USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Plymouth church records, 1620-1859 > Part 15
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97
ORDINATION, AND BAPTISM OF INFANTS
order may and doe p forme many actes of sperituall worship, accept- able to God through Jesus Christ;
6 Query about the Churches power to ordain theire owne officers;
Answ: Wee Answare the Church hath eqvall power to ordaine as well as to elect theire owne officers election and ordaination are Joined together acts 14:23: what the Apostles did it is plaine they did it not without the Churches but with them; the Church elected the Apostles might acte with them in election as the Church acted with them in ordaination;
2 It is in the Churches power to elect theire officers acts the sixt soe alsoe to ordaine being both encluded in that power Christ hath Giuen to his Church; otherwise election would be Rendered alto Gether fruitles and to noe purpose because election is presedent to ordaination and 1 ordination noe other than a designation of the p'son elected to his office;
7 To the Next about ordination whether ordination be a bare Impty thing yee or Noe; wee Cannot but Maruell that our brother should make such a qvery; are any of Christs Institutions empty thinges ordination is noe ' empty thinge; yett laying on of hands in this Case noe such thinge that Confers & Gifts to places and Callings vnto any; further then such an one being Rightly according to God Called and ordained in such a way as Christ hath appointed by prayer &c there may be expected a blessing of God vpon his owne appointment; [61]
2 wee answare that Gifts and qvallifacations suitable to min- nestrs' of the Gospell befiting theire worke Can not be Confered by ordination because they are to be known before election" to haue Gifts fitt for it and ordination; 1 tim: 3: 1 titus 7:
Qvry 7 A Scripture to prove the baptising of Infants
Answ: Wee Answare that Infants of beleiueing parents are to be baptised is Cleared by the Tenure of Gods Couenant made with the faithfull and theire seed as appeers Genesis 17th; which Coue- nant made with Abraham was the Couenant of Grace and of the
1 Here a word is crossed out.
' Here "emty" is crossed out.
' Here "Grace" is crossed out.
" This word has apparently been altered.
" Here some words are crossed out.
·
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME I, PART I
" to be one body & prtakers of like Gospell privilidges
Gospell Gall: 3: 171 and that this was the Couenant of the Gospell Appeers plainely because the seale of it: viz: Cercomsission is ex- pressly Called the seale of the Righteousnes that is by faith Rom: 4: 11 the promise is; that beleiuers; Now as the Infants of the Jewes were Capable subjects of Cercomsission in theire Infancy soe the Infants of beleiueing parents are fitt subjects for baptisme; which is the seale of the Righteousnes which is by faith the promise is to be- leiuers and theire seed and to as many as the lord our God shall Call Actes the 2:39 Esai 65: 23: 1 Cor: 7th: 14: else were youer Children vnclean but now are they holy Rom: 11: 16; if the Root be holy soe are the brances besides seuerall other places that proue" the Churches both of Jewes and Gentiles *3 ephesi 3: 6: ephe: 2: 16: John 10: 16:‘ wee demaund of those that Scruple this truth; lett them if they 5 Can Giue vs one hint out of the Scriptures of Gods excluding such out of his Couenant as were once Included within the same; and if not how then dare any vndertake to doe it without Comission from God; Wee are Not wholly Ignorant that much hath bin spoken and written by many about this prticular which Giues vs to thinke that it is not so much want of Light as of Loue to the truth that occations this query att this time;
8 Query A text to proue an officer of a pticular Congration to adminnester the seale of Baptisme
Answ you might as well haue taken the other seale; for the Reason stands as well to Scruple" the one as the other;
That a minnester of a Congregation is to Adminnester the seales of the Couenant prticularly Baptismee; wee proue because it is to be dispenced by the minnestry that Christ hath Giuen to his Church mat: 28: last Apostles and evangelists were Christs minnestry and they baptise I Cor 1: 14 :: 16: Acts 8th thirtenth and : 38: p ticular officers as Pastours and Teachers are Christs minnestry and ther- fore it is theire worke to baptise; Christs minnesters are to Baptise but Pastours and Teachers are Christs Minnesters Ephe 4:11 Ther- fore Pastours & Teachers are to Baptise
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1 Written above a figure crossed out.
