USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Shrewsbury > History of the town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1717 to 1829, with other matter relating thereto not before published, including an extensive family register > Part 11
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"To the Rev. Mr. Job Cushing, Pastor of Shrewsbury."
" Framingham, June 9, 1735. Rev. Sir,
According to my promise to your brother Bragg, cum aliis, when they were at my house, I send you the inclosed, which are copies taken from their originals, and I think are without any material difference, if my records fail me not. As for my own part, I was always very loth to bring any thing before our church, which I knew had a direct tendency to break the peace thereof, especially if what is moved for is contrary to the practice of the churches of Christ in New England in general.
As to Capt. Goddard, and the rest of our deserting brethren, who are joined to Hopkinton church, I never was satisfied that
* What that was, does not appear.
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their motion proceeded from a good conscience, but I think I am able to prove the impossibility of it. If your neighbor, Simon Goddard, had moved for a dismission to your church, I should have promoted it.
But, if I am rightly informed, a council is, in a little time, to sit at Hopkinton, from whom perhaps we may gain some light ; and I wonder that transient communion should be desired by or granted to fugitive brethren, especially if such communion en- dangered the peace of the church. I pray God to direct you and maintain peace among you. Desiring your prayers for my distressed family,
I am your afflicted and humble servant,
JOHN SWIFT."
" Copy of another letter from Mr. Swift."
" Framingham, May 10, 1735.
The awful circumstances of my family at present, I think may well excuse me from acting, or doing any thing about what you propose or desire, in your epistle dated April 29, 1735. But, if you, or your church, or any of the brethren, that you write about, shall call a proper, unexceptionable council of churches, in a proper time and season, I shall, as I have always stood ready to do, yield all due regard to what light they shall afford me. I have much to object against the motion of our brethren to join your church, which, in a proper time, may be brought forth ; and I wonder that you can countenance any thing so disorderly and schismatical, the sad effects whereof, if I am not misinformed, or mistaken, you may have discovered in your own church by what hath formerly been done among you. You may remember what I wrote to you, when Capt. Goddard, with others, acted as they did. Said letter bears date, Jan. 8, 1733.
I pray that wisdom and judgment may be the stability of the pastor and church of Christ in Hopkinton, and that their zeal may be according to knowledge, and do earnestly call upon and advise you to study to be quiet, and to pursue those things which make for peace, and whereby we may edify one another, and am
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not without some hopes of your hearing my advice, because in your beginning or founding you were ready to hear the counsel of
Your humble servant, for Christ's sake,
JOHN SWIFT."
"P. S. If I am not mistaken, my administrations in time past have been justified by as many Councils, as the Platform you wrote of hath been by Synods, and I am not afraid of that case wherein I have always sought for, depended upon, and I hope, that I have had divine direction.
As to my sorrowful circumstances, I presume the bearer is enough to Inform you. I have sent to seven of my Rev. breth- ren to be at my house on the next Wednesday, to seek God by prayer for us, and we have great need of the prayers of all who have any interest at the throne of grace.
Idem, JOHN SWIFT.
To the Rev. Mr. Samuel Barrett, Pastor of the Church of Christ in Hopkinton, to be communicated to said church."
" All these writings were offered (to the church in Shrewsbury) on the 26th of June, 1735, but "about half the church being together, and with a view to hear the result of a council sitting, or soon to sit at Hopkinton, the meeting was adjourned." " Be- fore we left the meeting house, Benjamin Goddard said he was of the same principles with his brother, Simon Goddard, and de- sired that he might be dismissed to Hopkinton Church," and de- sired an answer at the next meeting.
" Aug. 27, 1735, at the adjournment, all the preceding letters were again read, and as the council did not sit at Hopkinton at the first time appointed, the meeting was again adjourned to and met on the 6th of October, 1735, when all the foregoing papers, &c., relating to Simon and Benjamin Goddard's cases, were read, also the result of Hopkinton, which (says Mr. Cushing) I shall not transcribe, by reason of the exceeding length, and it being in print.
Deacon John Keyes then offered a paper of objections, relating to persons withdrawing from the church, &c. Adjourned to 20th October, at 9 of the clock in the morning, precisely."
