these pilgrims set sail, not from london or south africa or some other port of england, but from belhaven. effectively, they had relocated over much of the journey. in another sense, they were self exiled in holland. so, as they left holland, they left with this purpose underlined. you see, in the bold print, just what the mayflower compact emphasizes. they shall form a covenant and combine themselves in a civil body politic. this is a consensual moment. all agree in consultation with one another, that they will undertake this work to form a civil body politic, and how they will form that civil body politic. they will do it by enacting, constituting, and framing just and equal ordinances and laws and offices. from time to time, as shall be thought most neat and convenient for the general good of the country. >> now, this is an ambitious undertaking. and is we see the text of the mayflower compact, they must remind yourself what occurred here. we had a foreshadowing long before they were on board the ship. they were already agreed in principle and spirit on this undertaking when they board