Some more context. The Pilgrims fled
before the English Revolution, which brought to power at least for a while more like minded people. When the Pilgrims went to America, James I was on the throne and he saw to it his bishops were firmly in control. He believed in the divine right of kings and would brook no dissent.
With no hope of tolerance in England and continental Europe exploding, why not take a chance on the New World?
With no hope of tolerance in England and continental Europe exploding, why not take a chance on the New World? Absolutely. Of course, that chance involved stuffing 135 people into a 110-foot wooden ship and sailing the Atlantic for two months plus to arrive in balmy Massatoochets in November. And surviving. That, my FRiends, is tough.