USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, vol 4 > Part 36
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John Emerry, sr., and John Emery, jr., deposed concerning the efforts of the council in behalf of the church. Sworn in court.
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Joseph Hills,* aged about sixty-nine years, testified on Apr. 1, 1671, that on motion of Mr. Woodman about forebearing all proceedings until the council had a chance to clear matters, said Woodman said that Mr. Parker had broken covenant with the church sundry times, etc. Sworn in court.
John Emerey, sr., William Titcomb and John Webster deposed that upon a church meeting day when the brethren desired Mr. Parker to vote the articles agreed upon before the council and to call forth those men who had stood so long proposed to the church, Mr. Woodman asked Mr. Parker to warn a church meet- ing upon the complaint against said Parker, and many others wished it. Nicolas Noys said "I haue also a complaint against Mr woodman," to which the latter replied, "brother Noys pro- sede with mee in a Regular way and I will indeuor to giue you full satisfaction." Sworn in court.
Henry Jaques* deposed that Mr. Parker turned his back on Mr. Woodman, saying his ways were ungodly, etc. Sworn in court.
Reasons of complaint against Mr. Woodman, according to testimony of the witnesses.
Statements made by Mr. Parker's adherents: that there were eighty members of the church, including Mr. Dummer; there
*Autograph.
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were diver others neither recommended nor dismissed, includ- ing Mr. John Geerish and Nich. Wallinghton who frequently communed with them, far more than Mr. Dummer, and should be accounted with the church; that in the first meeting of the Woodman party, Feb. 6, 1670, Wm. Moody, Jo. Merrill and Ben. Rolfe were absent, so they did not have the major part there; at the second meeting, Feb. 13, 1670, Mr. Dummer, Jo. Merrill, Wm. Ilsley, Wm. Sawyer and Job Pilsbury were absent; and on Mar. 16, 1670, when their act of suspension was framed against Mr. Parker, Jo. Bartlett, jr., did not consent and Jo. Bartlett, sr., John Merrill and Jo. Wells were absent.
Anthony Somerby* and Richard Knight* deposed. Sworn in court.
Robert Pike,* aged fifty-two years, deposed that "att a publiq meetting many years ago: as I remember vpon a Saboth Day There was somthing propounded concerning Mr Domers Trans- mision from the chch of Roxbery to the chuch [of] Newbery which seemed to good exceptanc with the church: but whether it was by dismision or Recomendasion I vnderstand not. the meeting was in the open Ayr vnder a tree." Sworn in court.
Tristram Coffin and John Knight deposed. Sworn in court.
Tristram Coffin* and John Knight* deposed that at the church meeting Dec 8, 1670, when Mr. Woodman told Mr. Parker he was offended, the latter said "produce your accusations & I will giue answer to it presently before the church," etc. Sworn in court.
Abiel Somerby* deposed that in the schoolhouse on Dec. 19, 1670, Mr. Woodman expressed himself highly. Mr. Parker said, "Soft, sir, your wayes are vngodly, you neglect publike worship & withdraw from the Comunion of the church," etc. Sworn in court.
Nicholas Noyes* and Anthony Somerby* deposed that Mr. Woodman and his company objecting to James Smith and John Smith as not being members of the church, deponents affirmed that they were proposed by the pastor for admission, and stood so three weeks before they were admitted, etc. Sworn in court.
Anthony Somerby* testified that Daniel Peirce, sr., brought a dismission and was admitted to Newbury church.
John Knight* testified that Richard Pettingall brought a dis- mission and was admitted to Newbury church.
Nicholas Noyes* deposed that he heard Richard Pettingall say that he had a dismission from Salem to the Newbury church. Sworn in court.
Abiel Somerby deposed that his father-in-law Richard Knight, etc. Sworn in court.
Anthony Somerby,* Richard Knight* and Abiel Somerby* deposed that Woodman affirmed that the council act was can- celled by the council and that act was an empty paper.
* Autograph.
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Henry Jaques* and Wm. Morse* deposed that they told Wood- man that he needed to be dealt with, etc. Sworn in court.
