A PETITION OF W. C. EXHIBITED TO THE HIGH court OF PARLIAMEN● now assembled, for the propagating of the Gospel in America, and the West Indies; and for the settling of our Plantations there; which Petition is approved by 70 able English Divines. Also by Master Alexander Henderson, and some other worthy Ministers of Scotland. Printed in the year, 1641. TO THE MOST HIHG AND honourable Court of PARLIAMENT now assembled: The humble PETITION of Wlliam Castle, Parson of Courtenhall in Northamptonshire, for the propagating of the Gospel in America. IN all humble manner showeth unto your approved wisdoms, the great and general neglect of this kingdom, in not propagating the glorious Gospel in America, a main part of the world: Indeed the undertaking of the work is (in the general) acknowledged pious and charitable; but the small prosecution that hath hitherto been made of it, either by us, or others, having (as yet) never been generally undertaken in pity to men's souls, but in hope to possess the land of those Infidels, or of gain by Commerce, may well make this and all other Christian kingdoms confess, they have been exceeding remiss in performing this so religious, so great, so necessary a work. May it therefore please your wisdoms to give your Petitioner leave to propose briefly, (as the nature of a Petition requireth the more than ordinary piety, and charity of the work; the evident necessity, and benefit of undertaking, together with the easiness of effecting. A greater expression of piety (your Petitioner conceiveth) there cannot be, then to make God known where he was never spoken nor thought of, to advance the sceptre of Christ's kingdom. And now again to reduce those, who (at first) were created after the Image of God from the manifest worship of devils. To acknowledge and adore the blessed trinity in unity, to do this, is to be happy Instruments of effecting those often repeated promises of God, in making all nations blessed by the coming of Christ, and by sending his word to all lands: It is to enlarge greatly the pale of the Church. And to make those (who were the most detestable Synagogues of Satan) delightful Temples of the Holy Ghost. It was a high point of piety in the Queen of the South, to come from the utmost parts of the world to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And so it was in Abraham, to leave his native country for the better, and more free service of his God. And certainly it will be esteemed no less in those, who (either in their persons or purses) shall religiously endeavour to make millions of those silly seduced Americans, to hear, understand and practise the mystery of godliness. And as is the piety, such is the charity of the work, exceeding great, to no less than the immortal souls of innumerable men, who still sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, continually assaulted and devoured by the Dragon, whose greatest delight is to bring others with himselfeinto the same irrecoverable gulf of perdition, what those blind and spiritual distressed Americans are, we were, and so had continued had not apostolical men afforded greater charity unto us, Divisis orbe Britannis, by long journeying, and not without great hazard of their lives, than (as yet) hath been showed by us unto them. We are not indeed endued with such eminent extraordinary gifts, as were the Primitive Christians; but yet (if it be duly considered) how fully and how purely God hath imparted his Gospel unto this island, how miraculously, he hath lately protected us from Spanish Invafions, and Popish conspiracies; and how (at this time) we abound in shipping, and all manner of provision for Sea: It will be found, that we (of all nations) are most for the work, and most engaged to do it in due thankfulness to God. Nor is the arm of the Lord shortened, or his wonted bounty so restrained, but that undertaking the voyage principally for God's glory, and in compassion to men's souls, we may expect a more than an ordinary blessing from him, whose usual custom is to honour those that honour him, and most abundantly even in this life, to recompense such religious undertakings. The Spaniard boasteth much of what he hath already done in this kind, but their own Authors report their unchristian behaviour, especially their monstrous cruelties to be such, as they caused the Infidels to detest the name of Christ. Your wisdoms may judge of the lion by his claw. In one of their lands called Hispaniola of 200000 of men, as Benzo (in his Italian history) affirmeth, they had not left 150 souls. And Lipsius justly complaineth, that wheresoever they came, they cut down men as they did corn without any compassion. And as for those that survived, they bought their lives at dear rates: for they put them to bear, their carriages from place to place; and if they failed by the way, they either miserably dismembered, or killed them outright. They lodged them like bruit beasts under the planks of their ships, till their flesh rotted from their backs: And if any failed in the full performance of his daily task, he was sure to be whipped till his body distilled with gore blood, and