514 now TO DO coon 1'O HIANY. all the means which they used were not justifiable, when I read of their hazards, unwearied labors, and success, I am none of those that would deprive them of their deserved honor, but rather wish that we, who have better ends and principles, might do better than they, and not come so far behind them as we do, if half be true that Peter Maffaus, and the Jesuits' epistles, and many other writers, tell us of them. I know that they had the advantageof greater helps from kings; and pope, and prelates, and colleges endowed with trained men and copious maintenance. But might not somewhat more be done by us than is yet done ? 1. Is it not possible to send some able, zealous chaplains to those factories which are in the countries of infidels and heathens ; such as thirst for the conversion of sinners, and the enlargement of the church of Christ, and ,would labor skillfully and diligently therein ? Is it not possible to get some short Christian books, which are fitted for that use, to be translated into such languages that infidels can read, and to distribute them among them? If it be not possible also to send thither religious, conscionable factors, who would further the work, the case of London is very sad. 2. Is it not possible, at least, to help the poor ignorant Arme- nians, Greeks, Muscovites, and other Christians, who have no printing among them, nor much preaching or knowledge and, for want of printing, have very few Bibles, even for their churches or ministers? Could nothing be done to get some Bibles, catechisms, and practical books printed in their own tongues, and given among them? I know there is difficulty in the way; but money, and willingness, and diligence, might do something. 3. Might not something be done in other plantations, as well as in New England, towards the conversion of the natives there? Might not some skillful, zealous preachers be sent thither, who would promote serious piety among those of the English that have too little of it, and might invite the Americansto' learn the gospel, and teach our planters how to behave themselves christianly towards them, to win them to Christ? 4. Is it not possible to do more than hath been done to convert the blacks that are our own slaves, or servants, to the Christian faith? Hath not Mr. Goodwin justly reprehended and lamented the neglect, yea, and resistance of this work in Barbadoes, and the like elsewhere ? 1. Might not better teachers be sent thither for that use ? 2. Is it not an odious crime of Christians to hinder the conversion of these infidels, lest they lose their service by it, and to prefer their gain to men's souls ? Is not this to sell souls for a little money, as Judas did his Lord? And whereas the law manumits them from servitude when they turn Christians, that it may invite them to conversion, (and this occasioneth wicked Chris-
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