USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Records of the First Church at Dorchester, in New England, 1636-1734 > Part 9
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The 6 of June on ye day above said ther was a letter read y' Came from ye Gov' & majestrats wherin they did recom- mend to ye Churches in this Jurisdiction that ther might be a Contrybution for ye releif of ye Captives weh weer taken from hatfeild they being brought soe farre as ye fort Albana at wch time after ye evening exersiz ther was a Contribution of eight pound five Shillings two pence in money for ye end aforesaid
The 7th August 78 ther was a fast keept by o' Church being wednesday o' lectuer day ye same day ther was a Contribution for M' Emerson of Concord being low in his Estate at wch time was Colected 51 - 148- 2 ye same day ther was a fast at brantree & ye next day at boston the first Church
The same time o' weekly lectuer was Changed that it should not be in ye same week y' Rocksbery lecter is keept but contrary & soe to continue monthly
The 17 No 78 (being ye first day of o' meeting in ye New meeting hous) a letter was read weh came from ye Church at hingham desiering ye church to send their Elders & mes- sengers to ye ordaination of M' Norton to be a teaching officer unto them on ye 27 No 78 at which
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time ye church appointed Deacon Capen & Deacon Blake to Joyne wth o' Elders for yt service
The same time ye Court order was read who had ordered a
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
publick fast in ye whole Jurisdiction to Joyne wth ye other Collonies on ye same day being recommend to ye Court by ye Comissioners of ye Collonies ye day to be on thursday ye 21 No 78
The first of December 1678 m' fflint p'posed to ye Church for a day of thanksgiveing to be keept by ye Church ye grounds of it weer an ingagment that was made to god if he should heer prayers & restore Captin Clap to helth againe being sick about a yeer & half agoe also in regard of M' Stoughton wch all though he be not yet returned yet y' god have p'served his p'son & soe fare blessed their endeavors for ye publick also becaus god have soe much p'served of town from & under that contagious distemp of ye small pox when he have soe sadly visseted other places as Charlston boston & other places, as also for ye pease we injoy in this town notwithstanding ye great fears of a disquietment in regard of some publik transactions about o' meeting hous & other mercys the day mentioned was on our next lectuer day being the 18 Decemb: to this motion ye Church agreed
The 12 of ye 11 Mº 78 It was p'posed to ye Church whether ther should be a Church meeting appointed for to Call forth some of ye members of ye Church not yet in full Comunion to give an acct or answer for their obstinancy in refusing to Come before ye Elders & some anchent breathren (whom ye Church had formerly apointed to Joyne with ye Elders in privat) but they standing off & giveing ille langwedg & behavior ye Church
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Closed with ye p'posission and appointed wednesday yº 22 Instant at one a Clock to Come to gether & in ye meane time thos anchent breatheren or tithing men should warne such p'sons as ye Elders should appoint
one ye day fore mentioned ye Church mett & Robt Spur Sen' was called forth to give satisfaction for his withdrawing & not p'takeing in ye Sacrament upon some p'jedice he had taken against o' pastor but could not mak it out but a misaprehen- tion of him but he did not com up to Satisfaction : also John Spur was then called forth to give Satisfaction for his con- temptious caredg & refusing to give an acct of his knowlidg unto ye Elders & thos breatheren in privat : also Nathaniell Wiett for not coming to ye Elders but refusing _s Spur had done : but now gave satisfaction & ther for at y' motion of some breatheren the matter was respitted till another meet- ing about a month after
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Also Samuell Rigby was ye same time called forth to give Satisfaction for his former offence for wch he had been formerly admonished by ye Church but came not up to Satisfaction : others ther weer yt should have been called forth as Joshua Georg Daniell Ellen, Nathaniell Mather & others but ye time & season of Cold would not p'mitt
