USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 7
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It is our great greif that we are so bound up even in conscience that we could not answer his and others desires and expectations. but the truth is we were so in the dark about these motions, and so full of fears of a different effect (and it seems by your letter that our fear was not vain) that we could not act that way with any liberty of spirit or conscience. If we are aspersed on the other hand, because we yielded so farr as we did to leave him to his liberty, the Holy ghost seemeth to answer for us in the text before alledged Act. 21. 14 wherein we suffer in these matters we have the testimony of our consciences, that we have bin true to our present fight, faithfull to Christ and his rules in the management of this busines, though accompanyed with human frail- tyes. And if we suffer herein we must bear it, and shall look higher than men even to the hand of God which hath bin upon us of late very sore (though below our demerits) since this troublesome exercise began, our ways and hearts are known to him. our [name] is with him. to whom we commit our Case, not doubting but hee will bring forth our righteousness and plead our Cause for us in his owne time and way. the Lord be with you and yours and rest your brother in the fellowship of the Gospell
N. H. 2. of dec. 68
I pray be careful to whom you Communicate this, that I may not suffer for my readines to answer your desire.
due respects to your wife to [ ] and his.1
1 [Evidently a copy of this letter was stroyed, so that Mr. Street might not be made, and the original was then de- drawn into the controversy. The copy,
46
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
We now return to the Third Church Narrative : -
Mr. Davinport in his sermon held forth that the dissentors par- taking in the supper, would actually and really demonstrate
17: (11). their acceptance of the teaching officers, as well as if they had consented from the beginning ; and spak allso in excuse of the Church and said they had fully tendrd satisfaction, and the dissentors had offred something that way, but it did not reach, the Church wearyed with contests desired to have the Lords supper administred, and the officer could not deny to administer to any not under censure, all which made the dissentors feare some did intend a snare for them viz. if they did partake they would never give them their dismission, but tell them they had lost their case by their owne consent, and if they did not partake, they would improve it against them in order to cen- sure, the Lords supper was appointed to be celebrated the 24th (11).
The dissentors sent therefore 3 Brethren with their request in writ- ing to all the Elders that they did humbly intreat, that 21 : they might partake at the Lords table now in the season agreed upon by the Church ; according to the advice of the Reverend Councill, and the agreement made by the severall Reverend Elders and Honourd Brethren of other Churches before the ordination, with- out any such condition imposed upon them as was the last Lords day by Reverend Mr. Davinport insisted upon but the Elders would not concede to their motion. The dissenters considered that unlesse they had some opportunity publiquely to declare, that they onely came with a full salvo to their Case, it would not be safe for them to come, and there was no opportunity in their power but on the saboth day just before the Administration and to speak then might hazard the peace of the Church and therfore thought it not safe, and waited untill saturday in the afternoone to see if the Elders would 23-
show them any compassion, the three deacons allso had told the Elders that they could not partake unlesse that snare were removed, then the dissenters sent 4. brethren in all their names, to the Elders with a writing directed to them and rest of the Church contents is as followeth.
Revrd and beloved we desire to hold Communion with you in all the ordinances of Christ according to the advice of the Reverend Coun- cill which we looke at ourselves bound to adhere unto, but in asmuch Coppy of a as Reverend Mr. Davinport did on the last Lords day de-
writing [ ] to the Elder upon clare, that if we should sit downe at the Lords table with
bearing the
occasion of for- you, we should really and actually demonstrate our ac- Lords supper. knowledgement and consent to the teaching officers which
which has been preserved in the Mass. Archives (vol. x. p. 56), is without a sig- nature, but there can be no doubt as to
the authorship of the letter. At the foot are the words : " Received 19. 10. Tran- scribed I mi. I mo."]
47
THE DEACONS CALLED TO ACCOUNT.
the Church hath chosen, asmuch as if we had consented to their Election from the beginning, we in respect thereof are forced to for- beare, and intreat it may not be an offence to the Church But the Elders showd no pitty unto them neither 1 reading to the Church the letter signed by the dissenters nor expressing any word to ease or incourage them. Soe when as the time of Administration 24: (II) 1668. came all the dissenters after a pawse to see if the Elder
or Church would offer any ease unto them or give them any oppor- tunity of declaring themselves by their invitation thereunto they all withdrew themselves except the deacons. The 3 deacons staid least if they had left their charge to wait upon the table, they should have bin found Culpable but they durst not partake least they should be ensnared.
