J. ROBINSON. 339 hers, they lived in great friendship and harmony among themselves and their neighbours. Though a certain scur- rilous writer is pleased to insinuate that by their broils and divisions theywere reduced to a very small number;* yet nothing can be more directly opposed 0 the concurrent testimony of the best historians than this account.+ Just before they left the city of Leyden, the magistrates, from the seat of justice, gave this honourable testimony of their worth. In addressing the Walloons, who were the French church, 4, These English," say they, 4, have lived among us now these ten years, and we never had any suit or accu- sation against them, or against any of them. 't Mr. Robinson and his people, having sojourned in a strange land about nine or ten years, began to think of removing to America, but could not accomplish their pur- pose till the year 1620. Having one great object, the interest of religion, constantly impressed on their minds, and pursuing it with unabating ardour, it was natural for them to think of changing their residence, as new and favourable prospects opened to their view. Considering that they enjoyed the comforts of evangelical instruction only from the courtesy of strangers, they were unwilling to possess so precious a jewel upon so precarious a tenure. Their removal, therefore, was not the effect of a fickle dis- position, but the result of undaunted perseverance for the attainment of that great end, which absorbed all other con- siderations. They were animated with the hope of carrying thegospel to pagan countries, and of becoming instruments of salvation to many souls ready to perish. Numerous other reasons imperiously enforced the measure.§ The business was the subject of mature consideration. They were peculiarly anxious to preserve their religion, and promote its future prosperity, now in danger of being scattered and lost in a strange land. In their own country, they knew there was not the leastprospect of a reformation, nor even of a toleration of such as dissented from the national church. After spending many days in solemn addresses to God for direction, it was at length resolved, that part of the congregation should transport themselves to America; where they might enjoy liberty of conscience, Bailie's Dissuasive, p. 54. + Morton's New England's Memorial, p. 2.-Morse's American Geog. p. 150. Mather's Hist, of New Eng. b. i. p. 6. Morton's Memorial, p. 3, 4.
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