USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. III > Part 4
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THE CHURCH OF NEW HAVEN LETTER IN ANSWER TO THE BRETHRENS LETTER RETURNED BY CAPTAIN CLARKE.
Directed to Elder Pen.
Reverend Sir
we received your letter Dated the 28 : 7 mo : 67 subscribed with your name and with the consent of the Brethren, your- selfe and the Brethren in whose name you writt, we 1667. salute in the Lord with this returne. Your letter to the Church was read at a Church meetting on the 7th Instant, the Con- tents where of have put sundry pretious soules among us, Church of New havens letter. on a farr greater tryall and exercise than they are able to beare, unles supported by the same hand, and power that made and doth uphold the world ; your loss of such eminent lights and guides, which God hath bereaved you of is also our and all New Englands, where of we cannot but be deeply sensible ; It hath bin and shall be
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
our earnest prayer to the Lord of the Harvest to send forth some faithfull labourers according to your need in to his harvest at Boston ; But your motion to part with our Deare Pastour, for soe many Chil- dren to part with such a father, who hath bin an Instrument in Gods hand, and through his blessing on his ministry of the conversion of many soules amongst us, And of the Edification and building up of many more; (you are pleased in your letters thus to express your- selves) your some time settled Pastour Reverend mr. Davenport, though now as we understand providentially loosened from those ingaigments he was sometime under to and with you; we doubt not but by this time, your Honoured Messengers have informed you that here in you are mistaken, for when they were present with us, they were both eye and eare witnes of his Pastourall officiating in Pub- lique, both in preaching the word and in Administring the Lords Supper ; (and though our Revrend Pastour) hath some time de- clared his apprehention, concerning his liberty for to lay downe his office upon the Change of the Civill Goverment, the report where of may be the ground of that passage in your letter, and we yeild it for to be true that this hath bin his firme apprehension, and he hath foremerly expressed soe much ; yett with due Reverence to our Pastours Judge- ment, we can not but let you understand, that the Brethren have unanimously declare[d] themselves to be of a different aprehention in this matter, we are also the less forward for to attend your motion (from what yourselves express) that the call of the church were not soe unanimous as were to be desired, fearefull we are what his tender spirit now in his old age may meet with all on that account and what may be the sad consequence of trouble that may arise in a Church divided about his call both to him and to yourselves ; The premises considered we see no cause nor call of God to resigne our reverend Pastour to yourselves, or to the Church of Boston, by any immediate act of ours, But such is our tender respect to him that we have soe declared ourselves to his satisfaction as we hope; As he is able for to give you a more full answer not only of his owne minde but of our also in this weighty matter, as he shall see cause (to whom wee refere you) now the father of lights grant that in his light our Reverend Pastour may see light for to guide him in his way, And the father of mercy supply both his and your need according to the riches of Glory by Jesus Christ
N. STREET in the name of the Church 1
this letter directed to Eld : Pen. to be communicated. 28 : 8: 67 :
1 [The Rev. Nicholas Street was or- dained teacher of the church in New Haven, Nov. 26, 1659. It is not known in what year he came from England. He was settled for twenty years at Taunton, in the Plymouth Colony, as associate
with the Rev. William Hooke and as his successor, and he was called to be his suc- cessor also at New Haven. Dr. Bacon says : "Of the character of Mr. Street, as of his life, we know but little. He appears to have been a pious, judicious,
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MR. DAVENPORT'S SECOND LETTER.
A SECOND LETTER OF MR. DAVENPORTS THAT CAME PER CAPTAINE
CLARKE.
