Leyden Reasons for to America cure the same: and also that the flames of contention were likely to break out in the ancient church itself, as afterwards lamentably came to pass. For these, and some other reasons, they removed to Leyden, a fair and beautiful city, and of a sweet situation: but made more famous by the university wherewith it is adorned; in which, of late, has been so many learned men. But wanting that traffic by sea which Amsterdam enjoys, it was not so beneficial for their outward means of living and estates. But being now here pitched, they fell to such trades and imployments as they best could; valuing peace and their spiritual comfort above any other riches whatsoever; and at length they came to raise a competent and comfortable living; but with hard and continual labor. Being thus settled, after many difficulties; they continued many years in a comfortable condition, injoying much sweet and delightful society and spiritual comfort together in the ways of God, under the able ministry and prudent government of Master John Robinson and Master William Brewster, who was an assistant unto him, in the place of an elder, unto which he was now called and chosen by the church. So as they grew in knowledge and other gifts and graces of the spirit of God, and lived together in peace and love and holiness. And many came unto them, from divers parts of England; so as they grew to a great congregation. . . . Our reverend pastor, Master John Robinson of late memory; wanting to go and our grave elder, Master William Brewster, now both at rest with the Lord; considering, amongst many other inconveniences; how hard the country was where we lived; how many spent their whole estate in it, and were forced to return for England; how grievous it was to live from under the protection of the state of England; how likely we were to lose our language and our name of English; how little good we did, or were likely to do, to the Dutch, in reforming the sabbath; how unable there to give such education to our children as we ourselves had received; in their grave wisdoms they thought we might more glorify God, do more good to our country, better provide for our posterity, and live to be more refreshed by our labours than ever we could do in Holland where we were. . . . Now these their private thoughts, upon mature deliberation they imparted to the brethren of the congregation which, after much private discussion, came to public agitation, till at length the Lord was solemnly sought in the congregation by fasting and prayer to direct us. Who moving our hearts more and more to the work, we sent some of good abilities over into England, to see what favour or acceptance such a thing might find with the king. These also found God going along with them, and got Sir Edwin Sandys, a religious gentleman then living, to stir in it. Who procured Sir Robert Naunton, then principal secretary of state to King James of famous memory, to move his Majesty, by a private motion, to give way to such a people, who could not so comfortably live under the government of another state, to enjoy their liberty of conscience under his gracious protection in America; where they would endeavour the advancement of his Majesty's dominions and the enlargement of the gospel by all due means. This, his Majesty said, was a good and honest motion and asking what profits might arise in the part we intended (for our eye was on the most northern parts of Virginia) it was answered "fishing." To which he replied with his ordinary asseveration, "So God have my soul! 't is an honest trade! It was the apostles' own calling!" But afterwards he told Sir Robert Naunton, who took all occasions to further it, that we should confer with the bishops of Canterbury and London. . . from those who stayed behind in Holland After this, they who stayed accompanied us to Delfshaven, Farewell (about twenty-four miles from Leyden) where we were to embark; and there feasted us again. And after prayer performed by our pastor, where a flood of tears was poured out, they accompanied us to the ship, but were not able to speak one to another for the abundance of sorrow to part. But we only going aboard the ship lying to the quay and ready to set sail, the wind being fair, we gave them a volley of small shot and three pieces of ordnance; and so lifting up our hands to each 266. The and her other, and our hearts for each other to the Lord our God, we departed and found his presence with us in the midst of our manifold straits that he carried us through. . . . The remaining stages of the journey are more clearly and concisely told in the narrative of Winslow, Hypocrisy Unmasked. Thus, hoisting sail, with a prosperous wind they came in Mayflower short time to Southampton; where they found the bigger ship journey come from London, lying ready with all the rest of their company. After a joyful welcome and mutual congratulations, with other friendly entertainments, they fell to parley about their business, how to despatch with the best expedition. . . . These troubles being blown over, and now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind, which continued divers days together and was some incouragement to them. Yet, according to the usual