usages of the Church, and every act of the Word of God-of human over divine non-compliance with his own arbitrary authority; and though then but a small miordinances. nority, even thus early there was evidently a growing attachment to their doctrines in the popular mind.*

The reign of Edward VI. (1547-1553) forms a most important era in the history of England. Partly through the influence of the writings of Calvin, which had been circulated to a considerable extent in that country; partly through that of his public instructions, which had been frequented at Geneva by many young English students of divinity; but still more by the lectures of those two eminent Continental divines, Peter Martyr and Martin Bucer, who had been invited to England, and made professors of theology at Oxford and Cambridge, many persons had been prepared for that reformation in the Church which then actually took place under the auspices of Cranmer, and was carried to the length, in all essential points, at which it is now established by law. Hooper, and many other excellent men, were appointed to the most influential offices in the Church, and much progress was made in resuscitating true piety among both the clergy and the people.

During the bloody reign of Edward VI.'s successor, Mary, that is, from 1553 to 1558, both parties of Protestants were exposed to danger, but especially the Puritans. Thousands fled to the Continent, and found refuge chiefly in Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Emden, Wesel, Basel, Marburg, Strasburg, and Geneva. At Frankfort the dispute between the two parties was renewed with great keenness; even Calvin in vain attempted to allay it. In the end, most of the Puritans left that city and retired to Geneva, where they found the doctrine, worship, and discipline of the Church to accord with their sentiments. While residing there, they adopted for their own use a liturgy upon the plan suggested by the great Genevese reformer, and there also they translated the Bible into English.f Persecution, meanwhile, prevailed in England. Cranmer, to whom the queen in her early years had owed her life, Hooper, Rogers, and other distinguished servants of Christ, suffered death. Many of the clergy again submitted to the Roman See.

On the death of Queen Mary, many of the exiled Puritans returned, with their hatred to the ceremonies and vestments inflamed by associating them with the cruelties freshly committed at home, and by what they had seen of the simple worship of the Reformed Churches abroad. But they struggled in vain to effect any substantial change. Elizabeth, who succeeded her sister Mary in 1558, would hear of no modifications of any importance in doctrine, discipline, or worship, so that in all points the Church was almost identically the same as it had been under Edward VI. While Elizabeth desired to conciliate the Romanists, the Puritans denounced all concessions to them, even in things indifferent.

But the Protestants of England soon became divided into two parties. One, headed by Cranmer, then Archbishop of Canterbury, consisted of such as were opposed to great changes in the discipline and government of the Church, and wished to retain, to a certain degree, the ancient forms and ceremonies, hoping thereby to conciliate the people to the Protestant faith. To all the forms of the Romish Church the other party bore an implacable hatred, and insisted upon the rejection of even a ceremony or a vestment that was not clearly enjoined by the Word of God. Wishing to see the Church purified from every human invention, they were therefore called Puritans, a name given in reproach, but by which, in course of time, they were not averse to being distinguished. With them the Bible was the sole standard, alike for doctrines and for ceremonies, and with it *The Puritans have been often and severely they would allow no decision of the hierar- blamed for what some have been pleased to call their chy, or ordinance of the king, or law of Par-obstinacy in regard to things comparatively indifferliament, to interfere. On that great found-ent. But it has been well remarked by President Quincy, in his Centennial Address at Boston, that ation they planted their feet, and were en- "the wisdom of zeal for any object is not to be couraged in so doing by Bucer, Peter Mar- measured by the particular nature of that object, but tyr, and Calvin himself.* The Church-by the nature of the principle, which the circumstanmen, as their opponents were called, de-ces of the times, or of society, have identified with such object." sired, on the other hand, to differ as little as possible from the ancient forms, and readily adopted things indifferent; but the Puritans could never sever themselves too widely from every usage of the Romish Church. For them the surplice and the square cap were things of importance, for they were the livery of superstition, and tokens of the triumph of prescription over Strype's Memorials, vol. ii., chap. xxviii. Hallam's Constitutional History of England, vol. i., p.

+

140.

This version was first published in 1560. So highly was it esteemed, particularly on account of its notes, that it passed through thirty editions. To both the translation and notes King James had a special dislike, alleging that the latter were full of Court, "he professed that he could never yet see a "traitorous conceits." In the conference at Hampton Bible well translated in English, but worst of all his majesty thought the Geneva to be." This version New-England, for that of King James, published in was the one chiefly used by the first einigrants to 1611, had not then passed into general use.Strype's Annals. Barlow's Sum and Substance of the Conference at Hampton Court.