Nicholas Noyes* deposed. Sworn in court.
Abiel Somerby* deposed. Sworn in court.
Tristram Coffin and John Knight deposed. Sworn in court.
Richard Knight* deposed that when Capt. Gerish read the determination of the council, etc.
Copy of a paper, dated Mar. 16, 1670, sent by Mr. Parker to Mr. Woodman and his company, by seven of the brethren: "Haueing so frequently & seriously testified against your irregu- lar actings (determined to be such by the Councill) It cannot be expected that I should concurre with you to promote any dis- order, and consent to the erecting of any new forme of Gouerment contrary to the recciued profession and constant practise of the churches here among us.
"Your carriages haue bin such in theise late transactings as haue reflected great infamy & reproach on mee, I cannot consent to agree with you to promote you in your way till by some pub- like audience I shall haue vindicated myselfe from any Just aspersion you haue cast upon mee. My complyance with you may by others be interpreted as iudging of my selfe guilty & that therfore I am willing by composition to make up my owne errors & miscarriages. Four of the brethren haue bin publikly com- plained of and brought before the church to answer for their publike offences, their answer through your meanes and their open refusall hath bin Interrupted I shall not willingly consent to any motions from you that may hinder their iust conuiction nor do I thinke that any of your designes are to bee attended to till this be duely examined & judged Once more I ernesty desire you to consider your selues and not to go on in such irregu- lar courses, which though you seeme to justify your selues in, yet assuredly will proue euil in ye end, do not thinke it a light matter to breake the vnity & peace of the church, hinder the edification of the church cast contempt on the ministry greiue your pastor and brethren giue offence to other churches and bring up an cuill report and cast reproach vpon the Gouerment of the churches heere, & once more I intreat you to thinke of some way of reconcileing our differences, which wee thinke will onely be by consenting with us to call a regular councill resolue- ing to submit to their aduice if we cannot preuaile with you in this motion, wee shall be forced to consider what courses shall be taken to defend our selues & blame us not for useing any Lawfull meanes wherby we may redresse your sin & our dis- tractions."
When the foregoing paper was read to them, they asked the seven brethren to absent themselves from them, and toward night they sent this ensuing paper:
* Autograph.
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"Reverend S' M' Parker
"Hearing a bruit? about ye Towne of an intention of some of your party to complaine at Ipswich Court of severall Brethren of their psonall & comon weaknesses; Wee thought good to put you in minde how farr it is from ye Rule of Christian loue so to practice one against another before Court & Country which might bee healed at home with a word of reproofe from one brother to another according to ye minde of God, which saith, thou shalt not hate thy Brother in thy heart, neither shalt thou suffer sinn upon him. wee would desire you to consider yt your Selues are men of infirmity as well as wee are; & in case your practice in this kinde should Provoake vs to doe ye like: what appearance of Revengefull doings would there bee in ye face of ye Country & no end could appeare but to vent corruptions towards one another & nothing attained therby of yt concern- ment to which wee ptend ourselues conscientiously engaged but to vent our Stomacks one at another to ye great dishonour of God, reproach of Religion & to put advantage into ye hands of wicked men to speake Reproachfully of Religion in Generall; more rather wee desire that wee may bee of one minde so farr as to couer ye Shame of each other, when no good end can bee obtained in opening of ye same: & resolue to comitt our case as it is conscientious to do, to the determination of ye Generall Court to which wee must sitt downe, either actiue or passiue without which wee see no hope of issue & for ye avoiding of offence what may bee, wee will state our Complaint at home & you shall haue a Coppy of it, in case you will agree: there to answer to it, which will bee ye most likely way to issue our endles & bound- les confusions, that wee doe know off. Edward Woodman,* in ye name of ye Church receaved this pap the 23 march 70, read p Samuell Plumer ferriiman; brought by Jno. Webster."