A Church meeting was appointed, and it appeared by the sequell, it was to deale with the deacons, but in the interim between they gave them no knowledge of any offence taken, the 1: (12th).
Church being met the 3 deacons were called forth (two of them being dissenters from the first and the 3d not cleare in the Churches call and actings relating to Mr. Davinport) they were charged with high contempt of the holy ordinance of god, and agravated, in being present waiting upon their office and not partaking, that it was a will- full presumptuous contempt of the Lord Jesus Christ and his body and blood, and deserved cutting of according to Num : 9 : 13 : a sin against the Institution of Christ against the Church of Christ and against the Officer or Administrator.
The deacons desired them not to construe it as contempt, their desire being not to give offence but considering their office charge Rom : 12 : 6. Acts 6. they doubted their absence would have bin much more agravated against them, and therefore chose rather to shew utmost willingnes to serve them, they had taken what paines and care they could before to have the cause removed, speaking to the Elders themselves and by their Brethren, but at that time as matters were circumstanced, they judged they could not safely partake accord- ing to Rom : 14: 23 : and if it was an evill it was through their owne darkenes, and intreated the Church to passe it by.
Mr. Thatcher offerd to moderate between the Church and them, but was with great displeasure commanded silence, and because he offered speech the second time, he was taken up sharpely, telling him he showed how litle he knew what belonged to be an officer, who had bin so many yeares in office and could not be silent when required. Mr. Thatcher said he ought indeed to have ben silent 2 and therefore desired pardon, Mr. Davinport much undervalued all that the deacons
1 [These words are crossed out in the MS .: "But the Elders showd no pitty unto them neither."]
2 [The words " when required " follow the word " silent " in the MS., but have been erased.]
4S
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
said, saying that they had cleare light held forth unto them, and their acknowledgments were Jejune and poore, soe they kept the deacons untill nigh evening, then concluded the meeting and gave them time to consider untill that day seven night which they appointed for another meeting.
The Church when met applyed themselves to the deacons as men under great offence, and used exhortations as if they had S: great care of their soules good, which the unintherested bystanders toke it as if their reall indeavour was to minister occasion to them to slip into some unadvised expression that they might take advantage to censure them for, some of the dissenting Brethren spake on the deacons behalf but were sharply reproved for diverting the Church from their work with them at length Deacon Ellyot was vehemently urged by diverse Brethren to speake unto sundry things, he declared he had some trouble and doubt in his mind about the regu- larity of Mr. Davinports dismission, which word was snatched up and with much violence managed against him, and agravated as being that which highly reflected dishonour upon Mr. Davinport, upon this Church, upon the Church of New Haven, and upon 6 Churches more, who were present by their messengers at his Ordination, and gave him the right hand of fellowship.1
The honest 2 deacon presently owned it was his folly to mention that which he did not soe [well] understand and was freely willing to beare any blame for it, thus they held the deacon upon the rack this day likewise, and it seemed to be no litle provocation unto the Church and Elders that in these two daies they could find no more against them, yet because the evening was come they concluded the meeting, but would not cleare them, and therfore appointed another meeting for the same end.
A third time the Church met for the same buysines, and all these meetings were publique, neer five hundred persons present 12 : (12). and diverse not of the Church, the deacons acknowledg- ment was much the same, and now the matter became publique talke, and people ready to cry out upon them for their severity, - the Church therfore toke what had bin said for good satisfaction for this their highly aggravated offence. but then some of the Church used another stratagem, seing they had soe far and soe well satisfyed the Church that now the 2 deacons would compleat all by withdrawing their hands from a letter upon Church record for their dismission, saying all were as nothing unlesse that were done, and the Elders said it would declare their hearts to be cordiall unto them but otherwise not,
1 [The following words in the MS. letter of his dismission as hath bin partly are erased : "but indeed this Church and declared, but as then it was not known unto them."] the other Churches were grossely deceived about his ordination and the pretended 2 [The word " honest " is erased.]
49
..
