Works 1608-1631 / Capt. John Smith ; edited by Edward Arber.

  • John Smith
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Works 1608-1631 / Capt. John Smith ; edited by Edward Arber. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1108/1144 (page 958)
    [1630] \j>p. 161-169, 478-485.] Their estates at this day. Their order of teaching in Salem. holy Communion, till our Minister died : but our Prayers daily, with an Homily on Sundaies, we continued two or three yeares after, till more Preachers [33] came: and surely God did most mercifully heare us, till the continuall inundations of mistaking directions, factions, and numbers of unprovided Libertines neere consumed us all, as the Israelites in the wildernesse. Notwithstanding, out of the relicks of our miseries, time and experience had brought that Country to a great happi- nesse; had they not so much doated on their Tabacco, on whose furnish foundation there is small stability : there being so many good commodities besides. Yet by it they have builded many pretty Villages, faire houses, and Chapels, which are growne good Benefices of 120. pounds a yeare, besides their owne mundall industry. But lames towne was 500. pounds a yeare, as they say, appointed by the Councell here, allowed by the Councell there, and confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace, Primate and Metrapolitan of all England, An. 1605. to master Richard Hacluit Prebend of Westminster: \yho by his authority sent Robert Hunt, an honest, religious, and couragious Divine; during whose life our factions were oft qualified, our wants and greatest extremities so comforted, that they seemed easie in comparison of what we endured after his memorable death. Now in New-England they have all our examples to teach them how to beware, and choice [choose] men, wee [being] most ignorant in all things, or little better; therfore presage not the event of all such actions by our defailments : For they write, they doubt not ere long to be able to defend themselves against any indifferent enemy; in the interim, they have Preachers erected among themselves, and Gods true Religion (they say) taught amongst them, the Sabbath day observed, the common Prayer (as I understand) and Sermons performed, and diligent catechizing, with strict and carefull exercise, and commendable good orders to bring those people with whom they have to deale withali into a Christian conversation, to live well, to feare God, serve the King, and love the Country ; which done in time from both those Plantations may grow a good addition to the Church of England: but Rome was not built in one