Rare Documents show the Christian Roots of Jamestown, Virginia
Our primary focus in the coming months is on the influences and events that led to and shaped the birth of the United States as an independent nation in 1776.
In 2007 the 400th anniversary of the first English colony in America was commemorated. Official government observances were less celebratory than a century before, and more concerning was the absence of the Christian history of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. I and other colleagues provided alternative ways to remember our Christian history at that time, but even among most Christians today there is little understanding of how deeply Christian the founding of Jamestown was. The foundations of the first church was not yet discovered in 2007 but are evident today (the pic above illustrates where the first church stood).
But before looking at Jamestown’s history, we should mention that other historical settlements occurred in what is today USA as well.
In 1564 French Protestants settled in what is today Florida and was known as Fort Caroline. But a year later the Spanish destroyed it and settled St. Augustine. It remains as the first European settlement to survive in USA, but was part of Spain until the early 1800s. Another English settlement was attempted in 1585 in what is today North Carolina and is remembered as the Roanoke Colony. A Native American named Mateo was the first Indian to be baptized in an English colony. Then in 1598, a settlement was started by the Spanish in Santa Fe in what is today New Mexico. Again like St. Augustine, it did not become part of USA until 1850. There is plenty of evidence of Christian leadership and influence in these early Catholic and Protestant settlements
While these colonies were happening, there were big events in Europe that eventually shaped the American experience. War was taking place between Catholic and Protestant monarchs and princes in France, the Netherlands and England. After massacres of Protestants in France their leaders wrote key documents such as Defense of Liberty Against Tyrants in 1579 which articulated the Protestant idea of what is a Biblical response to tyrannical government. In 1599 a Spanish Catholic writer named Juan de Mariana wrote similar ideas of interposition against state tyranny in On the Authority of the King. These were important ideological developments that would be part of the legal background of later independence of the United States.
Until the Spanish navy was destroyed by miraculous intervention in 1588 there was little possibility of English settlements taking place and surviving in the Americas (and the French mostly limited their efforts to what is today Canada and the northern Midwest).
Reasons for English Settlement
At the 400the anniversary of Jamestown, Stephen McDowell and I wrote a short book titled The American Drean: Jamestown and the Planting of the American Christian Republic. But the most important resource published in 2007 (sadly, not now in print) was titled: Tobacco, Corn and Caviar by Curtin Reinhardt. Over 800 pages of complete documents were collected that almost no one can find today. I will quote from some of its documents later but first I want to list the early documents drafted in England which expressed Christian goals and ideas [excerpts later]:
1606, First Virginia Charter (Apr 10, by King James to the Virginia Company)
1606, Articles, Instructions & Orders (Nov 20, by the Virginia Company)
1606, Orders of the Council (Dec 10, by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia)
1606, Advice of the Council (Dec 10, by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia)
1607, Oaths of Supremacy & Allegiance
1607, Ordinance & Constitution (Mar 9, by the Virginia Company)
1607-1608 First-hand Accounts of Jamestown Virginia
With the legal basis and Christian purposes established, on Dec 20, 1606 the first ship left London and when land was sighted in April 1607 Edward Wingfield was revealed on ship as president of the colony before going ashore. The following events are described by those on the scene:
April-September, George Percy’s Observations
The nine and twentieth day [of April] we set up a Cross at Chesupioc Bay, and named that place Cape Henry…. The four and twentieth day [of May] we set up a Cross at the head of this River [at the falls]; ….The fifteenth day of June, we had built and finished our Fort which was triangle wise….
Edward Wingfield, as its first president wrote that among his “first work was to make a right choice of a spiritual pastor” which was Robert Hunt. Rev. Hunt offered prayers at the planting of the crosses and then held the first Anglican communion service on June 21. A sail was hung between a few trees as an awning for a place for worship in the fort. There he preached on Sunday and led daily morning and evening prayers. Wingfield said: “We made many prayers to our Almighty God.” Then Newport left for London and brought first news of the settlement.
June 22, is first official report to London: Letter from the Virginia Council to the Virginia Company
It said that “….as God shall enable us with strength we will better and better our proceedings…” Newport also brought a letter from Gabriel Archer: “…I hope in God as He hath miraculously preserved us hither from all dangers both of sea and land & their (i.e. the natives’) fury so He will make us authors of his holy will in converting them to our true Christian faith by his own inspiring grace and knowledge of His deity.”
In August Captain Bartholomew Gosnold died and in September Wingfield was replaced by John Ratcliffe as president. A severe period began that fall when many died according to Percy’s Observations:
….If it had not pleased God to have put a terrour in the Savages hearts, we had all perished by these vild and cruell Pagans, being in that weake estate as we were [i.e. sickness and starvation]; our men night and day groaning in ever corner of the Fort most pittifull to heare,…some departing out of the World, many times three or foure in a night: ….It pleased God, after a while, to send those people which were our mortall enemies to releeve us with victuals,…otherwise wee had all perished….
