it is lawfull for Christians to use
trade and traffique with Infidels or Savages, carrying
thither such commodities as they want, and bringing
from thence some part of their plentie?
A thing so commonly and generally practised, both
in these our dayes, and in times past, beyond the memorie
of man, both by Christians and Infidels, that it needeth
no further proofe.
And forasmuch as the use of trade and traffique (be
it never so profitable) ought not to be preferred before
the planting of Christian faith: I will therefore somewhat intreate of planting, (without which, Christian
Religion can take no roote, be the Preachers never so
carefull and diligent) which I meane to divide into two
sortes.
The first, when Christians by the good liking and
willing assent of the Savages, are admitted by them to
quiet possession.
The second, when Christians being unjustly repulsed,
doe seeke to attaine and mainteine the right for which
they doe come.
And though in regard of the establishment of Christian
Religion, eyther of both may be lawfully and justly
exercised: (Whereof many examples may be found, as
well in the time of Moyses and Josua, and other rulers
before the birth of Christ, as of many vertuous Emperours and Kings sithence his incarnation :) yet doe I
wish, that before the second be put in practise, a proofe
may be made of the first, saving that for their safetie
as well against the Savages, as all other forreigne
enemies, they should first well and strongly fortifie themselves: which being done, then by all fayre speeches,
and every other good meanes of perswasion to seeke to
take away all occasions of offence.
As letting them to understand, how they came not to
their hurt, but for their good, and to no other ende,
but to dwell peaceably amongst them, and to trade and
traffique with them for their owne commoditie, without
molesting or grieving them any way: which must not
be done by wordes onely but also by deedes.
For albeit, to maintaine right and repell injury, be a
just cause of warre: yet must there hereof be heedefull
care had, that whereas the Savages be fearefull by nature,
and fond otherwise, the Christians should doe their best
endevour to take away such feare as may growe unto
them by reason of their strange apparell, Armour, and
weapon, or such like, by quiet and peaceable conversation, and letting them live in securitie, and keeping a
measure of blamelesse defence, with as little discommoditie to the Savages as may bee: for this kinde of
warre would be onely defensive and not offensive.
And questionlesse there is great hope and likelyhoode,
that by this kinde of meanes we should bring to passe
all effects to our desired purposes: Considering that all
creatures, by constitution of nature, are rendred more
tractable and easier wonne for all assayes, by courtesie
and mildnesse, then by crueltie or roughnesse : and there
fore being a principle taught us by naturall reason, it
is first to be put in ure.
For albeit as yet the Christians are not so throughly
furnished with the perfectnesse of their language, eyther
to expresse their mindes to them, or againe to conceive
the Savages intent: Yet for the present opportunitie,
such policie may be used by friendly signes, and courteous
tokens towards them, as the Savages may easily perceive
(were their sences never so grosse) an assured friendship
to be offered them, and that they are encountered with
such a nation, as brings them benefite, commoditie,
peace, tranquilitie and safetie. To further this, and to
accomplish it in deedes, there must bee presented unto
them gratis, some kindes of our pettie marchandizes and
trifles: As looking glasses, Belles, Beades, Bracelets,
Chaines, or collers of Bewgle, Chrystall, Amber, Jet, or
Glasse &c. For such be the things, though to us of
small value, yet accounted by them of high price and
estimation: and soonest will induce their Barbarous
natures to a liking and a mutuall societie with us.
Moreover, it shall be requisite eyther by speeche, if
it be possible, either by some other certaine meanes, to
signifie unto them, that once league of friendship with
all loving conversation being admitted betweene the
Christians and them: that then the Christians from
thenceforth will alwayes be ready with force of Armes
to assist and defend them in their just quarrels, from
all invasions, spoyles and oppressions offered them by
any Tyrants, Adversaries, or their next borderers: and
a benefite is so much the more to be esteemed, by how
much the person upon whom it is bestowed standeth in
neede thereof.
For it appeareth by the relation of a Countryman of
ours, namely David Ingram, (who travelled in those
countries xi. Moneths and more) That the Savages generally for the most part, are at continuall warres with their
next adjoyning neighbours, and especially the Cannibals,
being a cruell kinde of people, whose foode is mans flesh,
and have teeth like dogges, and doe pursue them with
ravenous mindes to eate their flesh, and devoure them.
