Could we be these men?

Could we be these men?

The points listed below were contained in the body of the reply from Pastor John Robinson and his deacon William Brewster to the Virginia Company to secure the patent necessary to settle their church congregation in the new world of America.  This was the heart and resolve of the pilgrims.  We could be these men.

December 15, 1617; pastor John Robinson, and William Brewster reply 

“Notwithstanding, for your encouragement in the work, so far as probabilities may lead, we will not forbear to mention the instances of inducement.

 I.  We verily believe and trust the Lord is with us, unto whom and whose service we have given ourselves in many trials; and that He will graciously prosper our endeavors according to the simplicity of our hearts therein.
 
2.  We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to the difficulties of a strange and hard land, which yet in a great part we have by patience overcome. 

3.  The people are, for the body of them, industrious and frugal, we think we may safely say, as any company of people in the world.

4.  We are knit together as a body in a most strict and sacred bond and covenant of the Lord, of the violation whereof we make great conscience, and by virtue whereof we do hold ourselves straitly tied to all care of each other’s good and of the whole, be every one and so mutually. 

5.  Lastly, it is not with us as with other men, whom small things can discourage, or small discontentments cause to wish themselves at home again.  We know our entertainment in England and in Holland.  We shall much prejudice both our arts and means by removal; who, if we should be driven to return, we should not hope to recover our present helps and comforts, neither indeed look ever, for ourselves, to attain unto the like in another other place during our lives, which are now drawing toward their periods. 

Some of the greatest words of resolve that have ever been written.  The pilgrims made their voyage and, in a time when a small percentage of people made the journey alive, not one of them died on the trip. 

“it is not with us as with other men”

We could be those men.