At the very end of the year Captain John Smith was captured and taken to chief Powhatan but (according to Smith’s narrative) saved from execution by the chief’s daughter – the ten year old Pocahontas. Smith returned to Jamestown on the same day in January 1608 that Captain Newport arrived from England. Only about 40 colonists were still alive. Newport had the men build a church. It’s foundations have recently been discovered where 4 graves now have been found including that of Rev. Hunt who died that spring. It was the first Protestant church in the Americas (see pic above).
On April 10, Newport, Archer and Wingfield depart for England and arrive there on June 2 bringing Smith’s True Relation. Smith’s narrative said that their goal was “….to the high glory of God, to the erecting of true religion among Infidels, to the overthrow of superstition and idolatry, to the winning of many thousands of wandering sheep unto Christ’s fold, who now, and till now, have strayed in the unknown paths of Paganism, idolatry, and superstition.”
Smith, on Sept 10, was elected president of the colony. Jamestown now included two women of which one was married in November. With news of a thriving colony, more efforts are planned back in England that again document Christian motives:
Documents back in England in 1609-1610 (see excerpts later)
1609, Nova Britannia – Offering Most Excellent Fruits (Feb 18, by Robert Johnson)
1609, Instructions, Orders & Constitutions (May-June, by Sir Thomas Gates, Governor)
1609, Instructions, Orders & Constitutions (by Sir Thomas West, Lord La Warr, Governor)
1609, A Sermon Preached to the Advancers of the Standard of Christ (Apr 25, by Rev. Wm. Symonds)
1609, A Good Speed to Virginia – Isaiah 42:4 (Apr 28)
1609, Second Virginia Charter (May 23, by King James to the Virginia Company)
On August 11, 1609 six ships make it to Jamestown with about 300 more people including women and children, and on Sept 10 George Percy replaced Smith as president until a new governor arrived. Then Argall and Smith depart for England. But that November is the start of a siege by the Indians and a starving time when almost 80% of the 500 colonists died over six months. Captain Archer was buried in the church. And much of the problem was due to supply ships being hit by storms and forced to Bermuda for a year. Serious fear and negative press needed to be addressed as seen in efforts below back in England.
In 1610, documents in England promote the Christian motives of Jamestown and offer hope:
1610, A Sermon Preached to His Majesty’s Council for Virginia – Luke 22:32 (Feb 21 by Rev. Crashaw)
1610, A Broadside Touching the Plantation (by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia)
1610, A True & Sincere Declaration of the Purpose of the Plantation…[for] the Kingdom of heaven
1610, A True Declaration of the Estate of the Colony (by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia)
Writings and Events from the Colony, 1610
An important first hand account bring news of supplies finally making it to the colony. Newes From Virginia – The Lost Flocke Triumphant (by R. Rich), said: “…be not dismayed at all: For scandall cannot doe vs wrong, God will not let vs fall…”
Indeed on May 21, 1610 Governor Thomas Gates arrived after over a year (due to storm) in Bermuda; he starts strict laws but comes to believe that they cannot survive and must abandon the colony. In an amazing providential moment, on June 10, Governor Thomas West, Lord De La Warr, meets Gates’ departing ships in the bay! They all return to Jamestown and the governor restores the church building that was damaged in a fire. This shows the centrality of faith that that was key to their survival.
In 1610 William Strachey, the secretary of the Governor wrote of the church and Rev. Richard Bucke:
…[The Governor] hath given order for the repairing of it, and at this instant many hands are about it. It is in length three-score foot, in breadth twenty-four…. And in it every Sunday we have sermons twice a day, and every Thursday a sermon, having true preachers, which take their weekly turns; and every morning, at the ringing of a bell about ten of the clock, each man addresseth himself to prayers, and so at four of the clock before supper. Every Sunday, when the lord governor and captain general goeth to church, he is accompanied with all the councilors, captains, other officers, and all the gentlemen, and with a guard….to the number of fifty, both on each side and behind him; and, being in the church, His Lordship hath his seat in the choir…..
In 1611, the Rev. Alexander Whitaker built Virginia’s second church in another settlement up the river called Henrico. The Christian faith was central to Virginia’s history. A Circular Letter in February 1611 by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia said “….The eyes of all Europe are looking upon our endevors to spread the Gospell among the Heathen people of Virginia….” And on June 25 the Relation of Lord De La Warre to His Majesty’s Council for Virginia said that it was “….so worthy a worke, as will redound both to the Glory of God….”
Between 1610 and 1612 the Governors of Jamestown developed Lawes Divine, Moral & Martial for the Colony that were later eventually published in 1612 by Wm. Strachey. Excerpts of these laws revel the religious priorities of this Protestant settlement (see them today in the paid subscriber section).
