ed to escape at Boston? They were betrayed to the officers of tyranny. In what year, did Mr. Robinson's church escape to Holland? Where did those, who went first, embark? On what coast, were they driven by a storm? In what city, did they first settle in Holland? Which way is Amsterdam from London? How long did they continue at Amsterdam? What was their principal motive for leaving Amsterdam? To what city, did they remove? Which way is Leyden from Amsterdam ?-About how far? gospel. Religion was always the At Leyden, they engaged in such employments, as they could execute, and thus procured a comfortable support. Under the instruction and care of their beloved Robinson and Brewster, they had great com From these sufferings, their cause received advantage. Their meek-first object in all their calculations ness and Christian deportment and arrangements. made a favourable impression on the hearts of many spectators; which produced considerable accession to their number. By courage and perseverance, they all finally crossed over to Holland, and united with their friends at Am-fort in each other's fellowship, and sterdam, according to the desire of their hearts, in grateful praises to God. great satisfaction and edification in the ordinances of the gospel. They grew in gifts and graces; "they At Amsterdam, they saw the lived in peace and love and holibustle of business, the splendor of ness;" numbers joined them from equipage, and the independence of England; they had a great congreamazing wealth. Poverty, howev-gation, and at one time, more than er, arrested them with the strength 300 communicants. If at any time, of an armed man. The good Rob-sparks of contention were kindled, inson and Brewster were the last, who arrived, having, like valiant generals, remained to see the feeblest safe on board. Having continued at Amsterdam? about a year, they thought it expedient to remove. Their principal motive for this, was to be separate from the Rev. John Smith and his church, who had been their particular friends in England; but had recently embraced sentiments, that were thought to be very dangerous. Leyden was the place of their second refuge. Though they here expected less employment and profit, than in the capital, they were cheerful in this sacrifice of worldly good, in hope of being more free from temptation, and enjoying more uninterruptedly the blessings of the they were immediately quenched; or if any one proved obstinate, he was excommunicated. But instances of this kind rarely happened. Perhaps this church approached as near the perfect pattern, as any, since the days of the apostles. Their integrity and piety procured them esteem and confidence in a land of strangers. Though poor, they had credit to borrow money of the Dutch, whenever they wish. ed; for they were always punctua! to pay. They were industrious and faithful; therefore, a preference was given to their custom an to their work. Just before these fathers of NewEngland left the city, the Dutch magistrates, from the seat of justice, gave this honourable testimo How many communicants had they at one time, at Leyden What is said of the perfection of this church? What favourable testimony did the magistrates of Leyden give to the Puritans? How many reasons are stated, as inducing the Puritans to leave Holland? ny of their worth. In addressing the Walloons, who were the French church," These English," say they, "have lived among us now these ten years, and yet we never had one suit or action come against them; but your strifes are continual." Can you mention any of them? How long after they removed to First measure, adopted, after this resolution? Where did they decide to set $tle? manner, in which the Sabbath was regarded in Holland, gave them great offence. 3. The climate was unfavourable to their health. Many of them were in the decline of life. Their children, oppressed with labor and disease, became infirm, and the vigor of nature seemed to abate at an early age. The interest of religion being constantly impressed on their minds, pursuing it with unabating ardor, it was natural for them to think of 4. The licentiousness, in which changing their residence, as new youth were indulged, was a perniand favourable prospects opened cious example to their children; before them. Great minds pursue some of whom became sailors, othgreat objects. As their means in- ers soldiers, and many immoral; crease, their views expand. Hav-nor could their parents retrain ing enjoyed the comforts of evan-them, without giving offence and gelical instruction from the courte-incurring reproach. sy 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 perseverancenation, to which they had a naturfor the attainment of an end, which absorbed all other considerations. Dr. Belknap states five reasons, as having operated to induce them to quit Holland. These considerations afforded them the melancholy prospect, that their posterity would, in time, become so mixed with the Dutch, as to lose their interest in the English al and strong attachment. 