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" Benjamin Goddard first asked a dismission by word of mouth," - having given no reasons therefor, they were requested of him ; whereupon he offered to Rev. Mr. Cushing a letter to be com- municated to the church, from which I extract the following :
" I am informed, that several of the brethren did not under- stand that I gave any reasons, why I desired a dismission from this church to the church of Hopkinton"-he then, after some other things, goes on to say, "I offer my reasons, which are, that I was fully persuaded the government contained in the Platform is very agreeable to the holy Scriptures, and, particularly, that Ruling Elders are of divine institution, and that the church of Hopkinton do acknowledge the Platform for their rule of disci- pline, and are furnished with Ruling Elders - for these reasons, and your supposition, that the Rev. pastor, as well as most of the brethren of this church, are not of my persuasion in point of dis- cipline, though I am in charity with this church, I still continue my desires, that I may, with your free consent, be received into a church who are of the same principles with me as to church order, &c. BENJAMIN GODDARD."
Here follows "Deacon Keyes objections against persons sepa- rating from the church whereof they are members, by their own covenanting, pleading, they are fully persuaded, that Ruling Elders are of divine institution."
"First. It appears to me to be contrary to the holy Scrip- tures, especially to 1 Corinthians, 14 : 40, particularly applied by the apostle to good order in the church, says, Let all things be done decently and in order. Now it appears to me an inde- cent and disorderly thing for any to separate from their own church, if the covenant has not been broken on their part. And the 33d verse of that chapter, God is not the author of confu- sion, but of peace ; and it secms manifestly to tend to confusion, that should be avoided, and subversive of peace, that should be maintained, for any to separate, without the church has broke in upon that good order that was adhered to when they covenanted together.
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2dly. It appears to me to be abundantly contrary to the Platform, which establishes Ruling Elders in the churches. The 13th chapter, treating particularly of church members, their re- moval from one church to another, says, that church members may not remove or depart from the church, and so one from another, as they please, nor without just and weighty cause, al- lowing withal, the good reason in the world, that with just and weighty cause, they may ; but is there such cause ? when no de- fect is charged upon or proved against the church, or upon sup- position of such an office in the church, which, allowed or disal- lowed, was never made a term of cominunion, as I know of, even in discipline ; and in the 2d section of that chapter, they who are joined with consent should not depart without consent, until forced thereto.
Now if any person's voluntary and irregular withdrawal be a force, it must be a force upon a good conscience, as far as I can see. Again, I see not how such a withdrawal can be fortified by any of the just reasons laid down in that chapter ; for a member's removal of himself from the church seems to be such a withdrawal as is there styled unlawful and sinful, if it be from public com- munion, in word, or seats, or censures. Sec. 5th. Nay, this excellent composure don't allow any members to be incorporated with the church where they don't cohabit, if there be a church where they dwell, and renders weighty reasons for it. Sec. 6.
3dly. It is contrary to the church covenant, most solemnly and formally entered into, wherein they give up themselves unto the Lord, and to the observing the ordinances and institutions of Christ together in the same church; particularly the discipline of it, so that such as withdraw, (without just and weighty cause, proved to be so,) violate their covenant, if they don't withdraw from public communion, in words or seats, but only in censures.
4thly. It is contrary to the custom of Congregational churches, if not all the churches of Christendom, to withdraw without greater reason.
Objections against the church's dismissing any members to re- mote churches, upon the plea mentioned.
18
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First. It seems they incapacitate themselves, who withdraw, for the benefit of church relation, both on the churches and their own part. 30th chapter of Platform, sec. 6.
Secondly. Not meeting together, destroys the notion of a Congregational church.
Thirdly. How can they that withdraw from their own church, enjoy communion therewith ?
Fourthly. Discipline is thereby rendered too difficult, if not impracticable. See the 62d, 70th and 80th page of that sitting of the Synod. All will grant it to be most orderly and regular, that every Christian be a member in some particular church, and in that particular church where his regular habitation is.
These reasons, though not all that might be offered, are suffi- cient with me to restrain me from acting in any thing that appears to me to be so disorderly ; but yet, if they are not sufficient to satisfy any other person or persons that desire to leave their church upon the abovesaid plea, or any thing that is not greater, I stand ready to consult with any proper judges, for light in this article. JOHN KEYES."
