coaft, with thunder and lightning all round at that time, and a rough fea; which was the reason we did not adventure to put in there. We made the inner paffage, between the continent of Africa and the island of Madagascar, alias St Laurence, having touched no where fince we left England, till we came to Johanna, a small island north-weft of Madagascar, where we landed August 4, 1714, and staid seven days ; a very seasonable and comfortable refreshment to us all! From thence we reached to Bombay, our defired haven, GOD be praised, safe and well, in about fix months time, with a very pleasant and profperous voyage all the way, were it not for burying our worthy commander Captain Edward Godfrey, and his Chief Mate Mr William Thaxton, and one William Palmer, a Midshipman, tumbling overboard in the night was unfortunately drowned. We arrived at Bombay, Sept. 21, 1714, St Matthew's day; where I was received by the Governor, the Honourable William Aiflabie Efq; the Gentlemen of the Council, &c. courteously and respectfully. Being thus fafely arrived, and having a convenient chamber ordered for me by the Governor, vernor, near his own lodgings in the Fort, and near the Chapel, I went on officiating in the duty of my function there from the time of our arrival, September 21, 1714, to June 19, 1715: and having confidered the inconvenience, and unsuitableness withal, of performing our public devotions in fo private a manner, as we did in the Fort, having only two upper rooms beat into one, which ferved us for a Chapel, and being locked up in the Fort or Castle in time of divine Service; I ventured to propose the Building of a Church for God's honour and service, according to the use of the Church of England; that all the island might fee we had some religion among us, and that the Heathens and Mahometans and Papifts round about us, might in time be brought over as converts to our profeffion. Whereupon I took the freedom on Sunday, June 19, 1715, being the first Sunday after Trinity, to recommend in a Sermon preached on the occafion the building of a Church, in order for the more public celebration of God's fervice; which Sermon, by GoD's bleffing, and the unanimous and cheerful contributions made thereunto, hath fince had its defired effect. A SERMON |