56

___________________________________________________________________

And subscribe our selves your distressed brethren members of the

first Church of Boston

   Dated at Boston 31 March 1669

 

Will Davis       Peter Oliver     Tho: Savage      Edward Ranson

Hez Usher        John Hull        Jos. Bock        Josh Scottow

Rob: Walker     Jos: Belknap     Theop. Steacy    Edw^d Raimsford

John Wing        Benj: Gibbs      Jos: Davis       Josh. Belsher

James Pemberton  Jn^o Alden        Wm. Salbec       John Sanford

Peter Beckett    Benj: Thurston   Wm: Dawes        Tho: Brattle

Jn^o Tappin        Jacob Elliot     Theod. Attkinson Seth Perey

 

The Church of Rowley did send S. P. thinking because Ipswich sent only

their two Teaching Elders that there would be none but such ther

but ther was as many if not more of brethren then of Elders from

the 13 churches they sent unto

 

The Councill was very unanimous in their determination that y^e

dissenting brethren ought lovingly to be dismissed and in case the ch

should refuse to dismiss them after intreating & sufficient time

of waghting they were to declare their secession or withdraw

ing from them

The Reasons they desired a dismission were amongst others

thes two 1 That M^r Davenport[49] held forth doctrines as touching the child:

of Gods ch contrary to the Synod as to what they had bin taught Now the Apostles

                             have

charge to follow ther fayth y^t spoaken to us y^e word of y^e lord Heb 13. 7.

2 In that he had noe call to be at Boston for as much as Newhaven never

did give their consent (nor saw ground soe to do) to his leaving of them as

appeared to y^e councill by several letters: yet Boston first church went on

in electing Mr. Davenport & he accepted and that y^e way might seem y^e

clearer they had a letter of dismission from N. Haven. But what it was

appears by what followes

 

The Testimony of many of y^e ministers of y^e gospell in the

Massachusets Colony in N. E. against the Scandall given by

the present Elders of the first Church in Boston by their

fraudulent dealing about the letters sent from the Church

of New Haven to the Church of Boston dated y^e 15 of

the 5^th month 1669.

 

Wee being justly offended at the great & publick Scandall of Unfaythfull

=ness & falshood committed by the three Revr^d Elders of the first church

in Boston, to the great dishonour of God, the Scandall of our profession

the reproach of N. England, & of the Elders in particular, desiring to be

found mourners in Zion for the same, And not perceiving as yet

any suitable repentance for it: Least we our selves & o^r churches & y^e

countrey should be involved in the guilt therof if now full & open testi

mony should be given against it beyond any that we have yet heard

                                                                of