Character of the Pilgrims. 9 perseverance they all finally crossed the sea, and united with their friends, according to the desire of their hearts, in grate ful praises to God. In Holland they saw the bustle of business, the splendour of cities, and the independence of amazing wealth: poverty, however, arrested them with the strength of an armed man. Mr. Robinson and Brewster arriving, who were the last, having like valiant generals remained to see the feeblest safe on board, they arranged their church affairs in regular order, and conti nued about a year at Amsterdam. Mr. Robinson and some others, seeing the evils in which the other English church under Mr. Smith were involved, thought it prudent to remove to Leyden. Though they expected less employment and profit here than in the capital, they were cheerful in this sacrifice of worldly good, in hopes of being more free from temptations, and enjoying more uninterruptedly the blessings of the gospel. Religion was always the first object in all their calculations and arrangements. Engaging in such trades and employments as they could execute, they soon rose to a comfortable living. They had great comfort in each other's society, great satisfaction in the ordinances of the gospel, under the able ministry and prudent government of Mr. Robinson and Brewster. They grew in gifts and graces; " they lived in peace, and love, and holiness;" numbers came to them from England; they had a great congregation, and at one time three hundred communicants. If at any time sparks of contention were kindled, they were immediately quenched; or if any one proved obstinate, he was excommunicated; but this rarely happened. Perhaps this church approached as near the pattern of apostolic churches as any since the first ages of Christianity; and this has been its general character to the present time. Their integrity and piety procured them esteem and confidence in a land of strangers. Though they were poor, when they wished to borrow money, the Dutch would readily take their word, because they always found them punctual to fulfil their engagements. They saw them incessantly laborious in their callings, and therefore preferred them as customers; they found them honest, and therefore gave the preference to their work. Just before these fathers of New England left the city, the magistrates, from the seat of justice, gave this honorable testimony of their worth. In addressing the Walloons, who were the French church, "these English," say they, “have lived among us now these twelve years, and yet we ne 10 Character of the Pilgrims. ver had one suit or action come against them; but your strifes and quarrels are continual." Having one great object, the interest of religion, constantly impressed on their minds, pursuing it with unabating ardour, it was natural for them to think of changing their residence, as new and favourable prospects opened before them. Great minds pursue great objects; as their means increase, their views expand. Having enjoyed the comforts of evangelical instruction from the courtesy of strangers, they were unwilling to possess so precious a jewel by so precarious a tenure. Their removal, therefore, was not the effect of a fickle disposition, but the result of undaunted perseverence for the attainment of an end, which absorbed all other considerations. Other reasons, more imperious, enforced the measure. They found that but few, comparatively, came to them from their native country, and that fewer still remained with them. They loved their cause, approved their magnanimity, but after making the trial themselves, they could not endure the excessive labour, the hard fare, and other inconveniences to which all were obliged to submit. Many preferred prisons in England, to liberty in Holland, accompanied with such sufferings. It was supposed, that if a place of more comfortable living could be found, great numbers would flock to them. Mr. Robinson used to say that, 66 many in England, who then wrote and preached against them, would conduct themselves as they did, if they had liberty and could live comfortably." Many found that they were growing old or decrepit without any property for their support. Not only themselves and servants, but their children also, were obliged to labour beyond their strength, their vigour of life consuming before it was mature. they saw overcome by the temptations of the place, or going from them as soldiers or sailors. These were distressing events to affectionate, religious parents. Others They were also animated with the hope of carrying the gospel of salvation to Pagan countries, and of saving many souls ready to perish. The business was the subject of much conversation. Some urged and encouraged their companions to the undertaking. Others proposed very serious and weighty objections. Their want of property sufficient for such an enterprise, the dangers of the voyage, the cruelty of the savages, and improbability of finding subsistence in a world of forests, were mentioned with deep conviction of their reality. To these things it was replied, that all great achievements were at tended with great difficulties, and required corresponding courage and zeal. It was acknowledged that the obstacles were great, but not invincible; the dangers formidable, but not des-" perate. Some of the evils, though probable, they conceived were not certain; others they hoped to conquer or bear with fortitude. It was also urged that the twelve years truce was expired; that war between the Dutch and Spaniards would greatly endanger them; that the beating of drums and the alarm and parade of war, which had already begun, shewed them what to expect: that the conquering Spaniard might prove as cruel as the savage: and the famine and pestilence of war be as dreadful as the woods of America; that they were exiles, their condition miserable, their dangers imminent, and something must be done. "It was therefore fully concluded by the major part to put the design in execution, and prosecute it by the best means in their power." CHAP. III. Measures adopted for removing-Their voyage-They land at Cape Cod. HAVING resolved on a removal, the first measure they adopted