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Transcribed Image Text:Selection from William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation
William Bradford wrote an entire book, called Of Plymouth Plantation, about the first le
years in the Plymouth Colony. After you read the following selection from the book, answer
the questions that follow.
On the Mayflower
Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their
knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the fast and furi-
ous ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set
their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. ...
But here I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amazed at this poor
people's present condition; and so I think will the reader, too, when he well consid-
ers the same. Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their
preparation (as may be remembered by that which went before), they had now no
friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bod-
ies; no houses or much less towns to repair to, to seek for succor. It is recorded in
Scripture as a mercy to the Apostle and his shipwrecked company, that the barbar-
ians showed them no small kindness in refreshing them, but these savage barbar-
ians, when they met with them (as after will appear) were readier to fill their sides
full of arrows than otherwise. And for the season it was winter, and they that know
the winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent, and subject to cruel
and fierce storms, dangerous to travel to known places, much more to search an
unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness,
full of wild beasts and wild men-and what multitudes there might be of them they
knew not. Neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of Pisgah to view from this
wilderness a more goodly country to feed their hopes; for which way soever they
turned their eyes (save upward to the heavens) they could have little solace or con-
tent in respect of any outward objects. For summer being done, all things stand upon
them with a weatherbeaten face, and the whole country, full of woods and thickets,
represented a wild and savage hue. If they looked behind them, there was the mighty
ocean which they had passed and was now as a main bar and gulf to separate them
from all the civil parts of the world. If it be said they had a ship to succor them, it is
true; but what heard they daily from the master and company? But that with speed
they should look out a place (with their shallop) where they would be, at some near
distance; for the season was such that he would not stir from thence till a safe har-
bor was discovered by them, where they would be, and he might go without danger;
and that victuals consumed space but he must and would keep sufficient for them-
selves and their return. Yea, it was muttered by some that if they got not a place in
time, they would turn them and their goods ashore and leave them. Let it also be
considered what weak hopes of supply and succor they left behind them, that might
bear up their minds in this sad condition and trials they were under; and they could
not but be very small. It is true, indeed, the affections and love of their brethren at
Leyden was cordial and entire towards them, but they had little power to help them
or themselves; and how the case stood between them and the merchants at their
coming away hath already been declared.
What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not and
ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: “Our fathers were Englishmen
which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but
Transcribed Image Text:What did the ship's captain urge the Pilgrims to do as soon as possible? Why was he in such a hurry?
At the end of this selection, Bradford mentions two groups that the Pilgrims knew of but could expect littl
help from. What two groups did he mention?
Critical Thinking: Bradford speaks of an "apostle." To whom is he referring? What was the difference
between the "barbarians" that greeted the apostle and those that met the Pilgrims?
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