Pilgrms #2

More excerpts from "Of Plymouth Plantation". We used Psalm 107 as the sermon text at church today. It is the same as is quoted below. -matt

Lastly, (and which was not least), a great hope and inward zeall they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way therunto, for the propagating and advancing the gospell of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work.

. . . .

So they lefte that goodly and pleasante citie, which had been ther resting place near 12. years; but they knew they were pilgrimes,2 and looked not much on these things, but lift up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their spirits.

. . . .

But the tide (which stays for no man) caling them away that were thus loath to departe, their Rev[erjead pastor falling downe on his knees, (and they all with hirn,) with watrie cheeks commended them with most fervente praiers to the Lord and his blessing. And then with mutuall imbrases and many thars, they tooke their leaves one of an other; which proved to be the last leave to many of them.

. . . .

Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the periles and miseries therof, againe to set their feete on the firme and stable earth, their proper elemente

. . . .

May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly soy: Our faithers were Englishmen which come over this great otean, and were ready to perish in this willdernes; but they eried unto the Lord, and he heard their voyce, and looked on their adversitie, etc. Let them ther f ore praise the Lord, because he is good, and his mercies endure for ever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, shew how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressour. When they wandered in the deserte willdernes out of the way, and found no citie to dwell in, both hungrie, and thirstie, their sowle vas overwhelmed in them. Let them confesa before the Lord his loving kindnes, and his wonderfull works be f ore the sons o f men.