" The foregoing was offered to the church Oct. 6, 1735."
Then follows, in Mr. Cushing's journal, a letter of earlier date, from Simon Goddard, to the church committee, and by them, at his request, given to Mr. Cushing to be read to the church, and which, it appears of record, " was read to the church, immediately after the writings from the Rev. Mr. Swift, and the church of Hopkinton, on the 26th day of June, 1735."
" The letter thus superscribed."
"To Mr. Samuel Crosby, Ebenezer Bragg, Jonathan Keyes, Committee of the Church in Shrewsbury."
"Shrewsbury, May 16, 1735.
Gentlemen,
Whereas yourselves are, as I understand, desired and appoint- ed by the church of Christ in Shrewsbury to obtain the clearest account you can relating to the ground of my proceeding, to join myself to the church of Hopkinton, without a dismission from the church of Framingham, and also without calling in a council of
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churches ; I think it my duty, for your satisfaction, and more especially for the satisfaction of the church in Shrewsbury, to whom you are to make report, to offer the following account, viz :
That about six years ago, a very grievous controversy arose in the church of Framingham, which occasioned me, more than ever I had done, to consider the nature and ends of church govern- ment and discipline, and in the long series of troubles, wherein that church was involved, I had opportunity to discover, as I thought, a great inconveniency in having all the power of rule and government in a single breast ; some instances whereof, I am obliged, in my own vindication, to mention ; as first, an exception was taken against some words said to be spoken by my father at a church meeting, (in Framingham,) which were very wrongly represented.
My father desired, that, if what he had spoken were accounted an offence, the words should be made certain, and that he might have a copy of what was alledged against him, and a time set him to make answer. The Rev. pastor dismissed the church, nothing of this being done.
About six months after, when my father was serving at the General Court, at Salem, and had no knowledge of the meeting of the church, that matter was brought forward, and, after many aggravating circumstances alledged by the pastor, I perceived the matter was coming forward for a vote ; and thereupon desired that nothing might be acted respecting my father, when he was not present.
Several others of the brethren also backed what I had said. Notwithstanding which, the vote was put, viz: whether those ex- pressions were not censurable evils; and though the vote passed very clear in the negative, yet I could not but think, that such an attempt was a plain discovery of the necessity of some remedy against such proceedings ; and, by perusing the Platform, and comparing it with the Scriptures, and weighing, as well as I could, the arguments for and against the same, I was persuaded, that it contained a very scriptural and rational form of church govern- ment ; and it is very probable, that had there been a plurality of
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elders, as provided for in the Platform, they would not have agreed to have brought forward such a vote in such a manner.
I was and am fully persuaded, that the office of a ruling elder, distinct from the teaching elder, is of divine institution, and ap- pointed, by the wisdom of Christ, for the comfort, safety and ed- ification of his church.
Secondly. I did, in conjunction with many others, members of the church of Framingham, use my utmost endeavors to ob- , tain a reformation of what we thought wrong in the discipline of that church. After sundry of the church had divers times de- sired a meeting of the church, to try to accommodate the differ- ences that had arisen, but were denied a meeting, twelve of the brethren, of which I was one, manifested our desires, that the church might meet to choose ruling elders, and some months after, renewed our requests, but were denied a meeting; and, the proposal appearing to be very disagreeable to the pastor, in Feb- ruary 16, 1731, sixteen of the brethren drew up sundry propo- sals for accommodation, desiring that they might be considered in a church meeting, but could not obtain it ; and I, being removed to this place, and perceiving that the Platform was not acknowl- edged as a rule of government in this church, I desired the Rev. pastor of the church of Framingham to propose to that church that I might be dismissed to the church in Hopkinton ; not be- cause I was out of charity with the church of Framingham, or the church of Shrewsbury, but because I thought it my duty to join to a church, whose government and discipline was, in my opinion, most agreeable to the holy Scriptures; and that I might obtain an orderly dismission into Hopkinton church, I attended to the only rule, which I send, contained in the Platform, viz : by endeavoring to consult with the church whereof I was a member, about the removal of my relation, as aforesaid, according to chapter 13, section 21, but found the door of the church shut against any consultation ; the pastor refusing to call a church meeting for that end.
