This was the origin of the Independents in England.

The zeal of Brown, like that of most violent zealots, soon cooled, and he returned and obtained a living again in the Church of England, which he possessed until his death; but his principles of separation and independence survived.

The first congregation was formed about the year 1602, near the confines of York, Nottingham, and Leicester, and chose for its pastor John Robinson.

They gathered for worship secretly, and were compelled to change their places of meeting in order to elude the pursuit of spies and soldiers.

After enduring many cruel sufferings, Robinson, with the greater part of his congregation, determined to escape persecution by becoming _pilgrims_ in a foreign land.