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[1581 A.D.]

that opposition to Episcopacy and its concomitants reached its culminating point. In 1581 a new sect made its appearance, at first called Brownists, from Robert Brown, its earliest advocate, who had been a preacher in the diocese of Norwich, inveighing against the ceremonies and discipline of the Establishment, and asserting the highly democratic and peculiarly unpalatable doctrine of the independency and complete jurisdiction of every church in its own affairs. From his subsequent apostasy, his followers very properly refused to be called by his name, and were known as separatists, or independ ents. But questionable as was his sincerity, and inconstant as were his professions, so congenial were the doctrines he taught to the views of the people that he easily succeeded in gathering a large congregation and after its dispersion and his own defection, the seed which had been scattered so rapidly grew that Sir Walter Raleigh, in a speech in parliament, computed the number of separatists or Brownists at twenty thousand.

There were now at least four classes or parties in religion in England: the Catholics, who adhered to the church of Rome; the members of the English church; the Puritans; and the separatists or independents. Of the third class were the founders of the Massachusetts colony, and to the fourth belonged the settlers at Plymouth. The former-the Puritans-were simply nonconformists. Connected with the national church, they questioned chiefly the propriety of some of her observances. They submitted to her authority so far as they could, and acknowledged her as their "mother" in all matters of doctrinal concern. Their clergy were educated at her colleges, and ordained by her bishops; the laity were connected with her by many of the dearest ties; and up to the date of their removal to America, they made no open secession from her communion, and had liberty been allowed them, they would probably have continued in the land of their nativity, and in the bosom of the Establishment.

The Plymouth colonists were not of the national church. Years before their expatriation they had renounced her communion, and formed churches of their own. Between them, however, and the Massachusetts colonists, the differences which existed were in matters of policy rather than in articles of faith; and on arriving in the New World, apart from the influences of their native land, and under circumstances of a far different character, a few years' intercourse assimilated their views and cemented their union. Such was the origin of Puritanism and independency; and though, in the history of both these sects, as well as of the English and the Romish churches, we shall find much intolerance displayed, the result of this contest for greater individualism in religious affairs has been, to induce watchfulness of all encroachments upon the rights of conscience; and happy changes have followed in all Protestant communities where these rights are respected and secured.

THE PILGRIMS AND THE CHURCH AT SCROOBY

We must now pass to the history of the church of the Pilgrims. So early as 1592, a church was gathered at London, of which Francis Johnson was chosen pastor, and John Greenwood became the teacher; but this church being broken up by the authorities, and its teacher imprisoned, the pastor, with a portion of his flock, escaped to Holland, and settled at Amsterdam

It was long the fashion to stigmatise, by way of reproach, as Brownists, all the early settlers of New England; but the injustice of this proceeding will be evident to every candid

mind.

[1594 A.D.]

This

where for many years they continued to abide. A few years later another church was gathered, "to the north of the Trent," in a rural district "near the joining borders of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire." was the church of the Pilgrims, which, though first established at Gainsborough, was afterwards formed into two bodies, and the junior ordinarily met for public worship at the house of William Brewster, well known as the elder of the church at Plymouth. This eminent man, so famous in the annals of the Plymouth colony, is supposed to have been born in Suffolk, England [in 1566 or 1567]. He became a student at Cambridge, and afterwards an attaché to William Davison, esquire, a polished courtier of the reign of Elizabeth, her secretary of state, and her ambassador to Holland, whither Mr. Brewster accompanied him. Withdrawing from public life when his employer was displaced, Mr. Brewster received an appointment before April, 1594, as postmaster at Scrooby, in Nottinghamshire, and there resided until his removal to Holland, faithfully discharging the duties of his office, and devoting himself zealously to the interests of the church with which he was connected.

The location of this church, and the history of its patron, had been involved in more or less obscurity until 1852, when through the successful researches of the reverend Joseph Hunter,' fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and an assistant keeper of her majesty's records, many new facts were brought to light. It may now be considered as satisfactorily proved, that the church of the Pilgrims was first gathered at Gainsborough, and afterwards at Scrooby, in that part of Nottingham known as the Hundred of Bassetlaw, a mile and a half south of the market town of Bawtry, on the borders of York, and only a short distance from the verge of Lincolnshire.

Scrooby, at present, is an obscure agricultural village [of about two hundred population], with few objects of interest beside its church; but anciently it was a place of much more note, and was surrounded by religious houses even before the reformation. Situated near the highroad from York to London, it was, on that account, a convenient resting place for the archbishops of York in their journeys to the metropolis; it was for many weeks the abode of Cardinal Wolsey in his disgrace; and it was the rendezvous of the earl of Shrewsbury and his contingent, when he joined the army of the king assembled to oppose "the pilgrimage of grace."

Governor Bradford m has left us the names of two ministers, formerly Puritans, who seceded from the national church, and resided at or near Scrooby: John Smith and Richard Clifton. Smith was the pastor of the church at Gainsborough, which is supposed to have been gathered before that at Scrooby; but lacking the spirit of gentleness which the gospel commends, he seems to have been in favour with few of his contemporaries.