The 19 12 78 ye Church mett againe & Samuell Rigbe was called forth againe & he gave soe much satisfaction yt his sensuer of admonition was ordered to be resp'tted for a while & on his good demeanor if it did appear for some time then ye sensuer to be taken off ye same time Robt Spur Sen' was called on to give satisfaction but he came not up to full Satisfaction therfore it was voted that he should be admon- eshed Also Nathanell Wiett John Spur Daniell Ellen and Joshua Georg for their contempt off & neglecting & refusing to com to give an acct of their knowlidg to ye Elders or Church was therfore Votted to be excommunicated
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The same day Nathanell Mather was Called forth to give Satisfaction for his slighting & negligence in Coming up to ye Order of ye Church at which time he did give some ac- count publikly of his knowlidg out of a Cattechisme but falling short of what he should have attained unto, & he p'missing to doe his best to attaine more, he was dismissed & was appointed to Come to ye Elders againe about a fortnight after
The 25 12 78 ther was a Church meeting at web time y" Churches Engagment by way of renewall of Covenant was read over to consider wherin ye Church fell short of ye p'ticu- lers therein exprest alsoe at that time it was Concluded yt ther should be a day of humilliation kept on o' next lectuer day weh is ye 12 March next to humble of souls before god in respect of our Covenant Engagment & also for ye prsence & blessing of god on the Children of ye Church as also for ye appeasing of his anger manifested in ye Contagious dis- temp of ye Small pox of weh soe many are dead & more vissited
The 3 (1) 7§ ther was a Church meeting at wch time ther was enquiery what may be thought to be the sins of this time for weh gods anger was gon forth against his people heer in thes pts to wch after long silence some spake one thing & another another thing &c and at ye same time the Church was Callª on by o' rulling Elder to Consider how m"
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Thecher should be satisfied for his labor in supplying m' fflints work for one month which he p'cuered in his place whill he went to Quenectecot alsoe m' fflint then p'pounded that ye Church should looke out to p'vid one in his rome if any on in his famely should be visseted with ye pox as also to supply his place when he should take a Jorney to Reho- both & that an other teaching officer might be thought on to help him & other discourses at that time not Convenient heer to be inserted
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one the day before Viz ye 2 (1) 73 being Saboth day after ye evening exercis it was p'pounded to ye Church by ye Elder whether Robt Spur his admonition may not be Suspended a while & he have liberty once more to speak to ye Church by way of accknowledgment of his sin ye weh was granted by ye Church
The 9 (1) 73 Robt Spur Sen' was called forth to acknowl- idg his offenc but came not up to satisfaction
The 30 (1) 78 Robt Spur had ye sentance of Admonishion adminestred to him
The 3 3 79 after ye evening exerciz ye Church was stayed & did discours about Abigall ye daughter of Henery Merri- feild what should be done towards her for her sin of forneca- tion It had been Voted the Saboth before by ye Major Vote of ye Church (that for that sin & for her refusing to come before the Church) that she should be excommunicated. but becaus ye whole Church did not Vote it was Considered what was to be done because some thought that excomuni- cation did not belong to such in her Cappassetie therefore it was p'posed whether ye whole Church could agree according to that in Matthew that she should be rejected & to be as an heathen &c the Vote was in ye affermative
The same time report was made Concerning Samuell Rigbe who was sent unto by ye Church to come before them to answer for his late sin of drunknes & quarelling but his answer was y' he would be gon & not come againe in a 12 month
The Sabothday before Elizabeth Weeks was mentioned to ye Church whether she should not be Cast out for her sin of fornecation before marridg : ye Conclusion was that if any of her relations would send to her to see if she would come before ye Church in p'son & manifest her repentance the sentance should be respitted a while
