USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. III > Part 10
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1 [The Dedham church, as we have already intimated, was not altogether in agreement with its minister in reference to the controversy in Boston, and did not accept the invitation to the council. Mr. Allin therefore, wrote this letter for his own justification, as a friend of the " dis- senting brethren." But when his church heard of the alteration and suppression of the New Haven correspondence, it wrote to the First Church, asking for an explanation, and received a reply drawn up by a committee appointed for the pur- pose.
"At a general meeting of the [First] church on 16 August, 1669, it was voted by the church, that our honored magis- trates do draw up instructions for Capt. Clarke to New Haven, that they might declare the owning of the letter sent from them to this church to be a true dismis- sion for Mr. Davenport."
" At a meeting of the church : on the 20 of August : 69, It was voted by the church that major generall, the elders, with Capt. Clarke, Mr. Stoddard, and Mr. Cooke, do draw up a letter in answer to the letter sent from Dedham Church,
enquiring after the proceeding of the church about a letter or letters from the church of New Haven to this church, and to sign it in the name of the church."
"On 25 Aug. 1669, the church met to hear the letter read that was sent to Ded- ham; and they did unanimously concur with it, as their own mind." - Ellis's History of the First Church, pp. 117, 118.
The Rev. John Allin died August 26, 1671. His wife, Katharine, widow of Governor Thomas Dudley, died three days later. "Mr. Allin was among the chief founders of New England, in its principles of Church and State, and in its elements of character. He was able and faithful as a pastor, indefatigable and patriotic as a member of the Common- wealth, beloved and beneficent in all his relations in life." In Johnson's Wonder- working Providence he is thus described : The " humble and heavenly-minded Mr. John Allin, a man of a very courteous behaviour, full of sweet Christian love towards all, and with much meekness of spirit contending earnestly for the faith and peace of Christ's churches." - Felt's Eccles. History, vol. ii. p. 483.]
73
RESULT SENT TO THE FIRST CHURCH.
wise God hath seen meet to Exercise us, wee hope we need not to apologize for seeking advice from the Churches, the holy ghost having stiled the church the pillar and ground of truth, nor for ourselves the subject thereof our act here in speaking the sence of our infirmityes and submission to the heavenly Orakle, who hath said in the Multi- tude of Counsellors there is safety, and as to the subject matter of that advice, such hath bin the presence of God with his servants the Messengers of the churches whose character and esteeme is such in the Lords account, as that the holy Ghost hath stiled them the glory of Christ 2 Cor. 8 23 : such hath bin his gratious presence with his servants, giving them that unanimity and clearenes in discovering the mind of Christ as that we are not without hope, it may satisfy all con- cerned, and yourselves much Honoured in the Lord, will with Israell of old, blesse the Lord that there is no such evill found in their Brethren, who stand convicted of no other trespasse than the inter- prising an Altar of witnes and not of Apostasy, as some have ground- lessly charged us with we allso having bin desired by the Councill to deliver to your Reverend selves (and by you to be communicated unto the rest of the Church) a coppy of the advice in pursuance hereof, we doe here present you with a coppy of the same as it is attested by one of the Secretaries of the assembly, trusting through grace like- wise, that as we have expressed ourselves in our letters of request unto the respective Churches (who sent their messengers hither to give us their Counsell in our labouring case) we shall still continue stedfast, such who are not the least alienated from the forme of Gov- ernment according to pattent, under which God hath soe long blessed this Collony, but are ready to spend and be spent for it, according to that solemne Oath which we have taken, neither are wee for any other way respecting Church order, than that solemnly declared from the scripture in the platforme of discipline, and the last Synods determination about the subject of Baptisme and consocia- tion of Churches, nor is there any aversenes in us, but a firme resolution to maintaine due Brotherly love with this first Church in Boston the 19: Boston, as with a pretious Church of Christ and much (2) 1669 honourd mother in Israell, and whose travaile of soule is to maintaine the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace with you and all the Churches of Christ thus craving your prayers we subscribe ourselves. Your Loving Brethren
Subscribed by all the dissenters.