Writings and Events from the Colony, 1612-18
The Third Virginia Charter by King James gave more self-government to the settlement. And over the next five or six years the Christian leadership in Virginia was revealed further in the following events and documents. In 1613 the Indian princess Pocahontas was taken captive to Henrico and there was converted to Christianity and baptized in 1614. The leading figure in the church there was Rev. Alexander Whitaker of Henrico who wrote Good Newes from Virginia in 1613. Pocahontas was then married in April 1614 to John Rolfe in the Jamestown church (see John Rolfe’s letter to Dale). This started a period of peace with Powhatan that last 8 years. In 1617 a new church was built east of the earlier sites (foundations of this are seen today at Jamestown) and Governor Argall made proclamations that required attendance in 1618. Other historical documents from the colony tell more of this period:
Writings and Events from the Colony, 1615-18
1615, Declaration For Time of Drawing Lottery
1615, A True Discourse of the Present State of Virginia (by Ralph Hamor; with 1614 letters of Dale, Whitaker, Rolfe)
1616, A True Relation of the State of Virginia (by John Rolfe)
1616/17, A Proclamation (by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia)
1618, A Proclamation – Attendance Required at Church (May 10 by Gov. Argall)
1618, A Proclamation – Against Private Trucking (May 18 by Gov. Argall)
1618, Instructions to new Gov George Yeardley (Nov 18 by the Virginia Company)
1619, First Elected Legislature in Western Hemisphere
In 1618 Instructions to Gov. George Yeardley, martial law was lifted and authorization for a general assembly that would allow colonists to make laws for themselves. It was called the “Great Charter” by early historians and was largely shaped by Edwin Sandys who likewise gain a land patent for the Pilgrims in what later was known as Plymouth Colony. On April 18, 1619, George Yeardley arrived and began to lead as Governor.
The First Assembly was convened from July 30 through August 4 and included the Governor, four of his Council, and twenty-two Burgesses who were elected by free men in Virginia. The Assembly met in the Jamestown church and is considered as the first (and now oldest) continuous legislature in the western hemisphere. It began with Rev. Bucke leading the Burgesses in prayer (according to a contemporary writer) “…that God would guide and sanctify their proceedings to his own glory and the good of the plantation. They issued laws requiring church attendance, believing that men’s affairs cannot prosper where God’s service is neglected.” Indeed, a new town of Berkeley was established and there on December 4, 1619, they held a Thanksgiving service. And in that period came about a hundred women to marry the settlers and build families.
But events happened after this that later had great significance. John Rolfe wrote to Sandys that “About the latter end of August, a Dutch man of Warr [i.e. a ship] … arrived at Point-Comfort. …[with] 20 and odd Negroes, which the Governor and Cape Marchant bought…” This was the first arrival and trade of African slaves stolen from a slave ship. No laws governed slavery and so some became free using the same process as did indentured servants. This is what those today cite as the what defines American history in the so-called 1619 Project. Obviously it is a minor event in the story at that time and never planned or intended.
As of April 1620 Virginia had 32 Africans and 4 Indians living among the 1226 people (which also included 141 women and 192 children). Slavery would not be legal in Virginia until 1662 along with the restoration of the monarchy in England. Indeed even the Virginia colony lost its charter only five years after the first representative assembly. Royal authority would be a problem for self-governance and freedom until the time of independence a century and half later.
For paid subscribers below we have included many excerpts from some of the documents listed in this blog. They help document the Christian leadership and culture of the settlement of Virginia.
Christian Documents of Virginia
The First Virginia Charter (1606)
….a Work, which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the Glory of his Divine Majesty, in propagating of Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness and miserable Ignorance of the true Knowledge and Worship of God….
Articles, Instructions and Orders, (Nov, 20, 1606)
….that the true word and service of God and Christian faith be preached, planted and used, not only within every of the said several Colonies and plantations but also as much as they may amongst the savage people…according to the doctrine, rights and religion now professed and established within our realm of England….our will and pleasure is…to draw the savages and heathen people of the same several places to the true service and knowledge of God….
Advice of the Council, Dec 10, 1606
….When it shall please God to send you on the coast of Virginia….[remember] chiefly the way to prosper and achieve good success is to make yourselves all of one mind for the good of your country and your own, and to serve and fear God the Giver of all Goodness, for every plantation which our Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out….
Orders of the Council (Dec 10, 1606)
…[The] President…[shall] take his…Oath upon the holy Evangelists…. ‘So Help Me God’…
Oaths of Supremacy & Allegiance (1607)
….I do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess testify and declare in my Conscience before God & the world….that the pope neither of himself, nor by any Authority of the Church or See of Rome,…hath any power or authority to depose the King;….I do from my heart abhor, Detest & abjure as impious and heretical, this damnable doctrine and position that Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the pope, may be deposed or murdered….I do make this Recognition & acknowledgment heartily willingly & truly upon the true faith of a Christian So help me God.
Letter from the Virginia Council to the Virginia Company, June 22, 1607 [arrived July 29]
….as God shall enable us with strength we will better and better our proceedings…
1609, Nova Britannia – Offering Most Excellent Fruits by Planting in Virginia (Feb 18)
….this high and acceptable worke, tending to advance and spread the kingdom of God, and the knowledge of the truth, among so many millions of men and women, Savage and blind, that never yet saw the true light shine before their eyes, to enlighten their minds and comfort their soules…. And now in discribing the naturall seate and disposition of the countrie it selfe: if I should say no more but with Caleb and Joshua, The land which we have searched out is a very good land, if the Lord love us, he will bring our people to it, and will give it us for a possession. . . .