But the principles which, for a time, he had boldly advocated, were destined to survive his abandonment of them in England, as well as to flourish in a far-distant region, at that time almost unknown.

From that time forward the Puritans became permanently divided into two bodies

majority of the body, and the Separatists. The former saw evils in the Established Church, and refused to comply with them, but, at the same time, acknowledged its merits, and desired its reform; the latter denounced it as an idolatrous institution, false to Truth and to Christianity, and, as such, fit only to be destroyed. Eventually the two parties became bitterly opposed to each other; the former reproached the latter with precipitancy; the latter retorted the charge of a base want of courage.

Though by profession a Protestant, she was much attached to many of the distinguishing doctrines and practices of the papacy, and she bore a special hatred to the Puritans, not only because of their differing so much from her in their religious views, but also because of the sentiments they hesitated not to avow on the subject-the Nonconformists, constituting a large of civil liberty. The oppression of the government was driving them, in fact, to scrutinize the nature and limits of civil and ecclesiastical authority, and to question the right of carrying it to the extent to which the queen and the bishops were determined to push it. The popular voice was becoming decidedly opposed to a rigorous exaction of conformity with the royal ordinances respecting the ceremonies. Parliament itself became imbued with the same spirit, and showed an evident disposition to befriend the Puritans, whose cause began to be associated with that of civil and religious liberty. The bishops, however, and most of the other dignified clergy, supported the views of the queen. Whitgift, in particular, who was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1583, vigorously enforced conformity. The Court of High Commission compelled many of the best ministers of the Established Church to relinquish their benefices, and to hold private meetings for worship as they best could, very inferior and worthless men being generally put into their places.

Still, the suppression of the Puritans was found a vain attempt. During Elizabeth's long reign their numbers steadily increased. The services they rendered to the country may be estimated by the verdict of an historian who has been justly charged with lying in wait, through the whole course of his history, for an opportunity of throwing discredit upon the cause of both religion and liberty, and who bore to the Puritans a special dislike. Mr. Hume says, "The precious spark. of liberty had been kindled and was preserved by the Puritans alone."*

As a body, the Puritans studiously avoided separation from the Established Church. What they desired was reform, not schism. But towards the middle of Elizabeth's reign, a party arose among them that went to an extreme in their opposition to the "Churchmen," and refused to hold communion with a Church whose ceremonies and government they condemned. These were the Independents, or Brownists, as they were long improperly called, from the name of one who was a leading person among them for a time, but who afterward left them and ended his days in the Established Church. The congregation which Brown had gathered, after sharing his exile, was broken up and utterly dispersed.

Hume's History of England, vol. iii., p. 76.

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The accession of King James gave new hopes to the Puritans, but these were soon completely disappointed. That monarch, though brought up in Presbyterian principles in Scotland, no sooner crossed the border than he became an admirer of the prelacy, and, although a professed Calvinist, allowed himself to become the easy tool of the latitudinarian sycophants who surrounded him. Having deceived the Puritans, he soon learned to hate both them and their doctrines. His pedantry having sought a conference with their leaders at Hampton Court, scenes took place there which were as amusing for their display of the dialectics of the monarch as they were unsatisfactory to the Puritans in their results. 'I will have none of that liberty as to ceremonies; I will have one doctrine, one discipline, one religion in substance and in ceremony. Never speak more on that point, how far you are bound to obey."* And verily it was a point on which such a monarch as James I. did not wish to hear anything said. The conference lasted three days. The king would bear no contradiction. He spoke much, and was greatly applauded by his flatterers. The aged Whitgift said, “Your majesty speaks by the special assistance of God's Spirit." And Bishop Bancroft exclaimed, on his knees, that his heart melted for joy "because God had given England such a king as, since Christ's time, has not been."t

The Parliament was becoming more and more favourable to the doctrines of the Pu-ritans; but the hierarchy maintained its own views, and was subservient to the

of the Puritans with little ceremony. "I will make * In the second day's conference his majesty spoke them conform, or I will harry them out of the land, or else worse." "Only burn them, that's all.”— Barlow's Sum and Substance of the Conference at Hampton Court, p. 71, 83.

+ Barlow's Sum and Substance of the Conference at Hampton Court, p. 93, 94. Lingard, ix., p. 32. Neal's History of the Puritans, iii., p. 45.

wishes of the monarch. Conformity was rigidly enforced by Whitgift's successor, Bancroft. In 1604, three hundred Puritan RELIGIOUS CHARACTER OF THE FOUNDERS OF ministers are said to have been silenced, imprisoned, or exiled. But nothing could check the growth of their principles. The Puritan clergy and the people became arrayed against the Established Church and the King. The latter triumphed during that reign, but very different was to be the issue in the following. So hateful to the court were the people called Brownists, Separatists, or Independents, that efforts were made, with great success, to root them out of the country. Some remains of them, however, outlived for years the persecutions by which they were assault

where they might have liberty and live comfortably, they would then practise as as they did.

