Referr[47] these transactions too page 24 of the church records [48] 55

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          A letter ffrom the dissenting brethren of the old or first Church of Boston

To the Church of Christ at Rowley

 

     Honoured Reverend & beloved,

                                                                              tion

We cannot but with Greif of heart bewayle y^e sad occasion of this o^r present applica

to y^rselves, & y^t at such a time when it is a day of Jacobs troubles abroad in other

parts; the Bush on fire ready to be consumed, & y^e tremendous dispensation of the

holy God in a vicissitude of providences upon o^r nation; all w^ch call for the most

deep & serious thoughts & sorrow of heart in all Sions lovers & especially amongst

her outcasts in this countrey: Yet as if this were not enough but they should be In=

=cresed by the noyse of hammers in a tribe of o^r Israel, the sound whereof is gone

through the countrey: viz the divisions of o^r Ruben: This This as it calls for

great searchings of heart in us, & is y^t for w^ch we have cause to ly w^th our mouthes

in the dust, & to be ashamed before the lord soefarr as we have bin any just occa

-sion theroff: soe alsoe it provoakes us to seek all regular indeavours for the

removing of the same, that noe Scandall may be lay^d upon the Church of Christ

for our sakes: What essay for the healing of our differences hath bin used hi-

therto proves successless viz the Result & advise of the late Reverend Councill

(called by o^r Elder & brethren) to grant us an amicall dismission in order

to the propagation of another church body amongst o^rselves upon our desire

which advise was proposed by y^m as the next expedient to an issue of our uncom

fortable contest with our brethren in the Church, & declared publickly by the mode

rator at meet to be compleated before their procedure to ordination: This ad

-vise of the say^d Reverend council hath bin attended by us who have accordingly

several times moved for ch dismission, but in vayne. Wee are heer necessitated to

make our address unto your selves w^th other churches as the onely next refuge

in order left us by Christ in his word, assuring you that however we are tradu

ced, yet we are not in the least alienated from the forme of Government accor

ding to patent under which God hath soe long blessed this Collony, but are rea

=dy to spend & be spent for it, according to the solemn oath which we have taken

Neither are we for any other way respecting church order then y^t solemnly decla

red from Scripture in the platforme of discipline, & the last Synods deter

mination about the subjects of Baptisme & Consociation of churches, nor is

there any aversness in us, but a firm resolution to mayntain due brotherly love

w^th our church, in all things consistent with what we heer profess, whilst we are

with them & when we shall be parted from them (as the lord shall despose) as

with a precious Church of Christ, & much honoured Mother in Israel.

 Honoured Rever^d & dear Brethren we humbly again & again request you in y^e

bowells of Jesus Christ that y^e receive noe such reports against us whose travell of

soul is to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with you &

with all the Churches of Christ: we humbly beseech you to spread o^r case before the

lord in your fervent prayers, & to send your Elders & messengers to meet in coun

-cill at Boston upon the 2^d Tuesday in Aprill next being the 13^th day at 8 o

clock in the morning to consider consult & give your helpfull advise in our la

-bouring case; and we and ours shall be forever ingaged to bless God

 for you Thus we commend you to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

                                                                    And