The 23 3 79 ther was a Church meeting uppon occasion of
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M' fflint his desier of help in ye minestry either by another teaching officer
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or by some other Supply, at weh Conferrance ye Church did not think they weer in a Capaccetie of maintaining another officer but it was p'posed by ye Elder whether ye Congrega- tion should not agment Mi fflints wages to one hundred pounds Sixty pounds in money & 40 pounds in Contry pay & then he to p'vid such help as he saw meet & satisfie such as did help him out of ye 100 pound. The Church then p'sent did not seeme to Close with yt p'posission but p'pounded 50 pounds money & 50 pounds Contry pay weh did seem to be ye major Vote of those yt did Vote. others y' Voted neither way p'pounded y ye Church and towne together should adjetate ye matter wch did occasion the deferring ye matter till ye next Second day being a training day for to discours ye matter. At web time it was discursed y' M' James minot should be spoken unto to see whether he would help once in a fortnight & a Comittee chosen
The Comittee appointed as a bove said was ye Elder & two Deacons & John Breck
The same time M' fflint p'posed whether we should not keepe o' next lectuer day which will be ye 4th of may as a fast in regard of ye state of ye people of god in old England & ye nations adjacent weh seemes to be very sad & in respect of our selves ye face of things looking sad in regard of ye loss of soe many emenent p'sons both in ye Majestracy & min- estry & in towns & also in respect of o' agents abroad ; ye vote of ye Church was affermative
The 30 4 79 an order was published from ye generall Court who appointed a publik day of humiliation to be keept p'ly in regard of ye sad face of things one ye Churches & people of god both abroad & at home & in respect of o' afaiers in England & alsoe in respect of ye intended Sinod to be keept in September next ye day is ye 10 5 79
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The 6 of ye 5 Mº 79 the Church Called for Joshua Georg Daniell Ellen Jn° Spur & Nathanell Wiet & abigall Merri- feild haveing sent to them before by messengers to warne them to appeare, but only Nathanell Wiet & Jnº Spur did appear who did not manifest any repentance for ther former miscarridg but carryed it very dissatisfactorily before ye
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Church : who weer all excommunicated from ye Church that day all of them & Abigall Merrifeild for her sin of fornica- tion & Contempt of ye Church was Cast out also ye same day
The 10 6 79 ther was a Contrybution to put into ye dea- cons hands for ye releif of ye poor espesally with respect to bro' W" Turner at wch time ther was given in money 31 68 5ª besids some notes for Corne as is in my book set down ye p'ticulers
The same day ye Elders weer voated for to be sent to meet in ye Senod wch is to Convene next September but noe messengers Concluded to be sent but left to Consideration till ye next Saboth
The 17 6: 79 ye Church made Choice of William Sumner & Richard Baker to be messengers to ye Senod wch is to begin ye second wednesday in Sept' being ye 10th day of ye month & ye deacons weer desiered to take Care for their entertainment at Boston on ye Church acct
The 5 8 79 ye Church Concluded by Voate y' o' next lect- uer day (being ye 22 Instant) should be turned into a day of thanksgivinge to god for heering of prayers & abateing ye distemp of ye pox
The same day it was Voted y' Samuell Rigby should be Cast out of ye Church for his former miscaredges & he at this time did not appear before ye Church though appointed soe to doe
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The 28 8 79 Samuell Blake ye Sonne of William Blake now of ye Church at Melton was called before ye Church to make Confession of his sin of fornecation before marredg at wch time he did owne the fact & made some kind of acc- knowledgment but his voice was soe low y' scarce any herd y* litle weh he spake except a few wch stood Clos by him
The 2 9 79 Samuell Rigbee was excommunicated for thos sins for wch he was formerly admoneshed & for Contempt in not appearing before ye Church being called therunto :
