of ENGLAND, but with all other reformed churches, except they were of their own model.

Thefe feparatifts were called Brownifts, which was long afterward the common name for all that feparated totally from the church of England, even when they difowned the rigid principles of Brown and his congregation. We must carefully diftinguish the Brownifts from the Puritans. Most of the latter were for keeping within the pale of the church, apprehending it to be a true church in its doftrines and facraments, though defective in difcipline and corrupt in ceremonies. They thought it unlawful to feparate; fubmitted to fufpenfions and deprivations; when driven out of one diocefe, took fanctuary in another, being afraid of incurring the guilt of fchifm; and were the chief writers against the Brownists.

A fresh effort was made to crufh the non-conformists. 1593A most obnoxious act was paffed, for punishing all who refused to come to church, and every one, who perfuaded others to oppofe the queen's authority in ecclefiaftic causes, or was prefent at any conventicle or meeting. The punishment was imprisonment without bail, till the convicted agreed to conform and make a declaration of his conformity. In cafe the offender did not fign the declaration within three months, he was to abjure the realm, and go into perpetual banishment. If he departed not within the time limited, or returned afterward without the queen's licenfe, he was to fuffer death without benefit of clergy. By this act, the cafe of nonconformifts was worfe than that of felons at common law. The ftatute was levelled against the laity, no lefs than the clergy. The moderate puritans evaded it, by going to church when prayers were nearly ended, B 3

and

and by receiving the facrament when administered with fome latitude. The weight of it fell upon the Brownifts, whofe fentiments had gained ground, fo that they were increased to near twenty thoufand, befide wives and children, according to the opinion of Sir Walter Raleigh, given in the houfe of commons, when the bill was read the fecond time and debated *.

Several were put to death, about this period; which excited an odium against the bishops and high commiffioners, who were univerfally known to have been at the bottom of the proceedings against them. It was refolved therefore, to fend the remainder of the imprifoned into banishment, instead of continuing to execute them. Others preferred a voluntary exile, rather than be exposed to the merciless perfecutions that awaited them in their native country. Is it ftrange, that these perfons, thus forced or frightened out of it, for claiming and exercising the common right of human nature, that of judging for themfelves in matters of religion, fhould at length think, that their allegiance terminated with their departure; or, that those who commiferated them inclined to the fame sentiment?

The parliament, especially the lower house, perceiving how the queen, and many of the bishops and ecclefiaftics, abused their spiritual power; what mischiefs they brought upon the church; and the miferies to which honeft men were reduced for mere difference in religious fentiments; attempted repeatedly to regulate matters, and to redress the hardships of the non-conformifts, but was ftopt by her majefty, in the moft dictatorial manner. Some of the members, roufed by fuch unwarrantable Townshend's Hiftorical Collections, p. 76.

acts

acts, of fovereignty, fpake boldly and freely upon the occafion, and cenfured the arbitrary proceedings of the bifhops. The queen added to her other faults, that of fending them to the Tower. But, though fhe could awe the parliament, imprison its members, and protect her favorite bishops; fhe could not overpower the confciences of the non-conformifts.

A number of religious people, upon the borders of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, having fuffered perfecution patiently for years, and fearched the fcriptures diligently, were at length fully of opinion, that the ceremonies of the English church were unlawful; that the lordly power of her prelates was contrary to the freedom of the gospel; and that her offices, courts and canons had no warrant in the word of God; but were papish. They determined therefore to fhake off that yoke of bondage, viz. human impofitions, brought into the church by popish policy and power, against the fuperior law of Chrift, the genius of his plain religion, and christian liberty. They refolved, as the Lord's free 1602. people," to join themselves by covenant into a church fate; and, agreeable to present or future knowledge, to walk in all the ways of God, according to their best abilities, whatever it cofts them *'

The affembly, owing to the distance of habitations, 1606. was obliged to form itself into two diftinct religious focieties; the one, with which is our concern, foon had for its paftor the famous Mr. John Robinson. The church kept together about a year; but being extremely haraffed by perfecutors, concluded upon removing to Holland. The pious refugees repaired to and fettled at Amfterdam; Prince's New England Chronology, Part I. p. 4.

B 4

but

but after a while removed to Leyden; where they were highly refpected, and would have been allowed fome public favor, had it not been for fear of offending England. By hard and continued labor they obtained a living. The Dutch employed them before others, for their honeft and exemplary behaviour; and readily trusted them when in want of money. Matters, however, were not altogether to their mind; and fome of the most 1617. fenfible began to think of another removal. It was imagined, that, if a better and eafier place of living could be had, numbers would join them. The morals of the Dutch were too diffolute; and they were afraid, that their offspring would become irreligious. Befide, they had an ardent, noble, and godly defire, of laying a foundation for fpreading the religion of Jefus over the remote regions of the earth; and of handing down to future ages, what they thought to be, the pure and unadulterated worship of the great JEHOVAH. They therefore directed their views to America. To those who objected-the length and danger of the voyage, the difficulties and calamities to which they fhould be expofed, the barbarities and treacheries of the Indians, and their inability to fupport the expenfe-it was anfwered, "The difficulties are not invincible, and may be overcome by fortitude and patience; the ends propofed are good and honorable; the calling lawful and urgent; the bleffing of God may therefore be expected. We live but as exiles now, and are in a poor condition. The truce with the Spaniards is haftening to a close. Nothing but preparations for war are going forward. The Spaniards may be as cruel as the Savages; and famine and peftilence may be as fore in Holland as in America."

After

After serious and folemn application to God for direction, they concluded on carrying the propofal of croffing the Atlantic into execution; endeavouring to live in a diftinct body by themselves, under the general government of the Virginia Company; and fuing to his majefty, king James, for full liberty and freedom of confcience.

The Virginia Company were ready to give them a patent, with as ample privileges as they could grant; but, notwithstanding the great intereft made by gentlemen of the first character, and by the chief secretary of state, the king and bifhops refused to allow the refugees (though at the distance of 3000 miles) liberty of conscience under the royal feal. All they could obtain from his majefty, was a promise that he would connive at, and not moleft them, provided they carried themselves peaceably; but he would not tolerate them by his public authority. Upon this occafion it was wifely obferved, "If his majesty's promife is no fecurity, a further confirmation will be of little value; though it has a feal as broad as the house-floor, it will not serve the turn, for there will be means enow found, when wanted, to recall or reverse it; and we must rest herein on God's Providence." This reasoning, and the hope of being placed beyond the reach of ecclefiaftic courts, prevailed. They refolved to venture; and, after long attendance, much cost and labor, obtained a patent.

They agreed, that the minor part of younger and stronger men, with Mr. Brewster, an elder of the church, fhould go first, and that the paftor, Mr. Robinson, thould remain behind with the majority, for a future favor ble

opportunity,

1619.