J. ROBINSON. 337 derived much advantage. Their meekness and christian deportment made a favourable and deep impression on the hearts of many spectators, which produced considerable accessions to their number. By courage and perseverance they all finally crossed the sea, and united with their friends, according to the desire of the,r hearts, in grateful praises to God. Upon their arrival at Amsterdam, in the year 1608, Mr. Robinson's first concern was to arrange their church affairs in regular order. Mr. John Smyth and his church, having arrived before them, werenow involved in contention; and the controversy was carried on with so much warmth, that Amsterdam proved too hot for the gentle spirit of Mr. Robinson ; who, with the people of his charge, having continued there about a year, removed to Leyden.. There theyenjoyed the blessing of religious liberty, and, with the leave of the magistrates, hired a meeting-house, and wor- shipped God publicly in their own way. ln this removal, they acted upon the mostnoble principle : for, though they expected less employment and profit at Leyden than at the capital, they cheerfully sacrificed their worldly interest, in hopes of being more free from temptations, and of peace ably enjoying the blessings of the gospel. Religion was always the first object in all their calculations and arrangements. They engaged in such trades and employments as they could execute, and soon obtained a comfortable subsistence. They had great comfort in each other's society, and great satisfaction in the ordinances of the gospel, under the able ministry of Mr. Robinson. They grew in gifts and graces; and lived in peace, and love, and holiness.+ Mr. Robinson set out on the most rigid principles of Brownism ; but having seen more of the world, and con- versed with learned men, particularly Dr. Ames, he became more moderate, and struck out a middle way betwixt the Brownists and presbyterians. Though he always main- tained the lawfulness and necessity of separating from the reformed churches where he resided, he was far from denying them to be true churches. 11 e even admitted their members to occasional communion, and allowed his own people to unite with the Dutch churches in prayer and hearing the word, though not in the sacraments and disci- pline. This procured hint the character of a semi-separatist.t He objected against the imposition of the liturgy, the Prince's Chron. Hist. vol. i. p. 24-27. + Morse and Parish's New England, p. 9. $ Bailie's Dissuasive, p. 17.-Neal's Puritans, vol. ii. P. 46, 47. VOL. II.
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