The First Book, Chapters I-X:The Separatist Interpretation of the Reformation of the Church of England, 1550-1607 Summary and Analysis

Chapter one begins with the exodus of men who had become known as professors and wanted to be able to get away from "the persecutions of the heathen and their emperors" (Chap. I, p. 4). In these times, professors were simply those who had professed their beliefs in Christ; it had no relation to any higher education.

Bradford quotes Socrates regarding the treatment of those who would not obey the principles of the established church, saying that the treatment of one Christian to another was equal to, if not worse than, the treatment thrust upon Christians in the early days.

"For many endured sundry kinds of torment, often rackings and...