upon six of us only staid, and the rest avoided the room.
He said, "I am by office governor of this House of Strangers, and by
vocation I am a Christian priest: and therefore am come to you to offer
you my service, both as strangers and chiefly as Christians. Some
things I may tell you, which I think you will not be unwilling to hear.
The State hath given you license to stay on land, for the space of six
weeks; and let it not trouble you, if your occasions ask further time,
for the law in this point is not precise; and I do not doubt, but my
self shall be able, to obtain for you such further time, as may be
convenient. Ye shall also understand, that the Strangers' House is at
this time rich, and much aforehand; for it hath laid up revenue these
thirty-seven years; for so long it is since any stranger arrived in
this part: and therefore take ye no care; the State will defray you all
the time you stay; neither shall you stay one day the less for that.
As for any merchandise ye have brought, ye shall be well used, and have
your return, either in merchandise, or in gold and silver: for to us it
is all one. And if you have any other request to make, hide it not.
For ye shall find we will not make your countenance to fall by the
answer ye shall receive. Only this I must tell you, that none of you
must go above a karan," (that is with them a mile and an half) "from
the walls of the city, without especial leave."

We answered, after we had looked awhile one upon another, admiring this
gracious and parent-like usage; "That we could not tell what to say:
for we wanted words to express our thanks; and his noble free offers
left us nothing to ask. It seemed to us, that we had before us a
picture of our salvation in Heaven; for we that were a while since in
the jaws of death, were now brought into a place, where we found
nothing but consolations. For the commandment laid upon us, we would
not fail to obey it, though it was impossible but our hearts should be
enflamed to tread further upon this happy and holy ground." We added,
"That our tongues should first cleave to the roofs of our mouths, ere
we should forget, either his reverend person, or this whole nation, in
our prayers." We also most humbly besought him, to accept of us as his
true servants; by as just a right as ever men on earth were bounden;
laying and presenting, both our persons, and all we had, at his feet.
He said; "He was a priest, and looked for a priest's rew