then poured they in either molten pitch or scalding oil to supple him. A very strange, and unlikely way to work Infidels unto the faith, neither yet could they (if they would) impart unto others the Gospel in the truth and purity thereof, who have it not themselves, but very corruptly, accompanied with many idle, absurd, idolatrous Inventions of their own, which are but as so many superstructures wickedly oppressing, if not utterly subverting the very foundations of Christianity. And although some of the reformed religion, English, Scotch, French, and Dutch, have already taken up their habitations in those parts, yet hath their going thither (as yet) been to small purpose, for the converting of those nations, either for that they have placed themselves but in the skirts of America, where there are but few natives (as those of new England, or else for want of able and conscionable Ministers (as in Virginia) they themselves are become exceeding rude, more likely to turn Heathen, then to turn others to the Christian faith. Besides, there is a little or no hope our Plantations there should be of any long continuance, since here in England for some years last past, they have been rather diversely hindered, than any ways furthered, how, and by whom, your wisdoms, either have or will shortly find out, but this is evident that the proud superstitious Spaniard (who hateth their religion, and feareth their neighbours, will spare them no longer than (to his overswelling greatness) shall seem good: And in the judgement of most judicious Travellers that way, they may (if they will) easily enough suppress and destroy all other our Plantations, as they did of late, that of Saint Christopher's, when they were no way provoked by us, as they will now pretend they are, by a latter taking of Trinidado, and the loss of more than 150. of their men there. At least they will be sure to be desperately assaulted, as was the isle of Providence, but the year last past. Whence your Petitioner offereth unto your Honourable considerations a third Argument (Drawn from mere necessity) that as you tender the happy proceeding of those (as yet) but weakly settled Plantations. the liberties, livelihood, and lives of many thousands our dear brethren, and country men: And which is yet, more the prosperous progress of the gospel, you would be pleased to consult of such an able and speedy supply, as may secure them against the now expected cruelty of the Spaniard. To which needful supply the better and sooner to induce your wisdoms, your Petitioner desireth your yet a little further patience, until he hath showed some temporal benefits that are thereby like to accrue unto this kingdom, together with the easiness of effecting. When a Kingdom beginneth to be overburdened with a multitude of people (as England and Scotland now do) to have a convenient place where to send forth Coloniesis no small benefit: And such are the North-east and northwest parts of America, between the degrees of 25. and 45. of the North latitude, which, at this time do even offer themselves unto us, to be protected by us, against the known cruelty of the over-near approaching Spaniard. A very large tract of ground containing spacious, healthful, pleasant, and fruitful countries, not only apt, but already provided of all things necessary for man's sustentation, corn, grass, and wholesome cattle in good competency; but Fish, fowl, Fruits and herbs in abundant variety. If we should look no further, than the South of Virginia, (which is our own) we shall find there all manner of provision for life, besides Merchantable Commodities, silk, Vines, Cotton, Tobacco, Deer-skins, goatskins, rich fur, and Beavers good store, Timber, brass, Iron, Pitch, tar, Rosin and almost all things necessary for shipping, which if they shall be employed that way; they who are sent away may (with God's blessing) within short time in due recompense of their setting forth, return this kingdom store of silver and gold, pearls and precious stones; for undoubtedly (if there be not a general mistake in all Authors, who have written of these places) such treasure is to be had, if not there, yet in places not far remote, where (as yet) the Spaniard hath nothing to do. And in case the Spaniard will be troublesome to our Plantations, or shall (as it is generally conceived) be found an Enemy to this kingdom, there is no way more likely to secure England, then by having a strong navy there; hereby we may come to share, if not utterly to defeat him of that vast Indian Treasure, wherewith he setteth on fire so great a part of the Christian World, corrupteth many Counsellors of state, supporteth the papacy, and generally perplexeth all reformed Churches. Nor need any scrupulous quere be made, whether we may not assault an enemy in any place, or not esteem them such as shall assault us in those places, where we have as much to do as they. The Spaniard claimeth indeed an Interest, little less than hereditary in almost all America, and the West Indies, but it is but by virtue of the Popes grant, which is nothing worth, as was long since determined by Queen Elizabeth, and