FOUR PROPOSITIONS.
but the deacons could not come up unto them in that and the Church concluded them unmeet to be continued in their office, and did there- fore vote them out, and at the same time elected 3 other deacons in their roome.2
Mr. Bridgham was the first new deacon nominated and chosen, and being called to shew his acceptance, said he had rather indeed they had chosen some other, but seing the holy ghost had elected him, he did give up himself to the work, the other two desyred time to con- sider of it, but upon the next Lords day they were all three ordayned by Mr. Davenport &c who read Acts. 6: 1 to 7: Rom : 12 : 7 : 8. I Tym : 3 : S : 13. and then said if any had any objection against the men as to these qualifications laid downe in those scriptures they might speak.
The dissenting Brethren sate downe with the Church at the Lords table.
21 : (12).
Mr. Davenport the last Church meeting acknowledging that what he had spoken in his sermon the Lords day before the first supper did not alter the state of the dissenters from that which the Councill put them under : The dissenters sent foure of their Brethren in the behalf of all the rest with a request written and subscribed by
26: (12). them all (because their former writing delivered in by them to Elder Pen was by Mr. Davinport called clandestine) this was declared to all the Elders, desiring according to their former re- quest upon Church record their dismission: and by word of mouth in the name of the rest of their Brethren was proposed,
I. That they would call the Church togither in convenient time in order to their dismission. That was denyed.
2. That they would promise to give them a dismission in 4. 6. or 8 months time when they should have built a meeting house for the Lords service.
this was denyed allso.
3. That the Church would recall Councill, or give way that the dis- senting Brethren might doe it. this was allso denyed.
4. That they would then please to dismisse them unto some other Church. this allso was denyed.
. 1 [" On 12 Feb. 1669, Edward Ransford and Jacob Eliot were dismissed from the office of deacons for setting their hands, with other brethren, to desire their dis- mission from the church, because the church had chosen Mr. Davenport for their pastor." - Ellis's History of the First Church in Boston, p. 117.
The following words in the Narrative are crossed out : "onely one of them was
not voted out then [Richard Trewsdale] (he being none of the first dissenters) but none of these votes were put in the nega- tive, supposing (as there was cause) that many of the Church besides the dissent- ers were against, and did not goe along in these strange motions."]
2 [The three deacons chosen at this time were Henry Bridgham, Robert San- derson, and Henry Alline.]
50
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
The Third Church Narrative does not contain a memorial which at or about this time was addressed by the " dissenting brethren" to the Governor and Council. The copy of this memorial which has come down to us bears no date, but it is indorsed "Petition to the Governour and Councill /69," and is in the following terms :1 -
To the Honourable the Governour and Councill of the Massatusett now sitting in Boston -
The Humble Petition of us whose names are subscribed
Whereas the uncomfortable differences under which wee have divers months laboured, are butt too well knowne of all, to the no small greife of our owne hearts, and to the greatt scandall of religion, which wee hoped would have beene eased and issued, by that remedy which the Lord Jesus hath appointed in case of such a prevailing malady : vizt : the Councill of Churches (concerning which wee att the first pro- fessed ourselves willing to acquiesce in, as also did our Elder in the face of the church) who in their Advice declared our dismission (as expressed) to bee the best expedient for the issue of our then differ- ences, and agreeable to the mind of Christ, since which wee have travailed and with patience waited for itts accomplishment, upon our frequent desires thereof, butt hath beene hitherto denyed us; yea though some dayes since, wee renewed our motion in writing under our hands unto the Reverend Elders of our Church to promove itt to the church by calling a meeting to that end, yett this endeavour also h'ath beene fruitles, either as to a church meeting or hopes of ever gaining our dismission according to the advice of the Reverend Coun- cill ; nor to dismiss us to such a church as wee should desire, nor to have further Advice from sister Churches, ishatt wee ought to doe in such a case ; Butt are wholly shutt upp and deprived (as wee conceive) of that Christian liberty, which Christ hath purchased for his people in church estate, and contrary to the professed practise of our churches our studiousnes to avoid schisme and scandall being improoved against us, as if wee had deserted that cause and interest of truth, which ought to bee dearer to us then our very lives.