Reverend Sir
In my last sent by your Honoured Messengers (which I heare was publiquely read before the mixt assemblje) where my humble desire is that this may be read also, I declared my acceptance of the call tendred to me by the Church of Boston, in hope that this Church of Newhaven would have consented thereunto, wherein I was strengthned [by] your approving my reason for warranting my remove from hence, grounded upon I Timoth : 5 : 8 : I looke at your call as the act of the church it being consented there to by the major part by farr, for otherwise nothing shall pass as a Church act if the minor part dissent, which is contrary to the scripture and to Reason, and constant aproved prac- tices of all publique societyes, hence I Looke at your calling of me as cleare and full on your part, And accordingly signifyd my hope and purpose of coming to you, with the consent of this Church after we had sought God in an extraordinary manner, for the guidance of his holy spirit in this weighty afayer, this being done the Brethren result, about an Answer unto you, the result where of you will receive from themselves where by you will finde they decline giving a possitive answer, but leave that to me, (where as it is my judgment) that I should be puerly passive in a matter of this Importance concerning my selfe, that I might more clearly discerne the holy will and hand of God appear- ing in the whole busines, But soe farr as they doe answer it is a re- fusall of Consent which was a matter of no small exercise to me, and that was increased partly by the greife of the whole Church and Towne, and of many godly people in sundry townes aboute us, upon their feare of my departure hence, and partly by constant reports, of, not only the dissent, but of the strong oposition of above 40 Brethren of , your Church against my coming to you, some of them saying if I should come thither, it would be breaking of that Church, and some here fearing that would be the breaking of this Church If I should remove hence, yet at our last meeting I presented my desire of making a journy to Boston for this winter, and part of the spring for a further triall for to finde out the minde of God, to my full satis- faction, promising for to returne to them againe, in case of my dissatis- faction, And if satisfied yett not to ingage myselfe for office untill I had given them account of the event (and shall receive theire answer) (Against this they exprest themselves unanimously) I haveing thus farr proceeded, considered the dificultie and hazard of winter voyage and modest man," and "no inferior preach- er." He sympathized with Mr. Dav- enport in his anti-synodical ยท views, and wrote in support of them. After the re- moval of the latter to Boston he was sole
minister of the New Haven church, and so continued until his death, April 22, 1674. See The Ministry of Taunton, by the Rev. S. H. Emery, vol. i. pp. 156-164.]
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journy, and in hope for to see the Church better settled by that time, I consent to stay with them this winter, yett telling them I must make a journy to Boston by the will of God, before the hott monthes of the next summer, for the reason before noted from the I Timoth: 5 : 8: and all were satisfied.
What remaines Honoured and Beloved in the Lord but that we con- clude if this Counsill be of God it shall stand if not the will of the Lord be done.
my fundamentall Reason from the Church agrement with me in our first begining for my being at liberty to follow the call of God, either in any other place or to continue here is of the same force with me now, as it was two years since when I pleaded with them against my going to Dellaware, though while I stay here I am their Pastour, and doe accordingly officiate, with them passed without oposition
It is onely the will of God that I looke at, and wait for to be clearly manifested to mee in this weighty buysines, being desirous for to be approved of him in all my waies, and to act in all things to his honour. I shall humbly crave leave to ad[d] a word or two for your peace, the Prophet saith love the truth and peace, truth and peace are sisters, and will not be separated, let the truth be first regarded and minded and your hearts be united to the truth of the gospell and
yourselves for the truthes sake, It is recorded concerning Jehoshaphat that the Lord was with him because he walked in the first waies of his ffather David 2 Chr : 17: 3: soe will the Lord be with you Honoured and beloved in the Lord if you walk in the first waies where in you walked according to his Rule under that faithfull and blessed servant of Christ mr. John Cotton; But if you fall into divissions amongst yourselves, by different principles, some striving for one way, some for another : I feare I feare [sic] and forewarne, that the Isshue will be a rent amongst you, unto Gods great dishonour, to the corrupting of the Church from the symplicity that is in Christ Jesus, which God in mercy avert ; and I doe humbly Beseech you in the name of our Lord Jesus : The Bretheren that have declared themselves oposite to my coming to you, let nothing be done throug[h] strife and vaine glory ; And that theire be noe scisme amongst you for my sake, but that you be perfectly joyned together in the same minde, and in the same judg- ement striveing together for the faith of the Gospel, and for the holy order where in Christ hath appointed his Church for to walke, then will be given teaching officers according to his owne heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding, and god will Bless theire Administration for the spirituall Good of yourselves and your pos- terity. The God of patience and consolation graunt you for to be like minded one towards another according to Jesus Christ, that you may with one minde and one mouth glorify God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. J : D
28 october 1667.
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MR. DAVENPORT COMES TO BOSTON.
