made, and to the last professed, separation from
other the Churches of Christ, &c. And the
rest of the Churches in New England, holding
communion with that Church, are to be reputed such
as they are."
For answer to this aspersion. First, he that knew
Master Robinson, either by his doctrine daily taught;
or hath read his Apology published \in its English
version in 1625] not long before his death; or knew
the practice of that Church of Christ under his
government; or was acquainted with the wholesome
counsel he gave that part of the Church which went
for New England at their departure, and afterward:
might easily resolve the doubt, and take off the
aspersion.
For his doctrine (I living three years [1617 — 1620]
under his Ministry, before we began the work of
Plantation in New England), it was always against
separation from any [of] the Churches of Christ;
professing and holding communion both with the French
Digitized by
Google
Robinson and the Pilgrim Church. 177
and Dutch [Reformed] Churches ; yea, tendering it to the
Soots also, as I shall make appear more particularly anon :
ever holding forth how wary persons ought to be in
separating from a Church; and that till Christ the
Lord departed wholly from it, manought not to leave it,
only to bear witness against the corruption that was in it.
But if any object, He separated ^m the Church of
England, aud wrote largely against it. I acknowledge
he wrote largely against it : but yet, let me tell you,
he allowed hearing the godly Ministers [of that
Church] preach and pray [i.e. in extempore prayer]
in the Public Assembliea Tea, he allowed private
communion not only with them; but [with] all that
were faithful in Christ Jesus in the SLingdom
of England] and elsewhere, upon all occasions: yea
[honoured them [the Puritan Anglican Clergy], for
the power of godliness, above all the other Professors
of religion in the world. Nay, I may truly say, his
spirit cleaved unto them [tiie Puritan Anglican
Clergy], being so well acquainted with the integrity of
their hearts, and care to walk blameless in their lives :
which was no small motive to him to persuade us to
remove from Holland [to] where we might probably
not only continue English; but have and maintain such
sweet communion with the godly of that nation, as
through QOD's great mercy we enjoy this day.
'Tis true, I confess, he was more rigid in his course
and way at first, than towards his latter end. For his
study was peace and union, so far as might agree with
faith and a good conscience ; and for schism and division,
there was nothing in the world more hateful to him.
But for the government of the Church of England as
it was in the Episcopal Way ; the Liturgy and stinted
Prayers of the Church then ; yea, the constitution of it
The Pilgrim Fathers. M
Digitized by
Google
178 Robinson and the Pilgrim Church,
as National) and so consequently the corrupt communion
of the unworthy, with the worthy, receivers of the Lord's
Supper : these things were never approved of him, but
witnessed against, to his death ; and are by the Church
over which he was, to this day. . . .
In the next place, I should speak of Master
Bobinson'b Apology ; wherein he makeUi a brief defence
against many adversaries, &c. But because it is both
in Latin {Apologia justa <&c,, 1619] and English [A just
wjfid neceaaary Apology <S:c,, 1625 and 1644], of small
price [i.e. cheap in price], and easy to be had : I shall
forbear to write of it ; and only refer the Reader to it,
for the diflTerences between his Congregation and other
the Reformed Churchea
The next thing I would have the Reader take notice
of is. That however the Church of Leyden differed in
some particulars ; yet [it] made no schism or separation
from the Reformed Churches : but held communion with
them occasionally. For we ever placed a large difference
between those that grounded their practice upon the
Word of GOD, though differing from us in the
exposition or understanding of it ; and those that hated
such Reformers and Reformation, and went on in
antichristian opposition to it and persecution of it, as
the late Lord Bishops did. ...
As for the Dutch, it was usual for our members that
understood the language, and lived in, or occasionally
came over to, London [? Leyden], to communicate with
them : as one John Jenney, a brewer, his wife and family,
&c., long did ; and without any offence to the Church.
So also for any that had occasion to travel into any
other part of the Netherlands; they daily [that ia, not
every day ; hit uauaUy] did the like.