Mr. Robinson, we are told that the people had a great affection for him, and that "his love was great towards them, and his care was always bent for their best good, both II. "They saw that, although the people for soul and body. For, besides his singu- generally bore all their difficulties very lar abilities in divine things, wherein he cheerfully and with a resolute courage, beexcelled, he was able also to give direc-ing in the best of their strength, yet old tion in civil affairs, and to foresee dangers age began to come on some of them; and and inconveniences; by which means he their great and continual labours, with was every way as a common father unto other crosses and sorrows, hastened it bethem." Not only so besides writing sev-fore the time; so as it was not only proberal books and preachiug thrice a week to ably thought, but apparently seen, that his own flock, Mr. Robinson entered warm- within a few years more they were in danly into the Arminian controversy, which ger to scatter by necessity pressing them, was raging during his residence at Leyden, or sink under their burdens, or both; and, and disputed often with Episcopius and oth- therefore, according to the divine proverb, er champions of the Arminian side.* that a wise man seeth the plague when it cometh, and hideth himself, so they, like skilful and beaten soldiers, were fearful either to be entrapped or surrounded by their enemies, so as they should neither be able to fight nor fly; and, therefore, thought it better to dislodge betimes to some place of better advantage and less danger, if any could be found.

Although they had begun to enjoy some degree of comfort in Holland, still they did not feel themselves at home there. Accordingly, they began to agitate the question of removing to some part of America. Their reasons for thinking of such a step, as stated in the words of their own historian, gives us new proof of the extraordinary character of this simple-hearted and excellent flock.

I. "And, first, they found, and saw by experience, the hardness of the place and country to be such, as few in comparison would come to them, and fewer that would bide it out and continue with them. For many that came to them could not endure the great labour and hard fare, with other inconveniences which they underwent and were contented with. But though they loved their persons, and approved their cause, and honoured their sufferings, yet they left them, as it were, weeping, as Orpah did her mother-in-law Naomi; or as those Romans did Cato in Utica, who desired to be excused and borne with, though they could not all be Catos. For many, though they desired to enjoy the ordinances of God in their purity, and the liberty of the Gospel with them, yet, alas! they admitted of bondage with danger of conscience, rather than endure those hardships; yea, some preferred and chose prisons in England rather than liberty in Holland, with those afflictions. But it was thought that if a better and easier place of living.could be had, it would draw many, and take away these discouragements; yea, their pastor would often say that many of those that both writ and preached against them, if they were in a place

Robinson's church increased, that it had three hundred "communicants" before any of them embarked for America.

T

*Besides the testimony of Winslow in his "Brief Narrative," which might be suspected of being partial, we have that of the celebrated Professor Hornbeck, in his "Summa Controversiarum Religionis," respecting Mr. Robinson, whom he calls Vir ille (Johannes Robinsonus), gratus nostris, dum vixit, fuit, et theologis Leidensibus familiaris et honoratus." † See Plutarch's Life of Cato the Younger.

III. "As necessity was a taskmaster over them, so they were forced to be such not only to their servants, but, in a sort, to their dearest children; the which, as it did a little wound the tender hearts of many a loving father and mother, so it produced, also, many sad and sorrowful effects. For many of their children, that were of best dispositions and gracious inclinations, having learned to bear the yoke in their youth, and willing to bear part of their parents' burden, were oftentimes so oppressed with their heavy labours, that although their minds were free and willing, yet their bodies bowed under the weight of the same, and became decrepit in their early youth; the vigour of nature being consumed in the very bud, as it were. But that which was more lamentable, and of all sorrows most heavy to be borne, was, that many of their children, by these occasions, and the great licentiousness of the youth in the country, and the manifold temptations of the place, were drawn away by evil examples intó extravagant and dangerous courses, getting the reins on their necks, and departing from their parents. Some became soldiers, others took them upon far voyages by sea, and others some worse courses, tending to dissoluteness and the danger of their souls, to the great grief of their parents and dishonour of God; so that they saw their posterity would be in danger to degenerate and be corrupted.

IV. "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 advancing the Gospel of the kingdom of Christ in these remote

* Quoted from the Geneva version.

parts of the world; yea, though they should be but as stepping-stones unto others for performing of so great a work."

