DESIGNS OF PROVIDENCE. 527 



and very ignorant in the course that was to be observed LlB - VI1 - 

 with the Infidels, who had never offended the Christians, 

 yet can we not deny but on their part there was much 

 malice against God and our men, which forced them to vse 

 rigor and chastisement. And, moreover, the Lord of all 

 (although the faithfull were sinners), would favour their 

 cause and partie, even for the good of the Tnfidells, who 

 should bee converted vnto the holy Gospel by this meanes, 

 for the waies of God are high, and his paths wonderful. 



CHAP, xxvin. Of the niancr how the Divine Providence 



tlixpoxcd of the Imlies, to (jii e an cntrie to Christian 



Religion. 



I will make an end of this historic of the Indies, showing 

 the admirable meanes whereby God made a passage for the 

 Gospel in those partes, the which we ought well to consider 

 of, and acknowledge the providence and bountie of the 

 Creator. Every one may vnderstand by the relation and 

 discourse I have written in these bookes, as well at Peru 

 as in New Spaine, whenas the Christians first set footing, 

 that these Kingdomes and Monarchies were come to the 

 height and period of their power. The Yncas of Peru, 

 possessing from the Realme of Chile beyond Quito, which 

 are a thousand leagues, being most aboundant in gold, 

 siluer, and all kinds of riches : as also in Mexico, Monte- 

 ^uuia commaunded from the North Ocean sea vnto the 

 South, being feared and worshipped, not as a man, but 

 rather as a god. Then was it, that the most high Lord 

 had determined that that stone of Daniel, which dis 

 solved the Realuies and Kingdoms of the world, should 

 also dissolve those of this new world. And as the lawe of 

 Christ came whenas the Romane Monarchic was at her 

 greatnes : so did it happen at the West Indies, wherein we 

 see the iust providence of our Lord. For being then in 