The 7 9 79 ther was a Church meeting for to read ye plat- forme of Church dissepline to see how farre ye Church did agree with it in their practice at which time ther weer 8 or nine Chapters read over & ye rest left till another time
Mē ye 6 of January 1679 Henery Leadbetter Executor to ye Estate of Tho Lake delivered two silver Cups or small beakers wch was given by Tho Lake unto ye Church :
Also M" Thecher of Boston gave ye Church formerly a Silver Cup with two ears
1
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Also ye Widdow Clements of Boston gave another silver cup to ye Church ye 17 Novem 1678
The II II 79 ther was an order read from ye Counsell re- quiering a publique day off thanksgiving to be kept the 22 Instant for ye returne of o' agents from England after they have been absent three yers & aboutt two months
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The 15 12 79 Robt Spur was Called before ye Church to heer what efect ye ordinance of admonition had taken on Him but some weer not satisfied at that time therfore it was respitted till that day fortnight
The last of ffeburary 79 Robt Spur was Called before ye Church & hee did by wrighting declare what he had to say & ye Church by a silent Vote did maniffest ther satisfac- tion soe as to have ye sentence removed
The 21 March 80 Robt Spur was taken into ye Church again his sentence of Admonission taken off
The 15 Aprill 80 was a ginerall fast
The 25 Aprill Hanah ye dafter of Isack Joanes was dis- missed to ye third Church in Boston being not in full Com- union
The 15 September 80 ther was a fast keept in regard of MI fflint & he dyed ye night following about 10 of ye Clock & buryed ye 17th day
The 25 of November 80 wee kept a publick day of thanks- giveing being ordered soe to doe by the generall Court for ye Continuance of o' Liberties & p'veledges both Sacred & Sivell for ye plentie of ye fruits of ye Earth this yeer & for removeing of Contagious sickneses & diseases ye day was carryed one by M' Minot & M' Capen
The same Court also ordered a publick day of humilliation to be kept on ye 16 decem 80
The 27 12 80 ther was a Contribution for Goody Leich- feild and Mitchell of Malden at wch tim ther was Colected & ye next day sent in to ye Sume of 11 17-9 of wch about 7 pound in p'ticuler for leichfeld & ye rest to be devided
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The 2 (1) 89 was a day of humiliation keept by ye Church & town to seek to god for direction in looking out for a minester for o' Church y day was carryed on by M' Tory & M' Adams
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The 20 (1) 8º after ye evening exercis ye Church was stayed to Consider of a man to be on tryall for ye work of ye mines- try & it was Voted y each man should bring in his Vote in wrighting & thos two y' had ye most Votes should be put to Vote againe ye next Saboth and ye Votes being brought in M' John danforth of Rocksbery had 40 & M' Cushen of Hingham had 13 Votes
The 27 (1) 81 Votes wer Called for againe for on of ye two wch had most Votes ye last Saboth & ther weer 37 Votes for M' Danforth & 22 Votes for M' Cushen : at the same time John Breck who was not in full Comunion intruded himself in & put in a Vote though not in full Comunion ; wch was very offensive to ye Church but his Vote was taken out & he commanded by M' Stoughton to goe out of ye meeting hous when ye Church had been tryed by a Vote to know whether they did approve of his acting weh being de- clared in ye Negative then ye Contrary Vote was called for but none held up ther hand but only Henery Leadbetter who thought y' such as had Submitted to ye goverment of Christ in ye Church & had owned ye Covenant should have libertie to Vote in such a Case; but it was declared to ye Contrary
The same time ye Church appointed a Comittee Viz M' Stoughton ye Elder & deakons, William Sumne Rich Baker Rich Withington and Capt Clap : to invite M' Danforth to come & preach more constantly with us upon tryall
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The 3 2 81 ye Elder declared to ye Church y he had spoken wth John Breck about his putting in a voat ye last day to ye offence of many, & y he had given him satisfaction & was sorry y he had acted soe as he did in y' maner & y* if any elce weer unsatisfied if they would speake to him hee hoped hee should satisfie them