Besides these reasons, mentioned by Governor Bradford in his History of Plymouth Colony, the three following are adduced by Edward Winslow, who also was one of its founders: 1. Their desire to live under the protection of England, and to retain the language and the name of Englishmen. 2. Their inability to give their children such an education as they had themselves received. And, 3. Their grief at the profanation of the Sabbath in Holland.

One of them, to help the undertaking, lent the sum of £300, without interest, for three years, and this was afterward repaid. This advance must have been a seasonable encouragement, for a hard bargain had to be struck with some London merchants, or "adventurers," as they are called by the colonial historians, in order to raise what farther money was required. At length two ships, the Speedwell of sixty, and the Mayflower of a hundred and eighty tons, were engaged, and everything else arranged for the departure of as many as the ships could accommodate. Those went who first offered themselves, and Brewster, the ruling elder, was chosen their spiritual guide. The other leading men were John Carver, William Bradford, Miles Standish, and Edward Winslow. Mr. Robinson stayed behind, along with the greater part of the flock, with the intention of joining those who first went at some future time, should such be the will of God. A solemn fast was observed. Their beloved pastor afterward delivered a farewell charge, which must be regarded as a remarkable production for those times.*

Such were the considerations that induced the Pilgrims to send over to England a deputation, with the view of ascertaining what kind of reception their project might meet with from the king, and whether the London Company, or, as it was most commonly called, the Virginia Company, would sanction their settling as a colony on any part of its possessions in America. With all his detestation of the Independents, the king felt rather gratified than otherwise at the prospect of extending colonization, that being an object in which he had long felt an interest. Many years before this This charge is related in Edward Winslow's "Brief Narrative." It is here subjoined in the lanhe had encouraged colonization in the guage in which it is given by that author, from Highlands and Western Islands of Scot-whom alone it became known to the world: land, and the North of Ireland has long "We are now ere long to part asunder, and the been indebted for a prosperity and securi-Lord knoweth whether ever he should live to see ty, such as no other part of that island has our faces again. But whether the Lord had appointed it or not, he charged us before God and his blessenjoyed, to the English and Scotch planta-ed angels to follow him no farther than he followed tions which he had been at great pains to Christ; and if God should reveal anything to us by form on lands laid waste during the deso- any other instrument of His, to be as ready to receive lating warfare of his predecessor, Eliza-it as ever we were to receive any truth by his minbeth, with certain Irish chieftains in those truth and light yet to break forth out of his holy Word. istry; for he was very confident the Lord had more parts.* To extend the dominions of Eng-He took occasion, also, miserably to bewail the state land he allowed to be "a good and honest and condition of the Reformed Churches, who were motion." On his inquiring what trade come to a period in religion, and would no farther go they expected to find in the northern part of than the instruments of their reformation. As, for example, the Lutherans, they could not be drawn to Virginia, being that in which they thought go beyond what Luther saw; for whatever part of of settling, they answered, "Fishing;" to God's will He had farther imparted and revealed which the monarch replied, with his usual unto Calvin, they will rather die than embrace it. asseveration, "So God have my soul, 'tis And so also, saith he, you see the Calvinists, they an honest trade; 'twas the apostles' own mented; for though they were precious shining lights stick where he left them, a misery much to be lacalling." But as the king wished to con- in their times, yet God hath not revealed his whole sult the Archbishop of Canterbury and the will to them; and were they now living, saith he, Bishop of London, the delegates were rec- they would be as ready and willing to embrace farommended not to press the matter, but to ther light as that they had received. Here, also, he put us in mind of our church covenant, at least that trust to his connivance rather than to look part of it whereby we promise and covenant with for his formal consent. This they resolv- God and one another, to receive whatsoever light ed to do, rightly concluding that, "should or truth shall be made known to us from his written there be a purpose to wrong us, though Word; but, withal, exhorted us to take heed what we we had a seal as broad as the house-floor, it, and weigh it with other scriptures of truth before received for truth, and well to examine and compare there would be found means enough to we received it. For saith he, it is not possible the recall it." Christian world should come so lately out of such thick antichristian darkness, and that full perfection of knowledge should break forth at once. should use all means to avoid and shake off the name of Brownist, being a mere nickname and brand to make religion odious, and the professors of it, to the Christian world. And to that end, said he, I should be glad if some godly minister would go over with you before my coming; for, said he, there will be no difference between the unconformable [nonconform

The Virginia Company showed the most favourable dispositions. They said "the thing was of God," and granted a large patent, which, however, proved of no use.

* See Robertson's History of Scotland, chap. viii. The reader will remember that the whole Atlantic coast was then called Virginia by the English. Edward Winslow's Brief Narrative.

D

"Another thing he commended to us was, that we