The dissenting Brethren sent the result of the Councill with Mr. John Allins letter inclosed in this letter preceding by foure 19: (2) 69.
of their Brethren who deliverd the same to Elder Pen : upon the same day there was a Church meeting, wherein there was a narrative and paper of charges read, and indeavourd to wave and dis-
74
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
owne the calling of the first Councill, and said it was onely by the Elder, and that the Church was not bound to stand to what was writ- ten in the letters sent by the Elder to the Churches.
The Elder acquainted the Church he had received a paper from some of the dissenters which had two other papers in it, one of which was said to be the result of that which they called the Councill, they vehemently denied to read them, or take any notice of them till they had proceeded with the dissenters, saying their sending for councill was a great agravation to all the rest, and sending from Dedham to Rowly and not in a strait line &c: but the Lord soe ordered it that they concluded fully of nothing.
4 (3) 69.
Att a Church meeting they read a paper of charges against the dissentors.
First charge was for endeavouring to deprive the Church of its power within it selfe, which Christ had committed to her, By twice assuming power to send to other churches to meet in Councill : the first time without the Churches knowledge, and the 2d time agains[t] their Consent, saying they would declare themselves to a regular judge, implying the church was not one contrary to Math : 16: they required answer to them : the dissenters desired to know whatt con- nexion was betwixt depriving the church of its power and desiring a Councill. when the charges were read. The dissentors were not per- mitted to write, though they told them they could not distinctly answer, without haveing the very words of their charges, then the Church de- sired the dissenters to tell them in what capacity and Estate they looked at themselves to stand in who replyed in such state as god by an ordinance of councill [of] Churches had set them before the dissenters gave in their declaration they desired to remove all offences but unlesse they might have liberty to write or have them given in writing they could not doe it.
Third declaration followeth, and was read in publique.
DISSENTERS LETTER TO THE CHURCH.
Honoured Reverend and Beloved
We are covered with shame and confusion of face, in the presence 4 (3) 69. of our Lord Jesus Christ, whilst we doe call to remem- brance our past great unworthyness of that Spetiall grace of God, vouchsaffed in stating and settling of us under a regular and orderly administration of all his holy ordinances, in a way of union and communion with this Church, unto which hath bin for a longe time continued a powerfull dispensation of that Apostolicall Bene- diction, grace, mercy, and peace from God our ffather and from our Lord Jesus christ which we pray may be continued and abundantly multiplied.
It is alsoe matter of great lamentation and deepe humilliation unto
75
THE THIRD DECLARATION.
us that our sinfull unworthynes hath bin any occasion of the present diminution of that Blessing (at least) as to the more full sensible comfortable influence of it upon our owne soules, we doe therefore put our mouthes in the dust, And humbly submitt unto and beare the dis- pleasure of the Lord, to gither with the rest of our Brethren who have we hope a holy simpathy with us, under that great suffering which doth arise from the evill of dissention and divission, which we feare we have in a way of just Judgment bin left unto, as a punishment of our past unthankefullnes, and unproffitablenes under the meanes of grace, And therefore after the sollem search of our hearts and wayes - having laboured to humble ourselves deeply before God, and to obtaine par- don from him and peace with him through Jesus christ And by the renewed Exercise of our faith, -to obtaine a sencible assurance of our stedfast standing in the union of that one mistical body - We doe humbly and most affectionatly crave the Exercise of Brotherly love and Christian charity with bowells of mercy, kindness hum-
4 (3) 69.
blenes of minde, meekenes long suffering, forbearance,
forgivenes, Yea beseech you to love us as Brethren to be tender hearted, and pittiful to wards us, unto the utmost degree of Christian condiscendency, in all matters of christian liberty wherein we differ from you, And this we aske of you in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ yea this we challenge of you as Brethren by the law of Christ, with confidence of your ready and full obedience unto the new Com- mand of our dying Saviour, this new Comandement I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you, being therefore hope- fully perswaded of your tendernes towards us, we pray you to give us leave to give you an account of our present understanding of our owne state and of our duty to God, to you and to ourselves therein.
first although we doe sencibly acknowledge much sinfull infirmity as hath appeared in our late transactions, as we are men and very sin- full men, yet after the sollemn examination of ourselves, we cannot, we dare not to charge ourselves as guilty of any open Publike and scandalous offence given to the Church whereby we are lyable unto the application of any Publique Censure, surely if we could have found ourselves soe guilty we should not presume to have so long expos- tulated with you about our inocency :
2ly We doe not understand that we have bin soe charged with any such offence, as that we are guilty before the church or that we are under any binding power of the keyes of the kingdome of heaven in the church regularly Exerted.
