More Information about Reverend John Robinson
John Robinson was born in 1575 at Sturton le Steeple, United Kingdom. He studied at Cambridge University, graduating in 1595. During this time, he was attracted to the principles of Puritanism.
In 1602, Robinson became a curate at St. Andrew's Church in Norwich. His refusal to conform to the Anglican anti-Puritan decrees of 1604 led to his suspension from preaching. In 1606 or 1607, he joined the Separatists congregation at Scrooby, Nottinghamshire. These early Congregationalists wished to separate from the Church of England to follow what they believed to be a purer and more simplified form of church government and worship. A dramatic attempt was made in 1607 by the separatist group to emigrate to Holland, but they were betrayed. John Robinson was among those imprisoned in cells at Boston Guildhall. They were tried and freed, and a successful attempt to leave again was made in 1608.
In 1602, Robinson became a curate at St. Andrew's Church in Norwich. His refusal to conform to the Anglican anti-Puritan decrees of 1604 led to his suspension from preaching. In 1606 or 1607, he joined the Separatists congregation at Scrooby, Nottinghamshire. These early Congregationalists wished to separate from the Church of England to follow what they believed to be a purer and more simplified form of church government and worship. A dramatic attempt was made in 1607 by the separatist group to emigrate to Holland, but they were betrayed. John Robinson was among those imprisoned in cells at Boston Guildhall. They were tried and freed, and a successful attempt to leave again was made in 1608.
John Robinson, however, stayed behind to look after the weaker members of the group. He traveled to Amsterdam the following year. It was in Amsterdam that he became "Pastor to the Pilgrims." The Scrooby Separatists eventually settled in the Dutch city of Leiden in 1609. John Robinson became the Pastor of the church. In time, the church came to number several hundred people. Robinson became associated with the University in Leiden and became recognized as a leading theologian of Separatism. He was a distinguished scholar among many eminent scholars and one of the leaders planning the subsequent journey to America by the Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower in 1620. |
Before the Mayflower sailed, John Robinson wrote the separatists a letter on how they should behave. He felt his duty was to advise them out of a sense of love. The first part of his letter encourages them to maintain their daily relationship with God and seek repentance for their known and unknown sins. Second, he emphasized the need for them to get along with each other. Third, he emphasized the need to be tolerant and avoid offending the Settlers. Fourth, he wanted everyone to work for the common good and avoid the pitfall of individual selfishness. Finally, he focuses on governance and body politics and that they should elect leaders.
Reverend John Robinson would have accompanied the second wave of Pilgrims to America. But unfortunately, he died in Leiden on March 4, 1625, before he could make the trip. |
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