manner, many were afflicted with seasickness. And I may not omit here a special work of God's providence. There was a proud and very profane young man, one of the seamen, of a lusty able body, which made him the more haughty. He would always be contemning the poor people in their sickness, and cursing them daily with grievous execrations, and he did not let to tell them that he hoped to help to cast half of them overboard before they came to their journey's end and to make merry with what property they had. And if he were by any gently reproved he would curse and swear most bitterly. But it pleased God before they came half seas over to smite this young man with a grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate manner, and so he was himself the first that was thrown overboard. Thus his curses lighted on his own head; and it was an astonishment to all his fellows, for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him. . . . But to omit other things, that I may be brief, after long beating at sea, they fell in with that land which is called Cape Cod; the which being made, and certainly known to be it, Bay they were not a little 'joyful. After some deliberation had amongst themselves and with the master of the ship, they tacked about and resolved to stand for the southward, the wind and weather being fair, to find some place about Hudson's river for their habitation. But after they had sailed that Arrival in course about half the day, they fell amongst dangerous shoals Plymouth and roaring breakers, and they were so far intangled therewith, as they conceived themselves in great danger; and the wind shrinking upon them withal, they resolved to bear up again for the cape; and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook them, as by God's good providence they did. And the next day but one they got into the Cape harbour where they rid in safety. VI. CONTESTS BETWEEN KING AND PARLIAMENT The embittered dispute between King James and parliament reached its crisis in 1621, in the following angry letter from the king and the protest to which it gave origin. 267. Letter of the king to the House 1621) To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Thomas Richardson, knight, speaker of the House of Commons: Mr. Speaker, we have heard by divers reports, to our great of Commons grief, that our distance from the house of parliament, caused (December 3, by our indisposition of health, hath emboldened some fiery and popular spirits of some of the House of Commons to argue and debate publicly of matters far above their reach and capacity, tending to our high dishonour and breach of prerogative royal. These are therefore to command you to make known in our name unto the House that none therein shall presume henceforth to meddle with anything concerning our government or deep matters of state, and namely, not to deal with our dearest son's match with the daughter of Spain, nor to touch the honour of that king or any other our friends and confederates; and also not to meddle with any men's particulars, which have their due motion in our ordinary courts of justice. 268. Protes House of Commons 18, 1621) And whereas we hear that they have sent a message to Sir Edwin Sandys, to know the reasons of his late restraint, you shall in our name resolve them, that it was not for any misdemeanor of his in parliament. But, to put them out of doubt of any question of that nature that may arise among them hereafter, you shall resolve them in our name, that we think ourself very free and able to punish any man's misdemeanours in parliament, as well during their sitting as after; which we mean not to spare hereafter, upon any occasion of any man's insolent behaviour there that shall be ministered unto us. And if they have already touched any of these points which we have forbidden, in any petition of theirs which is to be sent unto us, it is our pleasure that you shall tell them, that except they reform it before it comes to our hands, we will not deign the hearing nor answering of it. Upon receipt of this letter from the king the House of Commons drew up and placed on record the following document, which has come to be known as the "Great Protestation." The Commons now assembled in parliament, being justly tation of the occasioned thereunto concerning sundry liberties, franchises, and privileges of parliament, amongst others here mentioned, (December do make this protestation following: that the liberties, franchises, privileges, and jurisdictions of parliament are the ancient and undoubted birthright and inheritance of the subjects of England; and that the arduous and urgent affairs concerning the king, state, and defense of the realm and of the church of England, and the maintenance and making of laws, and redress of mischiefs and grievances which daily happen within this realm are proper subjects and matter of counsel and debate in parliament; and that in the handling and proceeding of those businesses every member of the house of parliament hath and of right ought to have freedom of speech, to propound, treat, reason, and bring to conclusion the same; and that the Commons in parliament have like liberty and freedom to treat of these matters in such order as in their |