Oppression And Malevolenance In William Bradford's Journal Of Plymouth Plantation
Oppression and malevolence can disband the greatest of empires and ideologies. When it came to the pilgrims that statement was all but true. Scorn and hatred was thrown their way at every turn in their lives, however it never seemed to discourage them. In William Bradford’s journal of Plymouth Plantation, the real-life account of the pilgrimage of the separatists was recorded entailing the grueling life that the men and women of the faith endured. It was felt strongly in their community that living a pure life would ensure that God would be with them in every endeavor. The Pilgrim’s success was denoted by their unity in adversity, their faith in God, however their denomination scrupled by the ever-changing world.
Notably, Bradford illustrates …show more content…
the sense of community the pilgrims had. Whenever turbulence in their faith occurred brotherly love continuously prevailed over hate and wrong doing. The men were in a transitional period where the church of England split and the pilgrims became outcasts, a band of misfit brothers. The men and women were 'molested' and imprisoned for their ideology. The decision to leave England was not what the group wanted, for Bradford states," they admitted of bondage with danger of conscience, rather than to endure these hardships" (159). Those who wanted to stay behind knew that the liberty of being a separatist was fading, for many believed prison was the easier option than the 'afflictions' that awaited in Holland. Yet for the majority it was seen as necessary in their divine right to escape the travesties of their people. A portion of text states that they received these hardships 'very cheerfully' (Bradford 160). Through oppression the group stayed jovial in their heavenly pursuits. This joyfulness shared through all destitutions strengthened the relationships in the community. As the group became smaller the people became more unified than ever to seek a refuge where freedom of religion was obtained.
Moreover, this move was anything but easy. The men said their goodbyes to the women and children who were staying in England, and they set forth on the voyage to Holland. There the group dwindled more as Bradford tells of the children, “Some became soldiers... [went on] far voyages by sea… dissoluteness and the danger of their souls” (160). The changing world was making their purity harder to sustain. Separatist children rather escape the faith in any way possible than to take upon the yoke of their parents. The decision to leave for the America's was the last chance to save their community and religion. William Bradford says in the midst of turmoil, “But their condition was not ordinary; their ends were good and honorable; their calling lawful, and urgent; and therefore, they might expect the blessing of God in their proceeding.” (161). Their turmoil was persecution for years, children falling from separatist ways, and many more sufferings endured for the kingdom of God, for Job endured and was blessed and so shall they be. Many pilgrims found these sufferings to be the last straw, and those who decided to go forth to the New World would build an oasis for their faith.
The unity of the men went far beyond the physical world around them. William Bradford states a common conviction, "advancing the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world" (160). Separatist men bound together over their unity to spread the word of God to parts of the world unexplored. It was an 'inward zeal' to cultivate a path for others to follow them on their pursuits for heaven. A step of faith was taken when "they went aboard [the Mayflower] and their friends with them" (Bradford 162). They uprooted their lives to pursue their calling from God. While the men left with friends and family few women and children embarked on the journey. These men gave up everything to advance the kingdom of God and the community that they formed. A step of faith that created such a strong bond amongst them that they believed they could journey through perilous places as long as they had each other and God.
The unity of the pilgrims was not just a fraternal adoration but a common love and faith in God. They sought His divine intervention at every turn of their journey. From the thrashing seas to the captain who ridiculed their cause. God was always there for them. Bradford states, " By God's good providence" when the pilgrims arrive in the new land safely (168). The word providence means that they had the protection of God, but also his supernatural powers on their side. The pilgrims found comfort in this one word, because providence was a feeling of security for their faith, but also further justified their cause to leave Leyden. Bradford implores, "What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace?" (169). The rhetorical question reflects back on all that God had done for their cause. Bringing men that knew not about the seas or building, and allowed them to cross the Atlantic and forge homes from the earth. Their first winter was brutal. They had no shelter nor adequate clothing. Bradford states, “that of 100 and odd persons, scarce fifty remained” (175). Scurvy and disease plagued the pilgrims and took the lives of two or three a day. When the population decreased the love for one another increased. The men fetched wood and food for those in desperation. Even as they dwindled their love for each other rekindled their unity.
