Thus Have I Delivered The Contents Of The Enterprise And Last Action
Of Sir Humfrey Gilbert, Knight, Faithfully, For So
Much as I thought
meet to be published; wherein may always appear, though he be
extinguished, some sparks of his
Virtues, be remaining firm and
resolute in a purpose by all pretence honest and godly, as was this,
to discover, possess, and to reduce unto the service of God and
Christian piety those remote and heathen countries of America not
actually possessed by Christians, and most rightly appertaining unto
the crown of England, unto the which as his zeal deserveth high
commendation, even so he may justly be taxed of temerity, and
presumption rather, in two respects. First, when yet there was only
probability, not a certain and determinate place of habitation
selected, neither any demonstration if commodity there /in esse/, to
induce his followers; nevertheless, he both was too prodigal of his
own patrimony and too careless of other men's expenses to employ both
his and their substance upon a ground imagined good. The which
falling, very like his associates were promised, and made it their
best reckoning, to be salved some other way, which pleased not God to
prosper in his first and great preparation. Secondly, when by his
former preparation he was enfeebled of ability and credit to perform
his designments, as it were impatient to abide in expectation better
opportunity, and means which God might raise, he thrust himself again
into the action, for which he was not fit, presuming the cause
pretended on God's behalf would carry him to the desired end. Into
which having thus made re-entry, he could not yield again to withdraw,
though he saw no encouragement to proceed; lest his credit, foiled in
his first attempt, in a second should utterly be disgraced. Between
extremities he made a right adventure, putting all to God and good
fortune; and, which was worst, refused not to entertain every person
and means whatsoever, to furnish out this expedition, the success
whereof hath been declared.
But such is the infinite bounty of God, who from every evil deriveth
good. For besides that fruit may grow in time of our travelling into
those north-west lands, the crosses, turmoils, and afflictions, both
in the preparation and execution of this voyage, did correct the
intemperate humours which before we noted to be in this gentleman, and
made unsavoury and less delightful his other manifold virtues. Then as
he was refined, and made nearer drawing unto the image of God so it
pleased the Divine will to resume him unto Himself, whither both his
and every other high and noble mind have always aspired.
End of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to Newfoundland
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