Att a Church meeting Some of the Brethren spake as if they were called to deale severely with their Brethren dissenting, citing Joshu : 7 : 10. to 15 up Joshua the accursed thing must be removed else God will not be with them &c: Deut: 22: 1 [ ] And if a virgine of Issraell be defamed it is an jnnjqu[i]ty to be punished by the judges here is a virgin Church defamed &c: Rom: 16: 17 : marke them which cause divisions &c: Sundry of the Brethren called out publiquely to the said dissenting Brethren why doe yee not aske for your dismission, others why doe they not depart in peace and fall upon practise of what they beleive Robert Walker presently move[d] to the Elder in the same publique meeting that he might be dismissed, the Elder tells him this is no [ ] a season, But be assured Brethren the Church shall not be a prisson to any; the dissenting Brethren as they had often besought the Church to take advice of sister Churches soe now urge them no longer to neglect it, it being Gods way when any church wants light or peace ;
Another time some of the Brethren met at the Governours and press the Elder to admonish the dissenting Brethren and be cause the Elder hearkeneth not, they were much displeased ;
2 (3) 68 Mr. Davenport cometh to Boston 1
Then a Church meeting is called, and the Church urged to make an address to Mr. Dav[enport] The dissenters intreated them not to pro- ceed further withoout Councill the Church hearkneth not att all to their motion, but choose major Leveritt, to goe in the Churchs name to give mr. Davenport a fresh invitation, he inquireth whether the Church is agreed, and because not telleth them he cannot give them any answer, but waiteth to see the mind of God. Elder Pen further considerd, soe as that he will call no more Church meetings untill either the dissenters consent unto Mr. Davenports call, or the other Brethren are willing to have a Councill. And at a Church meeting -
The dissenting Brethren having liberty and incouragement by the Church to goe unto and treat Mr. Davenport they thankfully accept thereof, and upon their address unto him he freely consents to appoint them a time which they attended. and came about 20 but when they come they find him unwilling to treat with them, without the presence of soine of the other Brethren, they tell him they would not have any occasion of strife before him, at least this being their first opportunity with him, they only desiring to informe him of the true state of mat- ters, at length he consents to heare them, but desired to be excused
1 [" May 2, 1668. In the afternoon John Davenport and wife, with his son and family, reach Boston, and are wel- comed by many of the inhabitants. They are sheltered from a heavy shower by the coach of Mr. Searle, sent out to meet
them." - Felt's Eccles. Hist., vol. ii. p. 427.
Daniel Searle married Deliverance, daughter of Edward Tyng ; her sister, Eunice, became the second wife of the Rev. Samuel Willard.]
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from giving a present answer to any thing, whereunto they readily consented, they proceeded and declared the whole case impartially, Mr. Davenport according to his liberty above maketh no answer to any thing, the Brethren ready to take their leave requested him to Com- mend them to the Lord by prayer but himself not free unto it they take leave and depart.
About a week after W D and I H 1 gave Mr. Davenport a visit and
16: (5) 68. treated with him of the whole matter with loving accept-
ance and respect and soe parted. but soone after Mr. Davenport without signifying any displeasure to any of the dissenters upon a lecture day had these expressions in his prayer before sermon in the presence of a great part of the Countrey : viz :
This Church sometimes famous for unity as a Citty compact within Mr. D: expres- itself, but now there are risen up a company in opposition
sions in prayer upon a lecture to the rest, even to the multitude of the Church about the day. choice of their officers, and will not consent but upon such a Condition as neither Christ himself, nor his Apostles gave any warrant for, or the highest Councill in the world can impose upon any Minister of the gospell persisting therein peremptorilly, whither it be from errour in judgement, or whither it be a designe it is not yet manifest, but it is evident Satan hath a great hand in it.
Where as these Brethren desired no Condition of the Church before their falling upon Election but the liberty which Christ Jesus had purchased for all his people viz liberty of a free debate, and hearing of their reasons, or in case of their non agreement that the help of neighbour churches might be called in as doth appeare by their addresse unto the Church before they had made any application unto Mr. Davenport : The dissenting Brethren seing themselves thus en- gaged against by mr. Davenport before the whole Country, without any cause to them known, began to thinke if the Lord opened a doore of departure from their relation to the Church, they were called to imbrace it, and in conjunction with this Elder Pen told Sundry of them, two of which especially who before this prayer were in serious thoughts, that haveing frequently and publiquely testified to the truths under labour, (viz) the truth of order relating to the liberty of the Brotherhood to choose their owne officers, And that relating to the relation of the Children to the Church, and the Churches duty to them, and to the ordinance of Councills as necessary to the well being of these Churches, they might sit downe silent, and the Lord they hoped would accept their sincere desire for the progress of truth, but said Elder told them he had put the Question to mr. Davenport, whether it would not satisfie him, if the Brethren could be brought to sit downe silent ; And he answered if they did no more, he could not officiate as a Pastour to them.