Although they had such faith and great unity over the hardships success deemed fit for diffusion. The puritan men became stagnant in their faith once the journey became easy, for Bradford states, “many were enriched and commodities grew plentiful” (183). The harsh land that the pilgrims arrived on was no longer harsh but endurable, and their faith brought great wealth and stability. For the first time in their lives no damnation was thrown their way. This lead to “comfortable fellowship” among the men (Bradford 183). When comfortability sets in growth is prohibited, for growth always is uncomfortable whether physical or mental. The men no longer felt the pain of the past and began to push further away from those who accompanied them on their voyage. Bradford states in the same sentence, “.. must now part and suffer many divisions” (183). For they ‘suffer[ed]’ no persecution, yet they did suffer inner turmoil leading to the division of their faith. A community that seemed so strong and impenetrable began to fade due to the facile group they had become. The men no longer had the ambition to stay together so separation ensued.
Unity will always be the key to success and influence.
When a group slowly disbands and becomes more secular they become weaker. Bradford states, “… all striving to increase their stocks” (183). Most of the pilgrim’s ways were lost creating a disillusion for the men that possessions were greater than God. Stocks in land and animals were what they sought instead of the pursuit of heaven. It appeared that the group’s identity was slowly fading away. In the next paragraph it is stated that, “this fear will be the ruin of New England” (Bradford 183). As William Bradford views his community in third person he views the impending turmoil of his separatist brothers. Once united under God and the oppressions that they once faced have now been afflicted by the materialism of this New World. Bradford seems saddened and disgraced of the way that the men had changed their hearts and began to leave or wrestle with their faith. Bradford finally states a foreboding analysis that “[this] will provoke the Lord’s displeasure against them” (183). This foreshadowing of his beliefs shows the severity he saw in the leaving of the Puritan church. Walls, pastures, flocks, and wealth divided the men finding materialism as the demise of their faith. God had brought the pilgrims to this New World, and many men had forsaken their providence to get
there.
Years of persecution, trials, and misfortune lead the pilgrims to a new world of new opportunity. They found shelter and care in each other unifying them as a sect. Voyaging from their homeland to a godforsaken land where they were bound to die, however God delivered these men into a land of grace and fortune. William Bradford explains all of the times that God was on the men’s side providing at every corner, but as the men found their way in prosperity things changed. Their love for God and their brothers faded and morphed into a love of possession. They were united by God and each other, yet they crumbled under the evolution of want over necessity.
Notably, Bradford illustrates …show more content…
the sense of community the pilgrims had. Whenever turbulence in their faith occurred brotherly love continuously prevailed over hate and wrong doing. The men were in a transitional period where the church of England split and the pilgrims became outcasts, a band of misfit brothers. The men and women were 'molested' and imprisoned for their ideology. The decision to leave England was not what the group wanted, for Bradford states," they admitted of bondage with danger of conscience, rather than to endure these hardships" (159). Those who wanted to stay behind knew that the liberty of being a separatist was fading, for many believed prison was the easier option than the 'afflictions' that awaited in Holland. Yet for the majority it was seen as necessary in their divine right to escape the travesties of their people. A portion of text states that they received these hardships 'very cheerfully' (Bradford 160). Through oppression the group stayed jovial in their heavenly pursuits. This joyfulness shared through all destitutions strengthened the relationships in the community. As the group became smaller the people became more unified than ever to seek a refuge where freedom of religion was obtained.
Moreover, this move was anything but easy. The men said their goodbyes to the women and children who were staying in England, and they set forth on the voyage to Holland. There the group dwindled more as Bradford tells of the children, “Some became soldiers... [went on] far voyages by sea… dissoluteness and the danger of their souls” (160). The changing world was making their purity harder to sustain. Separatist children rather escape the faith in any way possible than to take upon the yoke of their parents. The decision to leave for the America's was the last chance to save their community and religion. William Bradford says in the midst of turmoil, “But their condition was not ordinary; their ends were good and honorable; their calling lawful, and urgent; and therefore, they might expect the blessing of God in their proceeding.” (161). Their turmoil was persecution for years, children falling from separatist ways, and many more sufferings endured for the kingdom of God, for Job endured and was blessed and so shall they be. Many pilgrims found these sufferings to be the last straw, and those who decided to go forth to the New World would build an oasis for their faith.
