CONTENTS. I. The first beginnings of this church and people II. Their departure into Holland, and their troubles there- 3343 IV. The reasons and causes of their removal from Holland 44 V. The means they used for preparation to this weighty VI. The conditions of their agreement with several merchant adventurers towards the voyage VII. Their departure from Leyden, and embarkation from VIII. The troubles that befell them on the coast of England, 80 88888 86 IX. The first planters' combination by entering into a body X. Their landing and settling at New Plymouth XI. A Journey to Pokanoket, the habitation of the great king XII. A Voyage to the kingdom of Nauset, to seek a boy that . 163 XV. A Letter from Edward Winslow to a friend in England, setting forth a brief and true declaration of the worth of the Plantation at Plymouth; as also certain useful directions for such as intend a voyage into New Eng- XVI. Robert Cushman's reasons and considerations touching 230 239 . 253 255 269 280 XX. Winslow's second journey to Pokanoket, to visit Massa- XXI. Standish's expedition against the Indians of Weymouth, and the breaking up of Weston's Colony at that place 327 XXII. The first allotment of lands, and the distressed state of the 346 XXIII. The manners, customs, religious opinions and ceremonies XXIV. The situation, climate, soil, and productions of New Eng- XXVI. A Dialogue, or the Sum of a Conference between some MORTON'S PREFACE. CHRISTIAN REader, I HAVE looked at it as a duty incumbent on me to commit to writing the first beginnings and after progress of the Church of Christ at Plymouth in New England; forasmuch as I cannot understand that there is any thing particularly extant concerning it, and almost all the members of the said church, both elders and others, being deceased, by whom intelligence of matters in that behalf might be procured.' I dare not charge the reverend elders of that church who are gone to their rest, with any neglect on that behalf; for when they were in Holland, they were necessitated to defend the cause of Christ by writing against opposites of several sorts; so as such like employs, together with the constant and faithful discharge of the duties of their offices, probably took up the greatest part of their time; and since the church parted, and a considerable part thereof came unto this going down of the sun, it might be neglected partly on the account that divers writings, some whereof being put forth in print, In 1679, the year previous to the date of this Preface, twelve only were living of the hundred and one who came over in the Mayflower. See Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, ii. 456. |