1 [ Probably William Davis and John Hull.]
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THE FIRST CHURCH CALLS A COUNCIL.
The active Brethren of the major parte of the Church had a private debate with the Elder relating to the censuring of the dissenters, for their non concurrence with the Church (which since some have pub- likly bewayled the loosing of its opportunity) but the Elder consented not, theire way of Censure being not cleare unto him, where upon a Church-meeting was called, and the Elder propounded to the Church for a Councill, which was good newes to the dissenters who gave thankes to the Church for it, where at some of the Church publikly declared, that it was not at all in favour to them, but that they might know what to doe with them, nor were they permitted any vote, nor influence either in framing the question to be put to the Councill, nor in nominating any one Church to be sent unto, its end being to take . advice in order to Censuring of them, - but God diverted it as the sequell declareth, the question solely stated by the major parte and the Churches nominated and sent unto only by them, was considered and determined by the Councill when they met, and accepted of and submitted unto by the dissenting Brethren
The Counsill then met at Boston, where Elder Pen and Major Generall Leverit by Church vote managed the churches case August 6 (6) 68. against the dissenters the churches narrative was read and voted unto by the Church the dissenters narative and preceeding reasons of dissent were also read, and after a free debate in the face of the Country, it pleased God to direct the Counsill to give the advice following,
An answer of the Messengers of the Churches, called by the first Church of Christ in Boston to give their advice and Result of the Councill according to God, in reference to their Brethren first Councill. who have dissented from the Church in their present proceeding in calling of teaching officers
I. We cannot but sadly lament this awfull dispensation of God, in depriving this eminent Church of Christ, of teaching officers And his sollemn ordinances soe long a time, and that in parte by leaving the Church to such differing apprehensions, in their endeavours to obteyne soe great a blessing, which we humbly desire the whole Church seri- ously and deeply to lay to heart.
2 Vett with thankfullnes to God acknowledge that good measure of moderation and grace appearing in their agitations aboute the case, together with their affectionate desires, and indeavours that have bin used to attaine the unitie and Cconcurrance of all in this sollemn worke, there by manifesting that the spirit of love and unity is yet active in the Church.
3 It appeares to us that not withstanding all endeavours herein, As on the one side the major parte of the Church profes their clearnes and full satisfaction in their way, and that they can not condisend to
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
the desire of their dissenting Brethren, who profes that there is an awfull ingagement upon them, and that in a matter of waighty con- cernment where by they cannot concur with their Brethren in their choice.
The premises considered togither with the grounds of the dissention more fully appearing in those writings that have passed from one to another, and have bin publiquely read and delivered to us, Also con- sidering that the Honour of our Deare Lord Jesus, and of the holy Institutions, and the edification of the Church : of Christ is soe much depending upon his peoples walking to gether in Brotherly love one towards another, which in this Case not being attaineable by continu- ance in one Church Body, yet finding it to be the prayers of the Apostle for the Church of the Thessalonians that the Lord would give them peace all wayes by all means, 2 Thess : 3: 16:, And also it being apparent that through the blessing of God upon the Towne, the Inhabitants there of are now soe numerous that the two places of their publique Assembling to worship God can not entertaine them, by reason where of many persons that are not Conscientious of sancti- fing the Lords day, doe make it an opportunity of great profaneness we doe judge meet to propound our Councill and advise in the Case as followeth.
I. That mutuall greivances that have fallen out through humaine frailtie, and the temptations of Sathan in the transactions of this matter may now be coverd with that love, that is not easily provoked, that hopeth all things, beleiveth all things, endureth all thinges, I Cor : 13 : 7 : And as the elect of God holy and beloved to put on bowells of mercy, kindnes, humblenes of minde, long suffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you soe also doe yee. Collos : 3 : 12 : 13: V.