And as for supplanting the savages, we have no such intent: Our intrusion into their possessions shall tend to their great good, and no way to their hurt, unlesse as unbridled beastes, they procure it to themselves: Wee purpose to proclaime and make it knowne to them all, by some publike interpretation that our comming thither is to plant our selves in their countrie: yet not to supplant and roote them out, but to bring them from their base condition to a farre better: First, in regard of God the Creator, and of Jesus Christ their Redeemer, if they will beleeve in him. ….
1609, Instructions, Orders & Constitutions (May-June, by Sir Thomas Gates, Governor)
….When it shall please God that you have safely [arrived in] Jamestown….You shall take principal order and care for the true and reverent worship of God that his word be duly preached and his holy sacraments administered according to the constitutions of the Church of England….and that all atheism, profanes, popery, or schism be exemplarily punished to the honor of God and to the peace and safety of his Church, over which, in this tenderness and infancy, you must be especially solicitous & watchful. You shall,…endeavor the conversion of the natives to the knowledge and worship of the true God and their redeemer Christ Jesus, as the most pious and noble end of this plantation….you must procure from them some…children to be brought up in your language and manners….[and if necessary to liberate those] chained under the bond of death unto the devil….[we authorize to fight] even to death with these murderers of souls and sacrificers of God’s images….There must be built a church….and educate those weroances [i.e. leaders] which are young and to succeed in the [tribal] government in your manners and religion,…and become in time civil and Christian….Do all ordinances or acts…to the glory of God….
1609, Instructions, Orders & Constitutions (by Sir Thomas West, Lord La Warr, Governor)
….Your Lordship is to take principal order and care for the true worship and service of God as by having the Gospel preached, frequent prayers and the sacraments often administered as becommeth Christians. And that such your ministers and preachers as shall be with you be had in due respect…[you may] proceed in punishing of all atheism, prophanisme, popery and scisme by exemplary punishment to the honor of God and to the peace and safety of his church over which in this tenderness and infancy your Lordship must be especially solicitous and watchful. It is very expedient that your Lordship with all diligence endeavor the conversion of the natives and savages to the knowledge and worship of the true God and their redeemer Christ Jesus as the most pious and noble end of this plantation….
1609, A Sermon Preached to the Advancers of the Standard of Christ (Apr 25, by Rev. Wm. Symonds)
Our most sacred Soueraigne . . . desireth to present this land a a pure Virgine to Christ. Such as doe mannage the expedition, are carefull to carry thither no Traitors, nor Papists that depend on the Great Whore. Lord finish this good worke thou hast begun; and marry this land, a pure Virgine to thy kingly sonne Christ Jesus; so shall thy name bee magnified: and we shall haue a Virgin or Maiden Britain, a comfortable addition to our Great Britain. . . . The Lord called Abraham to goe into another Countrey. . . . The reason why God will haue his to fill the earth is, because the Lord would haue His workes to be known. . . . Neither can there be any doubt, but that the Lord that called Abraham into another Countrey, doeth also by the same holy hand, call you to goe and carry the Gospell to a nation that neuer heard of Christ. ….where the people….know no God but the divell, nor sacrifice, but to offer their men and children vnto Moloch. . . . Rather be strong, and of good courage: because the Lord is with you; and with them, but an arme of flesh.
1609, A Good Speed to Virginia – Isaiah 42:4 (Apr 28 by Robert Gray)
A right sure foundation therefore haue you . . . laid for the immortalitie of your names and memory, which, for the aduancement of Gods glorie; ….if we will yet sit with our armes foulded in our bosomes, and not rather seeke after such adventures whereby the glory of God may be advanced…. It is euerie mans dutie to travell both by sea and land, and to venture either with his person or with his purse, to bring the barbarous and sauage people to a civill and Christian kinde of government, under which they may learne how to live holily, iustly, and soberly in this world, and to apprehend the meanes to saue their soules in the world to come. . . . . . . so that we goe to live peaceablie among them, and not to supplant them. . .[but] all Politititians doe with one consent, holde and maintaine, that a Christian king may lawfullie make war uppon barbarous and sauage people, and such as live under no lawfull and warrantable government…
The Second Virginia Charter (May 23, 1609 by King James)
….by the assistance of Almighty God….pleasing to God….under the blessing of God….to live together in the fear and true worship of Almighty God, Christian peace and civil quietness….and lastly, because the principal Effect which we can desire…is the Conversion…of the People in those Parts unto the true Worship of God and Christian Religion….[and not] the superstitions of the Church of Rome, we do hereby declare that….none be permitted to pass in any voyage… [unless] have taken the oath of supremacy….
A True and Sincere Declaration (Dec 14, 1609)
The Principall and Maine ends . . . weare first to preach, and baptize into Christian religion, and by propagation of the Gospell, to recouer out of the armes of the Diuell, a number of poore and miserable soules wrapt vpp vnto death, in almost invinceable ignorance, to endeauor the fulfilling and accomplishment of the number of the elect. . . . . . These being the true; and essentiall ends of this Plantation….Religious, Noble, and Peaceable. . . .
Who can avoid the hand of God, or dispute with him? Let euery man look inward, and disperse that clowd of auarice which darkenth his spirituall sight, and hee will finde there, that when hee shall appeare before the Tribunall of Heaven, it shall be questioned him what hee hath done? Hath he fed and cloth’d the hungry and naked?
