that have a Mind to do their
Duty, and live happily (with some Caution and Care) may live with as
much Satisfaction, Respect, Comfort, and Love, as most _Clergymen_ in
_England_.

'Tis to be hoped and wished, that as the _Government_ of _England_ have
of late taken it into their Consideration to encourage more Clergymen to
go over; so they may give Instructions and Directions for the Advantage
and Happiness of both the Clergy and Laity, by rectifying and settling
some Affairs belonging to the _Church of Virginia_; and providing such
Laws as are wanting or requisite to be altered in Respect of the Clergy;
a full and true Account of whom I have here given (as much as the Scope
of this Treatise would admit of) to the best of my Knowledge.

This I have committed to Paper, for the better Information of such as
may in any Respect be concerned in Affairs relating to _Virginia_,
especially its Government, Religion, and Trade: For without exact
Notions of the Temper, Lives, and Manners of the People, and the Nature
and Produce of the Country, none can frame a correct Judgment of what is
most proper to be added, altered, or continued, nor know what Steps are
to be taken for the Advancement of either the publick or private Good of
that Colony, in Respect either of Church, State, or Trade.

Another Inducement for my writing this, was for the Encouragement and
Intelligence of such good Clergymen and others, as are inclinable to go
and settle there; and for the Information of all that are desirous of
knowing how People live in other Countries, as well as their own;
together with an Intent to vindicate this Country from the unjust
Reflections which are vulgarly cast on it; and to wean the World from
the unworthy despicable Notions, which many entertain concerning his
_Majesty_'s Dominions in _North America_; where is Room and Imployment
enough for all that want Business or a Maintenance at Home, of all
Occupations; and where, if they be not their own Enemies, they might
live much better than ever they did in _England_; which blessed
Opportunity of favourable Providence may give great Comfort to any good
Folks that are in poor unfortunate Circumstances.

PART IV.

_Of Authors concerning_ Virginia, _and its publick Officers,
Guard-Ships, and the State of_ Maryland _and_ North Carolina. _The
Conclusion._

In the _Miscellanea Curiosa_ is publish'd Mr. _Clayton_'s fine
_Description of Virginia_, and _Col. Robert Beverley_ ha