Digitized by
Google
Robinson and the Pilgrim Church. 179
And our Pastor, Master Robinson, in the time when
Arminianism prevailed so much, at the request of the
most orthodox Divines as [John] Polyander, Festus
HoMMius, &a, disputed daily [?1616] in the Academy
at Leyden, against [Simon Bischop, or] Episcopius
and others, the grand champions of that error
[ilrminm7ii«m] ; and had as good respect amongst
them, as any of their own Divines. Insomuch as when
GOD took him away from them and us by death ; the
University and Ministers of the city accompanied him
to his grave with all their accustomed solemnities:
bewailing the great loss that not only that particular
Church had, whereof he was Pastor; but some of the
Chief of them sadly [soberly^ afllrmed, That aU the
Churches of Chbist sustained a loss by the death
of that worthy Instrument of the Gospel.
I could instance also divers of their members
\Le, of the Dutch Reformed Church] that understood
the English tongue, and betook themselves to the
communion of our Church; [who] went with us to
New England, as Qodbert Godbertson [afterwards
corrupted to Cuthbbrt Cuthbertson], &c. Yea, at this
very instant [1646], another called MosES Stmonson
[or Simonson; aftervxirda corrupted to Simmons],
because [he was] a child of one that was in communion
with the Dutch Church at Leyden, is admitted into
Church fellowship at Plymouth in New England;
and his children also to baptism as well as our
own. And other Dutch [are] cJso in communion
at Salem, &c
And as for the French [Reformed] Churches, that we
held, and do hold, communion with them, take notice
of our practice at Leyden, viz. That one Samuel Terry
[Ferrier, as at pa^e 274] was received, from the
Digitized by
Google
i8o Robinson and the Pilgrim Church,
French Church there, into communion with ub. Also
[Hesteb CJooke] the wife of Francis CJooke, being
a Walloon, holds communion with the Church at
Plymouth, as she came from the French, to this day ;
by virtue of communion of Churche&
There is also one Pmup de la Note \afteTwwrd%
corrupted to Delano], born of French parents, came
to us from Leyden, to New Plymouth: who, coming
to age of discerning, demanded also communion with
us; and, proving himself to be come of such parents
as were in full communion with the French Churches,
was hereupon admitted by the Church of Plymouth.
And after, upon his removed of habitation to Duxbury,
where Master Ralph Partridge is Pastor of the Church ;
and upon Letters of Recommendation from the Church
at Plymouth : he was also admitted into fellowship with
the Church at Duxbury, being six miles distant from
Plymouth. And so, I dare say, if his occasions lead him,
may [be admitted] from Church to Church throughout
New England.
For the truth is, the Dutch and French Churches,
either of them, being a people distinct from the
World, and gathered into a holy communion (and
not National Churches — ^nay, so far from it, as
I verily believe, the sixth person [of the population]
is not of the [Reformed] Church); the difference is
60 small, if moderately pondered, between them and
us, as we dare not, for the world, deny communion
with them.
And for the Church of Scotland, however we have
had least occasion offered to hold communion with
them ; yet thus much I can and do affirm :
That a godly Divine [David Calderwood] coming
over to Leyden in Holland, where a book was printed,
Digitized by
Google
Robinson and the Pilgrim Church. 1 8 1
awao 1619, as I take it, showing the nullity of [the] Perth
Assembly * ; whom we judged to be the author of it, and
[who was] hidden in Holland for a season, to avoid the
rage of those evil times : whose name I have forgotten.
This man, being very conversant with our Pfiistor, Master
Bobinson; and using to come to hear him on the
Sabbath: after Sermon ended, the Church being to
partake in the Lord's Supper, this Minister stood up and
desired [that] he might, without offence, stay and see
the manner of his administration [of], and [of] our
participation in, that Ordinance.
To whom our Pastor answered in these very words,
or to this effect: "Reverend Sir, You may not only
stay to behold us ; but partake with us, if you please :
for we acknowledge the Churches of Scotland to be the
Churches of Christ, &c."
The Minister also replied to this purpose, if not also
* That Caldkbwood wm the author of the book entitled Perth
A$$emhl$f 1619 ; he tells ng himself, in the following passage in his The
True Hutory of the Chwnih of Scotland, p. 782, Ed. 1678, fol.
"The same daj afternoon [Friday, 11/21 Jane 1619^ after the
King's letter was read in the Secret Council [the Privy CowncU ofScoUand,
at EdMurgh] the Captain of the Guard was directed immediately to search
Jaxbs Cathkiks, Riohabd Lawbon, and Andrew Hart, Booksellers
[at Edinburgh], their booths and houses ; for all writs [writinffi] books
and pamphlets, as it pleased them to call them, set forth against
[the] Perth Assembly [of 25th-27th August 1618] : and, in special, the
book entituled Perth Aaembly, which was spread [diitrxbuted] in the
beginning of June [1619]. But neither the book, nor the author Master
Davh) Calderwood, was found. . . .
