USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 8
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Your distressed Brethren members of the first church of Boston
Subscribed by 28 hands of the dissenting Brethren 31 (1) 69
Memento : just as a Messenger was dispatching to Lyn Sallem and Ipswich this under written was brought by Goodman 3 (2) 69. Chandler to Captaine Davis one of the dissenters.
HONOURED SIRS According to the desire of the writer I have sent you this inclosed that (if) upon perusall you judge it expedient you may by some faithfull messenger send it to the persons to whome it is in scribed The busines as he saith requiring a speedy trusty and private Conveyance who also ads, that he shall willingly beare his parte in the charges, I shall ad noe more but commend you to him who is perfect in wisdome and councill take leave and remaine
your affectionate freind SAM: DANFORTH.1 Subscribed for my Honoured friend Captain Wm. Davis 1 [Mr. Eliot's colleague at Roxbury.]
55
MMR. ALLIN AND MR. ELIOT INTERVENE.
Reverend and Dearely Beloved
We thought it needfull to acquainte you with the present state of the church of Boston which doth not a litle exercise and aflict our thoughts, upon the 2d day las[t] in a Church meeting, The dissenting Brethren wer charged as disturbers of the Church by desiring of their dismission according to Counsill given by the neighbour churches in conclusion it was voted (not to dismis them) with intimation of further proceeding against them if they submit not (as they conceive) the consequences where of are like to be dangerous not onely in the suffering of the dissenters, in a Good cause as they in Conscience judge it to be, but also it will tend much to the dishonour of God and the scandall of the way of those churches as haveing noe meanes to heale breaches and other Evills in our churches, yea to cast aside that ordinance of Communion of churches by way of Counsill, And it will occasion much disturbance in our neighbour churches here upon it was yesterday amongst us thought to be high time for the Elders to Interpose by such reasons as the Lord may helpe us with all to per- swad the Elders of Boston to graunt their dismission as the best expedient to themselves. we do not feare to justify that Councill for dismission to be regular expedient and necessary. We are here few to appeare in the case, mr. mather cannot travell nor mr. Syms the Elders of the new Church of Boston1 are not free to ap- peare in respect of their vicinity, wherefore we earnestly request you to assist us, with your Councill and helpe in soe needfull a case, if you would come to Charlstowne upon the 4 day next, some of us God willing, will meet you there, and prepare our thoughts for a conference with the Elders of Boston, after the lecture on the 5th day. If we should not prevaile, yet we shall discharge our Duty soe farr, and discover what need there may be of some more sollem way to be taken in this sad case, thus not doubting of your readines unto this service of Christ, Beseeching the God of peace to tread downe Satan under the feet of the saints shortly, with tender of our love and respects we leave you in the arms of everlasting mercy and rest with desire of mutuall prayers.
2 (2) 69
Yours in the Lord
Superscribed
Jo: ALLINE. Jo: ELLIOT.2
To the Reverend Elders of the churches of Christ in Salem, Lyn and Ipswich these -
The church had a meeting upon short worning and private notis given to some of not twenty four hours before the time appointed, Att the begining of it Elder Pen declared the 9 (2) 69
1 [The Second Church.] Dedham and Mr. Eliot of Roxbury, and 2 [This letter was from Mr. Allin of was written probably by the former.]
56
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Cause of it to be in as much as the time of the Lords Supper drew neer, some Brethren had given offence, That offences might be removed soe as that there might be a comfortable sitting downe, (or words to that purpose) and then he first singled out Captain Davis, and mr. Hull as haveing layed a false charge upon the Captain Davis Mr. Hull Elders in saying that they did not desire the last church Charge[d] meeting Captain Davis being upon some publique imploy- ment was absent.