3ly We doe not understand that the present proceeding of the church hath bin in any way of discipline towards us, but that they have, by concession unto our departure actually disobliged themselves from any other duty unto us, and evacuated that relation which some- times we had to the Church : And therefore that we are not layed
1
76
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
or left under any regular restraint from the Exercise of christian liberty, and the performance of our part of duty in the observance of the advice of the churches offered, both unto [ ] and ourselves in a way of order, rather we take your concession unto our Departure as an Expedient offered for the more facile Expidition in the pursuance of that advice to effect by a peaceable and orderly secession.
4ly And finally therefore with awfull feare and reverence of God in whose presence we stand, and in obedience to the power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ your Lord and ours, unto whome both you and we have submitted ourselves, for direction unto duty in our diffi- cult case in the way of his owne ordinance, that is the way of councill As with a very high Regard and deare esteem of this church we doe humbly declare that we are under an indispensible obligation to obey God, according to that discovery of his minde and will concerning our Duty, which hath bin held forth with convincing light unto ourselves from the holy scriptures, and that therefore we are resolved by Gods gratious guidance and assistance, seasonably to make use of our chris- tian liberty, unto a coalition into another church Body in a regular and orderly way and therefore we doe instantly and importunately beg your prayers and Blessings, and that we may by you, be commended and committed to the gratious conduct of our Lord Jesus in the man- agment of this great affaire of his kingdome, And we hope the day will declare our worke, soe as that it will appeare that it is not in rebellion or transgression against the Lord, or to turne from following the Lord, that we doe interpri[s]e this thing, nor out of any designe DES to innovate, either in doctrine or in worship, oh God for bid that it should be soe, but it is by a loveing, peaceable, and orderly secession to prevent the breach of union, and to establish the faith and order of the Gospel, in another congregation for the settlement and inlargment of the kingdome of Christ in the present, and we hope in future generations.
Subscribed by the dissenters and delivered to the church 4 : 3mo : 69.
After the reading of this declaration to the church by their Elder they declared the dissentors to be under great guilt, saying 4 (3) 69. God would in his time looke upon it and requier it And if not in this world yet in another, where the councill could not helpe them, Then they declared they could not Partake with them at the Lords table which non Communion they passed by a vote.
They told the dissenters they were scismaticks and did rend of[f] from the church and that this Councill was not an ordinance of Christ. the dissenters heard them patiently and then humbly took leave of the Church and departed from the meeting.
Here upon the dissenting Brethren applyed themselves by their
77
THE MAGISTRATES' APPROBATION.
letters to five churches, having the approbation of five Magistrates to incourage them in order to gather into a Church body - which appro- bation followeth.
Whereas Sundry of our Beloved Brethren and neighbours of Boston, having declared their purpose, (by the Lords assistance) Magistrats to imbody themselves in a church way, according to the approbation. order of the Gospel, and the platforme of discipline owned by the churches of Christ in this place, upon the perusall of the ground of their proceedings, finding their motions in such wise to be justified by the concurring issue of two severall councills
The first where of was called by the first church of Boston, and the latter at the instant request of these Brethren that are concerned here in, we having weighed the case as it hath bin presented unto us with the circumstances thereof
Doe here by declare our allowance and approbation of their pro- ceedings as is above promised Dated in Boston 22 : (2mo) 69.
DANNIELL GOOKIN DANNIELL DENNISON SYMOND WILLARD RICHARD RUSSELL THOMAS DANFORTH 1
Allthough I have not that particular understanding of their affaires as some others, yet upon what I have heard, and out of the Confi- dence I have of the regular and just determination of the Reverend Councill I see no cause to withhold my consent but rather to approve of their proceedings and give allowance there [ ]
SYMOND BROADSTREET
Your resolution of imbodjng (according to Councill) though it is some what a new thing, and ought tenderly and with all humility to be managed that the name of God may not suffer, yet I finde it allowed by the Platforme of discipline, And that such a thing may be without scisme, and therefore since you have the Elders and other magis- trats consent, I shall concur in giveing my approbation to your joyn- ing together in a Church Estate
Your truely Loving Brother
JOHN PINCHON
SPRINGFEILD - May 10th, 1669
Danforth were members of the First
1 [Mr. Daniel Gookin and Mr. Thomas Council, and Mr. Simon Willard was a member of the Second.]