And it is not to be doubted, but that the Christians
may in this case justly and lawfully ayde the Savages
against the Cannibals. So that it is very likely, that by
this meanes we shall not only mightily stirre and inflame
their rude mindes gladly to embrace the loving company
of the Christians, proffering unto them both commodities,
succour, and kindnesse: But also by their franke consents
shall easily enjoy such competent quantity of Land, as
every way shall be correspondent to the Christians expec.
tation and contentation, considering the great abundance
that they have of Land, and how small account they make
thereof, taking no other fruites thereby then such as the
ground of it selfe doeth naturally yeelde. And thus
much concerning the first sort of planting, which as I
assuredly hope, so I most heartily pray may take effect
and place.
But if after these good and fayre meanes used, the
Savages neverthelesse will not bee herewithall satisfied,
but barbarously will goe about to practise violence eyther
in repelling the Christians from their Ports & safelandings, or in withstanding them afterwards to enjoy
the rights for which both painfully and lawfully they have
adventured themselves thither:
Then in such a case I holde it no breach of equitie for
the Christians to defend themselves, to pursue revenge
with force, and to doe whatsoever is necessarie for the
atteining of their safetie: For it is allowable by all Lawes
in such distresses, to resist violence with violence: And
for their more securitie to increase their strength by
building of Forts for avoyding the extremitie of injurious
dealing.
Wherein if also they shal not be suffered in reasonable
quietnesse to continue, there is no barre (as I judge) but
that in stoute assemblies the Christians may issue out,
and by strong hand pursue their enemies, subdue them,
take possession of their Townes, Cities, or Villages, and
(in avoyding murtherous tyrannie) to use the Law of
Armes, as in like case among all Nations at this day is
used: and most especially to the ende they may with
securitie holde their lawfull possession, lest happily after
the departure of the Christians, such Savages as have
bene converted, should afterwards through compulsion
and enforcement of their wicked Rulers, returne to their
horrible idolatrie (as did the children of Israel
, after the
decease of Joshua) and continue their wicked custome
of most unnaturall sacrificing of humane creatures.
And in so doing, doubtlesse the Christians shall no
whit at all trangresse the bonds of equitie or civilitie,
forasmuch as in former ages, (yea, before the incarnation
of Christ) the like hath bene done by sundry Kings and
Princes, Governours of the children of Israel
: chiefly in
respect to begin their planting, for the establishment of
Gods worde: as also since the Nativitie of Christ, mightie
and puissant Emperours and Kings have performed the
like, I say to plant, possesse, and subdue. For proofe
whereof, I will alledge you examples of both kindes.
Wee reade in the olde Testament, how that after Noes
flood was ceased, restauration of mankinde began onely
of those fewe of Noes children and familie as were by
God preelected to bee saved in the Arke with him, whose
seede in processe of time, was multiplyed to infinite
numbers of Nations, which in divers sortes divided themselves to sundry quarters of the earth. And forasmuch
as all their posteritie being mightily encreased, followed
not the perfect life of Noe their predecessour, God chose
out of the multitude a peculiar people to himselfe, to
whom afterwardes being under the government of Moyses
in Mount Sinay, hee made a graunt to inherite the Land
of Canaan, called the Land of promise, with all the other
rich and fertile Countries next adjoyning thereunto.
Neverthelesse, before they came to possession thereof,
having bene afflicted with many grievous punishments
and plagues for their sinnes, they fell in despayre to
enjoy the same.
But being encouraged and comforted by their Rulers,
(men of God) they proceeded, arming themselves with
all patience, to suffer whatsoever it should please God
to send: and at last attaining to the Land, they were
encountered with great numbers of strong people, and
mighty Kings.
Notwithstanding, Josua their Leader replenished with
the Spirite of God, being assured of the justnesse of his
quarell, gathered the chiefe strength of the children of
Israel
together, to the number of 40000. with whom he
safely passed the huge river Jordan
, and having before
sent privie spies for the discoverie of the famous citie
Jerico
, to understand the certaintie of the Citizens estate,
he forthwith came thither, and environed it round about
with his whole power the space of seven dayes.
In which respite, perceiving none of the Gentiles disposed to yeeld or call for mercie, he then commanded (as
God before had appointed) that both the citie Jerico
should
be burned, yea, and all the inhabitants, as well olde as
young, with all their cattell should be destroyed, onely
excepted Rahab, her kindred and familie, because shee
before had hid secretly the messengers of Josua, that
were sent thither as spies. As for all their golde, silver,
precious stones, or vessels of brasse, they were reserved
and consecrated to the Lords treasurie.