Mr. Hull stood up and pleaded his integrity that he had layed noe charge upon the Elders nor that he had spoaken any falsehood, mr. Stodder, mr. Houching,1 Lieutenant Cooke and Captain Hutchinson and severall backed the Elders charge And Captain Hutchinson said that Captain Davis and mr. Hull had charged the whole Eldership with a lye, in denying whatt they had declared, mr. Hull stood up and further vindicated himselfe, and desired seeing other Brethren were there as well as himselfe that they might be heard, Jos: Scottow being one of those Brethren and being desired to speake stood up and said, If what he knew to be truth might not be interpreted according as mr. Huchinson had spoken, as charging the lye upon the Eldership he should speake, if not he should choose to be silent, mr. Davenport incouraged him to speake, where upon he did justify mr. Hull speech, soe did Mr. Usher and mr. Bratle, who were present with the Elders at the first discourse it being private [ ]
Some of the Church would have wrung something out of their speech to have confirmed the charge, This designe failing Elder Pen charg against then Elder Pen declared, that all the dissenters had all the dissentors what rule doth given offence to the church by absenting themselves from the Church at- tend to hold communion with the dissenters [it] not remove the
offence regular
the Lords Supper, and that they had come to the Lords Supper without giving satisfaction to the Church, but now it was expected that they should give it, and singled out mr. Rawson, mr. Hull and Josh : Scottow.
Mr. Rawson and Captain Savage were spoken unto, mr. Rawson said as to forbearing of the Lords supper it was but once, and occasioned upon what hath bin given in writing to the Elders, which we gave as our reason of our then forbearing And that we looked at ourselves as those in a journy.
Mr. Ting stood up and said that the dissenters action in communi- cating with the church afterward did speake, that they had seen their errour, and that this was not a time to draw hard upon them, Captain Savage and the others spake (soe as there was satisfaction given on that account). In discourse mr. Rawson spake In case that were true that he had heard reported that at Last Church meeting, viz : that mr. Alline in answer to a Question what releef should be aforded unto
1 [Jeremiah Houchin. He died April of the second John Endicott, became the 14, 1670. His daughter Elizabeth, widow second wife of the Rev. James Allen. ]
57
THE CASE STATED TO THE COUNCIL.
Brethren oppressed. that [ ] there was none untill the day of judge- ment it was ground enough to call a Councill, there was mr. Rawson much discorse upon it, soe as he very hardly escaped hard escaped without a Censure : This device faylling Brother Abell Censure.
Porter who had desired once or twice to speake was called upon by divers to speak : - Whoe layed a greivous charge upon Brother Porters all the dissenters, as guilty of scisme and making divis- charge.
sions in the Church, and that it was the Church duty, to lay them under censure, expetially the ring leaders and seducers of others, mr. Stodder desired him to name some of them, where upon he named Captain Davis mr. Rawson and mr. Hull, at whose houses they had often meetings, many of the dissenting Brethren stood up and said that Abell Porter had laid a false charge upon Captain Davis &c :- and therefore desired he might make Good his charge, and said that they were noe ways led by them or any other, Elder Pen proposed that we might all sit downe at the Lord[s] table together and he could pass all by :
Where upon mr. Davenport manifesting great displeasure against Elder Pen for soe speaking declared that he could not sitt downe at the Lords Table with the dissenters, untill they mr. Davenport declared he was not satisfied with the dissent- ers act in com- munion and yet not regular in removeing that offence. had given him satisfaction which was backt with mr. Houchin, mr. Stodder and others the offence was for absenting from the first Lords Supper. At last they apointed a meeting next fourth day at two of clock to charge the dissenters in a better method than they had done and Captaine Clark expressed it, viz to have their charge written, and to be Commended to the Elder and managed by hin, and to be attested by the Brethren, every word the dissenters spake was strained to the utmost, any Brother might charge as much as they would and all very well liked.
The Councill met at Boston, and Convened 13 Aprill- 1669 -
The humble Apologie of us whose names are subscribed, brethren of the first Church of Christ in Boston, together with the Second Coun- sume of our case for which we have desired the Conven- sills meeting tion of the Reverend Elders and Messengers of churches in Coun- cill at this time.1
A councill being called by the first church of Christ in Boston, to give them advice according unto God in reference unto us theire brethren who dissented in their proceedings in calling of teaching officers : and the Answer being given by Councill unto the church being in sume.
ffirst that the mutuall greivances that have fallen out through
1 [We have corrected this " apologie " by a copy of the document in the posses- sion of the Mass. Ilist. Society.]
58
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
humaine frailty and temptation of Satan in the transaction of this matter Should be covered with love, and that in case we could not consent with our brethren in the call of officers, nor sit down quietly and submit to the act of the rest therein, that then the church upon our desire to be dismist from them would give us up to the Lord with love and prayers recommending us to the grace of God in order to the propagation of another church to be set up in the town of Boston, according to the rules of the Gospel, and yet so that in the meantime we might have communion with this church or any other.