The 10 2 81 an order was read from ye Generall Court requiering a publique fast in respect of sad face of things Concerning ye Church of god abroad in other pu & in Eng- land & amongst o'selves & ye hand of god gon out against us this last yeer in respect of ye great flood at Quenectecot & y® blast spoilling much of ye fruts of ye earth & in respect of of agents yt are to goe for England ye day appointed is ye 21 Instant & in regard of ye great losses at sea & ye sudden deaths of many : M' Capen & M' Danforth preched y day & M' Minot prayed in ye morning
The I 3 81 ye Elder accquainted ye Assembly how farr we
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had p'ceeded wth M' Danforth & yt as yet he had not given his answer therfore if any p'son though not of ye Church (in full Communion) had any thing to aleadg to the contrary they had libertie to speak but non spake any thing, then ye Elder said yt he would take their silence for Consent but none spake
The 22 3 81 a letter was read yt came from ye Church at Melton wherin they desiered to send messengers to ye or- daining of M' Thecher to be a teaching officer to their Church on ye first of June next in answer therunto (besids the Elder) ye Church made Choice of M' Stoughton & Dea- con Capen & Deacon Blake
The 5 of June SI ye Elder declared to ye Church yt ye Church at Melton had ordained M' peter Thecher to be a pastor in y Church: M' Thecher did first pray & preach then M' Encres Mather put it to Vote first to ye Church (whos Vote was afermative & then to ye messengers web did concur : also It was p'pounded to ye whole assembly whether any
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p'son had ought against it but none appeared ; then it was p'pounded to M' Thecher whether he did accept of ye Call to office which he declared y he did : then M' Tory gave ye Charg & m' Tory M' Mather M' Eliot & M' Willard laid on hands & lastly M' Willard gave ye right hand of fellow- ship in the name of ye rest of ye Churches
The 26 June 81 an order was read from ye ginerall Court requiering a publique fast to be kept ye 7th of July next
The 3 5 81 ye Elder declared to ye Church that bro" Thomas Davenport was under some offence about ye ex- change of some land wth Robt Stiles in not standing to his engagement wth Stils but disposing it to another man & yt some breatheren had delt with him about it but could git noe satisfaction, he thought y ye Church might goe to bror Danfords hous (he not being able to com to ye Church) to heer ye Case, but ye Church Concluded by a Vote to send ye Elder & deacons & bro' Sumner bro' Leeds Richard Baker Ensigne Hale bro' Trot Isak Joanes bro' Tolman Sen' Dan- iell preston & desiered Bro' Edward pason to be ther also and as many as would or Could besids to heer ye Case & returne to ye Church how they found it
The 10 5 81 ye Elder did (in ye name of ye p'sons above deputed) declare to ye Church y they had been wth brother Davenport & after long agetations they brought it to this
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conclusion yt bro' Davenport & Stiles Chose out some men each of them to Consider of ye matter & they did engag each to ye other in a bond of 30 pounds to stand to their de- termination
wch afterward was don & Stiles had his land confeirmed unto him
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The 14 6 81 ther was a Contribution for M' Swan & others at Rocksbery who had their houses burnt, at wch time ther was Colected six pound pence in money & it was delivered to Elder Humphry who was to Conveigh it to ye deacons of Rocksbery who together w" M' Dudlee & M' Elliot weer to devid it as they Judged meet
The 25 10 81 M' John Danforth gave his answer publikly before ye whole assembly of his acceptance of his call to be with us to preach & pray amongst us
The 5 12 81 Mary ye daughter of Thomas Modesly was called before ye Church (though not in full Comunion but (under g* Obligations) by her submitting to ye Government of Christ in his Church) she was Called to answer for her sine of fornication. She did appeare but being put to it to speak by way of accknowledgment of ye sin, she gave noe answer but weept whether for ye shame or ye sin y' was not known, & ye Church was dismissed for yt time
The 19 12 81 M' John Danforth Joyned to ye Church being dismissed from Rocksbery.