" The Author of the book, from this time forth, removed from place
to place, as the Lord provided for him, till the 27th of August [1619,
0.8,'\ ; at which time he embarked, and departed out of the country."
How the printing, by Wiluam Brewstir, of Calderwood's two
books Perth Assemi>iy, and De regimine EeeUnee Scoticana hrevu RekUia,
led to the suppression of the Pilgrim Press at Leyden, is fully told
at pp., 195-247.— E. A.
Digitized by
Google
1 82 Robinson und the Pilgrim Church.
in the[se] same words : " That, for his part, he could
comfortably partake with the Church; and willingly
would : but that it is possible some of his brethren of
Scotland might take offence at his act ; which he desired
to avoid, in regard of the opinion the English Churches
(which they held communion withal) had of us."
However he rendered thanks to Master Robinson ; and.
desired, in that respect, to be only a spectator of us. . .
In the next place, for the wholesome counsel,
Master Robinson gave that part of the Church whereof
he was Pastor, at their departure from him [1620], to
begin the great work of Plantation in New England.
Amongst other wholesome instructions and
exhortations, he used these expressions, or to the
same purpose:
We were now, ere long, to part asunder; and the
Lord knoweth whether ever he should live to see our
faces again. But whether the Lord had appointed it
or not ; he charged us, before GOD and his blessed
angels, to follow him no further than he followed
Christ: and if GOD should reveal anything to us
by any other Instrument of his, to be as ready to
receive it, as ever we were to receive any truth by
his Ministry. For he was very confident the Lord
had more truth and light yet to break forth out of
his holy Word.
He took occasion also miserably to bewail the state
and condition of the Reformed Churches, who were come
to a period [fvU atop] in religion; and would go no
further than the Instruments of their Reformation. As,
for example, the Lutherans : they could not be drawn
to go beyond what Luther saw. For whatever part of
GOD's will, he had further imparted and revealed to
Digitized by
Google
Robinson and the Pilgrim Church. 1 83
Calvin ; they will rather die than embrace it. " And
80, also," saith he, ** you see the Calvinists. They stick
where he left them : a misery much to be lamented.
*' For though they were precious shining lights in
their Times ; yet GOD had not revealed his whole will
to them : and were they now living," saith he, " they
would be as ready and willing to embrace further light,
as that they had received."
Here also he put us in mind of our Church Covenant ;
at least that part of it whereby ''we promise and
covenant with QOD, and one with another, to receive
whatsoever light or truth shall be made known to us from
his written Word " : but withal exhorted us to take heed
what we received lot truth ; and well to examine and
compare, and weigh it with other Scriptures of truth
before we received it. "For," saith he, "it is not
possible the Christian World should come so lately out
of such thick antichristian darkness ; and that full
perfection of knowledge should break forth at once."
Another thing he commended to us, was that we
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 Ministers [the
P'writam, Anglican Clergy] and you ; when they come
to the practice of the Ordinances out of the Kingdom."
And so advised us, by all means, to endeavour to close
with the godly party of the Kingdom of England : and
rather to study union than division, viz. : How near we
might possibly, without sin, close with them ; than, in
the least measure, to affect division or separation from
Digitized by
Google
184 Robinson and the Pilgrim Church,
them. "And be not loath to take another Pastor or
Teacher/' saith he; "for that Flock that hath two
Shepherds is not indangered ; but secured by it."
Many other things there were of great and weighty
consequence, which he commended to us. But these
things I thought good to relate, at the request of some
well-willers to the peace and good agreement of the
godly — ^so distracted at present [1646] about the settling
of Qiurch Government in the Kingdom of England —
that so both sides may truly see what this poor
despised Church of Christ, now at New Plymouth in
New England, but formerly at Leyden in Holland, was,
and is; [and] how far they were, and still are, from
separation from the Churches of Christ, especially
those that are Reformed.
'Tis true, we profess and desire to practice a
separation from the World and the works of the World ;
which are works of the flesh, such as the Apostle
speaketh of. Ephes. v. 19-21, 1 Cor. vi. 9-11, Ephes. ii.