5. They observed also, that many other English people, who had gone to Holland, suffered in their health and substance; and either returned home, to bear the incon 1. Most of them had been bred to the business of husbandry in Eng-veniences, from which they had fled, land; but in Holland, they were obliged to learn mechanical trades, and use various methods for subsistence, which were not so agreeable to them, as cultivation. 2. The language, manners, and habits of the Dutch, were not rendered pleasing by familiarity; and m particular, the loose and careless? or were reduced to poverty abroad. To these reasons, may be added two others of very great efficacy. 6. They had reason to fear, if they continued in Holland, they should be greatly annoyed by war, which seemed ready to break out between the Dutch and Spanish. 7. A much greater reason, than What favor did they ask of James? What intimation did James give them? Why did not Mr. Robinson go with the first planters? Who was appointed to go with the pilgrims, as their spiritual teacher? How many vessels did they pro perhaps any of these, appears to have been their "great hope and inward zeal" to propagate the gospel among distant heathens. After devout consideration and much discussion, they resolved in humble reliance upon divine aid, to take their flight into the American & wilderness. This resolution appears to have been formed about the year 1617. cure for their enterprise ?-Names? What spirit does his concluding exhortation breathe? How, did he say, they should re pears to have been sincere in his promise, it was probably the greatest favor he ever granted the Puritans. Was it not in answer to prayer to Him, in whose hand was the heart of the king? In the beginning of 1620, they kept a solemn day of prayer, when Mr. Robinson delivered a discourse from 1 Sam. 23: 3,4; in which he endeavored to remove their doubts, and confirm their resolutions. It had been previously determin Having resolved on a removal, the first measure they adopted, was a meeting for prayer, to seek direc-ed, that a part of them should tion and assistance from God. A general conference was then held, to consult on the subject, and determine, to what place, they should remove. Having decided to settle in Virginia, their next object was to obtain a patent from the Va. Compa ny. go to America, and prepare the way for the rest; and that, if a major part should consent to go, the pastor should go with them; otherwise, he should remain at Leyden. Though it was found, that a major part were willing to go, yet they could not all get ready in season. It was, therefore, concluded, that Mr. Robinson should remain with the majority. It would have been more agreeable to his feelings to have attended the first adventurers; but he could cordially acquiesce Elder Brewster was appointed to go with the minority; and he was their only minister for nine years. This they obtained in 1619, after the perplexing efforts of two years. Dr. Belknap says, they obtained it from the London Company. It was finally, however, of no use to them. At the same time they applied to king James, to grant them free toleration in the exercise of their religion. Such a favor James would by no means grant them in a formal manner; but he Being a man of talents, learning was induced to intimate, that he and eminent piety, he frequently would not disturb them in their re- preached, and that to edification, ligion, while they conducted peace-though not particularly educated for ably. And it is truly wonderful, the sacred office. He was then 60 that such a tyrant should be willing years old, and by his wisdom, exto grant even this, to those, whom perience and godliness, was emihe so ardently hated. As he ap-nently useful to the little flock in gard any new truth, that God should show them from his word? From what, did he think, more truth would break forth? Who, did he say, were burning and shining lights in their time? What, did he say, Luther and Calvin would be willing to embrace, if they had been living? the wilderness, whom he lived to feed and bless for 24 years. It was indeed the earnest desire of some, that he should receive ordination, become their regular pastor, and administer the sacred seals. And this, no doubt, would have greatly increased his usefulness. But such was his sense of his own insufficiency, that he could never be induced to consent. What nick-name did he advise them to shake off? In what month, did they leave Leyden? To what port, did they repair for embarkation? Which way is Delfthaven from discourse is truly excellent. It contains an exhortation,which breathes a noble spirit of Christian liberty, and gives a just idea of the senti ments of this most excellent