Subscribers to the act suspending Mr. Parker, dated Mar. 16, 1670-71: Mr. Richard Dumer, Mr. Woodman, Archelaus Wood- man, Wm. Moody, Richard Thorla, Will. Ilsly, Fraunces Plumer, Wm. Titcomb, John Emery, sr., John Emery, jr., Jno. Merrill, Stephen Greenleaf, Thomas Browne, Nic. Batt, Antho. Morse, sr., Abraham Toppan, Wm. Sawyer, Edw. Woodman, jr., Wm. Pilsborrow, Caleb Moody, Jno. Poore, sr., Jno. Poore, jr., Jno. Webster, Robert Coker, Jno. Bartlet, sr., Ric. Bartlet, Jno. Bartlet, jr., Samll. Plumer, Joseph Plumer, Edw. Richardson, James Ordway, Tho. Hale, jr., Fra. Thorla, Edmund Moores, Abraham Merrill, Benjamin Lowle, John Baily, Job Pilsborrow, Stephen Swett, Benjamin Rolf and Jno. Wells.
Those brethren who did not act in Mr. Parker's sentence: Richard Dole, Richard Kent, Jams Kent, John Kent, Thomas Heall, sr., Richard Knight, John Knight, sr., John Kealy, Jams Jackman, Robart Lomase, Daniell Pearse, jr., Henry Short, sr.,
* Autograph.
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Nicolas Noyce, Samuell Moody, Thomas Turvall, Henry Jacows, Captaine Gerish, Robart Adams, Trostrom Coffen, Joseph Mosey, Nathaniell Clarke, William Chanler, Captaine Wheit, Mr. Richard Lowell, William Morse, Jonathan Morse, Antony Somerby, Abiell Somerby, Abell Hus, Mr. Sewall, John Davis, Gorg Littell, all regular members, Mr. Heill, Mr. Woodbridg, Danell Pearse, sr., Richard Petingeall, Jams Smith and John Smith, these not members. Mr. Parker not to vote in his own censure. Signed by Samuell Moody, Wm. Chandler, George Litell and Thomas Tarvill.
"This church hauing seriousley considred of ye complaint Brought to us by Mastor Woodman: against owr reuernt pastar Mastor parker and do judg it clerley proued By sufitiant eui- denses and much of it known to ower selues to be trew: do judge that you haue bin instrimentall of the deuisiones and trubles that hath along time and still are continued in this church: partley by your Change of opinion and practice and seurall times brek- ing promises and couenantes or agrements with ye church and other thinges contained in the complainte: therfor we canot but judge you worthey of blame and do herby blame you: and for the restoring of pcase to the church we ar inforsed thow with great gref of herte to suspend you from acting ani thing in this church that doth apertaine to your office: in administring seales or sacriments or matters of gouerment as an ofiser vntell you haue giuen the church satisfation the which we do desier: and admonish you in the name of owr Lord Jesus Christ speedeley to indeuore that god may haue his glorey by it & the herts of your greued brethren in the Church may be Comforted: and in the mean time as a gifted brother you may preach for the edi- fication of the Church if you plese: your Louing but aflicted brethren of the Church of Newburey: sined by vs in ye behalf of ye Church. Richard dumer,* Richard Thorla .* " Sworn in court.
On Mar. 16, 1670, the foregoing letter was brought to Mr. Parker by Archelaus Woodman, William Titcomb, Richard Bartlet and Samuell Plumer, and the latter read it. "After sunset will Titeom Steuen Grenlefe Rich. Bartlet & Caleb Moody came with a messag to M' Parker & told him they were sent from the church to giue him notis that the church had chosen two ruleing Elders that is m' Dumer & mr Woodman and they was to send to the two neiboring churches to ioyn wth them to ordain them vpon this day seauen night." Wit: Richard Knight, Nicholas Noyes, Anthony Somerby and Sam. Lowle.
At the meeting on Feb. 6, 1670, in the meeting house, young Anthony Morse rang the bell; and on Feb. 13, John Webster rang the bell, and they began the meeting at the meeting house where Archelaus Woodman prayed, and they then went to John
* Autograph.
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Webster's house. On Feb. 28, they met at Peter Toppan's house, where the Salsbury men were present.