1610, A Sermon Preached to His Majesty’s Council for Virginia – Luke 22:32 (Feb 21 by Rev. Crashaw)
More particularly, wee heere see the cause why no more come in to assist this present purpose of plantation in Virginea, ….because they may not haue present profit. . . . tell them of planting a Church, of conuerting 10000 soules to God, they are senselesse as stones:
….this present action: the principal ends thereof being the plantation of a Church of English Christians there, and consequently the conuersion of the heathen from the diuel to God: ….for the same God made them as well as vs, of as good matter as he made vs, gave them as perfect and good soules and bodies as to vs, and the same Messiah and Sauiour is sent to them as to vs, ….giuing us favour in the eies of the sauages, who rather inuite vs then resist vs: ….for the time was when we were sauage and unciuill, and worshipped the diuell, as they now do, then God sent some to make vs ciuill, others to make vs christians. If such had not been sent vs we had yet continued wild and unciuill, and worshippers of the diuell. . . .
we will take nothing from the Sauages by power nor pillage, by craft nor violence. . . . we will exchange with them for that which they may spare. . . . we will giue them such things as they greatly desire . .. such things as they want and neede, and are infinitely more excellent then all wee take from them: and that is 1. Ciuilitie for their bodies, 2. Christianitie for their soules. . . . religion, they haue from vs for nothing. . . . And thou Virginea, ….thy God is comming towards thee. . . . and he that was the God of Israel, and is still the God of England, will shortly I doubt not bring it to passe, that men shall say, Blessed be the Lord God of Virginea.
1610, A True Declaration of the Estate of the Colony (by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia)
….in respect of the law of God, ….our primarie end is to plant religion, ….the Gospell should bee preached, to all the world, before the end of the world? . . .to preach the Gospell… and to set their soules at liberty, ….a matter sacred in the Preachers, but …the rulers. Who for their meere ambition, doe set upon it, the glosse of religion. ….is it not a dutie of christianitie to behold the imprinted footsteps of Gods glorie in euer region vnder heauen? ….it is not unlawfull that we possess part of their land… Partlie because there is no other, moderate, and mixt course, to bring them to conuersion, but by dailie conuersation, where they may see the life,. . . . Partlie, because they haue violated the lawe of nations . . . . ….let no man adore his golde as his god, nor him Mammon as his maker. …. to cast down the altars of Diuels, that you may raise vp the Altar of Christ? . . . Doubt ye not but God hath determined, ….[to] build his Church in that excellent climate….
1610, Articles, Laws, and Orders, Divine, Politic, and Martial for the Colony in Virginia
Whereas his Majestie like himselfe a most zealous Prince hath in his owne Realmes a principall care of true Religion, and reverence to God, and hath alwaies strictly commaunded his Generals and Governours, with all his forces wheresoever, to let their waies be like his ends for the glorie of God….
First since we owe our highest and supreme duty, our greatest, and all our allegeance to him, from whom all power and authoritie is derived, and flowes as from the first, and onely fountaine, and being especiall souldiers emprest in this sacred cause, we must alone expect our successe from him, who is only the blesser of all good attempts, the King of kings, the commaunder of commaunders, and Lord of Hostes, I do strictly commaund and charge all Captaines and Officers, of what qualitie or nature soever, whether commanders in the field, or in towne, or townes, forts or fortresses, to have a care that the Almightie God bee duly and daily served, and that they call upon their people to heare Sermons, as that also they diligently frequent Morning and Evening praier themselves by their owne exemplar and daily life, and duties herein, encouraging others thereunto….
That no man speake impiously or maliciously, against the holy and blessed Trinitie, or any of the three persons, that is to say, against God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy Ghost, or against the knowne Articles of the Christian faith…. That no man blaspheme Gods holy name…, or use unlawful oathes, taking the name of God in vaine, curse, or banne…. No man shall speake any word, or do any act, which may tend to the derision, or despight of Gods holy word…: Nor shall any man unworthily demeane himself unto any Preacher, or Minister of the same, but generally hold them in all reverent regard, and dutiful intreatie….
Everie man and woman duly twice a day upon the first towling of the Bell shall upon the working daies repaire unto the Church, to hear divine Service….Likewise no man or woman shall dare to violate or breake the Sabboth by any gaming, publique or private abroad, or at home, but duly sanctifie and observe the same, both himselfe and his familie, by preparing themselves at home with private prayer, that they may be the better fitted for the publique, according to the commandements of God, and the orders of our Church, as also every man and woman shall repaire in the morning to the divine service, and Sermons preached upon the Saboth day, and in the afternoon to divine service, and Catechising….
All Preachers or Ministers within this our Colonie, or Colonies, shall in the Forts, where they are resident, after divine Service, duly preach every Sabbath day in the forenoone, and Catechise in the afternoone, and weekly say the divine service, twice every day, and preach every Wednesday, likewise every Minister where he is resident, within the same Fort, or Fortresse, Townes or Towne, shall chuse unto him, foure of the most religious and better disposed as well to informe of the abuses and neglects of the people in their duties, and service to God….
A Praier duly said Morning and Evening upon the Court of Guard, either by the Captaine of the watch himselfe, or by some one of his principall officers.
