J. ROBINSON. 335 trouble, trusting in God, they were not dismayed. They made no disturbance in the state, but'were peaceable mem- bers of society. Yet, because they could not in conscience submit to unscriptural impositions, nor bow their necks to the yoke of human inventions, they were loaded with heavy fines and forfeitures ; nay, hunted about like par- tridges on the mountains, and persecuted as pests of society. Though the pastor and his people were determined to remove into the Low Countries, another affliction, still more unreasonable, if possible, presented itself to them. Their enemies watched them continually, and did every thing in their power to prevent their departure. The ports and harbours were narrowly watched ; and strict orders were given, by authority, not to suffer them to go. What a painful situation were they in ! They were not suffered to live in peace athome, nor allowed to go where they could enjoy peace. They could effect their escape only by secret means, having to bribe the mariners ; and even then they were often betrayed, their property seized, and them- selves punished. The following facts, extracted from the original record belonging to the church at Plymouth in New England, will shew how distressing was their situation : A large company, intending to embark at Boston in Lincolnshire, hired a ship, and agreed with the master to take them on board on a certain day, and at an appointed place. They were punctual to the engagement; yet he kept not the day, but finally came and took them on board in the night : then, having previously agreed with the searchers and other officers, he delivered the passengers and goods to them. These persons immediately put them in boats, rifled and searched them even "to their shirts ;" and treating the women with indelicacy and rudeness, carried them back to the town, where they were made spectacles of public scorn to the multitudes who flocked from all quarters to behold them. They were then taken before the magistrates, and cast into prison, where they continued for a month, and some of them much longer ; while others were bound over to the next assizes. The following spring Mr. Robinson and his friends made another attempt to get away. They made known their situation to a Dutch captain, and agreed with him to carry them to Holland. He was to take them from a large common between Grimsby and Hull, a place remote frqm
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