And the church having after our humble and earnest pressing before the ordination and since, voted the negative unto such, our dismission advised unto, our Consiences continueing still bound to indeavour the obtaining thereof, and restrained from consenting to those transac- tions of our Brethren.
We have bin necessitated to intreat your respective churches to send their Elders and Messengers to sit in order of Councill to con- sider, consulte, and advise concerning the regularity of the sayd decision, and our right to injoy the benifit there of.
There fore God having by his gratiouse Providence brought you to- gether : we humbly beseech the advice of you this Reverend Councill concerning the said decision, and our right to the benifit there of, sith that the non observance there of by our brethren hath upon our continueing steadfast in our desires of it, occasioned noe small greife and trouble, from which we could hope for no releif but in our appli- cation to yourselves as the onely ordinance of God provided in such cases,
Being bold humbly to signify further, that we have many other rea- sons in a readyness to present why the decision advised to should be necessary for the peace and ædification both of our brethren and our- selves which we desire if it be possible to bury in eternall silence - Provided that we may have the releif which God in the former Councill hath seemed unto us plainly to provide, without the making mention of them.
Presented with the subscription of the names of the dissenting brethren to the Councill.
the 13 : Aprill : 1669
THE 2D COUNCILLS FIRST LETTER TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF BOSTON.
To the Reverend Elders of the first Church in Boston
Itt is not without great affliction of spirit that we have sosad an oc- casion to meet here this day being assembled as sent from our respec- tive Churches to endeavour a passification among our Honoured Reverend and deare Brethren of this Ist Church in Boston, In order to which we doe intreate the Reverend Elders of this Church to vouch-
59
THE COUNCIL AND THE FIRST CHURCH.
safe now to give us a meeting, to obtaine a right and mutuall under- standing of Things labouring in this case befor us, to consider thereof, and advice there in as the Lord shall please to direct, and graunt a favorable and Christian assistance and concurrence
BOSTON 13 : (2)º 69
RICHARD MATHER THOMAS COBBET
In the name and by the desire of the rest of the messengers of the churches assembled at Boston at the time above mentioned
THE ANSWER OF THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF BOSTON TO THE LETTERS OF THE CHURCHES MESSENGERS. 13 (2°) 69
We agree to propound the desire of the Reverend Elders to the Church that when they come to a conclusion about our dissenting Brethren, they would be willing to give them the reasons of their pro- ceeding, which we for our owne parts judge to be most agreeable to the congregationall way, if they have any suspicion of any male administration, till which time we can not give them a meeting with- out offence to the church which we humbly desire the Reverend Elders candidly to Interpret.
This answer was sent without any hand to it.
THE 2D COUNCILLS 2D LETTER TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF BOSTON.
To the Reverend Elders of the first Church in Boston
REVEREND SIRS Haveing Received your answer to our letter, where- in you intimate to us your unwillingnes to give us a meeting till the Church hath come to a conclusion about their dissenting Brethren We request that there may not be needless delayes of accepting that our motion now repeated againe and againe, therefore, earnestly we besech you that we may unite in an indeavour speedily and all together to promote a peacable issue of these present differences, for the glory of Christ and the edification of his people in this pretious flock of Christ in the Towne of Boston.
BOSTON, 13 : 2d 1669.
RICHARD MATHER THO: COBBET
In the name and with the consent of the rest of the Assembly present
THE ANSWER OF THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF BOSTON TO THE 2D LETTER OF THE MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.
REVEREND BRETHREN, The answer was not to the writing which you were pleased to send by Reverend Mr. whiting &c But to a motion made by him or some of them present, nor did I purpose to give you a meeting or Account of the offences given by the dissenting Brethren, when the Church should come to a conclusion, for I doe not
.
60
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
see that you are an orderly Councill, but my true meaning is that when the Church had done their duty to their dissenting Brethren, the Elders would move the Church to send in convenient time, copies of their light held forth for conviction of the dissenters unto your Churches wee cannot meet and act with you in matters that concerne this Church against the expressed mind of this Church.
13 : (2) 69
JOHN DAVENPORT Senior JAMES PENN.
