William Bradford was an English Puritan from Yorkshire. He emigrated to the Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower in 1620. He also served as Governor of the colony for 30 years. His journal Of Plymouth Plantation gives us some insight into the lives of early settlers.
In this quote, Bradford is referring to the Puritan's attempt to settle in a new place in order to honour their God and live according to His rules as a "light." He hoped that their struggles and efforts would serve as a light that will inspire many more to follow them (the way one small candle can light a thousand).