her council; so as for the Spaniard to debar us in the liberty of our Plantations, or freedom of commerce in those spacious countries, were over proudly to take upon him; and for us to permit it were overmuch to yield of our own right. Especially, when we may, as now we may, so easily help ourselves: For your Petitioner conceiveth there is no great difficulty in the preparation here, or tediousness in the passage thither, or hazard when we come there. The preparation of men and shipping, in respect of the daily happy expected accord between us and the Scots, is (upon the matter) already made; and as for money it is in the power of this Honourable House to give sufficient, without any grievance, or dislike of the commonwealth, who (undoubtedly) in the general will think nothing grievous, which shall be concluded by your wisdoms, expedient to such a pious and charitable work. And as for the passage, how can it be thought either tedious or dangerous. it being ordinarily but six weeks' sail, in a sea much more secure from pirates, and much more free from shipwreck, and enemies coasts, than our ten or twelve months' voyage into the East-Indies. And as for our good success there, we need not fear it. The natives being now everywhere more than ever, out of an inveterate hatred to the Spaniard, ready and glad to entertain us. Our best friends the Netherlanders being with eight and twenty ships gone before to assist and further us. And which is much more, our going with a general consent in God's cause, for the promoting of the Gospel, and enlarging of his Church, may assure us of a more than ordinary protection and direction. That hitherto we have been less successful in our voyage that way, we may justy impute it to this, that as yet they have not been undertaken with such a general consent, and with such a full reference to God's glory as was requisite. And so your Petitioner having delivered his apprehension herein more briefly, than so weighty a matter might well require, he submits all the premises to your more full deliberation and conclusion, which he humbly prayeth, may be with all convenient speed; the only best way under God to make it the better successful. We whose names are here under-written, having been upon occasion acquainted with a motion intended to be made by Master William Castle, Parson of Courtenhall in the county of Northampton, to the High and honourable Court of Parliament now assembled, concerning the propagation of the glorious Gospel of Christ in America. As we do well approve of the motion; so we do humbly desire his reasons may be duly considered: And so good a work furthered their wiser judgements may resolve upon, to which we humbly submit the same. John Moseley. D. D Ra: Brownricke. D. D Thomas Bambrig. D. D Robert Sanderson. D. D Richard Alleyne. D. D Daniel Featly. D. D Mathias Styles. D D Edmond Stanton. D. D Stephen Denison. D. D Edw. Williamot. D. D Jonathan Brown. D. D Jasper Fisher. D. D Hannibal Potter. D. D Anthony Clapton. D. D Thomas Drayton. D. D John Grant. D. D Ministers of LONDON. George Walker. James Palmer. Edward Marbury. Joseph caryl. Edmond Calamy. Adoniram Byfield. William Price. Richard Maden. James Batty. Math: Griffeth. Ephraim Paget. Robert Pory. William Janeway. Nathaniel Barry. Ministers of several other Counties. John White. Dorsetshire. William Ford. Somersetshire. John pin's. Somersetshire. Zachery Caudry. Leicestershire. Henry Paynter. Devonshire. Stephen Martial Essex. Samuel joiner. Essex. John Ward. Suffolk. Ier. Burroughes. Norfolk. John Rawlinson. Darby. Moses Capell. Kent. William Rhet. Kent. Francis Charliot. Buck. Richard Gifford. Herford. William Englesby Herford. Other worthy Ministers of the diocese of Peterburrough, where the Petitioner liveth. Daniel Caudery. Jeremy Whittaker. John Barry. James Cranford. Samuel Craddock. David Ensme. Edmond castle. Samuel Moil. Daniel Rogers. Benjamin Tomkins. Richard Cook. Richard trueman. John Guderick. William Spencer. Edmond James. John Baynard. George Jay. Francis press. John Guderick. Miles Berket. Francis Atturbury. Jeremy Stephens. John Ward Peter Fawtract. William Malkinson. The motion made by Master William Castle, Minister of the Gospel, for propagating of the blessed Evangell of Christ our Lord, and Saviour in America, we conceive in the general to be most pious, Christian and charitable. And therefore worthy to be seriously considered, of all that love the glorious name of Christ, and are zealous of the salvation of souls, which are without Christ, and without God in the world, wishing the opportunity and fit season: the instruments and means. And all things necessary for the prosecution of so pious a work, to be considered by the wisdoms of Churches and civil powers, whom God hath called, and enabled with Piety, Prudence, and Peace, for matters of public concernment, and of so great Importance. And beseeching the Lord to bless all their consultations, and proceedings for the advancing, and establishing the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Alexander Henderson. Robert Blare. R. bailie. M. Gillaspie. N. Smyth. M. Borthrick. FINIS.