" Here some words are interlined and crossed out.
" Here some words are interlined and crossed out.
' Here some words are interlined and crossed out.
" Here a word or letter is crossed out.
· Here "for" is crossed out.
99
SHOULD BLESSING BE PRONOUNCED BY CHURCH OFFICER?
2 it is the worke of Pastours and Teachers Minnesterially to feed the fflock is proued acts 20: 28: now feeding Consisteth Not onely in preaching the word though principally but alsoe in Adminnestring the seales of the Couenant of Grace and otherwise alsoe; it being a Reall feeding to the Soule to haue the seale of Baptisme aplyed to it in such a way and by such a minnestry as Christ appoints: viz: Pas- tours and Teachers;
9 Query; A Scripture for a man to take a text of Scripture for Carrying on the whole exercise;
Answ Wee propose that text of our Sauiour his takeing the book of the Prophett Eaiah luke 4: 17: 18 Acts, and actes the second and actes 13 : from the 16 &c 20th & acts the 7th if the questian hath Refer- ence to such as exercise Not by office; wee answare for our prtes that wee Can scarce Gett one to healp att a time and it is Not likely; that two or three wilbe ordinarily prouided; but to Remove the scruple Respecting ourselues wholy out of doubt; if such as Scruple the Carrying on of an exercise by one if they be pleased to speak to edification on such a time as one or more may speak after; wee sup- pose, that none wilbe Greiued att it; [52]
Quri 10 Wher wee haue a Scripture to proue that the world should be compelled to maintaine the Churches officers
Ans. It is not knowne to be the Churches Judgment; and wee are sure it Neuer was theire Practice; and for vs to meddle in that which doth not Concerne vs wee should heerby declare our selues to be busy in that which is Needles as from vs;
Query 11 A Scriptures that the officer of the Church should Stand vp to pronounce a blessing and whether Christ be Not the onely blesser of his People;
Wee Answare by destinckson
1 That Christ is the onely efficient and absolute blesser of his People wee willingly owne and that for that end hee was sent Actes the 3:26 being a p'te of the office of Christ his preisthood to blesse vs by turning euery one of vs from our Iniquities;
2 Wee owne a prophetticall pronounceation of blessing Gen 27 Gen: 49 dutrinomy 33: which wee Affeirme is seased and ended; with such times as in which such prophetts and Patriarkes liued as de- clared such blessings by way of prediction;
3 More prticularly to the Case in hand wee affeirme there is a
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME I, PART I
declaratiue blessing Implying and Carrying alonge with it a prayer for a blessing of God vpon the people according to 2 Cor: 13: 14: Compared with heb: 13: 20: in which places with many others the Apostles declare wish vnto and pray for a blessing to the saints vnto whom they wrote theire Sacred Epistales; and vsually Closed them with the same exemplary to the Minnestry of the Gospell for the Closing and finishing; of theire Religiouse exercises;
4 But more paticularly and expresse to the Case is that famous Presedent wee haue Numbers the sixt 24:25:26: where by divine Institution; the Preists the sones of Aron Called the Minnesters of the Lord Joell the second; and 17th are Comaunded to blesse in a treble declaration therof; wherin is couched a deuine Mistery of the holy trenity suitable to what wee haue 2 Cor: 13: last: the Grace of our Lord 1 Jesus Christ the loue of God and the Comunion of the holy speritt; further lett the fornamed Numb: 6:23: be seriously Considered in the expressions on this wise yee shall blesse the Children of Israell saying vnto them; which vndoubtedly must be att theire holy Convocations; when Congregated in the Name of the Lord; for Religious worship for how Could the Preists blesse them and say vnto them; vnlesse Congregated 2 together and what time more Convenient then att the Periode of Religiose exercises; when God hath mett with his people and blessed them there for the minnesters of Christ to & pronounce " them blessed and they shalbe blessed;
But if objection should be made that this was Cerimoniall and tipifyed Christ the high Preist of his Church whoe blessed his People as aforsaid wee Answare that although the Preists of old were tipes of Christ and in sundry of theire adminnestrations Tipicall yett they were Really the minnesters of God in theire times as hath bin proued; alsoe in diuers prticulares exemplary in theire practices to the minnesters of the Gospell; there being " Many thinges in Comon to be practised as Comon to them both; in Adminestrations 6 as minnesters of God as Prayer preaching of the word and soe alsoe that manor of blesing of which wee haue bin treating