List of the members of the church of Newbury: Mr. Wood- man's company and Mr. Dumer, John Emery, sr., John Emery, jr., Abraham Merrill, John Baily, William Sawyer, William Pilsbury, Job Pilsbury, Archclaus Woodman, Edward Woodman, jr., Benjamin Lowle, John Bartlet, sr., Richard Bartlet, John Bartlet, jr., Edward Richardson, Steven Grenleafe, William Moody, Caleb Moody, William Titcomb, Robert Coker, James Ordway, Thomas Brown, John Webster, Anthony Morse, sr., Richard Thorla, Francis Thorla, Edmund Moors, Nicholas Batt, Francis Plumer, Samuell Plumer, Joseph Plumer, Thomas Hale, jr., Benjamin Rolfe, William Ilsly, Steven Swett, John Wells, Abraham Toppan, John Poore, sr., John Poore, jr., and John Merrill. Mr. Parker, Mr. Woodbridg, Capt. Gerish, Capt. White, Mr. Sewall, Mr. Lowle, Richard Kent, James Kent, John Kent, Robert Long, Henry Short, Anthony Short, Daniel Peirce, sr., Daniel Peirce, jr., Richard Knight, John Knight, John Kelly, Richard Pettingall, William Morse, Jonathan Morse, John Davis, John Smith, James Smith, James Jackman, Joseph Muzzy, Richard Dole, Henry Jaques, Anthony Somerby, Abiel Somerby, Thomas Hale, sr., Nathaniel Clarke, Robert Adams, Tristram Coffin, Abell Huse, Nicholas Noyes, Georg Little, Thomas Tur- vill, Samuel Moody, William Chandler, Nicholas Wallinton, Mr. John Gerrish and Mr. Nicholas Noyes.
Proceedings before the council: "Wee whose names are vnder written doe heareby Testify and declare that wee doc fully con- sent and agree vnto the couenant and agreement Contracted and made beetwixt Mr Parker our Reuerend Pastor and Mr Woodman and the Brethren that are with him that is to say that the sinod boocke called the platforme of discipline with the other four articles shall bee our rule in the church of newbery for our practice in all our Church administrations because wee take it to be an Explanation of the scripture and a rule agreed upon is a meanes to avoide all future deuisions and contention wee mean the agreement made beefore and by the help of the messengers of nine churches contained under fiue articles sined under the hand of the moderator and scrib of the assembly in witnes thereunto, in witnes hereof wee haue under set our hands.
"Articles of accomodations beetwixt Mr Parker of Newbery and mr woodman and the brethren with him mutually agreed upon beefore the Council at newbery Aprill 22 : 1670 : 1. that the platform of discipline established by the generall court prac- tised by the churches of newengland shall bee the rule or standerd of the congregationall way acording to which the church of new- bery doe resolue both pastor and breathren to act in all church administrations. 2. that all matters of contrauersy beeing considerabell and of moment not issued before the pastor or
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elderes to mutiall satisfaction of partis conserned that bee brought to the church according to the rule of the saide platforme. 3. that they who are propounded for admission into the church shall stand and some considerabell time at least afourtnight and publick warning giuen one the lords day when they are to be admitted. 4. that noe difference shall be made in admission of members into the church upon acount of their differanc of Judgment as to the congregationall way pro or con the persons beeing orthodox and of good conuersation. 5. that when the prouidene of god shall giue us opertunity of regular call of any other officer it shall bee attended by the church according to what is laid down in the sayd platform of dissipline chapter the eighth. Thomas Cobit, moderator, Antipas newman* scrib.
"Honored & Reverrent friends: This is as an Addicon to our first request. That in Case you will not bee pleased to Cansell wt you have signed agt us, yet to give us liberty to spake to that case before any other thing bee brought in Agitacon."