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78
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
COPPY OF THE LETTER SENT BY THE DISSENTING BRETHREN TO FIVE CHURCHES - TO YEILD ASSISTANCE, BOTH BY THEIR ELDERS AND MESSENGERS ON THE DAY OF COALITION.
Honoured Reverend and Beloved in our Lord Jesus :
It hath pleased the holy God after many birth pangs of that travel- ing intherest of Christ a mong us in the first church of Christ of Bos- ton to which you are not strangers, to bring forth this as the present jssue of his good pleasure, referring to ourselves in point of our Duty, That we have bin advised by the Honoured and Reverend Councill of Elders and Messengers of churches convened (13 (2mo): 69) as is to be seen in their Councill given us (a Coppy where of we send you here in closed) That we may seasonably make use of our Church liberty, unto a regular Coalition into another church Body, whose councill therein we doe looke at, (with due thankefullnes unto him especially whose name is wonderfull &c:) As his voice who hath the Goverment upon his shoulder unto us in this houre of temptation, We in pursuance of that advice having also declared unto our Be- loved Brethren (after much conflict of spirit and patient waiting for the churches observance of the advice of this, and a former Coun- cill called by themselves, In both which the truth asserted for our becoming another, distinct church hath not bin followed by the church) our advised secession from them and we hope in such a man- ner as might become us, with full purpose not withstanding to hold Ecclesiasticall communion with them as with a pretious, and much honoured Church of Christ, According to the rule of Consociation of Churches, as also having attended whatt other requisit duty we under- stand to be in Cumbent on us, in order to our more regular proceed- ing in this weighty undertaking which we are about, thought it most expedient and seasonable to pitch upon the 12th of this 3mo for the duty of our Coalition afore said These are therefore humbly to re- quest your solemn prayers for us, by your asistance of us, by your elders and messengers for our more orderly, and edifying proceedure on that day, vouchsafing to us the right hand of fellowship, as that sisterly relation of churches one to another may require, the place of our Assembling will be at Charlestowne, The Blessed Lord who walketh in the midst of the Golden candelstickes shine upon you, and blesse all your holy administrations in whome we are
your afflicted Brethren in the fellowship of the Gospel Subscribed by the dissenters
BOSTON 8 (3) 69
1 [The churches sent to on this occa- sion we suppose to have been those of
Charlestown, Cambridge, Dorchester, Dedham, and Weymouth.]
-- --- -
79
THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS PROTEST.
The dissenters haveing obtained leave and incouragment under the hands of seven magistrates, And also having obtained the Convention of five neighbour Churches by their messen- 12 (3) 69. gers and Elders [ ] the Councill of churches that met upon the 13th day of the 2d mo by the advice helpe and direction of all these, con- vened as above at Charlestowne then gave up themselves to this great and sollemn worke of embodying into a new Church estate, Though not without sundry difficultyes which the Lord in his wise and sover- eigne guidance suffered to assaile them as the opposition of the Governour and five magistrates by a writing under their hand, by themselves brought over and read at Mr. willoughbies house to the church Messengers, And a writing from the Church of Boston sent by five of their members to the Messengers of Churches there assembled. Yet the Lord cleared all rubs 1 out of the way, and gratiously Perfected that great worke for them the same day to the comfort of themselves and beholders : The messengers of the Churches being sent for to Mr. willoughbies the following writing was read unto them.
THE GOVERNORS WRITING SIGNED BY HIMSELFE AND FIVE MAGISTRATS
TO IMPEDE THE COALITION.
To the Honoured Reverend and Beloved the magistrats Elders Brethren and Messengers of the churches assembled this day at Charlstowne Sallutations.
We the Governor, and magistrates Assembled, accounting it our Duty by vertu of the trust at present committed to us, to Governors pro- care for the preservation of the peace and order of the test and 5 mag- istrates against
churches of Jesus Christ among us according to law. Tit. the worke.