Aprill 14th the whole Church being met togither to proceed against the dissenters the Councill sent the Reverend Mr. 14: Richard Mather, Mr. whiting, Major Symon willard and Captaine Mason being members thereof with a letter to the Towne house where the Church was assembled, the doore was locked against them upon knocking Richard Taylour came to the doore and returned answer that Mr. Mather &c was at the doore. Mr. Davenport replyed tell them we desire to be in private and not to be disturbed, Mr. Allin said Elder Pen had better goe and give them the answer, who went and returning said that the Elders had prevailed with him to bring a letter to the Church from the neighbour Elders Mr. Davenport replyed it is not for us to take any notice of it, Mr. Davenport had sundry times moved that the meeting might be put of[f] that they might not be disturbed by the Assembly, these messengers though Reverend Honoured and aged Gentlemen wayted soe long at the doore before they could deliver their message, that Mr. Peter Oliver went to fetch chairs for them to sit downe at the doore, and others of the Church coming and finding the doors locked against them said let us goe home againe, though the letter was at length taken in from them, yet they were not permitted to come in though the Councills desire, and their request was to have delivered it to the Church with their owne hands, but it would not be granted : It was put to the vote in the negative unto the Church whither the letter should not be read and soe it was carryed, the affirmative not being voted : Major Generall Leverit expressed trouble that these Reverend Elders should have no answer returned unto them, affectionately expressing although it was a day of temptation with them yet they should desire to be kept from the evill of it : whereupon it was voted that himself, Elder Pen, Mr. Allin, Mr. Houchin, and Mr. Cooke should goe and have a private conference with the Messengers of the Churches (who were met at Mr. Ushers house 1 to wait the event) who went thither, and upon their returne to the Church it was voted in the Affirmative whither the letter sent should be read, and it was soe carryed, the nega- tive not being then voted, which letter followeth.
1 [See ante, p. 40, note.]
61
LETTER TO THE FIRST CHURCH.
Honoured. Reverend and Beloved.
Be pleased to understand that we are at this time by the providence of God convened under an Ordinance of Christ (wee hope) in observance of the right rules, and in pursuance Letter of the 2d Councill to the Church of Boston. of the good ends of consociation of Churches, and with a faithfull designe, and sincere and fervent desire to pro- mote your peace and prosperity, In particular having bin called togither by letters unto our severall Churches from a considera[ble] number of your brethren (by all due means) to mediate unto a com- fortable issue of an uncomfortable dissention which hath bin between you and them and trewly the fearefull apprehension which we have, of a common danger by the prevalency of a spirit of Division in the country especially as it now begins to appeare circumstanced, with many sad and dangerous signes of a Judiciall evill working more and more strongly even unto the shaking of foundations, hath moved us with all readines to take the present opportunity in a regular way to make this interposure, wherein we desire to approve the solemnity, simplicity and sincerity of our soules both unto god and unto you, we are not without a due sense, of our owne personall insufficiency to transact in matters of soe great concernment unto gods glory and his Churches good, but from the consideration of our present publique capacity as Messengers of Churches we have bin incour- 1669.
aged to implore and to expect divine Assistance in de-
pendance upon which alone we have made both our entrance upon and our progres in this our present weighty undertaking, wherein we have been ingaged, onely as your servants for Christs sake, not assuming unto ourselves any undue power over you, or presuming to offer any violence unto your Christian liberty, which Christ hath purchased for you, and betrusted you with for the managing of the affaires of his kingdome among yourselves, but onely as your helpers in Christ, to give you the right hand of fellowship for your present assistance, And therefore we doe beseech you for Christs sake, let it not be greivous or offensive to you, that we doe desire, with all humillity and meeke- nes in bowells of Christian love and charity, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to close in with you in this way of Communion, by that great rule of Gospell order directing unto Councell, but let it be very gratefull unto you we pray you, that Neighbour Churches are jealous with a godly jealousy and sollicitous for you with an earnest care of your estate, the safety of which is of great concernement, to the common weal of our Israell : the preservation and promoving of which is the labour and travaile of our very soules, ffinally therfore Reverend and dearely beloved, we doe by these our letters instantly and importunately intreat you that you will be pleased to admit of us, into your present Church assembly : Now to give us an opportunity of treating with you before you doe make any further proceedure against
62
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
your dissenting Brethren, that we may give you full assurance of our reallity in all the premises, by our faithfull indeavours, with all gentle- nes meekenes and moderation to issue your dissention in such a way as may best conduce unto the preservation of the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, hoping (that through grace) we shall treat you and be treated by you with that wisdome which is from above, which is pure peaceable gentle and easy to be intreated : confidently beleiv- ing that when you shall be quietly and peaceably settled under the administration of the kingdome of Christ it will be no greif of heart unto you, that we have made this interposition in this houre of your temptation, but that you will hereafter have cause to say, blessed be god &c. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which is the bond of the everlasting Covenant is running through all sanctified soules in an indespensable obligation to love peace and union (then which) we have no stronger argument to assure you, that we have you in our hearts, and that we are moving towards you by the present exercise of our spirituall love and charity in this act of Communion, for the deare sake of our dying saviour, under which soule-binding compellation, wee leave you waiting and attending the instant opportunity of speak- ing with you, as wee are messengers of the Churches now convened.
