Attempts To Leave England
In the autumn of 1607, the Scrooby congregation decided to emigrate to the Netherlands. Religious freedom was permitted there, and English Separatists had already been settled at Amsterdam since the late 1500s. The Separatists secretly packed their belongings, and set out on foot for the sixty mile trek to the seaport town of Boston on the North Sea in Lincolnshire. Awaiting them was a sea captain, who had agreed to smuggle them out of the country.
But, before the congregation arrived at Boston, the captain betrayed them to the authorities. The Separatists were searched, their money taken, and their belongings ransacked. They were put on display for the crowds and confined in cells on the first floor of the Guildhall. During the month of their imprisonment, the magistrates treated them very well. Richard Clyfton, William Brewster, and John Robinson were the last to be released.
The second attempt to flee to the Netherlands was successful. Robinson was not among the main group that first left the country as he, Clifton, Brewster, and other leaders stayed behind until the following year to help weaker members. Clifton arrived at Amsterdam in August 1608 and subsequently became the Amsterdam congregation's “teacher.”
Read more about this topic: John Robinson (pastor)
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