1 Apparently altered from "Lordshippe."
" Here a word is crossed out.
' Here a word, apparently "promise," is crossed out.
' Written above a word crossed out.
. Here "in" is crossed out.
. Here "and" is crossed out.
101
HOW TO SET UP CHURCH WORSHIP AND ORDINANCES
Lastly incase the minnesters of Christ should be prohibited to pronounce and declare and pray for a blessing on the people of God in such sort; this were to straighten the times of the Gospell; and the fulnes of the blessings 1 therof; and to make them Inferior to the times of the law in this Respect; vnder which the blessings of the Gospell were vaild 2 vnder darke shaddowes; [63]
Query 12 A Scripture for any to sett vp a vissible Church and ordinances without a minnestry sent from God to fitt them and Call them to that worke;
Answar that none May soe doe is a truth in A true sence viz that none may sett vp a Church worship or ordinances vnlesse seing them- selues fited prepared and Called by the doctrines of the Propetts and Apostles whoe were extreordinarily Inspired from on high and Com- issionated to teach the saints whatsoeuer Christ the Lord has ap- pointed them Matt 28 is a manifest truth and for any to practice otherwise then by direction of those& Master Builders were high presumption; But if wee haue Moses and the prophetts Christ and his Apostles theire doctrines and directions to be our Guides in the premises which wee judge to a most sure way for vs to Attend; Rather then to expect men extreordinarily Inspired or any such as may or doe pretend to be Indowed with Apostollicall Gifts and Revelations being wee haue soe sure a word of prophesie to Guid vs in such work; whervnto if wee take heed wee shall vndoubtedly doe well; wee might add that for many ages the saints have not wanted diuers exelent Instruments of which many might be Named whoe undoubtedly were Raised vp of God and; and directed by his word and speritt and haue bin preciouse Lights in Goeing before the saints in such worke although not pretending to and boasting of Apostollicall Gifts and Reuelations;
To the Question about the Sabbath as followeth
That wee keep it by Comaundement of men wee detest as that which is abominable and our soules hate; to keep the seauenth p'te of time wee owne that it is according to Gods Comaund; and whether you Call it the sabbath the first day of the weeke or the Lords day wee owne them as suitable tearmes according to Scripture
1 Here the words "of the Gospell" are crossed out.
" Here "vnder" is crossed out.
" Perhaps " these."
