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 .”— Bancroft , pt . 1 , ch . 12 , par . 15 .
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 liberty , they went forward , without shrinking , in the path of providence .
God had permitted trials to come upon His people to prepare them for the accomplishment of His gracious purpose toward them . The church had been brought low , that she might be exalted . God was about to display His power in her behalf , to give to the world another evidence that He will not forsake those who trust in Him . He had overruled events to cause the wrath of Satan and the plots of evil men to advance His glory and to bring His people to a place of security . Persecution and exile were opening the way to freedom .
When first constrained to separate from the English Church , the Puritans had joined themselves together by a solemn covenant , as the Lord ’ s free people , “ to walk together in all His ways made known or to be made known to them .”— J . Brown , The Pilgrim Fathers , page 74 . Here was the true spirit of reform , the vital principle of Protestantism . It was with this purpose that the Pilgrims departed from Holland to find a home in the New World . John Robinson , their pastor , who was providentially prevented from accompanying them , in his farewell address to the exiles said :
“ Brethren , we are now erelong to part asunder , and the Lord knoweth whether I shall live ever to see your faces more . But whether the Lord hath appointed it or not , I
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