gue when it cometh, & hideth him selfe, Pro. 22.
3., so they like skillfull & beaten souldiers were fearfull either to be
intrapped or surrounded by their enimies, so as they should neither be
able to fight nor flie; and therfor thought it better to dislodge
betimes to some place of better advantage & less danger, if any such
could be found. [16] Thirdly; as necessitie was a taskmaster over them,
so they were forced to be such, not only to their servants, but in a
sorte, to their dearest chilldren; the which as it did not a litle wound
y^e tender harts of many a loving father & mother, so it produced
likwise sundrie sad & sorowful effects. For many of their children, that
were of best dispositions and gracious inclinations, haveing lernde to
bear y^e yoake in their youth, and willing to bear parte of their
parents burden, were, often times, so oppressed with their hevie
labours, that though their minds were free and willing, yet their bodies
bowed under y^e weight of y^e same, and became decreped in their early
youth; the vigor of nature being consumed in y^e very budd as it were.
But that which was more lamentable, and of all sorowes most heavie to be
borne, was that many of their children, by these occasions, and y^e
great licentiousnes of youth in y^t countrie, and y^e manifold
temptations of the place, were drawne away by evill examples into
extravagante & dangerous courses, getting y^e raines off their neks, &
departing from their parents. Some became souldiers, others tooke upon
them farr viages by sea, and other some worse courses, tending to
dissolutnes & the danger of their soules, to y^e great greefe of their
parents and dishonour of God. So that they saw their posteritie would be
in danger to degenerate & be corrupted.

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

These, & some other like reasons, moved them to undertake this
resolution of their removall; the which they afterward prosecuted with
so great difficulties, as by the sequell will appeare.

The place they had thoughts on was some of those vast & unpeopled
countries of America, which are frutfull & fitt for habitation, being
devoyd of all civil