1
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME I, PART I
Respecting the time in qvestian; That the Lords day or first day of the weeke is a Rest to be observed and kept by the saints vnder the Gospell; by diuine Institution; wee shalbe able to proue by primitiue Pateren taken out of the New Testiment as you desire And first for the variouse denominations of the time which is threefold; Wee find in first of Cor: 16: 2: Called the first day of the weeke; and actes the 20th 7th: Called the Lords day 1 Reue 10th) Called a Sabbath Mat: 24: 20: in this Last Called a sabbath; which must Needs be the same with the Lords day and first day of the week the Churches meeting day and day of Rest and not the Jewes sabbath viz: the seauenth day; for the ffleight heer foretold by Christ was Longe after the Gospell 1 ordinances were established and that this was spoken to Christians Not to Jewes (as Jewes) but to his desiples verse the third for hee taught them att that time 2 as Coming vnto him secretly; and it was a warning vnto them to be prepared before hand; and therfore to pray that theire fflight might not be in the winter nor on the sabbath day; for they must expect to be put to ffleight 8 and otherwise euilly Intreated for the Name of Christ as verse the third: 4:9: 25: and 26 with luke the 22: 12:
2 in that our Sauiour saith pray yee makes it plaine that hee speakes of Christians
* on the sabbath ob- Berued by the Jewes
3 The time of his Sermon in which this warning and exhortation was Giuen: viz: it being Neare to his suffering att which time it is altogether vnlikely that he would prouide for the establishment of the Jewish Cerrimonyes * which ere longe were to be abollishment; it being one of the most waighty p'ticulars which Christ spake of which there were many that hee vttered a little before his suffering and therfore exhorts them to pray that theire ffleight might not be in the winter nor in the sabbath day as that which would be Most sad to be soe disturbed; when 4 and att such time as appointed for theire Religious exercyses they should be Constrained to fly;
Now to proue this first day and our Lords day: viz:" our Christian Sabbath to be off " Gods Institution wee must first doe it by the
1 Here the letters "ord" are crossed out.
? Altered from "times."
" Here the words "and otherwise" are crossed out.
" Perhaps "wher."
" Here the words "To be allowed" are crossed out.
· Apparently altered from "after."
103
SABBATH OR LORD'S DAY IS FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
Great workes of Christ Concerning Mans Redemption; for as God when hee had ffinished his Great [54] work of Creation in six dayes Rested the seauenth and sanctifyed it as to be a Sabbath; soe in Allusion heervnto it is that the auther to the heb: 4: 10: saith that Christ Rested from his worke: viz: of our Redempsion as God did from his;
2 That day Christ by his Resurrection from the dead is declared to be the head of his Church yee the Cheiffe stone of the Corner; salm 118: 22: 23: It being the day the lord hath made verse 24:
3 The frequent Assemblyes of the saints for Religiouse exercises on the 1 first day of the week as actes 20th: 7: 1 Cor: 12:2: Reuel: 1: 10: Pathmosse did noe more 2 denote a particulare and knowne Iland and John a Certain and knowne prson then did the lords day a Certaine and Knowne day especially vnto Christians to whom the Apostle wrote; for if it had the Name of the day from the vision then appeer- ing to him and of the speciall manifestation of Gods mind and of Gods Coming in vnto him on that behalf; how should the seauen Churches of Asia Clearly distinguish of the time according to Johns Intension by telling them hee was Rauished in speritt on the lords day these p'ticulars Considered wee Conclude that the Lords day soe called Rev: 1: 12 is the same with the first day of the week being the day the Lord hath made and appointed to be obserued by vs Christians; .
This day wee proue was kept and obserued by the Apostles of Christ and Imployed in a speciall p'te of theire Masters busines; Now whatsoeur they Received by way of Comision from) the Lord they haue delivered vnto vs and wee bound to obserue but the Apostle Paule 1 Cor: 16:2 by Apostollycall Comaund Injoynes the Contribution for the poor saints in Siria euen as hee apointed in other Churches to be on that day therfore &c:
If this p'ticular Respecting Contribution must be obserued by Apostollicall Comaund much more the time for that and all other publicke and Religious exerises ought to be by Apostollicall Com- aund obserued as is appointed in the fore quoted " place; 1 Cor: 16:2:
1 Here "Lords" is crossed out.
' Here a word, perhaps "denote," is crossed out.
* Here a word, perhaps "is," is crossed out.
