| CHAPTER VI. |
1620—1631.
FOUNDATION OF NEW ENGLAND.
Interest and importance of New England History—The Reformation—Its effects—The English Reformation—Progress under Henry VIII., Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth—James I.—His education and conduct—Points of variance between the Puritans and the Church of England—The king's feelings toward the Puritan party— Internal dissensions—The Brownists or Independents—Elders Brewster and Robinson—Emigration to Holland—Disputes in Amsterdam—Removal to Leyden—Reasons for desiring to leave Holland—Determination to colonize in America—Set sail—Stormy voyage—Reach the coast near Cape Cod—Social compact—Plymouth Rock—Sufferings during the winter—Intercourse with the Indians—Apprehensions—Plantation AT Wissagusset—State of the colony in 1630—Massachusetts Bay colony—Question of Religion—Charter and Company transferred to New England—Foundation of Boston—Organization of churches—Severe trials—Theocratic basis of the Government—Position and influence of the ministers.
Peculiar interest and importance belong to the early history and progress of New England. Its position among the English colonies in America; the influence which it has always exerted in American affairs; the persons by whom it was settled; the specialities of opinion and practice among the Puritan colonists; the reasons which led to their adoption of views in regard to religious and civil duties and obligations such as they held, maintained, and earnestly endeavored to carry into full effect, these, and the like points, seem to render it necessary to inquire with some care into several matters antecedent to the landing of the Pilgrims on the rock-bound coast of New England. It will be our effort to do this as briefly and impartially as possible.
It was but natural that the great Reformation in the 16th century should have given rise to many varieties of opinions, and even very serious differences and disputes among those who renounced the corruptions in doctrine and practice of the Church of Rome. When one considers what an astonishing change was wrought by the preaching and labors of such men as Luther, Zuingle, Calvin, and other eminent Reformers, among a people who had for centuries been in absolute subjection, mentally and morally, to papal domination and tyranny; when one calls to mind the vast and incalculable effect produced throughout the civilized world by the art of printing, the revival of learning in Europe, the free use of the Scriptures in the vernacular language of the people, and free discussion of all religious subjects; and further, when one remembers that there is always a tendency among men to push matters of reform to an extreme; it need not surprise us that good men, and honest and conscientious men, held sentiments not altogether accordant on many religious topics, even topics of vital importance, and adopted practices and views of the meaning of Holy Scrip-