man. It exhibits a spirit of charity and genuine liberality, which perhaps has not been surpassed since the days of the apostles. This will appear the more remarkable and lovely, when we consider the general bigotry of the age, and the narrow principles of the Brownists, from which he had recently escaped. Having obtained their charter, and the additional promise of James not to molest them, and being thus encouraged by their affectionate "Brethren," said he, "we are pastor, with a prospect of having now quickly to part from one anothe good elder to lead and comfort ther, and whether I may live to see them, the devoted pilgrims began your face on earth any more, the "to prepare themselves with all God of heaven only knows; but speed," for their momentous enter-whether the Lord hath appointed prise. For this purpose, they pro- that or not, I charge you before cured two vessels, the Speedwell God and his blessed angels, that and the Mayflower. The Speed-you follow me no farther, than you well of 60 tons, they purchased in have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Holland, with the intention of keep-Christ. ing her for their accommodation in America. The Mayflower of 180 tons, they hired at London. "If God reveal any thing to you by any other instrument of his, be as ready to receive it, as ever you All things being in readiness for were to receive any truth by my their departure from Leyden, they ministry. For I am verily persuadkept a day of solemn humiliation {ed-I am very confident, that the and prayer. This was in July. Lord has more truth yet to break On one part of the day, Mr. Rob-forth out of his holy word. For inson preached from Ezra 8: 21. my part, I cannot sufficiently be"Then I proclaimed a fast at the wail the condition of the reformed river Ahava, that we might afflict churches, who are come to a period ourselves before our God, to seek in religion, and will go, at present, of him a right way for us and for no farther, than the instruments of our little ones and for all our sub-their reformation. The Lutherans stance." The conclusion of this cannot be drawn to go beyond what How long had they been in Holland? Who kindly attended them to Delfthaven ? What effect upon the Dutch spectators, had the parting scene? To what port in England, did they first sail? In what vessel ? born at Southampton? Dr. Watts. How long after the pilgrims touched there? 54 years. In what year, was Dr. Watts born? Whom did Dr. Watts most strikingly resemble in character? Mr. Robinson. Which way is Southampton,from What most excellent man was Winchester ?-from Oxford? Luther saw. Whatever part of his & duct, he devoutly committed them to the care and protection of divine providence. The rest of the day, devoted to public worship," was spent in pouring out of prayers unto the Lord, with great fervency, mixed with abundance of tears." "This is a misery, much to be lamented; for though they were On the 21st of July, the Pilgrims burning and shining lights in their went to Delfthaven, a place about times, yet they penetrated not into 20 miles from Leyden, and two from the whole counsel of God; but were Rotterdam. Here they were to they now living, would be as wil- embark. To this port, they were ling to embrace farther light, as that kindly attended by many of their which they first received. I beseechbrethren and friends from Amsteryou, remember, it is an article of your church-covenant, "That you be ready to receive whatever truth shall be made known to you from the written word of God." member that, and every other article of your sacred covenant. But I must herewith exhort you to take heed, what you receive as truth. Examine it, consider it, and compare it with other scriptures of truth, before you receive it. For it is not possible, that the Christian world should come so lately out of such thick anti-christian darkness, and that perfection of knowledge should break forth at once. dam, as well as from Leyden. One night was spent with little sleep. but "with friendly entertainment and Christian discourse, and real Re-expressions of purest 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 among them, what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other's heart, that sundry of the Dutch strangers, that stood on the Key as spectators, could not refrain from tears. I must also advise you to aban- comfortable and sweet it was, to don, avoid and shake off the name see such lively and sweet expresof Brownist. It is a mere nick-sions of dear and unfeigned love." name, and a brand for the making & religion and the professors of it, odious to the Christian world." Having said this, with some other things, relating to their private con Yet But the tide, which waits for no man, called them away. The moment was overwhelming. Their affectionate pastor fell on his knees, to lead the devotions of the Pilgrime, |