CHAPTER II.

The Quays of Amsterdam—Quaint Aspect of the City—Its History—The Pilgrims and the Dutch Burghers—Strange Characteristics of Dutch Social Life—The Pilgrims go to Work—Their Employments—The Removal to Leyden—Reason of the Change of Residence—Leyden—Its Thrilling Story—The Exiles “raise a Competent and Decent Living”—They “enjoy much Sweet Society and Spiritual Comfort together in the Ways of God”—John Robinson—Elder Brewster—The Pilgrims grow in Knowledge and Gifts—Their Discipline—Robinson’s Wisdom—The Exiles win the Cordial Love and Respect of the Dutch—An Illustration—Testimony of the Leyden Magistrates—The Controversy—Robinson and Episcopius—The Debate—“Famous Victory” of the English Divine—Reformed Churches of the Continent—Catholicity of the Pilgrims—Their Bias towards Religious Democracy—_Peregrini Deo curæ_ 37