300 The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
[ 291 ] nation to make the Puritans“ conform, or... harry them out of the land, or else worse.” 431 Hunted, persecuted, and imprisoned, they could discern in the future no promise of better days, and many yielded to the conviction that for such as would serve God according to the dictates of their conscience,“ England was ceasing forever to be a habitable place.” 432 They were at last determined to seek refuge in Holland. Difficulties, losses, and imprisonment were encountered. Their purposes were thwarted, and they were betrayed into the hands of their enemies. But steadfast perseverance finally conquered, and they found shelter on the friendly shores of the Dutch Republic.
In their flight they had left their houses, their goods, and their means of livelihood. They were strangers in a strange land, among a people of different language and customs. They were forced to resort to new and untried occupations to earn their bread. Middle-aged men, who had spent their lives in tilling the soil, had now to learn mechanical trades. But they cheerfully accepted the situation, and lost no time in idleness or repining. Though often pinched with poverty, they thanked God for the blessings which were still granted them, and found their joy in unmolested spiritual communion.“ They knew they were pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but lifted up their eyes to heaven, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits.” 433
In the midst of exile and hardship, their love and faith waxed strong. They trusted the Lord ' s promises, and He did not fail them in time of need. His angels were by their side, to encourage and support them. And when God ' s hand seemed pointing them across the sea, to a land where they might found for themselves a state, and leave to their children the precious heritage of religious
431 Bancroft, George,“ History of the United States of America,” Part I, ch. 12, par. 6. 432 Palfrey, J. G.,“ History of New England,” ch. 3, par. 43. 433 Bancroft, Part I, ch. 12, par. 15.