church and
to mankind from such an undertaking, are ready to engage in it, and to
dedicate the remainder of their lives to the instructing the youth of
America, and prosecuting their own studies upon a very moderate
subsistence in a retirement, so sweet, and so secure, and every way so
well fitted for a place of education, and study, as Bermuda.

Thus much the writer hereof thought himself obliged to say of his
associates: for himself, he can only say, that as he values no
preferment upon earth, so much as that of being employed in the
execution of this design; so he hopes to make up for other defects, by
his industry and zeal.

In Europe, the protestant religion hath of late years considerably lost
ground, and America seems the likeliest place, wherein to make up for
what hath been lost in Europe, provided the proper methods are taken:
Otherwise the Spanish missionaries in the South, and the French in the
North, are making such a progress, as may one day spread the religion
of Rome, and with it the usual hatred to protestants, throughout all
the savage nations in America; which would probably end in the utter
extirpation of our colonies, on the safety whereof depends so much of
the nation's wealth, and so considerable a branch of his majesty's
revenue.

But if this scheme were pursued, it would in all probability have much
greater influence on the Americans, than the utmost endeavours of
popish emissaries can possibly have; who from the difference of
country, language and interest, must lie under far greater difficulties
and discouragements than those, whom we suppose yearly sent out from
Bermuda to preach among their countrymen.

It cannot indeed be denied, that the great number of poor regulars,
inured to hard living, and brought up in an implicit obedience to their
superiors, hath hitherto given the church of Rome, in regard to her
missions, great advantage over the reformed churches. But from what
hath been said, it is, I think, evident, that this advantage may be
over-ballanced by our employing American missionaries.

Nor is the honour of the crown, nation, and church of England
unconcerned in this scheme; which, it is to be hoped, will remove the
reproach, we have so long lain under, that we fall as far short of our
neighbours of the Romish communion in zeal for propagating religion, as
we surpass them in the soundness and purity of it. And at the same
time, that the doing what may be so easily done, takes