In like maner he burned the citie Hay, slew the inhabitants thereof, and hanged up their King. But for
so much as the Gebionites (fearing the like event) sent
Ambassadours unto Josua to intreate for grace, favour,
and peace: hee commaunded that all their lives should
bee saved, and that they should be admitted to the company of the children of Israel
. Yet understanding afterwards they wrought this by a policie, he used them as
drudges to hewe wood and to care water, and other
necessaries for his people. Thus beganne this valiant
Captaine his conquest, which he pursued and never left
till hee had subdued all the Hethites, Amorites, Cananites,
Peresites, Hevites, and Jebusites, with all their princes
and Kings, being thirtie and one in number, & divers
other strange nations, besides whose lands & dominions
he wholy divided among Gods people.
After that Josua was deceased, Juda was constituted
Lord over the armie, who receiving like charge from God,
pursued the proceedings of the holy captaine Josua, and
utterly vanquished many Gentiles, Idolaters, and adversaries to the children of Israel
, with all such Rulers or
Kings as withstoode him, and namely Adonibezek the
most cruell tyrant: whose thumbes and great toes he
caused to be cut off, for so much as hee had done the
like before unto seventie Kings, whom being his prisoners,
he forced to gather up their victuals underneath his table.
In this God shewed his justice to revenge tyrannie. We
reade likewise, that Gedeon a most puissant and noble
warriour so behaved himselfe in following the worthy
acts of Josua and Juda, that in short time he not only
delivered the children of Israel
from the hands of the
multitude of the fierce Madianites, but also subdued them
and their Tyrants, whose landes he caused Gods people to
possesse and inherite.
I could recite divers other places out of the Scripture,
which aptly may be applyed hereunto, were it not I doe
indevour my selfe by all meanes to be briefe. Now in
like maner will I alledge some fewe Inductions out of the
autenticall writings of the Ecclesiasticall Historiographers,
all tending to the like argument. And first to begin
withall, we doe reade: That after our Saviour Jesus Christ
had suffered his passion, the Apostles being inspired
with the holy Ghost, and the knowledge of all strange
languages, did immediatly disperse themselves to sundry
parts of the world, to the preaching of the Gospel. Yet
not in so generall a maner, but that there remayned some
farre remote Countries unvisited by them, among the
which it is reported that India
the great, called the uttermost India
, as yet had received no light of the word.
But it came to passe, that one Metrodorus a very learned
and wise Philosopher in that age, being desirous to search
out unknowen lands, did first discover the same, finding
it wonderfull populous and rich, which upon his returne
being published, and for certaine understood, there was
another grave Philosopher of Tyrus called Meropius,
being a Christian, who did resolve himselfe (following
the example of Metrodorus) to travaile thither, and in
a short time assisted but with a fewe, in a small Vessel
arrived there, having in his company two yong youths,
Edesius and Frumentius, whom (being his schollers) he
had throughly instructed both in liberall Sciences, and
christian Religion. Now after that Meropius somewhile
staying there, had (as hee thought) sufficient understanding of the Indians whole estate: He determined to depart,
and to bring notice thereof unto the Emperour, whom he
meant to exhort to the conquest of the same.
But by misfortune he was prevented, for being in the
middest of his course on the Sea homeward, a sore
tempest arose, and perforce drove him backe againe, to
an unknowen Port of the sayd land: where he by the
most cruell barbarous Indians on the sudden was slaine
with all his company, except the two young schollers
aforesayde, whom the barbarous Indians, by reason they
were of comely stature and beautifull personages, tooke,
and forthwith presented them to their King and Queene :
which both being very well liked of, the King courteously
entreated, and ordeined Edesius to be his Butler, and
Frumentius his Secretarie, and in few yeeres by reason of
their learning and civill government, they were had in
great favour, honour, and estimation with the Princes.
But the King departing this life, left the Queene his
wife with her yong sonne to governe, and gave free scope
and libertie to the two Christians, at their best pleasure to
passe to their native soyles, allowing them all necessaries
for the same. Yet the Queene who highly favoured them
was very sorowfull they should depart, and therefore
most earnestly intreated them to tarie and assist her in
the government of her people, till such time as her yong
sonne grewe to ripe yeeres, which request they fulfilled.