Merciful Father, and Lord of heaven and earth, we come before thy presence to worship thee in calling upon thy name, and giving thankes unto thee, and though our duties and our verie necessities call us heereunto: Yet we confesse our hearts to be so dull and untoward, that unlesse thou be mercifull to us to teach us how to pray, we shall not please thee, nor profit our selves in these duties. Wee therefore most humbly beseech thee to raise up our hearts with thy good spirit, and so to dispose us to praier, that with true fervencie of heart, feeling of our wants, humblenesse of minde, and faith in thy gracious promises, we may present our suites acceptably unto thee by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
And thou our Father of al mercies, that hast called us unto thee, heare us and pitie thy poore servants, we have indeed sinned wonderously against thee through our blindnesse of mind, prophanesse of spirit, hardnesse of heart, selfe love, worldlinesse, carnall lusts, hypocrisie, pride, vanitie, unthankfulnesse, infidelitie, and other our native corruptions, which being bred in us, and with us, have defiled us even from the wombe, and unto this day, and have broken out as plague sores into unnumberable transgressions of all thy holy lawes, (the good waies whereof we have wilfully declined,) & have many times displeased thee, and our owne consciences in chusing those things which thou hast most justly & severely forbidden us. And besides all this wee have outstood the gracious time and meanes of our conversion, or at least not stooped and humbled our selves before thee, as wee ought, although we have wanted none of those helpes, which thou vouchsafest unto thy wandering children to fetch them home withall, for we have had together with thy glorious workes, thy word calling upon us without, and thy spirit within, and have been solicited by promises, by threatenings, by blessings, by chastisings, & by examples, on all hands: And yet our corrupted spirits cannot become wise before thee, to humble themselves, and to take heede as we ought, and wish to do.
Wherefore O Lord God, we do acknowledge thy patience to have beene infinite and incomparable, in that thou hast been able to hold thy hands from revenging thy selfe upon us thus long, & yet pleasest to hold open the dore of grace, that we might come in unto thee and be saved. And now O blessed Lord God, we are desirous to come unto thee, how wretched soever in our selves, yea our very wretchednesse sends us unto thee: unto thee with whom the fatherlesse, and he that hath no helper findeth mercy, we come to thee in thy Sons name not daring to come in our owne: In his name that came for us, we come to thee, in his mediation whom thou hast sent: In him O Father, in whom thou hast professed thy selfe to be well pleased, we come unto thee, and doe most humbly beseech thee to pittie us, & to save us for thy mercies sake in him.
O Lord our God our sins have not outbidden that bloud of thy holy Son which speakes for our pardon, nor can they be so infinite, as thou art in thy mercies, & our hearts (O God thou seest them,) our hearts are desirous to have peace with thee, and war with our lusts, and wish that they could melt before thee, and be dissolved into godly mourning for all that filth that hath gone through them, and defiled them. And our desires are now to serve and please thee, and our purposes to endeavour it more faithfully, we pray thee therefore for the Lord Jesus sake seale up on our consciences thy gracious pardon of all our sinnes past, and give us to feele the consolation of this grace shed abroad in our hearts for our eternall comfort and salvation: and that we may know this perswasion to be of thy spirit, and not of carnall presumption, (blessed God) let those graces of thy spirit, which doe accompanie salvation, be powred out more plentifully upon us, encrease in us all godly knowledge, faith, patience, temperance, meekenesse, wisedome, godlinesse, love to thy Saints and service, zeale of thy glory, judgement to discerne the difference of good & ill, and things present which are temporary, and things to come which are eternall.
Make us yet at the last wise-hearted to lay up our treasure in heaven, and to set our affections more upon things that are above, where Christ sits at thy right hand: And let all the vaine and transitory inticements of this poore life, appeare unto us as they are, that our hearts may no more be intangled and bewitched with the love of them. O Lord, O God, our God, thou hast dearely bought us for thine owne selfe, give us so honest hearts as may be glad to yeeld the possession of thine owne. And be thou so gracious, as yet to take them up, though we have desperately held thee out of them in times past, and dwell in us, and raigne in us by thy spirit, that we may be sure to raigne with thee in thy glorious kingdome, according to thy promise through him that hath purchased that inheritance for all that trust in him.
And seeing thou doest so promise these graces to us, as that thou requirest our industrie and diligence in the use of such meanes as serve thereto (good Lord) let us not so crosse our praiers for grace, as not to seeke that by diligence, which we make shew to seeke by prayer, least our owne waies condemne us of hypocrisie. Stirre us up therefore (O Lord) to the frequent use of prayer, to reading, hearing, and meditating of thy holy word, teach us to profit by the conversation of thy people, and to be profitable in our owne, make us wise to apprehend all oportunites of doing or receiving spiritual good, strengethen us with grace to observe our hearts and waies, to containe them in good order, or to reduce them quickly, let us never thinke any company so good as thine, nor any time so well spent, as that which is in thy service, and beautifying of thine Image in our selves or others.
