Parts of the Earth his Poffeffion; that every Language and People, from the Eaft, and from the Weft, from the North, and from the South, may be gathered unto his Flock, and become one Fold under one Shepherd.

This was the good Intent, and has hitherto been the Bufinefs of our SocIETY; and to this End have been directed our united Counfels and Contributions, with the kind Affiftance of many others who wish well to, and have given an helping Hand to our Defign. The Luke 10. Harveft indeed is great, and the Labourers few; but how diftant foever the Time of reaping, and of bringing in the Fulness of the Gentiles may be, yet we faint not, neither grow weary in well doing, while our Undertaking is fo laudable. And we have in the

2.

IId Place, The following Encouragements to carry us on with it, viz. That we are promoting the Happiness and Salvation of as many of our Fellow Creatures as we are able; that we contribute, by extending the Gospel Light among Men, to the Increase of God's

Glory;

Glory; and that by fuch our Endeavours we may hope at least to obtain an additional Bleffing to our felves.

If we have in earneft embraced the Christian Faith, do believe its Doctrines, and rely upon its Promifes, we cannot but account our Religion one of the greatest Bleffings we enjoy. And if the Nature of this Happinefs be fuch, that we can let the reft of Mankind partake of it without Prejudice to our felves, purpofely to hide and restrain it from them, would be great Cruelty; and not to be at fome little Trouble to impart it, is neither agreeable to Chriftian Charity, nor humane Compaffion. Whereever we find the Form and Image of our Maker, i. c. the Faculties of a reafonable Soul, it is our Duty to take all Opportunities of communicating the glad Tidings, and gracious Terms of Salvation; but where we have a frequent Intercourfe by Commerce, and carry on an advantageous Traffick, and enrich our Country by the Wealth or Labours of an uncivilized, illiterate People, it is but bare Justice, and a Debt we owe

them,

them, to enlighten their Minds with faving Truths, to turn them from dumb Idols to the Worship of the living God, and let them into a Share of our fpiritual Things, in Exchange for their tem poral ones.

Upon thefe Confiderations our Thoughts have been hitherto chiefly directed, and our Miffionaries fent to thofe Countries where we have Plantations and Colonies; and as there is little Hope of recom mending our Religion to the Natives, till our own People in thofe Parts are brought to a better Knowledge, and a ftricter Obfervance of it, our main Bufinefs at present is, and our Fund is likely to be for fome time employed about that preparatory Service. Not that the larger view of our SOCIETY is given over as impracticable; but that this previous Work is judged to be of fuch Neceffity, that should we omit it, it would prove a ftumbling Block, and a Prejudice, and indeed an infuperable Difficulty in our Way. For with what Hopes of Succefs, with what Face or Confidence

are

dence could we call upon the native Indians, and exhort them to the Belief and Obfervance of the Gofpel; or how could we perfwade them that we are in earneft, and really expect to be faved by it, till our own People, who live in their Neighbourhood, and with whom they have frequent Communication, brought to fhew more Regard to its Ordinances? Till the publick Worship of God, and a regular Miniftry is fettled among them, which not many Years ago they were generally deftitute of; and tho' by the Care of the SOCIETY, a good Progrefs has been made in this Bufinefs, and many Churches, Chappels, and Schools have been erected, yet there remains a great deal ftill to be done, and till which is done, we shall hardly be in Circumftances to make fuccefsful Attempts in converting the Pagan World, in bringing the Kingdoms of the Earth to be the Kingdoms of our Lord, all Princes to fall down before him, and all Nations to ferve him.

But are we certain, will fome be apt to say, that the Pleasure of the Almighty

is

is purfucd, and the Glory of God interefted, in our endeavouring to make every Knee bow at the Name of Jefus, and every Tongue confefs him to be the Chrift; in gathering together the Gentiles to be Fellow Citizens with the Saints, and Difciples of one Lord, one Faith, one Baptifm? May not that Diversity of Religions, which Men of plain Senfe and Understanding have always thought a Difhonour to God, and offenfive to him, be really what he approves of, and his Name be the more exalted, by being praised with that Variety of Rites and Ceremonies, which have been instituted by humane invention all the World over?

This indeed has been infinuated by fome free Reafoners, and inferred from hence, that were it not pleafing to God, he would have ordered Things otherwife, and not have fuffered fo great a part of Mankind to have gone on for so many Ages in a Practice which he abominated. But if this Argument be of any Force, it will equally prove that the Vices and Immoralities of Men are pleafing to God, and the many Iniquities of a corrupt

World