Worthy Patrons (in the failure of all endeavours hitherto) under God wee are necessitated to take sanctuary att your Altar, and to implore your aid, as from those who are the nursing ffathers of our Israell, and who by divine appointment are made the keepers of our Libertyes both Ecclesiasticall and Civill, that under your Covert wee may have such encouragement, as that withoutt offence (the numer-
1 The copy, which, with the signatures, make use of it. It will be noticed that we think is in the handwriting of John Edward Rawson, who was an officer of the Council, did not sign it, nor did Richard Trewsdale. Hull, belongs to Mr. Walter Lloyd Jeffries, who has kindly allowed us to
51
TO THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL.
ousnes of inhabitants, together with the confluence of strangers calling for enlargement) to build a house for our seasonable assem- bling to worship God :
And that you will please to provoke the churches unto that duty and help that our condition calls for (that so our greivances (which lye heavy upon us may bee removed) [which] have beene multiplyed since the last Councill, and more especially the ejection of our faithfull Deacons) that wee may doe our duty to God, our owne soules, the churches of Christ and our Posterity.
Wee further beseech you to accountt of us (how ever traduced) as true and faithfull both to the Civill Government here established, and to the professed interest of Christ Jesus in these Churches, according to the Platt-forme of church Government here established, and decla- ration of the Synod in 62, withoutt any desire of innovation upon either in any measure. Thus craving your Honours candid consider- ation of our present application to yourselves, and your seasonable releife, wee shall further pray for your prosperity, and that wee may long live under you a quiett and peaceable life in all godlines and honesty.
PETER OLIVER THO: SAVAGE
ROBT. WALKER
JOSEPH ROCK JOSH. SCOTTOW
WM. DAWES
JOSEPH BELKNAP HEZ. USHER JNO. HULL
PETER BRACKETT EDWD. RAINSFORD
THEODE. ATTKINSON
JAMES PEMBERTON JOSIAH BELSHAR
JNO. TAPPIN
JNO. WING
JNO. ALDEN
WM. SALTER
JACOB ELIOT
BENJ. GIBBS
Jos. DAVIS
THEOPH. FRARY
BENJ. THIRSTON
WM DAVIS
THO BRATTLE SETH PERRY
We return to the Third Church Narrative : -
A motion was made by the Church that deacon Trusdale might have his dismission from his office because of his many 7 : (1) 68-69. bodily infirmities which passed, giving him thankes for his
former faithfull service : then it was moved that all the former deacons might have some appointed to give them a discharge, which allso was voted.1
The Elder told the Church that they intended to call forth Brother Negus his daughter a child of the Church who had com- mitted fornication, but that she was not well enough to 20. come abroad, it was supposed by this motion they did now intend to shew some Church care towards the Church children.
1 [The following words are crossed out the Church, the Elder bad him forbeare, in the Narrative : " One of the dissenting Brethren desired to make a motion unto
pretending it was not a season, but gave him no liberty that meeting."]
52
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Being the saboth day the Elder in the latter part thereof, declared
that now they should have proceeded in the matter of
2S. Brother Negus daughter, but her mother would not suffer her to come forth into the Congregation. therefore the matter being soe fowle and haynous, we doe declare her to be none of us, and this past without any vote of the Church.1
The whole Church met in the towne house private, the dissentors again humbly desired the Church to give them their dis-
29 : (1) 1669.
mission, or to Consent that a Councill of Churches might be called to heare the whole Case, and they would oblige to sit downe by their counsell and determination, the dissenters then desired of the Church that if the Lord should favor them in their application unto Churches of the neighborhood, that they would please to give them a meeting when they should convene in order of a Councill, the dis- senters were often charged with willfullnes and obstinacy and that they had not one sillable of rule, but of will.
Then severall Brethren urged for the admonition of the dissenters and Mr. Davinport said, he thought that had bin meet to have bin done before now, and because it was not, therefore they were thus hardned, for he discerned nothing but will as the cause of all, and if now they did not hearken he should looke at them as under great hardness. One of the dissenters told them if there were but a free passage of the just scripture liberty of the Belovd the owning of scripture Councill with a decisive power according to the judgement of our best Orthodox divines, and the owning and attendance of Church duty to the children of the Church he should asmuch delight in the Church as formerly.