I could find no direction in the Platform nor Scripture for call- ing a council of churches ; on the other hand, I found that the Synod have given their judgment in the case.
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They justify the gathering of churches out of churches. They hold it not necessary that the members of a church be all of the same town or parish, but declare, on the contrary, that civil cohabitation is neither a formal cause nor a proper adjunct of church relation. They approve the judgment of Dr. Ames, viz : that if any, wronged with unjust vexation, or providing for his own edification, or in testimony against sin, depart from a church, where some evils are tolerated, and join himself to another, more pure, yet without condemning the church he leaveth, he is not, therefore, to be held as a schismatic, or as guilty of any other sin.
And though they say, (Platform, chapter 13, section 21,) that church members may not remove, or depart from the church, as they please, &c., and (sec. 2) they that are joined with consent, should not depart without, yet the limitations there used, plainly imply, that if there be just and weighty cause, and they are forced to go without consent, they are at liberty to depart, though the consent of the church be not obtained.
I conceive, that difference in opinion about the modes of church government ought not to be made a term of communion, and accordingly I never designed to withdraw from the com- munion, but only from the government of churches who are not of my opinion with respect to the Platform.
I apprehend, that I had just right to place myself under such a church government as appears to me to be most regular, and con- ducive to my comfort and satisfaction of mind; and that no pre- ceding act of my own does forfeit the right, or forbid the exercise of it, and this I take to be the right and privilege of every Chris- tian, and an essential principle of the Reformation.
And, accordingly, on August 29, 1732, several of the mem- bers, of whom I was onc, made application to the church of Hopkinton, to be received into that church. The church of Hopkinton thereupon wrote to the church of Framingham on that head, but the pastor did not communicate it to the church ; whereupon, January 20th, I was, with others, received into that church.
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To conclude, if the church of Shrewsbury, or any others, are of a contrary persuasion, and think me to be in an error, I shall account myself greatly obliged, if they will endeavor to enlighten me, and do sincerely promise, whatever arguments they shall lay before me for my conviction, shall have, so far as I am capable, a due consideration.
So I remain yours to serve,
SIMON GODDARD."
It appears, by the record, that when the foregoing letter was laid before the church, they expressed their willingness to hear it read ; after it was communicated, " many declared it to be beside the business before us."
This letter was not without effect, as will appear by church proceedings after Mr. Cushing's decease, and before the settle- ment of his successor.
" At a meeting of the church, October 20, at 9 in the morn- ing, all the papers that had been lodged with us relating to Simon and Benjamin Goddard, were read again ; and, after reading the result of Hopkinton, and some debates, it was observed, by Col. Ward, that Simon Goddard's case was first to be considered, and seeing he had asked for privilege only by the mouth of others, he was sent for to hear his request from himself; and he person- ally before the church declared, that he desired occasional or transient communion. And, after he was withdrawn, the church, at my motion, declared, that they were ready for a vote ; there- fore this vote was propounded to them, viz : If it be your minds, or the minds of any of you, to admit Simon Goddard to occa- sional or transient communion, under his present circumstances, having removed his relation from the church of Framingham, where he was a member, without their leave, and joined himself to the church of Hopkinton, you are requested to manifest it by moving into the seats on the other side of the meeting house.
And the vote passed in the negative, three to one, or more.
After disposing of that, Benjamin Goddard's case was called. It was proposed to him, to see if he and others could gain fur- ther light and satisfaction ; and both parties agreeing in it, the
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meeting was adjourned to the 15th December, at 9 in the morning .??
" October 24, 1735. Ebenezer Bragg came to me, and de- sired to hear read the proceedings of the church at the meeting on the 20th, as abovesaid. After reading it, he desired a copy of the vote. I gave him one. He then desired I would enter his dissent to that vote. I requested him to tarry till the church meeting, and offer his dissatisfaction to the church, but he still pressed to have it entered now, forthwith."
" December 15th. The church met upon their adjournment, when I observed to the church, that we were met on the case of Benjamin Goddard, that for some time had been before us. Then Benjamin Goddard desired, that a writing signed by him, his brother, Edward Goddard, and John Parker, might be read.
