University of Virginia Library

Chapter 14.
Ecclesiasticall government in Virginia, authority from
the Arch Bishop, their beginning at Bastable
now called Salem.

NOW because I have spoke so much for the body, give me leave to
say somewhat of the soule; and the rather because I have beene
demanded by so many, how we beganne to preach the Gospell in
Virginia, and by what authority, what Churches we had, our order
of service, and maintenance for our Ministers, therefore I thinke it
not amisse to satisfie their demands, it being the mother of all our
Plantations, intreating pride to spare laughter,

to understand her
simple beginning and proceedings.

When I went first to Virginia, I well remember, wee did hang
an awning (which is an old saile) to three or foure trees to shadow us
from the Sunne, our walls were rales of wood, our seats unhewed
trees, till we cut plankes, our Pulpit a bar of wood nailed to two
neighbouring trees, in foule weather we shifted into an old rotten
tent, for we had few better, and this came by the way of adventure

for new; this was our Church, till wee built a homely thing like a
barne, set upon Cratchets, covered with rafts, sedge, and earth, so
was also the walls: the best of our houses of the like curiosity, but
the most part farre much worse workmanship, that could neither
well defend wind nor raine, yet wee had daily Common Prayer
morning and evening, every Sunday two Sermons, and every three
moneths the 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 ∥ 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 happinesse, 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 James 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,
Anno 1605. to master Richard Hacluit, Prebend of Westminster,
who by his authority sent master 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 men,

wee most ignorant in all things, or
little better, therfore presage not the event of all such actions by our
defailements: For they write, they doubt not erelong 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
withall 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 day, whose beginnings was once as unhopefull
as theirs, and to make them as eminent shall be my humble
and hearty prayers.

But as yet it is not well understood of any authority they have
sought for the government and tranquillity of the Church, which doth
cause those suspicions of factions in Religion, wherein although I be
no Divine, yet I hope without offence I may speake my opinion as
well in this as I have done in the rest. He that will but truly consider
the greatnesse of the Turks Empire and power here in Christendome,
shall finde the naturall Turkes are generally of one religion, and the
Christians in so many divisions and opinions, that they are among
themselves worse enemies than the Turkes, whose dis-joyntednesse
hathgiven him that opportunity to command so many hundred
thousand of Christians as he doth, where had they beene constant to

one God, one Christ, and one Church, Christians might have beene
more able to have commanded as many Turkes, as now the Turkes
doe poore miserable Christians. Let this example remember you to
beware of faction in that nature; for my owne part, I have seene many
of you here in London goe to Church as orderly as any.

Therefore I doubt not but you will seeke to the prime authority
of the Church of England, for such an orderly authority as in most
mens opinions is fit for you both to intreat for and to have, which I
thinke will not be denied; and you have good reason, seeing you have
such liberty to transport so many of his Majesties subjects, with all
sorts of cattell, armes, and provision as you please, and can provide
meanes to accomplish, nor can you have any certaine releefe, nor
long subsist without more supplies from England. Besides, this might
prevent many inconveniences may insue, and would clearely take
away all those idle and malicious rumours, and occasion you many
good and great friends and assistance you yet dreame not of; for you
know better than I can tell, that the maintainers of good Orders and
Lawes is the best preservation next God of a Kingdome: but when
they are stuffed with hypocrisie and corruption, that state is not
doubtfull but lamentable in a well setled Common-wealth, much
more in such as yours, which is but a beginning, for as the Lawes
corrupt, the state consumes.