In the summer of 1620, the Pilgrims stalled out in Dartmouth because of the cunning and deceit of the ship’s captain and his crew. They were hired to take the Pilgrims across the ocean and stay with them for one year at the settlement. Getting cold feet, the crew intentionally overmasted the ship which caused a leak. On August 17, 1620, Robert Cushman wrote a letter to a friend in London. It reads, in part.

“Our pinnace will not cease leaking, else I think we had been half way to Virginia. Our voyage hither has been as full of crosses as ourselves have been of crookedness … Friend, if we ever establish a colony, God works a miracle; especially considering how scanty our provisions will be and most of all how disunited we are among ourselves, and devoid of good leaders. Violence will break all. Where is the meek and humble spirit of Moses and of Nehemiah, who re-edified the walls of Jerusalem and the state of Israel? Is not the sound of Rehoboam’s bragging daily among us here? Have not the philosophers and all wise men observed, that even in settled commonwealths violent governors bring either themselves or people or both to ruin? How much more in the building of commonwealths, when the mortar is scarcely hardened which is to bind the walls. If I were to write you everything that foreruns our ruin, I should overcharge my weak head and grieve your tender heart; only this,—prepare for evil tidings of us every day. But pray for us instantly. It may be the Lord may yet be entreated.”[1]

This letter gives insight into what is required to build a new world. Central to their colony is the notion of covenant. They are risking their lives to establish a civitas—a group of people bound together in a shared covenantal relationship. They view community as a covenant between each member with all members. The civitas is a solemn agreement between members to act in harmony with their shared ideals in a moral and religious relationship. It is a promise to give aid, comfort, and prayer, even when it isn’t convenient or personally beneficial.

Building the Kingdom of God requires the virtue of perseverance. For the Pilgrims, perseverance meant staying on mission through death and disaster. For us, it means turning away from the Devil’s offer of cakes and sugarplums.

For the Pilgrims, building civitas was hard. For us, it will be no different.

For the Pilgrims, building civitas invited the enemy’s violence. For us, it will be no different.

For the Pilgrims, building civitas required them to keep on keeping on. For us, it will be no different.

For the Pilgrims, building civitas necessitated prayer. For us, it will be no different.

The lesson is plain: No Christian perseveres without jostling and being jostled by the circumstances of God’s hard providence.

[1] William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1608-1650 (San Antonio TX; The Vision Forum, 1998), 58-61.