King James of England is dramatic proof that God can work in the worst of conditions, use the poorest of material, and still achieve world-changing results. Of himself, the King had little to recommend him. In the opinion of London’s elite, he was crude and untrustworthy. Though he responded favorably to the Puritan request for an "authorized" version of the Bible he was far from being their friend. Soon after his arrival in England he said of the Puritans, "I will make them conform or I will harry them out of the land." In part, he succeeded and the Pilgrims’ flight to America soon followed. Like the woman in Revelation, who "fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God," the Pilgrims escaped to the forests of the New World.
The greatest threat to the Puritans--and even to King James himself--was Catholic Spain that preparing a blood-bath for Protestant Europe. The Spanish Inquisition, as an unspeakable terror to mankind, was relentlessly wiping out Protestantism in Spain and had turned its vengeful eye toward England. The torture-rack, slow deaths, and execution, awaited all non-Catholics who fell under Spanish control. This threat faced all Protestant Englishmen--not just Puritans. Thankfully, in an intervention of God, during King James’ first year on the Throne, English troops defeated Spain and ended the danger.
Briefly explained, the difference between Puritans and Pilgrims was that the Puritans wanted to remain in the Church of England and "purify" it; the Pilgrims had given up that hope. Instead, they separated from the Church of England and, "confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth," sought a homeland “whose builder and maker is God".Hebrews 11:10,13,14. Theologically, the two groups were the same and in America, the name “Puritan” identified the church. Before coming to the New World, many Puritans fled to Holland in the effort to find peace and security for their churches. That attempt failed. Returning to England, they twice left for America in the company of another ship, the Speedwell, only to be forced back when over-crowded conditions caused the Speedwell to begin sinking.
When the Mayflower finally came to America in 1620, over-loaded from the Speedwell’s cancellation, some husbands, wives, and children, were separated and left weeping on the dock as the tiny ship set out to sea. One of those staying behind was their beloved Pastor, John Robinson, a bright star in the Puritan movement, who had guided them through years of political and religious turmoil. Still in his forties, he hoped, ultimately, to join his flock in the New World. Six years later, however, 1626, Miles Standish, came to America and brought the news the little band of Pilgrims most dreaded to hear: Their beloved John was dead. King James was also dead. Hampton Court was history. But, the Pilgrims were safely in America. And, thanks to God, on their pulpits was a wonderful translation of Scripture known as the King James Bible.