Eccle : Sect : II : upon serious consideration of the sollemn transac- tion this day intended with you : viz: that severall persons which we understand yet to be of the first church of Boston, are about to gather into a Church estate by themselves, we judgeing it to be greatly in- consistent with, and Contrary to the said order of the Gospel doe therefore hereby declare that we approve not of the said transaction at Present, and doe desire and advise that the said proceedings be delayed untill further consideration be had there in.
RICH : BELENGHAM Governor SAM : SYMONDS
WM : HATHORNE ELIAZ : LUSHER JOHN LEVERITT EDW : TING.2
BOSTON the 12th : (3) 1669.
1 [Worcester defines a rub as an ob- struction, hindrance, obstacle, difficulty, or cause of uneasiness.]
2 [The governor, Mr. Leverett, and Mr. Tyng were members of the First Church.]
L
80
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
THE CHURCH OF BOSTONS LETTER TO IMPEDE THE COALITION. Honoured Reverend and Beloved in the Lord
We being acquainted the Eleventh day of this month By two of our dissenting Brethren that on the 12th day of the same which is the 4th day of this weeke Itt was the purpose and intention of themselves with the rest of them to gather into a Church at Charlstowne that we might not be wanting in our duty to God ourselves or them we thought it now seasonable to declare our apprehensions therein, How, farr it may prevent sin in our Brethren we know not, That it might is our desire and hope, however we are perswaded we shall hereby deliver our owne soules from the guilt or fruit of any Evill in it, by renouncing participation or fellowship in that action. We doe there- fore declare these Brethren who intend an imbodying by themselves to be members with us by covenant, a bond as yet not loosed that we know of, according to God, And that they are under offences to this church which they have not indeavored regularly to rem[ove] and therefore are not capable of such a Coalition among themselves,
JOHN DAVENPORT
JAMES ALLEN JAMES PENN
with the consent of the Brethren BOSTON : II (3) mo 69.
Superscribed for the Honoured and Reverend the Elders and mes- sengers of the churches assembled at Charlstowne
Elder Pen, Captaine Clark, Captaine Hutchison, Lieutenant Cooke, James Everill were sent over by the Church with the letter
12: (3) 69.
foregoing who before the meeting gave the Messengers of the Churches a meeting with the said letter ; and all of them publiquely spake in the name of the Church (except Elder Pen) to impede the work and made objections against the work of the day, it was replyed unto them that there should be consideration had of what they had spoken, the meeting was adjourned about noone for half an houre, when began againe the messengers of the Church of Boston were publiquely called for, but none appeared, they being returned home the work then was finished thus this work of God after sore pangs and throws of many prayers and teares labours and conflicts very hardly escaped strangling in its birth, notwithstanding all the midwively care that the good Lord sent in as was then solemnely acknowledged by the Reverend Mod- erator In the latter end of the day, in the presence of the Honoured
Mr. Oxen- and Reverend Messengers of the Churches, Mr. Oxen- sing of God for
bridges pray- bridge being by them desired to returne thankes, praysed
the worke. God that though the day began in a storme yet that it ended in a Calme, and praid that this infant Church might live to condemne their condemners.
8I
MR. STREET COMES TO BOSTON.
Being Election day Mr. Davenport preachd, who then did grievously inveigh against the preceding work and all that did assist therein, to provoke the Generall Court against it. vide 19: (3) Copiam.
A writing was put in by Mr. Everill, Mr. Bridgam, and good[man] Grub into the house of Deputies tending to the disturbing of it. 28:
Mr. Davenport in his Lecture sermon did excuse the Churches slownes to dismisse the dissenting Brethren perceiving it stuck with the Country. 30.
The writing above mentioned put into the house was rejected by the house. Goodman Grub and Hollingshead repaired to Mr. Thatcher acquainting him with their offence against him, 2 (4). and desired him to absent from the Lords supper. Mr. Torry a mem- ber of the late Councill was excepted against by sundry Brethren in sitting with them at the Lords table, after 6 :
debate was permitted to partake.
Mr. Street coming to Boston and upon discourse of Mr. Davenports dismission there was occasion for him to informe himself of the pretended letter of dismission read to the Church Occasion of the discoverie of the former fraud in concealing the whole letter by leaving out an extract before mentioned fol : 16: 17: 18. and how short a letter it was, it became discourse in the Towne that the letter read in the Church of Boston was not the whole sent from the Church of New haven but part therof nor indeed the thing itself conteyned in the said letter.
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