was a meeting for prayer, to seek direction and assistance from God. A general conference was then held to consult on the subject, and determine to what particular place they should remove. Some, and those not the least respectable, preferred Guiana, in South America, on account of the warmth of the climate, the fertility of the soil, and the ease with which the inhabitants might be supported. To these ar guments were objected, the unhealthiness of all hot countries, and the hostility of the Spaniards. The objection against› Virginia was, that they should be exposed to the persecution. of the English government, without the privilege of its protection: finally, it was concluded to live in a distinct body by themselves, under the general government of Virginia, and "by their friends to sue his Majesty for liberty and freedom of religion." This they were encouraged to hope they should obtain by the agency of some persons of rank and quality, who were their friends. Two persons were then chosen and sent to England, at the expense of the associated exiles, to make application to the Virginia company, whom they found ready to grant them a 12 Preparations for removal to America. patent with as ample privileges as they had themselves, and to afford them all the assistance in their power. The principal persons of the company doubted not but the king would grant their request as to freedom of religion. But this was found impossible. Though the leading members of the Virginia company, with their friends, and one of the chief secretaries of state, urged the king, and others made application to the archbishop, all was vain. The king intimated that he would not disturb them in their religion, while they conducted themselves peaceably. This hope of his connivance was all they could obtain. The Virginia company presuming they would not be troubled, urged them to proceed. The agents returned to Holland; some were discouraged, but they finally concluded to proceed," resting on God's providence, as they had done in other things." Upon this resolution Mr. Robert Cushman and John Carver were sent to conclude the business with the Virginia Company, to obtain as good a patent as they could, and agree with such inerchants and friends as were disposed to encourage the voyage. Written instructions were given them, beyond which they were not to proceed without further advice. New difficulties occurring, these agents returned to Holland to confer with their brethren. After a long and troublesome negociation, which began in 1617, the patent was obtained in 1619: yet God so ordered their affairs that this patent, which had cost them so much expense, labour, and anxiety, should never be of the least advantage to them, So precarious are the most sanguine hopes of man. Having received the patent, and proposals from the merchants and friends on whom they depended for assistance, they began to "prepare themselves with all speed." A ship of 60 tons was hired in Holland, and another of 180 in England. All things being in readiness for their departure from Leyden, they kept a day of solemn humiliation and prayer. Their pastor preached from Ezra. viii. 21. " Then I proclaimed, a fast at the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us and for our littleones, and for all our substance.' The time being come that they must depart, they were accompanied by most of their brethren several miles to Delft Haven, where the ship waited to receive them. Now they left, to see it no more, the pleasant city of Leyden, which had been their hiding place for twelve years. They found the ship and all things ready. Friends from Leyden, who could not come with them, followed and Affectionate Departure. 13 arrived before their departure. Their friends from Amsterdam came to take their leave and see them embark. The night was spent with little sleep, but with friendly entertainment, and christian discourse, and real expressions of purest love. The next day the wind was fair; they went on board, their friends with them. Distressing was the sight of that sad and mournful parting. The sighs, and sobs, and prayers, which burst from every lip, would have melted the coldest heart; tears. gushed from every eye; the kindest speeches were stifled by unutterable tenderness of soul. The Dutch strangers, who were present, could not refrain from weeping. Charming was the sight of such unfeigned love; but the tide, which waits for no man, called them away; the moment was overwhelming. Their pastor fell on his knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks, commended themselves with most fervent prayer to God for his blessing; then, with mutual embraces and many tears, they took leave of one another. To many this proved, the last farewell. A prosperous gale bore them soon to the English shore. At Southampton they found the larger ship, and the rest of their company, ready to sail for America. After their parting, Mr. Robinson wrote a letter to Mr. John Carver, and another to the company, both full of affection and confidence in their wisdom and goodness, with the most salutary advice. He assures Mr. Carver of his affection and sympathy, and expresses his confidence that those comforts, which he had administered to others, would be more than sufficient to sustain his own mind under all its cares and sufferings; espe cially as he would enjoy " the presence of so many godly and wise brethren," whose entire good will he would possess. He promises to seize "the first opportunity of hastening to them." In addressing his church he says, "I am present in my best affections and most earnest longings after you. God knows how willingly and much rather than otherwise, I would have borne my first part with you in this first brunt, were I not held back by strong necessity. Make account of me in the mean time, as a man divided in himself with great pain, having my better part with you. And though I doubt not your godly wisdom, I think it my duty to add some words of advice; if not because you need it, yet because I owe it in love and duty." He proceeds to give them the most affectionate and salutary advice. He urges them to repentance for all known sins, and |