Whereupon I observed to the church, that, some time before, the said persons had delivered a paper to me, in which they de- clared their dissatisfaction with the church vote relating to their brother, Simon Goddard ; but one of the brethren said, that the business of the meeting ought to be attended to, but Benjamin Goddard urged that the said paper might be read first. It ac- cordingly was. A true copy of it now follows."
" To the Rev. Job Cushing, Pastor of the Church in Shrews- bury, to be communicated to the said church."
" Shrewsbury, Nov. 1735. Rev. and Beloved,
Whereas this church, by their vote of October last, have de- nied communion unto our brother, Simon Goddard, a member in full communion with the church of Christ in Hopkinton, merely, as we conceive, because of his opinion in point of church order and government, and his asserting and practising upon such prin- ciples relating thereto, which he verily believes, as other good men also do, to be agreeable to the principles of the Reforma- tion, the common rights of mankind, and to the holy Scriptures themselves,
We, therefore, think it a duty lying upon us, before we par- take any more with this church at the Lord's table, publicly to
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declare our dissatisfaction with that vote, and our dissent there- from ; which, accordingly, we now offer for the following reasons, viz :
1. Because we esteem it an unwarrantable imposition upon conscience to require of any person, in order to his enjoying Christian communion, subjection to a form of government under which his conscience cannot rest satisfied; and hereto, as we think, agrees that of the apostle, 1 Cor. 10 : 29, 30, Why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience ; and why am I evil spoken of for that which I give thanks?
2. Because denying communion with our said brother upon such grounds, on which, as we conceive, that vote must be founded, does, in our opinion, include in it a too uncharitable and unchristian reflection upon the church of Hopkinton.
For, upon supposition that his offering to join himself with that church was criminal, their act in receiving him must be no less so, and yet, though almost three years are passed since their so do- ing, no means have been used, as we have ever heard of, to con- vince him or them of any blame, by this or any other church ; but, on the contrary, their proceedings have been justified by a late venerable council of churches upon the spot .*
3. Because if this church apprehend that our said brother's translation from Framingham to Hopkinton church was disorderly, which we think is all the pretence on which that vote was found- ed, yet, since the end of all ecclesiastical censures is the reforma- tion of offenders, and even a man that is a heretic is not to be rejected till after the first and second admonition, communion ought not to be denied to a church, or any of its members, till suitably reproved and admonished in an ecclesiastical way.
We conclude, earnestly desiring, that this church will recon- sider the said vote, not doubting, but that, upon a due and im- partial review of the matter, they will see abundant reason to re- tract the same, and express that catholic spirit so ornamental to the Christian profession, which, where it prevails, disposes to maintain communion with all, where there is grounds of hope,
* The result of the council at Hopkinton does not appear of record.
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there is the truth of grace, though not of this or that particular sect or party. Referring the whole to your serious consideration, we rest your brethren in the faith.
EDWARD GODDARD, BENJAMIN GODDARD, JOHN PARKER."
" This writing being read, Ebenezer Bragg offered a paper to be read, showing dissatisfaction with the church vote."
It is dated Dec. 15, 1735. It is of considerable length, and for the most part, of like tenor with the last preceding letter.
The following extract from it contains one of the reasons, among many others, for his dissent from that vote.
" If I remember right, the church of Hopkinton inform us, by their letter, that they received him (Simon Goddard) upon the Congregational principles ; and, except the contrary were made to appear, I cannot see, but that, in denying communion with him, we deny the Congregational principles themselves."
The narrative proceeds : " After reading this, all the writings, that we had lying before us, relating to said Goddard's case, were read ; then Edward and Benjamin Goddard pleaded the strangeness and irregularity of the vote the church had passed, relating to their brother, Simon Goddard ; others answered, that they had acted their judgment in the case. Major Keyes mani- fested, that, for his part, he was free to call a council to advise with under these difficulties, if the dissatisfied desired it. Then I moved it to Benjamin Goddard to know, whether the motion suited him, but he, not accepting the motion, signified he chose the church should give him an answer. They readily answered, that they were ready.
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