' Written above "goeing," crossed out.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME I, PART I
Wee proue this day to be observed Sabbattically by Apostolicall Comaund 1 because that it was Neuer lawfull nor in the power of any Church or people to sett apart a day to bind all 2 mens Con- siences to the obseruation therof which; if not Graunted Respecting the Lords day wee ezely see what will follow if that day be att our Christian libertie as some say then it will follow that it being att the libertie of a Church to make Choics of the first day for theire sollome Meetinges; and if any other societie will mak Choise of the fift sixt or seauenth: which they may by like libertie that the former made Choise of the first;
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And hence it will follow that a societie acteing to this * supposed libertie, that which is euery ones libertie the Generall Can not take from the p'ticulars, Therfore if one two fiue or more think it Not Good to keep such a day theire Consiences are not bound they may vse another day if it suits beter with them and theire occations and soe it is ezely descerned That if wee had Not a time by Gods Ap- pointment that this pretended libertie of a day to be Arbetrary att Mens Choise for Religious worshipp will Neuer satisfye a Consien- sous Christian that is Grounded on the Scriptures of truth;
But besides this vnauoidable Confusion of Leaueing such time Arbetrary to the will of man to bind Consience to the obseruance of it soe as the sequenth day of old and the first day of the weeke Now is more then God allowed to any people In keeping of the first day or any other by vertue of our owne appointment Meerly is super- stition and Papisticall and Parralell: with the feast that Jeraboam in the eight month and the fifteenth day therof kept of which wee Read 1 kinges 12: 32: 33: which was lik that which was obserued in Judah which hee is Charged to hau deuised it of his owne hart; thus men may keep a day which is Really the Lords day but if they obserue it as Arbetrary att theire owne' wills it may be but a deuise of theire owne harts; [56]
Wee Read of dayes in Scripture appointed to be obserued by the Comaund; of God; And wee Read of dayes on some accompt wee ought to keep by Christian libertie as wee haue oppertunitie such a
1 Here a word is crossed out.
" Here "menes" is crossed out.
' Here a word is crossed out.
' Here something is crossed out.
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105
DEPUTATION, DEDICATION, AND SANCTIFICATION
Good day Esra 9: 17: 18: 19 soe answarable amongst Christians now when God Calles to sollem humilliation and thanksgiueing the same may and ought to be kept: euen such dayes when Called therto1 yett those are not holy dayes It is popery for men to putt soe much vpon the day Butt that time wee Call " the Lords day or sabbath it is a holy day sett apart by God and that makes it holy Now to Cleare vp our meaning heerin take Notice of these three paticulars
This will shew a vast difference betwixt observeing a day by Gods Comaund and such as are agreed on by Christians either in whole or pīte;
first wee may depute such a time or such a place to spend an houre or two to heare a Sermon and yett this time place or &c: is not made holy by it it is deputed but Not made holy Now a Creature is Not made holy meerly by being made vse of att an holy exercyse; as suppose I Goe to Read the holy Scripture I make vse of a Candle to Read it by I doe not Make the Candle holy by it because I make vse of it; if the makeing vse of a Creature in a holy duty did make the Creature holy then it would follow Generally in all dutyes I make vse of the light and aire when I am Reading and speaking holy things in publick Assemblyes I doe not make them holy soe I make vse of this houre to preach in though I make vse of in a holy duty I make it noe further holy then ' a man doth his spectacles hee vseth to Read the Scriptures by; Now deputation is puting a part of such a time for such a worke; and thus farr Goe they whoe obserue a day by theire libertie
2condly dedication that is when I Giue a thinge out of my owne proper for a Piouse vse that I can not make vse therof againe for an other end as when a man hath Giuen soe much of his estate to such or such pious vses hee hath devoted it to such an end and soe that hee Can not make vse of it (without sin) to another end; ‘ wee doe not soe' by setting a part a time for preaching soe as wee can not without sin make vse of it to another end; and soe if a people sett apart a time for humilliation; it may fall out that the time may be sett apart for thanksgiueing if Gods prouidence Change " and that without
1 Altered from "theire."
' Apparently altered from "Called."
' Here "he" is crossed out.