11, 12. And as the Churches of Christ are all Saints
by Calling; so we desire to see the grace of GOD
shining forth, at least seemingly (leaving secret things
to GOD), in all we admit into Church fellowship with
us : and to keep off such as openly wallow in the mire
of their sins : that neither the holy things of GOD,
nor the communion of the Saints, may be leavened or
polluted thereby.
And if any (joining to us formerly either when we
lived at Leyden in Holland, or since we came to New
England) have, with the manifestation of their faith and
profession of holiness, held forth therewith separation
from the Church of England : I have, divers times, both
in the one place and the other, heard either Master
Digitized by
Google
Robinson and the Pilgrim Church. 185
Robinson our Pastor, or Master Brewster our Elder,
stop them forthwith : shewing them, That we required
no such things at their hands ; but only to hold forth
faith in Christ Jesus, holiness in the fear of QOD, and
submii^ion to every ordinance and appointment of GOD :
leaving the Church of England to themselves and to the
Lord, before whom they should stand or fall ; and to
whom we ought to pray to reform what was amiss
amongst them. Now this Reformation we have lived
to see performed and brought about [6y the abolition of
Bishops in England], by the mighty power of GOD, this
day in a good measure ; and I hope the Lord Jesus will
perfect his work of Reformation tiU all be according
to the good pleasure of his wilL
By all which, I desire the Reader to take notice of
our former and present practice ; notwithstanding all
the injurious and scandalous taunting reports [that]
are passed on us. And if these things will not satisfy :
but we must still suffer reproach, and others for our
sakes, because they and we thus walk — our practice
being, for aught we know, wholly grounded on the written
Word, without any addition or human invention
known to us: taking our pattern from the Primitive
Churches, as they were regulated by the blessed
Apostles in their own days; who were taught and
instructed by the Lord Jesus Christ, and had the
unerring and all-knowing Spirit of GOD to bring to
their remembrance the things they had heard — I say,
if we must still suffer such reproach, notwithstanding
our charity towards them who will not be in charity
with us, QOD's will be done ! Hypocrisy v/rmuxsked
cfec, pp. 92-99, Ed. 164-6, 4.
Digitized by
Google
1 86 Robinson and the Pilgrim Church.
To this, we may add the testimony of the Rev. Johk
Paobt, Minister of the Scotch Presbyterian Church at
Amsterdam ; who, in his written controversy, during the year
1618, with the Rev. Hbnby Ainswobth, then the only Leader
left of the Separation in that city, thus refers to the Leyden
Church :
Seeing Master Robinson and his people do now, as
divers of themselves confess, receive the members of the
Church of England into their Congregation; and this
without any renunciation of the Church of England;
without any repentance " for their idolatries committed"
in the Church of England : how can you hold them \ai
Leyden] to be a true Church, and communion with them
lawful? -471. Arrow against the Separation of the
Brownista, p. 127, Ed. 1618, 4.
One more witness, and his testimony shall suffice. John
Bastwick, who was a fellow sufferer with Bubton and
Pbtnnb, was a strong Presbyterian. As we have seen at
page 171, he matriculated at Leyden University on 4/14
January 1617. In the following passage, he sweeps away,
as matters of no account, many things which are very precious
to English Churchmen. Still, his testimony is very important
for two things :
1. The moderate requests of the first English Reformists :
which however were stiffly denied by the Bishops,
notwithstanding; on the principle of Grant one thing;
you must grant alll Reform coming from below, was
to be resisted to the uttermost.
2. The speech, which we have here printed in a larger
type, of the Rev. John Robinson to him at Leyden.
Writing in 1646, Bastwick tells us :
It is well known that^ in the time of the Prelates' power, the
removal of a very few things would have given great content unto
the most scrupulous consciences.
Digitized by
Google
Robinson and the Pilgrim Church, 187
For I myself can speak thus much, not only concerning the
conscientious Professors here in England, but the most rigid
Separatists beyond the seas ; with many of which, I had familiar
acquaintance at home and abroad : and amongst all that I ever
conversed with, I never heard them, till within these twenty
years [1627 — 1646], desire any other thing in Beformation but
that the Ceremonies might be removed with their Innovations ;
and that Episcopacy might be regulated, and their boundless
power and authority taken from them ; and that the extravagances
of the High Commission Court might be annihilated and made
void ; and that there might, through the Kingdom, be a preaching
Ministry everywhere set up.
