A closer reading of Bradford shows three reasons that related, in one way
or another, to the heavy labor and hard lives they led in Holland and a
fourth reason that did not. The quoted passages are on pp.23-25 of his OF
PLYMOUTH PLANTATION (Morison's Modern Library edition).

1) The "great labour and hard fare, with other inconveniences which they
underwent and were contented with" in Holland could not be endured by
others who wanted to join them.... "But it was thought that if a better
and easier place of living could be had, it would draw many and take away
these discouragements. Yea, their pastor would often say that many of
those who both wrote and preached now against them, if they were in a
place where they might have liberty and live comfortably, they would then
practice as they did."

2) Though people bore these difficulties cheerfully and with "resolute
courage," "yet old age began to steal on many of them; and their great and
continual labours, with other crosses and sorrows, hastened it before the
time," so that "within a few years more they would be in danger to
scatter, by necessities pressing them, or sink under their burdens or
both."

3) Their children, it was feared, were flirting with degeneracy and
corruption by following the "evil examples" around them "into extravagant
and dangerous courses." This too was connected, in their parents' minds,
with hard labor: "As necessity was a taskmaster over them so they were
forced to be such, not only to their servants but in a sort to their
dearest children, the which as it did not a little wound the tender hearts
of many a loving father and mother, so it produced likewise sundry sad and
sorrowful effects. For many of their children that were of best
dispositions and gracious inclinations, having learned to beaar the yoke
in their youth and willing to bear part of their parents' burden, were
oftentimes so oppressed with their heavy labours that though their minds
were free and willing, yet their bodies bowed under the weight of the
same, and became decrepit in their early youth, the vigour of nature being
consumed in the very bud as it were."

4) Last "and which was not least," they wanted to lay a foundation for or
make some progress toward "the propagating and advancing the gospel of the
kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world."

Douglas Deal
Professor of History and Chair of History Department
State University of New York at Oswego
Oswego, NY 13126
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(315)-312-5632

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