The sixt Chapter sheweth that the traffique and planting
in those countries, shall be unto the Savages themselves
very beneficiall and gainefull.
Now to the end it may appeare that this voyage is not
undertaken altogether for the peculiar commodity of our
selves and our countrey (as generally other trades and
journeis be) it shall fall out in proofe, that the Savages
shall hereby have just cause to blesse the houre when
this enterprise was undertaken.
First and chiefly, in respect of the most happy and
gladsome tidings of the most glorious Gospel of our
Saviour Jesus Christ, whereby they may be brought from
falshood to trueth, from darknesse to light, from the hie
way of death to the path of life, from superstitious idolatrie to sincere Christianity, from the devill to Christ,
from hell to heaven. And if in respect of all the commodities they can yeelde us (were they many moe) that
they should but receive this onely benefit of Christianity,
they were more then fully recompenced.
But heereunto it may bee objected, that the Gospel must
bee freely preached, for such was the example of the
Apostles: unto whom although the authorities and examples before alledged of Emperors, Kings and Princes,
aswel before Christs time as since, might sufficiently
satisfie: yet for further answere, we may say with S.
Paul, If wee have sowen unto you heavenly things, doe
you thinke it much that we should reape your carnall
things? And withall, The workman is worthy of his
hire. These heavenly tidings which those labourers our
countreymen (as messengers of Gods great goodnesse and
mercy) will voluntarily present unto them, doe farre
exceed their earthly riches. Moreover, if the other inferiour worldly and temporall things which they shall
receive from us, be weighed in equall ballance, I assure
my selfe, that by equal judgement of any indifferent
person, the benefits which they then receive, shall farre
surmount those which they shall depart withall unto us.
And admit that they had (as they have not) the knowledge
to put their land to some use: yet being brought from
brutish ignorance to civilitie and knowledge, and made
then to understand how the tenth part of their Land
may be so manured and employed, as it may yeeld more
commodities to the necessary use of mans life, then the
whole now doeth: What just cause of complaint may
they have? And in my private opinion, I do verily thinke
that God did create land, to the end that it should by
culture and husbandry yeeld things necessary for mans
life.
But this is not all the benefit which they shall receive
by the Christians: for, over and beside the knowledge
how to till and dresse their grounds, they shal be reduced
from unseemely customes to honest maners, from disordered riotous routs and companyes to a well governed
common wealth, and withall, shalbe taught mechanicall
occupations, arts, and liberall sciences : and which standeth
them most upon, they shalbe defended from the cruelty
of their tyrannicall and blood sucking neighbors the
Canibals, whereby infinite number of their lives shalbe
preserved. And lastly, by this meanes many of their
poore innocent children shall be preserved from the bloody
knife of the sacrificer, a most horrible and detestable
custome in the sight of God and man, now and ever
heretofore used amongst them. Many other things could
I heere alledge to this purpose, were it not that I doe
feare lest I have already more then halfe tired the reader.