Particularly we pray thee open our eies to see our naturall infirmities, and to discover the advantages which Satan gets thereby. And give us care to strive most, where we are most assaulted and damaged. And thou O God, that hast promised to blesse thine owne ordinances, blesse all things unto us, that we may grow in grace & in knowledge, and so may shine as light in this darke world, giving good example to all men, and may in our time lie downe in peace of a good conscience, enbaulmed with a good report, and may leave thy blessings entailed unto ours after us for an inheritance.
These O Father, are our speciall suits, wherein wee beseech thee to set forth the wonderful riches of thy grace towards us, as for this life, and the things thereof, we crave them of thee so farre as may be for our good, and thy glory, beseeching thee to provide for us as unto this day in mercy. And when thou wilt humble or exalt us, governe us so long, and so farre in all conditions and changes, as we may cleave fast unto thee our God unchangeably, esteeming thee our portion & sufficient inheritance for evermore. Now what graces we crave for our selves, which are here before thy presence, we humbly begge for all those that belong unto us, and that by dutie or promise wee owne our praiers unto, beseeching thee to be as gracious unto them, as unto our own souls, and specially to such of them, as in respect of any present affliction or temptation may be in speciall neede of some more speedie helpe or comfort from thy mighty hand.
Yea our Lord God we humbly desire to blesse with our praiers the whole Church more specially our nation, and therein the kings Majestie our Soveraigne, his Queene and royall seede, with all that be in authoritie under him, beseeching thee to follow him and them with those blessings of thy protection and direction, which may preserve them safe from the malice of the world, and of Satan, and may yeeld them in their great places faithfull to thee for the good of thy people, and their owne eternall happinesse and honour.
We beseech thee to furnish the Churches with faithfull and fruitfull ministers, and to blesse their lives and labours for those mercifull uses, to which thou hast ordained them, sanctifie thy people O God, and let them not deceive themselves with a formalitie of religion in steed of the power thereof, give them grace to profit both by those favours, and by those chasticements which thou hast sent successively or mixedly amongst them. And Lord represse that rage of sinne, and prophanesse in all Christian states which breeds so much Apostacy and defection, threatning the taking away of this light from them: Confound thou O God all the counsel and practices of Satan and his ministers, which are or shall be taken up against thee, and the kingdome of thy deare sonne. And call in the Jewes together with the fulnesse of the gentiles, that thy name may be glorious in al the world, the dayes of iniquity may come to an end, and we with all thine elect people may come to see thy face in glorie, and be filled with the light thereof for evermore.
And now O Lord of mercie, O Father of the spirits of all flesh, looke in mercie upon the Gentiles, who yet know thee not, O gracious God be mercifull to us, and bless us, and not us alone, but let thy waies be knowne upon earth, & thy saving health amongst all nations: we praise thee, and we blesse thee: But let the people praise thee O God, yea let all the people praise thee, and let these ends of the world remember themsleves and turne to thee the God of their salvation. And seeing thou hast honoured us to choose us out to beare thy name unto the Gentiles: we therefore beseech thee to bless us, and this our plantation. which we and our nation have begun in thy feare, & and for thy glory. We know O Lord, we have the divel and all the gates of hel against us, but if thou O Lord be on our side, we care not who be against us. O therfore vouchsafe to be our God, & let us be a part and portion of thy people, confirme thy covenant of grace & mercy with us, which thou hast made to thy Church in Christ Jesus. And seeing Lord the highest end of our plantation here, is to set up the standard, & display the banner of Jesus Christ, even here where satans throne is Lord, let our labor be blessed in laboring the conversion of the heathen. And because thou usest not to work such mighty works by unholy means, Lord sanctifie our spirits, & give us holy harts, that so we may be thy instruments in this most glorious work: lord inspire our souls with thy grace, kindle in us zeal of thy glory: fill our harts with thy feare, & our tongues with thy praise, furnish us all from the highest to the lowest with all gifts & graces needful not onely for our salvation, but for the discharge of our duties in our severall places, adorne us with the garments of Justice, mercy, love, pitie, faithfulnesse, humility, & all vertues, & teach us to abhor al vice, that our lights may so shine before these heathen, that they may see our good works, & so be brought to glorifie thee our heavenly Father. And seeing Lord we professe our selves thy servants, & are about thy worke, Lord blesse us, arme us against difficulties, strength us against all base thoughts & temptations, that may make us looke backe againe. And seeing by thy motion & work in our harts, we have left our warme nests at home, & put our lives into our hands principally to honour thy name, & advance the kingdome of thy son, Lord give us leave to commit our lives into thy hands: let thy Angels be about us, & let us be as Angels of God sent to this people, And so blesse us Lord, & so prosper all our proceedings, that the heathen may never say unto us, where is now your God: Their Idols are not so good as silver & gold, but lead & copper, & the works of their own hands. But thou Jehovah art our God, & we are ye works of thy hands: O then let Dagon fall before thy Arke, let Satan be confounded at thy presence, & let the heathen see it & be ashamed, that they may seeke thy face, for their God is not our God, themselves being Judges. Arise therfore O Lord, & let thine enemies be scattered, & let them that hate thee flie before thee: As the smoke vanisheth, so let Satan & his delusions come to nought & as wax melteth before the fire, so let wickednes, superstition, ignorance & idolatry perish at ye presence of thee our God.
