(c.1575–March 1, 1625), was the pastor of the Pilgrim fathers in England and Holland, before their departure to America. He wrote several tracts on the Separatist movement, for which he was persecuted. He had fled with the Separatists, or Nonconformists, to Amsterdam in 1608, then to Leiden, Holland in 1609. His congregation grew to 300 members, and he wrote many works, including: A Justification of Separation from the Church of England, 1610; Of Religious Communion, Public and Private, 1614; and On the Lawfulness of Hearing Ministers in the Church of England, 1634. He actively encouraged the Pilgrims to voyage to America.
On July 22, 1620, while on board the Speedwell, Pastor John Robinson gave this final word to the Pilgrims just prior to their departure from Delft Haven, Holland, for England, and then for the New World:
Lastly, whereas you are become a body politic, using amongst yourselves civil government, let your wisdom and godliness appear not only in choosing such persons as do entirely love and will promote the common good, but also in yielding unto them all due honor and obedience in their lawful administrations; not beholding in them the ordinariness of their persons, but God’s ordinance for your good. … 163
Someone or few must needs be appointed over the assembly … discussing and determining of all matters, so in this royal assembly, the church of Christ, though all be Kings, yet some most faithful and most able, are to be set over the rest … wherein … they are … charged to minister according to the Testament of Christ.164
For I am very confident the Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth out of His Holy Word.165
In his Leyden letter, John Robinson stated:
Thus this holy army of saints is marshalled here on earth by these officers, under the conduct of their glorious Emperor, Christ. Thus it marches in this most heavenly order and gracious array, against all enemies, both bodily and ghostly: peaceable in itself, as Jerusalem, terrible to the enemy as an army with banners, triumphing over their tyranny with patience, their cruelty with meekness, and over death itself with dying. Thus, through the Blood of that spotless Lamb, and that Word of their testimony, they are more than conquerors, bruising the head of the Serpent; yea, through the power of His Word, they have power to cast down Satan like lightning; to tread upon serpents and scorpions; to cast down strongholds, and everything that exalteth itself against God.
The gates of hell, and all the principalities and powers on earth shall not prevail against it. Romans 12; I Corinthians 12; Revelation 14:1, 2; Song 6:3; Revelation 12:11; Luke 10:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Matthew 16:18, Romans 8:38, 39.166