Fifthly, Merchants, who travel into far remote parts for their Trade, and Gentlemen who travel for their pleasure, and to satisfy themselves by an ocular survey of Countries, and Cities (of which they often heard Reports scarce to be believed on hear-say:) These have some greater advantages to see and hear the low and sinking State, or the rising and flourishing Condition of those Churches which are planted in such Countries; and as Christians they are bound to observe, inform themselves, and tell others how 'tis with the Churches that Prayers and Praises may be offered unto God for them: But this is very little minded by Merchants when abroad, and less minded by them, when returned home with Wealth (greater than ever they hoped.) Though Religion decay, and Churches lessen in Number, Knowledge, Faith and Holiness; yet who of them out of their abundance settle a tribute of Thankfulness to God, making Provision for the sending and maintaining Preachers and School-masters among them? Would the enriched Merchants remember their Duty to God, and what Thanks they owe to the People who were kind to them in Travels and Trading, there would be some settlements made to encourage such as are fit and willing to employ themselves in promoting the Welfare of the Churches, but Poverty and Low Condition in the World forbids them to do it on their own Estate, and no due provision is made by others to support them in such a work. Some few of this travelling disposition (though poor) do go abroad Tutors to some young raw Gentlemen, who being so unexperienced, and imprudent among Strangers, and ever endangering themselves, if the Tutor be absent; he can do little but attend them in every place, and spend his time in viewing things that please young fancies, and profit none but those that are Door-keepers, or Officers about the places: One short Tour of a Learned Man (now a great Prelate among us) gives us assurance that Travels might give us good Intelligence of the State of the Church, were there due care taken in this,1 by Persons who could bear the Expenses of Prudent, Experienced, and Diligent Persons, Lovers of the Truth and Church, as well as Lovers of Knowledge, we might in a short time have a good account of the true state of all, or most of the Churches of Christ, and our Praises would be more seasonable and suitable.
Fifthly, Merchants, who travel into far remote parts for their Trade, and Gentlemen who travel for their pleasure, and to satisfie themselves by an occular survey of Countreys, and Cities (of which they often heard Reports scarce to be believed on hear-say:) These have some greater advantages to see and hear the low and sinking State, or the rising and flourishing Condition of those Churches which are planted in such Countreys; and as Christians they are bound to observe, inform themselves, and tell others how 'tis with the Churches that Prayers and Praises may be offer'd unto God for them: But this is very little minded by Merchants when abroad, and less minded by them, when return'd home with Wealth (greater than ever they hoped.) Though Religion decay, and Churches lessen in Number, Knowledge, Faith and Holiness; yet who of them out of their abundance settle a tribute of Thankfulness to God, making Provision for the sending and maintaining Preachers and School-masters among them? Wo'd the enriched Merchants remember their Duty to God, and what Thanks they owe to the People who were kind to them in Travels and Trading, there would be some settlements made to encourage such as are fit and willing to employ themselves in promoting the Welfare of the Churches, but Poverty and Low Condition in the World forbids them to do it on their own Estate, and no due provision is made by others to support them in such a work. Some few of this travelling disposition (though poor) do go abroad Tutors to some young raw Gentlemen, who being so unexperienced, and imprudent among Strangers, and ever endangering themselves, if the Tutor be absent; he can do little but attend them in every place, and spend his time in viewing things that please young fancies, and profit none but those that are Door-keepers, or Officers about the places: One short Tour of a Learned Man (now a great Prelate among us) gives us assurance that Travels might give us good Intelligence of the State of the Church, were there due care taken in this,1 by Persons who could bear the Expences of Prudent, Experienced, and Diligent Persons, Lovers of the Truth and Church, as well as Lovers of Knowledge, we might in a short time have a good account of the true state of all, or most of the Churches of Christ, and our Praises would be more seasonable and suitable.
- 1Dr. Burnet, Bishop of Sarem