The most noted of the seceding ministers, however, whose name is connected with the history of the Pilgrims, was John Robinson, who, even by Baillien-no friend to his views-is called "the most learned, polished, and modest spirit" that ever separated from the Church of England. Of the parentage and early history of this celebrated man, nothing is certainly known. He was probably born in Nottingham, or Lincolnshire, in 1575, and at the age of seventeen, is supposed to have entered Corpus Christi, Cambridge, and on completing his term at the university, he proceeded to Norfolk, and in the neighbourhood of or at Norwich, commenced his labours in the national church. But his scruples respecting the ceremonies of this church being immovably fixed, he omitted or modified them in his parochial labours. This subjecting him to annoyance, he was temporarily suspended from his

[1604-1606 A.D.] clerical functions, and withdrew entirely from the church-not as "the victim of chagrin and disappointment," as has been ungenerously insinuated by Pagett, but "on most sound and unresistable conviction"; for it required at that time no ordinary courage to avow one's self a separatist, when persecution, if not death, was the doom of all dissidents.

Proceeding to Lincolnshire and Nottingham, he there found a body of men who, "urged with apparitors, pursuivants and the commission courts," met for worship as often as they could escape the Argus eyes of their persecutors- somewhat, perhaps, like the covenanters of Scotland.

Secretary Morton p is the only early writer who gives the date of the establishment of this church; and if that date is correct, and if the statement of Hunter is also correct, that the church at Gainsborough is older than that at Scrooby, the church now gathered was probably located at Gainsborough; Mr. Smith and Mr. Clifton were associated in its oversight; and Mr. Robinson may have joined them in 1604. But if the first church was gathered at Gainsborough," in regard of distance of place these people became two distinct bodies or churches," that at Gainsborough continuing under the oversight of Mr. Smith, and that at Scrooby being organised under Mr. Clifton, with whom Mr. Robinson remained as an assistant; and this event probably took place early in 1606.

Such was the origin of the churches at Gainsborough and Scrooby. That at Scrooby, though it seems to have been second in point of time, is first in importance in the history of the Pilgrims; for here the choice and noble spirits who planted New England learned the lessons of truth and liberty. It will be noticed that Mr. Robinson appears upon the stage at about the date of the accession of James I the greatest pedant that ever sat upon the English throne. Arbitrary, capricious, tyrannical and unprincipled, he trampled upon the most solemn oaths, and seemed never better pleased than when torturing or anathematising the victims of his vengeance. Hence at the Hampton Court Conference, at the close of the second day, speaking of the Puritans, he said: "I shall make them conform themselves, or I will harry them out of the land, or else do worse."

In his speech at the opening of the first parliament (March 19th, 1604), the king acknowledged the Roman church to be his mother church, though defiled with some infirmities and corruptions, and professed his readiness, if its priests would forsake their "new and gross corruptions," to meet them halfway; but the Puritans, for "their discontent with the present government, and impatience to suffer any superiority," he declared to be "a sect insufferable in a well-governed commonwealth"; and in one of his letters he says: "I had rather live like a hermit than be a king over such a people as the pack of Puritans are that overrule the lower house."

Finally a proclamation was issued (July 16th, 1604), ordering the Puritan clergy to conform before the last of November, or to dispose of themselves and families in some other way, as "unfit for their obstinacy and contempt to occupy such places." In consequence of this edict, a large number of ministers were ejected, some of whom had preached, ten, some twenty, and some even thirty years; the bloodhounds of persecution were slipped from their leash, and the kingdom was converted into a general hunting-ground, with the king himself to shout the "View! Halloo!"

The independent churches at Scrooby and Gainsborough suffered with the rest; and, unable to conceal themselves from the inquisitions of the spy, beset in their houses, driven from their homes, and incarcerated in prisons, they resolved to escape. Mr. Smith and his church were the first to depart,

[1608 A.D.] fleeing to Holland, and seeking a refuge at Amsterdam. Here, joining with the church under Francis Johnson, which had been established several years, Mr. Smith became involved in contentions with his predecessors, and that division was produced which has been often, but unjustly, ascribed to the members of Mr. Robinson's church.

Mr. Robinson and his flock yet tarried for a season in England, hoping something would transpire to lull the fierceness of the storm which was raging; but month after month passed away, and no abatement of its fury was visible. Accordingly he resolved to flee to a land where toleration, at least, if not perfect freedom, was accorded to all. But it was easier to resolve than it was to effect an escape. Thrice was the attempt made before they succeeded.g

GOVERNOR BRADFORD'S ACCOUNT OF THE PILGRIMS' VOYAGE TO HOLLAND (1608 A.D.)