And Frumentius excelling Edesius farre in all wisedome, ruled both the Queene and her subjects at his
discretion, whereby he tooke occasion to put in practise
privily, that the foundation of Christian religion might
be planted in the hearts of such as with whom he thought
his perswasion might best prevaile, and that soonest would
give eare unto him: which being brought to passe accordingly, hee then with his fellow Edesius tooke leave of the
Queene to returne to his native countrey. And so soone
as he was arrived there, he revealed to the Emperour
Constantine, the effect of all those events: who both
commending his deedes and wholy allowing thereof, by
the advise and good liking of Athanasius then Bishop of
Alexandria, did arme and set forth a convenient power for
the ayde of Frumentius, in this his so godly a purpose.
And by this meanes came the Emperour afterwards by
faire promises, and by force of armes together, unto the
possession of all the Indians countrey. The author of
this storie Ruffinus received the trueth hereof from the
very mouth of Edesius companion to Frumentius.
Moreover Eusebius in his Historie Ecclesiasticall in
precise termes, and in divers places maketh mention how
Constantine
the great not onely enlarged his Empire by
the subduing of his next neighbours, but also endeavoured
by all meanes to subject all such remote Barbarous and
Heathen nations, as then inhabited the foure quarters of
the worlde. For (as it is written) the Emperour throughly
ayded with a puissant armie of valiant souldiers whom he
had before perswaded to Christian religion, in proper
person himselfe came even unto this our country of
England
, then called the
Island of Britaines, bending
from him full West, which he wholy conquered, made
tributarie, and setled therein Christian faith, and left
behinde him such Rulers thereof, as to his wisedome
seemed best. From thence hee turned his force towardes
the North coast of the world, and there utterly subdued
the rude and cruell Nation of the Scythians, whereof part
by friendly perswasions, part by maine strength, hee
reduced the whole to Christian faith. Afterwards he
determined with himselfe to search out what strange
people inhabited in the uttermost parts of the South.
And with great hazard and labour, making his journey
thither, at last became victour over them all, even to the
countrey of the Blemmyans, and the remote Æthiopians,
that now are the people of Presbyter John, who yet till
this day continue and beare the name of Christians.
In the East likewise, what Nation soever at that time
he could have notice of, he easily wonne and brought
in subjection to the Empire. So that to conclude, there
was no region in any part of the world, the inhabitants
whereof being Gentiles, though unknowen unto him, but
in time he overcame and vanquished.
This worthy beginning of Constantine
, both his sonnes
succeeding his roome, and also divers other Emperours
afterward to their uttermost endevour followed and continued, which all the bookes of Eusebius more at large
set foorth. Theodoretus likewise in his Ecclesiasticall
historie maketh mention how Theodosius the vertuous
Emperour imployed earnestly all his time, as well in conquering the Gentiles to the knowledge of the holy Gospel,
utterly subverting their prophane Temples and abominable
Idolatry, as also in extinguishing of such usurping tyrants
as with Paganisme withstood the planting of Christian
religion. After whose decease his sonnes Honorius and
Arcadius were created Emperours, the one of the East,
the other of the West, who with all stout godlinesse most
carefully imitated the foresteps of their Father, eyther in
enlarging theyr territories, or increasing the christian
flocke.
Moreover, it is reported by the sayd author, that
Theodosius junior the Emperour, no whit inferiour in
vertuous life to any of the above named Princes, with
great studie and zeale pursued and prosecuted the
Gentiles, subdued their tyrants and countries, and utterly
destroyed all their idolatry, converting their soules to
acknowledge their onely Messias and Creator, and their
Countries to the enlargement of the Empire. To be
briefe, who so listeth to read Eusebius Pamphilus,
Socrates Scholasticus, Theodoritus, Hermia, Sozomen,
and Euagrius Scholasticus, which all were most sage
Ecclesiasticall writers, shall finde great store of examples
of the worthy lives of sundry Emperours, tending all to
the confirmation of my former speeches.
And for like examples of later time, (yea even in the
memorie of man) I shall not neede to recite any other
then the conquest made of the West and East Indies by
the Kings of Spaine and Portugall, whereof there is
particular mention made in the last Chapter of this booke.
Herein have I used more copy of examples then otherwise
I would have done, saving that I have bene in place,
where this maner of planting the Christian faith hath bene
thought of some to be scarce lawfull, yea, such as doe take
upon them to be more then meanely learned. To these
examples could I joyne many moe, but whosoever is not
satisfied with these fewe, may satisfie himselfe in reading
at large the Authors last above recited. Thus have I (as
I trust) prooved that we may justly trade and traffique
with the Savages, and lawfully plant and inhabite their
Countries.