Defence of those accused Wm. Titcumb, Caleb Moodey, Samuel Plomer, Steven Greenleaf, Rich. Bartlet: "If we be a Church of Chr. according to order, then It is Lawfull for a Brother to Complain to ye Church Against any Brother yt doth offend: Then 2ly It is Lawfull for ye Church to Hear & Judge. 31y Then It is Lawfull for two Brethren also to signe an act of ye Church as witnesses. 4(1y) Then it is Lawfull for yem to send Messengers to Mr Parker or whom It may concern: (51y) Then It is Lawfull for ym to Meet as a Church together. (61y) Then It is Lawfull for ym to elect a ruling elder or elders. But we hope ye Honoured Court wil Convinc v sthat we haue broken some standing Lawe or Lawes that were made by ye Generall Court before they blame us; for we doe not account our selues well dealt withall by ye Author of these queries & ye Declaration
whom we Leave to ye Lord. Lastly we doe profess our selves to be ye servants of god, & faithfull subjects to ye Comon wealth, Louers of magistrates & ministers & all ye Churches & people of ye Lord; & doe not willingly erre from any rule of god nor of ye Commonwelth but we trust such as shall be found faithfull," etc.
"Such as we desowne for riguler members of the Church of newbery: 1. Mr Woodbridg that was one that Joyned at the Joyning of the Church at andiuer and pastor many years and neuer desmist from them to vs nor recomended that wee know. 2. Mr heill neuer desmest nor recommended to us. 3. richard petinggell neuer desmest to vs that wee know if hee was hec may fech his desmision from Salem. 4 danell pearse sent neuer desmist from watertowne as wee know. 5 Jams Smeth and John Smeth who being propounded to ye church to be admeted by a priuat examinasion but denied by the church yet without any further notis giuen to the church vpon a lektur day of mr
*Autograph.
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woodbridg when thar ware asembld but about therty of the church that they ware admeted unknowne by the church in Generall that ther was such acting entended," etc.
Wm. Titcumb,* Caleb Moodey,* Sam. Plomer,* Steven Green- leaf* and Richard Bartlet* gave their reasons for their actions being regular, according to ecclesiastical laws and liberty, to the covenant and to the scripture rule and example: "wee would humbly desire you to Consider yt ye major part have ye con- cluding power in all ye government & orders in this common- wealth in our highest court in ye Court of assistants, in ye county Courts, in commissioners courts, among freeman in their meet- ings, by Townes in their meetings, by military commissioners in their societyes, so in choice of all officers from ye Governour to ye constable & way wardens, Also in synods in Councills, in all churches in N. E. that we know, & how it is come to pass yt ye poor church of Newbery amongst all ye thousands in N. E. should be opposed in their Lawfull Libertye in this Kind we cannot but a little wonder. And that It should be com- mended to this court's consideration whether we are not a people yt goe about to set up a new government because we act or allow ye act of ye major part of ye church to be authentick, to vs seemeth to be an objection new coined by such as might as well say a church hath no power or priviledge, whether they be major or minor or ye whole," etc.
Bill of charges for the witnesses, Mr. Hills, Capt. Gerrish, Richard Kent, Daniell Peirce, Nicholas Noyes, John Knight, Richard Knight, Tristram Coffin, Nathaniel Clark, Anthony Somerby, Abiel Somerby, Henry Jaques, James Jackman, Wm. Mors. and Wm Chandler, total, 5li. 6s.
Copy of the request presented by Mr. Woodman to the coun- cil, Apr. 19, 1670: "The Major part of the Congregation doth in all Humble wise desier this Honnored & Revd Assembly to take into their serious Consideration our sad & distracted con- dition who have spent twenty-five years & more in uncomforta- ble & unprofitable contention & divission, whereby god hath been much dishonnoured Religion much disadvantaged our soules much impoverished, & our credit as a church much im- parrd, defaimed through the Country for an unquiet people & irreconsiled by the long continuance of our difference & discen- tion, & now of late the cry hereof hath bin more loud in the eares of the Churches then in former times which produced this effect, The messengers of nine churches are come to see whether things are amongst us according to the cry that their eares were filled with all, Whom wee doe heartyly wish yt God would make instru- ments for the settlement of peace & truth amongst us & so throw downe the strong hold yt Sathan hath erected against us. For the obtaining of which end our impartiall request to this Revd
*Autograph.
