Summary of chapter seven
“ Departure from Leyden -- Arrival and Preparations at Southampton -- Letter of Farewell from John Robinson to the whole party of Pilgrims: July and August, 1620.”

In this chapter the Pilgrims finally leave Holland. When they arrive in England they are again disappointed by their agents in London and by Weston, and are forced to sell some of their provisions to pay additional expenses. Bradford included in this chapter the farewell letter Pastor Robinson sent to the Pilgrims, in which he charged them to find peace in God’s example of forgiveness. Robinson also asked them to be careful of others, to do their best to be unoffensive to them, and to try to make life as easy as possible for all. The chapter ends with the Pilgrims sailing from Southampton.

Chapter seven questions

1. At the beginning of this chapter Bradford describes the congregation’s “day of solemn humiliation.” Why is it important to be humble before God in all our endeavors and to put our lives into His hands?

2. When the Pilgrims were leaving Holland, which for many of them had been their home for nearly twelve years, Bradford said they were comforted by contemplating on “their dearest country” --heaven. The Pilgrims proved that they were subjects of the King of Heaven when they left everything to face a new life that brought glory to Him. How can we show that we are citizens of heaven by our thoughts and actions?

3. Describe the problems the Pilgrims faced once they reached Southampton.