1580 Geneva Quarto Black Letter Bible Leaf/RARE/JEREMIAH 29/YE SHALL SEEK!

Let me give you some very interesting facts surrounding Christopher Columbus famous voyage on the high seas. It is one indication of God working throughout history to bring about His Blessed Will. The United States has been involved in it. Christopher Columbus had been convinced for some time that God had given him a special commission in life. The Words of Isaiah inspired him: "Listen, O coastlands, to me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called me from the womb: from the matrix of my mother He has made mention of my name...I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be My salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:1-6 NKJV). Christopher's name , which literally means Christ-bearer, was another clear indication to Columbus that God had chosen him to carry the Light of Christ into these uncharted lands, and to bring the natives to accept Christianity. After having been turned down by both Portugal and England, Columbus was convinced that God had set aside Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain to finance this expedition. Initially though, being involved with the Holy war against the Moors, Ferdinand and Isabella denied Columbus's request, and he was asked to submit his proposal again following the intended conquest of the Moors. This was indeed frustrating to Columbus as he was convinced of their part in this vast undertaking, His only opportunity now was to go to the King of France, though he had no desire to do so. For the first time doubt crept in concerning his vision. Defeated, he traveled to the Franciscan Monastery where he had left his son, Diego. There he poured his heart out to Father Perez who had served as the Queens confidant. The following morning, convinced that Gods' Will was embraced in Christopher's heart, he dispatched a messenger to the Queen relaying his feelings and asking her to reconsider the proposal. The answer of course is history. After much preparation on the predawn day of August 3, 1492, Columbus knelt and received Holy Communion just before boarding the command ship Santa Maria that set sail "In the name of Jesus"!! And so day after day they sailed where no man had ever sailed before. No one one aboard the ships had ever been farther than three hundred miles out to sea and they were now well over three thousand and still going. The outcome of this quest came into serious doubt. The possibility of a mutiny was not hidden from their minds. Columbus met with his captains and agreed to turn back if land was not seen within three days. At 2:00 AM with less than four hours of the third and final day, land was sighted. How grateful their hearts were Deos solo sabae (only God knows). Columbus, being the first to set foot on dry land, knelt with the others while Christening the island San Salvador(meaning "Holy Savior") and prayed: O Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy Holy Word Thou has created the Heaven, and the earth, and the sea: blessed and glorified be Thy Name, and praised be Thy Majesty, which hath deigned to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy Holy Name may be proclaimed in this second part of the earth". Christopher Columbus had indeed, through the gracious Providence of God, realized his hearts desire and brought the Word of God to the new land. Praise the Lord!!