qualifications to be a shepherd over this flock of Christ: having, also, a fellow-helper with him, in Eldership, Mr. William Brewster; a man of approved piety, gravity, and integrity; very eminently furnished with gifts suitable to such an office...

"Although the Church of Christ was at peace and in rest at this time, yet they took up thoughts of removing themselves into America with common consent: the proposition of removing thither being set on foot and prosecuted by the Elders, upon just and weighty grounds. For, although they did quietly and sweetly enjoy their church liberties under the States, yet they foresaw that Holland would be no place for their church and posterity to continue in comfortably, at least in that measure that they hoped to find abroad; and that, for these reasons following, which I shall recite as received from themselves.

"First. Because themselves were of a different language from the Dutch where they lived, and were settled in their way; insomuch that in ten years' time, while their church sojourned amongst them, they could not bring them to reform the neglect of observation of the Lord's-day as a Sabbath, or any other thing amiss amongst them.'

"Secondly. Because their countrymen who came over to join with them, by reason of the hardness of the country, soon spent their estates; and were then forced to return to England, or to live very ineanly.'

"Thirdly. That many of their children, through the extreme necessity that was upon them, although of the best dispositions, and graciously inclined, and willing to bear part of their parents' burthens; were, oftentimes, so oppressed with their heavy labours, that although their spirits were free and willing, yet their bodies bowed under the weight of the same, and became decrepit in their early youth, and the vigour of nature consumed in the very bud. And that which was very lamentable, and of all sorrows most heavy to be borne, was, that many, by these occasions, and the great licentiousness of youth in that country, and the manifold temptations of the place, were drawn away by evil examples into extravagant and dangerous courses; getting the reins on their necks, and departing from their parents. Some beeame soldiers; others took upon them far voyages by sea; and other some worse courses tending to dissoluteness and the destruction of their souls, to the great grief of their parents and the dishonour of God; and that the place being a place of great licentiousness and liberty to children, they could not educate them; nor could they give them due correction, without reproof or reproach from their neighbours.'

"Fourthly. That their posterity would in few generations become Dutch, and so lose their interest in the English nation; they being desirous rather to enlarge his Majesty's dominions, and to live under their natural prince.'

"Fifthly, and lastly; and which was not the least. 'A great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way thereunto, for the propagating and advancement of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, although they should be but as stepping-stones unto others for the performance of so great a work.'

"These, and such like, were the true reasons of their removal; and not, as some of their adversaries did upon the rumour thereof, cast out slanders against them; as if the State was weary of them, and had rather driven them out; .. than that it was their own free choice and motion.

Although some of them were low in their estates, yet the Dutch observing that they were diligent, faithful, and careful of their engageinents, had great respect to them, and strove for their custom... The magistrates of the city of Leyden, where they lived, about the time of their coming away, in the public place of justice gave this commendable testimony of them; in reproof of the Walloons,' who were of the French church in the city; These English,' said they, have lived now amongst us ten years, and yet we never had any suit or accusa tion against them, or any of them; but your strifes and quarrels are continual.'

"The reasons of their removal, above named, being debated first in p ivate, and thought weighty, were afterwards propounded in public: aid after solemn days of humiliation observed both in public and in private, it was agreed, That part of the church should go before their brethren, into America, to prepare for the rest. And if in case the major part of the church did choose to go over with the first, then the Pastor to go along with them; but if the major part stayed, that he was then to stay with them.'

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Having employed sundry agents to treat with several merchants in England, who adventured some considerable sums in a way of valuation to such as went personally on in the voyage; the Articles of Agreement about the premises being fully concluded with the said merchants, and sundry difficulties and obstacles removed; having also, obtained Letters-Patents for the northern parts of Virginia, of king James, of famous memory; all things were got ready and provided. A small ship was bought and fitted out in Holland, of about sixty tons, called The Speedwell;' as to serve to transport some of them over, so a so to stay in the country and attend upon fishing, and such other affairs as might be for the good and benefit of the colony when they came thither. Another ship was hired at London, of burthen about nine score, called The Mayflower;' and all other things got in readiness. So, being prepared to depart, they had a solemn day of humiliation the Pastor teaching, a part of the day, very profitably and