The same day ther was appointed a day of fast to be kept y® first of March in order to o' further p'ceeding with M' Danforth to office relation
The 16 (1) 82 Mary Modesly was called before ye Church againe who did by wrighting make Confession of her Sin & she was dismissed by Silence of ye Church
The 2 (2) 82 yº Church was stayed & by a unanimous Vote M' John Danforth was Chosen pastor to ye Church in Dor- chester but his acceptation of it was not then called for, he being not p'sent at that time but ye next day or next Saboth he accepted ye Call
[118] The 30 Aprill 82
The Church stayed to appoint a time of Ordaining M' Danforth wch by a Vote was Concluded to be the last wednes- day in June next being the 28 June 82 alsoe it was Voted that ther should be sent unto eight Churches for their Elders
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
& Messengers Viz 3 Churches in Boston & Rocksbery Dead- ham Melton Brantry & Waymoth & meadfeild And it was Voted y' there should be two meetings that day & that M' Incres Mather should be desiered to take one part of ye day & yt m' Eliot should be desiered to give ye Charge.
The 22 4 82 ther was a publique day of Humilliation Cheifly for our Agents gon for England.
The 28 4 82 M' Danforth was ordained pastor to ye Church of Dorchester. (& preached on that Text 2 Kings. 2. 14. where is ye Lord God of Elijah.)
The 6 6 82 Isack Ryalls wife who was Wait Spur brought her child to be baptized & her self to enter into Covenant but ye Vote being put to ye Church it was denyed her becaus it was not p'posed to ye Church afore.
The 20. 6 : 82 Joseph Leeds was before ye Church for some miscaredg towards his wife; M' Danforth made mention of ye matter to ye Church & found it was not as bad as was re- ported & o' bro' Leeds had made some accknowledgment of his fault : but y' did not satisfie ye Church becaus he did not with his owne mouth make accknowlidgment (now), therfor it was defered to a fortnight after for him to Consider more of it & therfore he was advertized to forbear coming to ye Sacrament ye next lords day
The 3 7 82 Joseph Leeds was called before ye Church againe to make Confession of his sin in thrusting his wife out of Doare & fetching blood at her mouth ye which he would excuse, though ther weer two did testifie yt he had owned such acting to them, but his answer was yt either they did mistake him or he did mistake himselfe: but many weer dissatisfied & therfore it was deferred at p'sent untill fortnight after
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The 17 7 82
Joseph Leeds was called before ye Church & wholl assem- bly to answer for his offence in his Carredg towards his wife who at this time gave more satisfaction than before by his accknowledgment & by his promis to carry it more loveing to her for time to Come ye Church did accept of his Con- fession
The same day ye Case of Johnathan Blackman was Con- sidered & he was expected to make his Confession of his sin in stealling horses & lying for web he was convicted be- fore ye Court & had Corporall punishment, but he refusing to come before ye Church he running away out of ye Juris- diction was at this time rejected & disowned from his
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DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
Church relation & excomunicated though not delivered up to satan as those in full Communion but yet to be looked at as an heathen & a publican & familier & societie with him forbiden unless (to His Relations) natuerall & civell yt he may be ashamed :
The 22 November 82 there was a publik day of thanks- giveing apointed by ye ginerall Court for ye Continuance of o' Libertie Sacred & Civell for ye plentifull harvest this yeer & for ye safe arivall of o' messengers in England
The 24 10 82 patience Blake ye wife of Edward Blake of Melton who had formerly (when called ther unto) refused to owne ye Covenant & Submit to ye Goverment of Christ in his Church, she did make confession & acknowledgment of her great sin in soe doeing & this she did Vollentarily to ye satisfaction of ye Church in that thing & was then p'pounded to owne ye Covenant when called therunto if none had any thing against it
The 14 II 82 notice was given & ye Church Consented therunto of a day of humilliation to be keept on ye last of instant being wednesday in regard of ye distres y ye people of god weer in in o' native Contry & also in other pte of ye world [120] (82) & to pray for ye Continuance of o' peace & liberties & for o' agents in England & for gods guidance of ye generall Court which is Called to Conveene ye first wednesday in feburary being ye 7 day of y month
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