' Here some words are crossed out.
" Perhaps "Charge."
1 deputation 2 dedication 3 sanctifica- tion
:
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH RECORDS: VOLUME I, PART I
sin and soe for preaching wee may alter the time from twelue to three; 1 and soe further if wee Attend noe 2 houre that day to heare a Sermon if occations Calls men & otherwaies; but if wee haue ded- icated or Giuen out of our owne power It Can not be Changed by vs; this is beyond the other yett Not sanctifying
Now Sanctifycation is when any Creature or time is soe sett apart for holy thinges as it must not be vsed in Any thinge but that which is holy; and though the same holy actions be don att " another time they shall not be " accoumpted soe holy as att this time This is proper sanctification; and the setting appart of any day thus " that is such a day as God Giues mee to make vse of for my occations if I shall sett it apart for such a busines and put more holines in the actions then prformed then the same actions pformed att an other time I sanctify time to my selfe; but thus wee Can not doe without sin:
Now these two thinges are in our Lords day of Gods appointment [56] and Indeed in all thinges that are accompted holy by God
1 It is a sin to make vse of that any otherwise then God hath appointed it
2 The actions done then are more acceptable then if the same thinges had bin done att another time yee wee shall find it soe spoken Concerning the day of Attonment which was a day appointed of God if they had fasted vpon another day it was Not soe acceptable be- cause that day was Gods appointment; 7 By this you may see that wee put a vast difference between a day of Gods appointment and what man appoints; and soe for the Change of the day from the seauenth to the first Changable by the law Giuer whoe was Lord of the sabbath; The Christian primitiue patteren by Comaund from Christ and his holy Apostles the Master builders of his Church whom following in this and other prtes of our Christian profession wee shall haue wherwith to satisfy our Consiences being p'swaded that as it is onely in the power of God and his son Christ to appoint
1 Here some words are crossed out.
: Here "hour" is crossed out.
' Here "away" is crossed out.
" Here "any" is crossed out.
" Here the words "Called holy" are crossed out.
. Here some words are crossed out.
" Here some words, perhaps "and what man appoints," are crossed out.
107
CHARACTER OF REV. JOHN REYNER
what day hee will to be obserued as a sabbath soe it is too much bold- nes in any man to say either to Christ in Comaunding or to any Christian in practiceing wherfore doest thou thus;
And soe I haue Issued Matters Relateing to these Queries and Answares; this poor vnsettled man fell yett further and further, and att last became a qvaker; and about the Indian warr time hee died.
I may not omitt to 1 Insert somthing in this place before I draw towards a Conclusion Concerning that worthy servant of Jesus Christ m' John ? Reyner somtimes Teacher of this Church haueing touched somthing Concerning him before
hee serued Christ in the office of Teacher about eighten yeers being Assisted therin by m' Tho: Cushman Elder in Great faithfulnes and with much Industry being largely Indowed with Gifts suitable to soe worthy a worke; and might haue Continewed * much longer therin to the Glory of Christ and Comfort of the saints had not sin and Sathans mallice hindered The vnhappy difference that fell out in the Church of Barnstable had such an ill Influence into the Church of Plymouth as that it; Together with the vnsettlednes of the Church and Going away of diuers of this Church yee of the eminentest of them was a meanes of vnsettlement to this holy man of God and althoe much blame may bee Layed to the people about his Removall yett himselfe Can not be wholy excused But the breach was soe Great by the leaueing of the Church as it is to be feared will neuer be made vp againe especially Considering the Insensible ffraun ‘ att that time on those whoe were Concerned therin; both in Respect of sin that caused it, and in Respect of our losse of him which ought to haue bin more layed to hart then it " was; hee left Plymouth in the month of Nouember 1654: and went to Boston where hee Continewed that winter and Came the springe following in a way of visitt and would haue bin ezely p'swaded to Come againe if the people would haue Condecended to a proposition 6 made by him; But they then
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