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Leiden
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Pilgrims (Plymouth Colony)

Leiden

The Pilgrim Fathers · Netherlands

From 1609 a group of English Separatists who had fled persecution lived in Leiden with their pastor John Robinson. The Dutch city gave them freedom of religion, but they feared their children would lose their English identity. In 1620 part of the group sailed via Delfshaven and Plymouth to America on the Mayflower, and they became known as the Pilgrim Fathers. Today the small Leiden American Pilgrim Museum and the Pieterskerk, near which many of them lived, tell their story.

Did you know?

Their pastor John Robinson stayed behind and is buried in the Pieterskerk in Leiden.

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An inspiring story

More light yet to break forth

Do you think you already know it all?

In 1620 part of the English refugee community in Leiden was about to sail to America. Their pastor John Robinson would stay behind with the rest. In his farewell sermon he told them not to cling to him or to any great teacher, not even Luther or Calvin. He was sure, he said, that the Lord had more truth and light yet to break forth out of his holy Word. Why say that to people about to leave him forever? Because he wanted them to keep searching, not to stand still where he had stopped.

Robinson never saw America; he died in Leiden and is buried in the Pieterskerk. His humility travelled with them across the ocean.

The Lord had more truth and light yet to break forth out of his holy Word.John Robinson, 1620

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