Being thus constrained to leave their native soyle and countrie, their lands & livings, and all their friends & familiar acquaintance, it was much, and thought marvelous by many. But to goe into a countrie they knew not (but by hearsay), wher they must learne a new language, and get their livings they knew not how, it being a dear place, & subjecte to ye misseries of warr, it was by many thought an adventure almost desperate, a case intolerable, & a misserie worse then death. Espetially seeing they were not aquainted with trads nor traffique (by which y' countrie doth subsiste) but had only been used to a plaine countrie life, & ye inocente trade of husbandrey. But these things did not dismay them (though they did some times trouble them) for their desires were sett on ye ways of God, & to injoye his ordinances; but they rested on his providence, & knew whom they had beleeved. Yet this was not all, for though they could not stay, yet were they not suffered to goe, but ye ports & havens were shut against them, so as they were faine to seeke secrete means of conveance, & to bribe & fee ye mariners, & give exterordinarie rates for their passages. And yet were they often times betrayed (many of them), and both they & their goods intercepted & surprised, and thereby put to great trouble & charge, of which I will give an instance or tow, & omitte the rest.

Ther was a large companie of them purposed to get passage at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and for that end had hired a shipe wholy to them selves, & made agreement with the maister to be ready at a certaine day, and take them and their goods in, at a conveniente place, wher they accordingly would all attende in readines. So after long waiting, & large expences, though he kepte not day with them, yet he came at length & tooke them in, in ye night. But when he had them & their goods abord, he betrayed them, having before hand complotted with ye serchers & other officers so to doe who tooke them, and put them into open boats, & ther rifled & ransaked them, searching them to their shirts for money, yea even ye women furder then became modestie; and then caried them back into ye towne, & made them a spectackle & wonder to ye multitude, which came flocking on all sids to behould them. Being thus first, by the chatchpoule officers, rifled, & stripte of their

['The spirit of the times could hardly be more vividly condensed than in a comment on the unusual religious toleration of the Dutch, made by Robert Baillie, who in a sermon to the house of lords, exclaimed: "For this one thing they have become infamous in the Christian world." Even a scientist like Bacon could complain of the tolerance of heretics in a colony, saying that “It will make a schism and rent in Christ's coat, which should be seamless."]

[1608 A.D.] money, books, and much other goods, they were presented to ye magestrates, and messengerrs sente to informe ye lords of ye Counsell of them; and so they were comited to ward. Indeed ye magestrats used them courteously, and shewed them what favour they could; but could not deliver them, till order came from ye Counselltable. But ye issue was that after a months imprisonmente, ye greatest parte were dismiste, & sent to ye places from whence they came; but 7. of ye principall were still kept in prison, and bound over to ye Assises.

The nexte spring after, ther was another attempte made by some of these & others, to get over at an other place. And it so fell out, that they light of a Dutchman at Hull, having a ship of his owne belonging to Zealand; they made agreemente with him, and acquainted him with their condition, hoping to find more faithfullnes in him, than in ye former of their owne nation. He bad them not fear, for he would doe well enough. He was by appointment to take them in betweene Grimsbe & Hull, wher was a large comone a good way distante from any towne. Now against the prefixed time, the women & Children with ye goods, were sent to ye place in a small barke, which they had hired for yt end; and ye men were to meete them by land. But it so fell out, that they were there a day before ye shipe came, & ye sea being rough, and ye women very sicke, prevailed with ye seamen to put into a creeke hardby, wher they lay on ground at lowwater. The nexte morning ye shipe came, but they were fast, & could not stir till aboute noone. In ye mean time, ye shipe maister, perceiving how ye matter was, sente his boate to be getting ye men abord whom he saw ready, walking aboute ye shore.

But after ye first boat full was gott abord, & she was ready to goe for more, the mr espied a greate company, both horse & foote, with bills, & gunes, & other weapons; for ye countrie was raised to take them. Ye Dutchman seeing y, swore his countries oath, "sacremente," and having ye wind faire, waiged his Ancor, hoysed sayles, & away.

But ye poore men which were gott abord, were in great distress for their wives and children, which they saw thus to be taken, and were left destitute of their helps; and themselves also, not having a cloath to shifte them with, more then they had on their baks, & some scarce a peney aboute them, all they had being abord ye barke. It drew tears from their eyes, and any thing they had they would have given to have been a shore againe; but all in vaine; ther was no remedy, they must thus sadly part. And afterward endured a fearfull storme at sea, being 14. days or more before yoy arived at their porte in 7. whereof they neither saw son, moone, nor stars, & were driven near ye coast of Norway; the mariners them selves often despairing of life; and once with shriks & cries gave over all, as if ye ship had been foundred in ye sea, & they sinking without recoverie. But when mans hope & helpe wholy failed, ye Lords power & mercie appeared in their recoverie; for ye ship rose againe, & gave ye mariners courage againe to manage her. And if modestie would suffer me, I might declare with what fervente prayers they cried unto ye Lord in this great distress, (espetialy some of them), even without any great distraction, when ye water rane into their mouthes & ears; and the mariners cried out, We sinke, we sinke; they cried (if not with mirakelous, yet with a great hight or degree of devine faith), Yet Lord thou canst save, yet Lord thou canst save; with shuch other expressions as I will forbeare. Upon which ye ship did not only recover, but shortly after ye violence of ye storme begane to abate, and ye Lord filed their afflicted minds with shuch comforts as every one canot understand, and in ye end brought them to their desired Haven, wher ye people came flockeing admiring their deliverance, the

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