Or, perhaps, adventuring under the Letters - Patent granted in the eighteenth year of James, "unto a certain honourable Council established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, and ordering and governing of New-England, in America." Mather, p. 4.- This writer says afterward, "They obtained a Patent for a quiet Settlement in those territories, and the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, gave them some expectations, that they should never be disturbed in that exercise of religion at which they aimed, in their Settlement. Yea, when Sir Robert Naunton, then principal Secretary of State unto king James, moved his majesty to give way, That such a people might enjoy their liberty of conscience under his gracious protection in America; where they would endeavour the advancement of his majesty's dominions, and the enlargement of the interests of the Gospel;' the king said, It was a good and honest motion.'" Mather, p. 6.

suitably to the present occasion; a the rest of the time was spent in pouring out prayers unto the Lord with great fervency, mixed with abundance of tears. And the time being come that they must depart, they were accompanied with most of their brethren out of the city unto a town called 'Delfs Haven,' where the ship lay ready to receive them. So they left that goodly and pleasant city, which had been their resting-place above eleven years. . .

"When they came to the place, they found the ship and all things ready; and such of their friends as could not come with them, followed after them; and sundry came from Amsterdam, to see them shipped, and to take their leaves of them. One night was spent with little sleep with the most, but with friendly entertainment and Christian discourse, and other real expressions of true Christian love. The next day, the wind being fair, they went on board and their friends with them; where, truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting: to hear what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each others' heart; that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the Key as spectators, could not refrain from tears!.. But the tide, which stays for no man, calling them away that were thus loth to depart, their Reverend Pastor falling down on his knees, and they all with him, with watery cheeks commended them with most fervent prayers unto the Lord and his blessing; and then, with mutual embraces and

b

a "The text of Scripture was Ezra viii. 21."

b 'I shall repeat the counsel which their faithful Pastor Robinson gave the first Planters of the Colony, at their parting from him in Holland. Said he, to this purpose ::

"Brethren,-We are now quickly to part from one another; and whether I may ever live to see your faces on earth any more, the God of heaven only knows. But whether the Lord have appointed that or not, I charge you before God and before his blessed angels, that you follow me no further than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

"If God reveal any thing to you by any other Instrument of his, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am verily persuaded,-I am very confident, the Lord hath more truth yet to break forth out of his holy Word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the Reformed Churches, who are come to a period in religion; and will go, at present, no further than the Instruments of their first Reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw: whatever part of his Will our good God has imparted and revealed unto Calvin, they will rather die than embrace it. And the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of God; who yet saw not all things! This is a misery much to be lamented; for though they were burning and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God: but were they now living, they would be as willing to embrace further light, as that which they first received.

“I beseech you to remember it, it is an Article of your Church Covenant, That you will be ready to receive whatever Truth shall be made known unto you from the written Word of God. Remember that, and every other Article of your most sacred Covenant. But I must herewithal exhort you to take heed what you receive as Truth: examine it, consider it, compare it with the other Scriptures of Truth, before you do receive it. For it is not possible the Christian world should come so lately out of such thick antichristian darkness, and that perfection of knowledge should break forth at once.

“I must also advise you to abandon, avoid, and break off the name of

many tears, they took their leaves one of another; which proved to be the last leave, to many of them. Thus hoisting sail, with a prosperous gale of wind, they came in short time to Southampton; where they found the bigger ship come from London, being ready with all the rest of their company, meeting each other with a joyful welcome and mutual congratulation.a

"At their parting, their Pastor, Mr. John Robinson, wrote a Letter to the whole company; which I thought meet here to insert, being fruitful in itself, and suitable to their occasions.

"Loving Christian Friends,-I do heartily, and in the Lord, salute you as being those with whom I am present in my best affections and most earnest longings after you, though I be constrained for awhile to be bodily absent from you. I say constrained; God knowing how willingly, and much rather than otherwise, I would have borne my part with you in this first brunt, were I not by strong necessity held back for the present. Make account of me in the meantime as a man divided in myself with great pain, and as natural bonds set aside, having my better part with you. And although I doubt not but in your godly wisdoms you both foresee and resolve upon that which concerneth your present state and condition, both severally and jointly, yet have I thought it but my duty to add some further spur of provocation unto them who run already; if not because you need it, yet because I owe it in love and duty.