This was all that the most, that I was then acquainted with,
desired in the Reformation of Church matters. Indeed, within
these sixteen years [1631 — 1646], I met with some that desired a
more full Beformation : and yet, if they might have enjoyed but
that I now mentioned, they would have been very thankful to
GOD and Authority, and have sat down quietly.
But yet, I say, the extremest extent of their desires reached
but to the removal of all the Ceremonies and Innovations ; the
taking away of the Service Book [Book of Common Prayer\ : and
the putting down of the High Commission Court (which was
called the Court Christian, though it was rather PaganX and the
removal of the Hierarchy, root and branch ; and the setting up
and establishing of a godly Presbytery through the Kingdom.
This was, I say, all and the uttermost Beformation that was
required by the most scrupulous men then living, that I knew.
Tea, I can speak thus much, in the presence of GOD,
That Master Robinson, of Leyden, the Pastor of the
Brownist Church there, told me, and others who are yet
living to witness the truth of what I now say :
" That if he might in England have enjoyed but the
liberty of his Ministry there, with an immunity but from
the very Ceremonies ; and that they had not forced him
to a Subscription to them, and imposed upon him the
observation of them : that he had never separated from
it, and left that Church."
This I can depose. So thatall men may see, the very dispensing
Digitized by
Google
1 88 Robinson and the Pilgrim Church.
with the Ceremonies would then have given great content to the
most austere Professors : how much more may any man suppose,
would they have sat down satisfied, if but the very Ceremonies
then might have been removed.
Surely, if the Prelates had not been infatuated ; and had they
but) in those things, a little connived, and would have abated
somewhat of their rigour; for aught I know, they might have
never been questioned : but they might have enjoyed all their
honours and greatness, and whatsoever they could have desired ;
and that, with the good liking of all the people. Tht tUter routing
of the whole ArfMf of aU the IndependarUe and Sectaries dc.^ Sig.
F. 2, 1646, 4.
There is a copy of tbis rare book in the Bodleian Library.
Press-mark, Mason AA. 477.
Digitized by
Google
CHAPTER XXIV.
Bradford's Life of William Brewster, the Ruung
Elder of the Pilgrim Church.
SHOULD say something of his life; if to
say a little were not worse than to be silent :
but I cannot wholly forbear, though hapily
[haply] more may be done hereafter.
After he had attained some learning, viz. the
knowledge of the Latin tongue and some insight in the
Qreek ; and spent some small time at Cambridge * : and
then, being first seasoned with the seeds of grace and
virtue, he went to the Court ; and served that religious
and godly Gentleman, Master [William] Davison
divers years, [before and] when he was Secretary
of State [1586—1587]. Who found him so discreet
and faithful, as he trusted him above all others
that were about him; and only imployed him in all
matters of greatest trust and secrecy. He esteemed him
rather a6 a son than a servant ; and, for his wisdom and
godliness, in private he would converse with him, more
like a friend and familiar than a master.
He attended his master when he was sent in
ambassage by the Queen into the Low Countries, in the
[Robert Devereux] the Earl of Leicester's time, as for
* He matriculated at Cambridge University on the 8rd December
1580, as a Pensioner of Peterhonse College. — R A.
189
Digitized by
Google
190 Life of William Brewster, oor. w. Brmdford,
other weighty A&irs of State, so to receive possession of
the Cautionary Towns [of Flushing, Brielle, and
Bammekins] : and in token and sign thereof, the keys
of Flushing being delivered to him, in Her Majesty's
name, he kept them some time and committed them to
this his servant ; who kept them under his pillow, on
which he slept, the first night. And at his return,
the States [General] honoured him [W. Davison] with
a gold chain : and his meuster committed it to him ;
and commanded him to wear it, when they arrived in
England, as they rid \Tode\ through the country, till
they came to the Court.
He afterwards remained with him till his troubles
\in April 1687], that he was put from his place about
the death of [Mart] the Queen of Scots; and some
good time after [till December 1688]: doing him
many faithful oflBces of service in the time of his
troubles.
Afterwards he went and lived in the country [i.e
with his father at Scrooby], in good esteem amongst his