BOSTON 14 : (2) 1669. Subscribed by
RICH. MATHER SAM : TORRY HUGH MASON
SAM : WHITING
TH: SHEPHEARD ROG : CLAP
EDM : BROWNE EDW : BATES
WAL: PRICE
THO: COBBIT JAMES HUMPHRY THO: LYND
EDW : BULKLY
JOHN HALE Jo: COOLIDGE
JOHN SHERMAN Jos. ESTABROOKE LUKE POTTER
FRAN DANE
ANTI: NEWMAN Jo : HAINES
JOHN HIGGINSON Jo : FRY
HEN : PALMER
WM. HUBBARD
TH : FISHER 1 WM. WHITE
SAM: PHILLIPS
SYMON WILLARD Jo : SANDLY 2 WM. STILLSON
Jo: RAWLINSON
Subscribed for the Honoured Reverend and beloved the Elders and Brethren of the first Church in Boston.
This preceeding letter being read, they voted to take no notice of it, and laid it by, but proceeded to that which they called 1569 the worke of the day. Mr. Davenport proposed that they who had any paper of charges against the dissenters would produce them, Elder Pen brought forth a paper called a narrative of charges against them, some being finall against them all that they had ob-
1 [Probably Thomas Fisk.] Smedly, whose signature is on the Result 2 [This is probably the same as John of this Council.]
63
RESULT OF THE SECOND COUNCIL.
structed the Churches proceeding in their election, and had divulged a paper of pernitious queries to hinder other Churches from assisting in the day of ordination, that they had refused to partake at the Lords supper with the Church, and that they had partoke with the Church againe without giving satisfaction, Captaine Davis and Mr. Hulls morall evills for which they were formally questioned and satisfaction given for, were called over againe, Captain Savage was charged for saying that Mr. Davenport left the Church of Newhaven for worldly ends &c. which occasioned Mr. Davenport to labour to cleare himself, that he came not rashly to Boston, but was invited by letters from sundry diverse moneths before the Church sent to him, and that he came not for any worldly ends or advantage, but much to his dis- advantage instancing in his farme &c. this meeting broke up and they could not make it to beare against the dissenters. Captaine Savage denying his charge, as to the first it was pleaded to be before the advice of the first Councill and that they judged it no fault in them, and for the rest satisfaction was given for in former meetings and not to be set on the tainter-hookes againe.
The Councill dissolved upon the 16th of Aprill who drew up and declared the result which followeth, advising to all love 16 : (2)69.
and amicablenes and that the coppy of it should be deliv-
ered by the dissenting Brethren unto the Church which accordingly was performed.
BOSTON Aprill, 16th 1669.
The result of the consultation of an Assembly of Elders and mes- sengers chosen and sent in the way and order of Consociation of Churches, upon the regular and orderly sollicitation of a considerable number of the Brethren of the first Church of Christ in Boston to give them counsell and advice (according to God) in a difficult case, con- cerning their duty in pursuance of the grave advice of a former Honoured and Reverend Assembly of Elders and messengers (called by the Elder with the consent of the Brethren) unto effect given by the said Assembly for the issuing of a dissention in that Church by the peaccable and orderly dismission of these Brethren unto the grace and guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ for the constitution of another Church in order of Communion with that Church of Boston, and all other neighbouring Churches further to Counsell and advise as the matter might require and god direct.
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