And wheras we have by undertaking this plantation undergone the reproofs of the base world, insomuch as many of our owne brethren laugh us to scorne, O Lord we pray thee fortifie us against this temptation: let Sanballat, & Tobias, Papists & players, & such other Amonists & Horonits the scum & dregs of the earth, let them mocke such as helpe to build up the wals of Jerusalem, and they that be filthy, let them be filthy still, & let such swine still wallow in their mire, but let not ye rod of the wicked fal upon the lot of the righteous, let not them put forth their hands to such vanity, but let them that feare thee, rejoyce & be glad in thee, & let them know, that it is thou O Lord, that raignest in England, & unto the ends of the world. And seeing this work must needs expose us to many miseries, & dangers of soule & bodie, by land & sea, O Lord we earnestly beseech thee to receive us into thy favour & protection, defend us from the delusion of the divel, the malice of the heathen, the invasions of our enemies, & mutinies & dissentions of our own people, knit our hearts altogether in faith & feare of thee, & love one to another, give us patience, wisedome & constancy to goe on through all difficulties & temptations, til this blessed work be accomplished, for the honour of thy name, & glory of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: That when the heathen do know thee to be their God, and Jesus Christ to be their salvation, they may say, blessed by the King & Prince of England, & blessed be the English nation, and blessed for ever be the most high God, possessor of heaven & earth, that sent them amongst us: And heere O Lord we do upon the knees of our harts offer thee the sacrifice of praise & thanksgiving, for that thou hast moved our harts to undertake the performance of this blessed work, with the hazard of our person, and the hearts of so may hundreds of our nation to assist it with meanes & provision, and with their holy praiers, Lord looke mercifully upon them all, and for that portion of their substance which they willingly offer for thy honour & service in this action, recompence it to them and theirs, and reward it seven fold into their bosomes with better blessings: Lord blesse England our sweet native countrey, save it from Popery, this land from heathenisme, & both from Atheisme. And Lord heare their praiers for us, and us for them, and Christ Jesus our glorious Mediator for us all. Amen.
The Third Virginia Charter (1612)
….for the Propagation of Christian Religion…
1612, The New Life of Virginia (May 1, by His Majesty’s Council for Virginia)
And for the poore Indians, what shall I say, but God that hath many waies shewed mercie to you, make you shew mercie to them and theirs…. the worke that wee furst intended, and haue publisht to the world to be chief in our thoughts, the bring those infidell people from the worship of Diuels to the seruice of God…. Take their children and traine them vp with …the principles of religion;…. If you seeke… strategems of warre, you shall ….make your names odious to all their posteritie….
1612, John Smith’s Map of Virginia with a Description of the Country (after Nov)
….[the Indian leader] did beleeve, that our God as much exceeded theirs, ….and many times did send to the President, at James towne, men with presents, intreating them to pray to his God for raine, for his Gods would not send him any. And in this lamentable ignorance doe these poore souls sacrifice themselves to the Divell, not knowing their Creator….
Good News From Virginia, Alexander Whitaker (Feb 1613)
Let the miserable condition of these naked slaues of the diuell moue you to compassion toward them. They acknowledge that there is a great good God, but know him not, hauing the eyes of their vunderstanding as yet blinded: wherefore they serue the divell for feare, after a most base manner, sacrificing sometimes (as I haue heere heard) their owne Children to him.. . . .Oh remember (I beseech you) what was the state of England before the Gospell was preached in our Countrey: How much better were we then, and concerning our soules health, then these now are? ….the promise of God, which is without respect of persons,. . . .there is ciuill gouernement amongst them which they stricly obserue, and shew thereby that the law of Nature dwelleth in them.
1614, John Rolfe’s letter to Dale (about marrying Pocahontas)
Let therefore this my well advised protestation, which here I make betweene God and my own conscience, ….if my chiefest intent and purpose be not, to strive with all my power ….for the good of this plantation, for the honour of our countrie, for the glory of God, for my owne salvation, and for the converting to the true knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, an unbeleeving creature, namely Pokahuntas. ….But almighty God, who never faileth his, that truly invocate his holy name hath …led me by the hand that I might plainely see and discerne the safe paths…
1615, A True Discourse of the Present State of Virginia (by Ralph Hamor; with 1614 letters of Dale, Whitaker, Rolfe)
….the wisest man that ever writ or speake (excepting him that was both God and man) hath said, that such who bring others unto righteousnesse shal themselves shine as the stars in the firmament. And doubtlesse I doe beleeve, even amongst the rest of my Articles, when these poore Heathens shall be brought to entertaine the honour of the name, and glory of the Gospell of our blessed Saviour, when they shall testifie of the true and everliving God, and Jesus Christ to be their Salvation, ….they shal breake out and cry with rapture of so inexplicable mercie: Blessed be the King and Prince of England, and blessed be the English Nation, and blessed for ever be the most high God possessor of Heaven and earth, that sent these English as angels to bring such glad tidings amongst us. These will be doubtlesse the …effects and exultation of this so Christian worke, ….but let them that know the worke, rejoice and be glad in the happie successe of it, proclaiming that it is the everliving God that raigneth in England, and unto the ends of the world.