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Assembly is That the ground & causes of our long discentions may be throughly inquired into. Amongst Physitians it is a Maxim yt when it is knowne what the disease is & when it is settled it is halfe cured. Our earnest desire is that you would grant us three things first That you would cancell any hand writeing signed by yourselves agst us - our case not being heard.
"Secondly That you will bee pleased to heare our case & give yor advice not as a councill wee haveing had no hand in your call, but in an orderly way the hands of two thirds of the church lifted up agst it. But as Honrd & Revd. bretheren giving us yor advice tendring our sad & sollemne estate. Thirdly That you will lay aside all prejudice agst. us which you may receive by so many private informations & instigations agst us, & now begin to heare what both parties can say for themselves, as to the case in hand as if you had yet heard nothing concerning the same. It is no small trouble upon our spirits yt wee should be so ill resented hearts & so ill spoken of amongst many godly & Revd persons (as wee conceiue) without any just Cause at all as unto man; Especially when wee consider the pretended cause which is from some grand defeet in matter of Religion as a people declined & falne from something therin wch maketh our persons offensive & out of favour with many. if there bee any thing of yt nature of wch wee are guilty it must bee in matter of faith or in church order as for matters of faith wee know not wherein wee differ from the godly in gennerall what church order so ever they are under.
"As concerning church order or discipline wee know not what may bee against us, for wee wholly owne that wych the New-Testa- mt doth clearly hold forth as the mind of Christ to his church: That wch the Gen. Court hath established For the synod booke wee owne the substance of it Wee owne m' Hookers Pollicy m" Mathers Catechisme m' Cottons Keyes for the substance of it, That weh the churches hath practised in Gen. with a joynt Con- sent as fare as wee know. Yea that wch hath been New-Englands glory, in which god have come neerer to ym then to any other people. And the way wch the scriptures both of old & New- Testament, doe proue to bee the instituted way of gods appointmt for his churches to walke in. But indeed wee haue cause to doubt yt the offence agst us here at home is because wee abide constant to those principles & will not turne Presbeterians. As for our Controversy it is whether God hath placed church power in the Elder or in the whole church to Judge between truth & error right & wrong, brother & brother & all things of church concernment. It is denied that the fraternyty have anything to doe with it but the minestr only, & if his determination bee not approved of the persons agrieved may appeale to all the minestry in the County. And it is come to yt passe that such as doe not consent hereto are Corathites & like the sonns of
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Ely that make the holy things of God to bee despised, & vpon this ground is our devision & contention, Principles preached & endeaurd to bee practised on one contrary to another have made two sorts of profess's contrary one to another wherby wee differ almost in all things in church & towne affaires And yet wee that to this day have stood unmovable to those principles proved by the scriptures in bookes of controversy, in cattechisms by the synod by the Ecclescastical lawes confirmed, & approved of by the practise of all churches in Gen: are tost up & downe by the mouthes of some unworthy persons to be a company of decliners to Levellissm to Morrelianism & are a people that nothing will sattisfy.
"Thus having opened to this Honnrd & Revrd Assembly in Gen. the state & Condition of this poore destracted congregation, Our earnest desire is yt you will bee pleased to apply yor wisdome to the uttermost for our healing, & not conceiv yt a slight plaistr will heale us, for our wound is festered our desease is rooted, God did once complaine that the wound of the daughter of his peo. was healed sleightly & so it brake out againc. Consider wee beseech you yt to heale breaches & repaire desolations in churches is not a worke of an inferior nature, for if peace makers shall bee called the children of god, it doth greatly concerne you to improve your tallents & the opportunyty god hath put into your hands to make peace & truth to dwell together in this poore disturbed congregation, The wch yt you may doe the god of peace Guide both your hearts & lips to create peace for us, so shall wee record you in hearts & acknowledge with our lips to the prayse of god yt under himselfe hee hath delighted to make you instruments of our peace & repairers of the breach in this congregation."
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