2. In case the dissenting Brethren can not yett consent with their Brethren in their call of officers, nor sitt downe quietly, and submitt to the act of the rest therein, That then the Church upon their desire to be dismissed from them would give them up to the Lord with love and prayers, Recommending them to the grace of God in order to the propagation of another Church, to be sett up in the Towne of Boston according to the rule of the Gospell, yett soe that in the meane time they may have Communion with this church, or some other in the ordi- nances of God. This issue of the differences we conceive to be a way of peace Consonant to Scripture example for ending of strife, not only in civill matters as in the case between Abraham and Lott Gen: 13 : 7: 8 : 9: But also in a religious case, between Paul and Barnabas, that were by the spirit seperated, and called to the worke of the Gospel Acts : 13 : 2 : 4 : yett by the only wise God being left to a sharp Contention aboute the choice of John Marke, they departed
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THE ADVICE OF THE COUNCIL.
asunder one from another, Acts : 15: 39: But as to proceeding to Church censure in such a case as this is we finde no rule in Scripture DAN : GOOKIN RICH : MATHER SAM : DANFORTH WM PARKES
THO : DANFORTH JOHN ALLINE ED : FFROST : ROGER CLAP
ELIAZ : LUSHER JOHN ELLIOT Jo : HUNTING HOP : FFOSTER,1
BOSTON the 8th Aug : 1668.
Elder Pen upon reading the Councills advice by the moderatour be- fore the whole Assembly, declared though those Brethren were very deare unto him, yet seing now it appeared to be the will of the Lord, he would say with those Acts. 21 : 14: the will of the Lord be done : the moderatour of the Councill having declared that it was their advice unto the Church to dismisse their Brethren before they pro- ceeded to ordination of Mr. Davenport, some of the Church expressed they know not whether the dissenters would not make the Church wait many yeares, before they declared their owning of the advice of the Councill, or desired their dismission (which the Brethren should have otherwise pawsed upon had they not upon this occasion bin soe suddenly put upon it) upon occasion of which speech . one of the Reverend Councill declared, there needed no long time for the dissenters to suspend their owning of the Counsell, for they might doe it at present, and they having bin formerly warned by Mr. Davenport interceding to God against them above mentioned, declared in the presence of the Councill that if the Church would give them their dismission they would accept of it.
Twenty nine of them went with their request unto Elder Pen for their dismission subscribed with their hands as followeth desiring him to present it to the Church. IO: (6) 68.
ffor the Reverend Elder and the rest of our Honoured and Beloved Brethren of the Church of Christ at Boston. It having Coppy of their pleased God soe to direct the late Councill of the request. Honoured Reverend and beloved Messengers of the Churches held among us, as that (upon the hearing of the cause depending between us) they give in this advice as that they judge according to the word of God, to be best Conducing to the Desired issue of the late and unhappy difference between us, that upon our Desire the Church would give us up to the Lord with their Love and prayers, recommend- ing us to the grace of God in order to the propagation of another Church to be sett up in the Towne of Boston according to the rules of
1 [In the records of the Roxbury church, by the Rev. Samuel Danforth, it is said : " 1668. 5 mo. [? 6 mo.] A Council of 4 churches called by the Elder and major part of the church of Boston in reference to their dissenting brethren. Their ad- vice was to dismiss them in order to the
propagation of another church in Bos- ton."
The churches represented in this coun- cil were those of Dorchester, Dedham, Roxbury, and Cambridge. Mr. Mitchell, minister of the Cambridge church, had just died.]
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the Gospel, we doe therefore (though not without a very affectionate sence of the present dispensation of Divine Providence in this Day of our trouble, as also our owne unmeetnes for soe great a worke) Tes- tifie our acquiescing in the decissian of the Councill, and 1668.
humbly request that, the advice may be attended, And therefore that you would pleas to grant us that dismission, which we now here by crave, who have subscribed our names unto that Church relation, and orderly constitution which (through grace) we are desire- ous ready to attend, And accordingly that our Deare relations who are in Covenant with yourselves may pass forth with us, unto that Church fellowship aforesaid ; thus praying that the father of lights and mercies may abide with us, by the gracious presence of his glory both while wee are togither, and when we shall be come as two Bands, But still under the same banner of love, and may allso be present[ed] at length faultless before him, without spot or wrinckle, or any such thing at his coming, we remaine your Dearly loveing (And we hope no lesse beloved) Brethren in the Lord
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