

Htilorieofthe Indie*, lib.y. 



n that God doth not impart his graces foaboundantly 

 as he would. Yet I will fay one thing which I holde for 

 truth, that although the firft entry of the Gofpel hath not 

 beene accompanied (in many places,) with fuch fince- 

 ritieand chriftian meanes, as they fhould have vfed : yet 

 God of his bountie hathdrawne good from this evill, 

 and hath made the fubk&ion of the Indians , a perfect 

 remedie for their (alvation. Let vs con fider a little, what 

 hath beene riewly converted in our time to the Chrifti 

 an Religion, as well in the Eaft , as in the Weft , and how 

 little furetie and perfeverance in the faith and Chriftian 

 Religion there hath beene 5 in places where the new coo,- 

 verted have had full libertie to difpofe of themfelves, ac 

 cording to rheir free will. Chriftianitie without doubt 

 augments and increafeth , and brings forth daily more 

 fruite among the Indian ilaves : and contrariwife decree 

 feth and threatens aruine in other partes, wjiere have 

 beene more happy beginnings. And although the be 

 gin nings at the Weft Indies have beene labourfome, yet 

 our Lord hath fpeedily fent good worke-men and his 

 f-iithfull Minifters, holy men and Apoftolicall, as Friar 

 Martini faience, of the order ofS. Francis^ WiwDomi- 

 nicke de GerAncols^ of the order of S . T>ommi<& , Friar lohn 

 de Roa , of the order of S. Aufen ,. with other fervants of 

 our Lord, which have lived holily, and have wrought 

 more then hu.nainc things. Likewife, Prelates and holy 

 Priefts, worthy of memory,, of whom we heare famous 

 miracles, and the very ads oftheApoftles: yea, in our 

 time we have knowne and conferred with fbme of this 

 qualitie. 



But for that my intention hath beene onely to touch 

 that which concernes the proper biftory of the Indians 

 theoifclvcs, and to comcvnto the time that the father 



of 