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And first; as we are daily to renew our repentance with our God, especially for our sins known, and generally for our unknown trespasses; so doth the Lord call us in a singular manner upon occasions of such difficulty and danger as lieth upon you, to a both narrow search and careful reformation of your ways in his sight; lest he, calling to remembrance our sins forgotten by us or unrepented of, take advantage against us, and in judgment leave us to be swallowed up in one danger or other. Whereas, on the contrary, sin being taken away by earnest repentance, and the pardon thereof from the Lord sealed up to a man's conscience by his Spirit, great shall be his security and peace in all dangers; sweet his comforts in all distresses, with happy deliverance from all evil whether in life or death.

"Now next after this heavenly peace with God and our own consciences, we are carefully to provide for peace with all men what in us

Brownist! It is a mere nickname, and a brand for the making of religion, and the professors of religion, odious unto the Christian world. Unto this end, I should be extremely glad if some godly Minister would go with you, or come to you, before you can have any Company. For there will be no difference between the unconformable Ministers of England and you, when you come to. the practice of evangelical ordinances out of the kingdom. And I would wish you, by all means, to close with the godly people of England. Study union with them in all things wherein you can have it without sin; rather than in the least measure, to affect a division or separation from them. Neither would I have you loth to take another Pastor besides myself; inasmuch as a flock that hath two shepherds is not thereby endangered, but secured.'

"So adding some other things of great consequence, he concluded, most affectionately commending his departing flock unto the grace of God."— Mather, p. 14.

a "This was about the 2nd of July, 1620."

lieth; especially with our associates. And for that, watchfulness must be had that we neither at all in ourselves do give, no, nor easily take offence being given by others. Woe be to the world for offences!' for although it be necessary, considering the malice of Satan and man's corruption, 'that offences come,' yet woe unto the man,' or woman either, by whom the offence cometh,' saith Christ. And if offences in the unseasonable use of things in themselves indifferent be more to be feared than death itself, as the apostle teacheth; how much more in things simply evil, in which neither honour of God nor love of man is thought worthy to be regarded? Neither yet is it sufficient that we keep ourselves by the grace of God from giving of offences, except withal we be armed against the taking of them when they are given by others. For how imperfect and lame is the work of grace in that person who wants charity to cover a multitude of offences?' as the Scripture speaks. Neither are you to be exhorted to this grace, only upon the common grounds of Christianity; which are, that persons ready to take offence either want charity to cover' offences, or wisdom duly to weigh human frailties; or lastly, are gross though close hypocrites, as Christ our Lord teacheth. As indeed in my own experience few or none have been found which sooner give offence, than such as easily take it; neither have they ever proved sound and profitable members in societies who have nourished this touchy humour!

"But besides these, there are divers motives provoking you above others to great care and conscience this way. As first, there are many of you strangers as to the persons so to the infirmities one of another, and so stand in need of more watchfulness this way, lest when such things fall out in men and women as you expected not, you be inordinately affected with them; which doth require at your hands much wisdom and charity, for the covering and preventing of incident offences that way. And lastly, your intended course of Civil Community, will minister continual occasion of offence, and will be as fewel for that fire, except you diligently quench it with brotherly forbearance. And if taking of offence causelessly or easily at men's doings be so carefully to be avoided, how much more heed is to be taken that we take not offence at God himself? Which yet we certainly do, so oft as we murmur at his providence, in our crosses; or bear impatiently such afflictions as wherewith he is pleased to visit us. Store up, therefore, Patience, against the evil day; without which, we take offence at the Lord himself in his holy and just works.

"A fourth thing there is, carefully to be provided for; namely, That with your common employments you join common affections truly bent upon the general good; avoiding as a deadly plague of your both common and special comforts, all retiredness of mind for proper advantage; and all singularly affected every manner of way, let every man repress in himself, and the whole Body in each person, as so many rebels against the common good: all private respects of men'sselves not sorting with the general convenience. And as men are careful not to have a new house shaken with any violence before it be well settled and the parts firmly knit; so be you, I beseech you, a Matt. xviii. 7. Matt. vii. 1-3.

b 1 Cor. ix. 15.