The unity of the men went far beyond the physical world around them. William Bradford states a common conviction, "advancing the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world" (160). Separatist men bound together over their unity to spread the word of God to parts of the world unexplored. It was an 'inward zeal' to cultivate a path for others to follow them on their pursuits for heaven. A step of faith was taken when "they went aboard [the Mayflower] and their friends with them" (Bradford 162). They uprooted their lives to pursue their calling from God. While the men left with friends and family few women and children embarked on the journey. These men gave up everything to advance the kingdom of God and the community that they formed. A step of faith that created such a strong bond amongst them that they believed they could journey through perilous places as long as they had each other and God.
The unity of the pilgrims was not just a fraternal adoration but a common love and faith in God. They sought His divine intervention at every turn of their journey. From the thrashing seas to the captain who ridiculed their cause. God was always there for them. Bradford states, " By God's good providence" when the pilgrims arrive in the new land safely (168). The word providence means that they had the protection of God, but also his supernatural powers on their side. The pilgrims found comfort in this one word, because providence was a feeling of security for their faith, but also further justified their cause to leave Leyden. Bradford implores, "What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace?" (169). The rhetorical question reflects back on all that God had done for their cause. Bringing men that knew not about the seas or building, and allowed them to cross the Atlantic and forge homes from the earth. Their first winter was brutal. They had no shelter nor adequate clothing. Bradford states, “that of 100 and odd persons, scarce fifty remained” (175). Scurvy and disease plagued the pilgrims and took the lives of two or three a day. When the population decreased the love for one another increased. The men fetched wood and food for those in desperation. Even as they dwindled their love for each other rekindled their unity.
Although they had such faith and great unity over the hardships success deemed fit for diffusion. The puritan men became stagnant in their faith once the journey became easy, for Bradford states, “many were enriched and commodities grew plentiful” (183). The harsh land that the pilgrims arrived on was no longer harsh but endurable, and their faith brought great wealth and stability. For the first time in their lives no damnation was thrown their way. This lead to “comfortable fellowship” among the men (Bradford 183). When comfortability sets in growth is prohibited, for growth always is uncomfortable whether physical or mental. The men no longer felt the pain of the past and began to push further away from those who accompanied them on their voyage. Bradford states in the same sentence, “.. must now part and suffer many divisions” (183). For they ‘suffer[ed]’ no persecution, yet they did suffer inner turmoil leading to the division of their faith. A community that seemed so strong and impenetrable began to fade due to the facile group they had become. The men no longer had the ambition to stay together so separation ensued.
Unity will always be the key to success and influence.
When a group slowly disbands and becomes more secular they become weaker. Bradford states, “… all striving to increase their stocks” (183). Most of the pilgrim’s ways were lost creating a disillusion for the men that possessions were greater than God. Stocks in land and animals were what they sought instead of the pursuit of heaven. It appeared that the group’s identity was slowly fading away. In the next paragraph it is stated that, “this fear will be the ruin of New England” (Bradford 183). As William Bradford views his community in third person he views the impending turmoil of his separatist brothers. Once united under God and the oppressions that they once faced have now been afflicted by the materialism of this New World. Bradford seems saddened and disgraced of the way that the men had changed their hearts and began to leave or wrestle with their faith. Bradford finally states a foreboding analysis that “[this] will provoke the Lord’s displeasure against them” (183). This foreshadowing of his beliefs shows the severity he saw in the leaving of the Puritan church. Walls, pastures, flocks, and wealth divided the men finding materialism as the demise of their faith. God had brought the pilgrims to this New World, and many men had forsaken their providence to get
there.
Years of persecution, trials, and misfortune lead the pilgrims to a new world of new opportunity. They found shelter and care in each other unifying them as a sect. Voyaging from their homeland to a godforsaken land where they were bound to die, however God delivered these men into a land of grace and fortune. William Bradford explains all of the times that God was on the men’s side providing at every corner, but as the men found their way in prosperity things changed. Their love for God and their brothers faded and morphed into a love of possession. They were united by God and each other, yet they crumbled under the evolution of want over necessity.