THE VOYAGERS 



ties, and artificial practices wherewith God hath blessed 

 each particular country, coast and nation according to 

 the nature and situation of the place.' Moreover, 

 Davis, almost alone among the English navigators of 

 his time, believed sincerely in the mission of England The Christian 

 to take the Gospel to the heathen. He was a student ^^^zland 

 of the Bible, and quotes the prophecies of Isaiah 

 concerning the salvation and union of the Gentiles. 

 ' Then sith it is so appointed,' he goes on, ' that 

 there shall be one shepherd and one flock, what 

 hindereth us of England (being by God's mercy for 

 the same purpose at this present most aptly prepared) 

 not to attempt that which God himself hath appointed 

 to be performed } There is no doubt but that we of 

 England are this saved people, by the eternal and 

 infallible presence of the Lord predestinated to be sent pgopi^^ 

 unto these Gentiles in the sea, to those Isles and 

 famous Kingdoms, there to preach the peace of the 

 Lord : for are not we only set upon Mount Zion to 

 give light to all the rest of the world .^^ Have not we 

 the true handmaid of the Lord to rule us unto whom 

 the eternal majesty of God hath revealed his truth 

 and supreme power of Excellency } By whom then 

 shall the truth be preached, but by them unto whom 

 the truth shall be revealed } It is only we, there- 

 fore, that must be these shining messengers of the 

 Lord, and none but we ; for, as the prophet saith, " O 

 how beautiful are the feet of the messenger that 

 bringeth the message from the mountain, that pro- 

 claimeth peace, that bringeth the good tidings and 

 preacheth health, and saith to Zion, Thy God is King.'' 

 So that hereby the spiritual benefit arising from this 



31 



