hey bound themselves by a formal agreement, the
entire body itself undertaking to see to their observance. It is quite
possible that strong religious profession, and even sincere profession,
might be accompanied, as it was in the Spaniards, with everything most
detestable. It is not sufficient of itself to prove that their actions
would correspond with it, but it is one among a number of evidences; and
coming as most of these men come before us, with hands clear of any
blood but of fair and open enemies, their articles may pass at least as
indications of what they were.

Here we have a few instances:--

Richard Hawkins's ship's company was, as he himself informs us, an
unusually loose one. Nevertheless, we find them 'gathered together every
morning and evening to serve God;' and a fire on board, which only
Hawkins's presence of mind prevented from destroying ship and crew
together, was made use of by the men as an occasion to banish swearing
out of the ship.

With a general consent of all our company, it was ordained that
there should be a palmer or ferula which should be in the keeping of
him who was taken with an oath; and that he who had the palmer
should give to every one that he took swearing, a palmada with it
and the ferula; and whosoever at the time of evening or morning
prayer was found to have the palmer, should have three blows given
him by the captain or the master; and that he should still be bound
to free himself by taking another, or else to run in danger of
continuing the penalty, which, being executed a few days, reformed
the vice, so that in three days together was not one oath heard to
be sworn.

The regulations for Luke Fox's voyage commenced thus:--

For as much as the good success and prosperity of every action doth
consist in the due service and glorifying of God, knowing that not
only our being and preservation, but the prosperity of all our
actions and enterprises do immediately depend on His Almighty
goodness and mercy; it is provided--

First, that all the company, as well officers as others, shall duly
repair every day twice at the call of the bell to hear public
prayers to be read, such as are authorised by the church, and that
in a godly and devout manner, as good Christians ought.

Secondly, that no man shall swear by the name of God, or use any
profane oath, or blaspheme His holy name.

To sy