In this meeting was put to vote whether the church would grant the dissentors their dismission, which vote was expounded 29 : (1) 69
both in the Negative and afirmative by mr. Davenport ; It was caryed in the negative by the lifting up of hands.2
conference being, about the dissenting Brethren desiring of a Coun- cill. That also was resolved in the Negative though not by any stated vote which they did decline but by personall
Assured that there was no major or minor port in a conclusion of many against it both Elders and Brethren, church it being one intire com- pleate body. as instances some speeches : viz: That to grant a Coun- cill tends to overthrow the Congregationall way. That
1 [“ Mary Negosse, the Daughter of our brother Benjamin Negosse for com- mitting fornication was declared to be none of us, and so left till God shall give repentance, on the 28. I mo. 1669." - First Church Records. In this instance the church was dealing with a baptized child not in full membership.]
2 [" On 29 March, 1670, [? 1669] at a meeting called about our dissenting brethren, the question, whether the church see light from the word of God to dismiss our dissenting brethren that desire it, was answered in the negative, unanimously." - Ellis's History of the First Church, p. 117.]
53
A SECOND COUNCIL CALLED.
there was no releife for a greived Brother or Brethren in a church un- less the Church will releive them untill the day of judgement and That the church itselfe is the sole and alone Judge (infin[e]) they tooke of- fence at the dissenting Brethren for pressing for their dismission, and indeavoring to procure a councill, for which both Elders and Brethren did exhort them to repent, with some intimation that otherwise, they should be looke[d] upon by the church, and proceeded with, as those that did harden their hearts, and not harke[n] to Counsill according to God.
The dissenting Brethren met to seeke the Lord to direct and guide them in considering what the Lord calld them to doe in 31 (1) 69. this their present distres, seing the Church was soe pro- voked, on the desire of their dismiss[ion] and on the deniall to call in the helpe of other churches, it was agreed to make their request by sending letters to severall churches the coppy thereof (as followeth)
Honoured Reverend and Beloved &c :
We cannot but with much greife of heart be waile the sad occasion of this our present application to yourselves, and that at such a time when it is a day of Jacobs trouble abroad in other parts, the Bush on fire ready to be consumed and the Tremendious dispensations of the holy God, in a vicissitude of providences upon our Nation all which calls for the most deep and serious thoughts and sorrow of heart in all Sions lovers, And especially among his outcasts in this Country. Yet as if this were not enough, but that they should be increased by the noise of hammers in a tribe of our Israell the sound where of is gone through the Country viz : The divissions of our Rewben, This as it calls for great searching of heart in us, and is that for which we have cause to lye with our mouthes in the dust, and to be a shamed before the Lord soe fare as we have bin any just occasion there of, soe all soe it provokes us to seek all regular endeavours for the removeing of the same, that no scandall may be layed, upon the Church of Christ for our sakes
What essay for the healing of our differences ; hath bin heither to used proves successles : viz : The result of the late reverend Councill (called by Elders and Brethren) to grant us an amicable dismission in order to the propogation of another church Body among ourselves upon our desire, which advice was proposed by them as the next ex- pedient to an issue of our uncomfortable contest, with our Brethren in the church, and declared publiquely by the moderator as meet to be compleated before their proceedure to ordination, This advice of the said Reverend Councill hath bin attended by us, who have accordingly severall times moved for our dismission, but in vaine. We are therfore necessitated to make our addresse to yourselves, with other churches as the onely next refuge in order left us by christ in his
1
54
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
word, Assuring you that how ever, we are traduced, yet we are not in the least Alienated from the forme of Government according to Pattent under which God hath soe long blessed this Collony ; But are ready to spend and to be spent for it, according to that sollemn oath which we have taken Neither are we for any other way respecting church order than sollemnly declared from the Scriptures in the Plat- forme of discipline, and the last Synods determination
54 about the subjects of Baptisme, and consociation of churches, nor is there any averseness in us, but a firme resolution to mainetaine due Brotherly love with our church, in all things consistent with what we have professd whiles we are with them, and when we shall be parted from them (as the Lord shall dispose) as with a pretious Church of Christ and much Honoured mother in Israell Honoured Reverend and deare bretheren we humbly againe and againe request you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, that you receive no such reports against us, whose travile of soule is to mainetaine the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace with you, and all the churches of Christ, we humbly beseech you to spread our case before the Lord in your fervent prayers, and to send your Elders and Messengers to meet in Councill at Boston, upon the 13th of Aprill next at 8 Oclocke in the morning, to consider, consult, and give your helpefull advice in our labouring case, and we and ours shall be for ever engaged to Blesse God for you, Thus we commend you unto the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and subscribe ourselves
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