1678                             171   (105

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 The Council having read these grounds of o^r proceeding withdrew to M^r Nelsons house & y^e

next day came to y^e meeting house wher we attended alsoe: & they read the following result w^ch

The Scribes were to give us copyes off

 

    Wee the Elder & Messengers off the several Churches of Christ who chose & sent us

on y^e motion of M^r Philip Nelson of Rowley intreating to afford him some help to Enquire into

some particular actings of the Church of Christ at Rowley, wherby he apprehends himself to be

as much pressed to his great greif, by a Sentance of Excommunication passed against him by y^e

Reverend Teacher M^r Samuel Phillips & the brethren there: Having with a true desire Im

=partially Endevoured to Enquire into the actions of both partyes, & desiring the assistance &

presence of God to direct us what determination shall be sutable & effectuall, doe solemnly &

in y^e presence of God (Earnestly desireing the peace & Edification of the Church) declare this

upon y^e hearing of the case, as our result, determination & advise.

First we cannot but seriously bewayle, that frame of Spirit w^ch we fear is too apparent

in long continued distasts, which seemes to have been fomented & therby heightened, & not

being throwly watched against, have occasionally broaken out to the breach of that Peace

and union which ought to be maintayned in the members of y^e church, who are the mem

bers of the body of Christ, & are to Edify themselves in love.

2^dly ffor M^r Nelson our advise is, that he watch over his own spirit, That he doth

not provoak his Teacher & brethren, by an overhasty spirit, which we fear he may have

been offensive in, & soe much the more because he seemes to be of a temper inclyning

that way, w^ch may give occasion unthought off to his opposers.

3^dly wherin he hath given occasion of offence, that by an humble & serious confession

he labour to satisfy his offended Brethren; Such as these That we have taken notice off

That wheras he seemed to charg the Deacon with Roguery, Though we cannot desire

him to confess what he doth not find himself guilty off, yet ingeniously to acknowledg what

=soer he knowes himself faulty in, Testifying his iust disowneing & dislike of such Speeches

which he hath done already openly; Knowing that Railers are Excluded the kingdome of

Heaven & the comunion of the Church:

Likewise of such bold Speeches as his overvehement asseveration, unsutable to such ordi

=nary occasions, though we cannot by what is declared judg it to be blasphemy: The fear of

God must præceed swearing by his name

And alsoe for overbold Expressions in prayer, w^ch must be presented with all humility

meekness, love, & forgiveing one another . To take heed of a presumptious spirit in

giveing way too much to his private Imaginations.

4^ly ffor the Teacher & brethren of the church, Though we are willing to be tender, in a case

wherin we cannot be soe well informed as themselves, yet our Earnest desire & advise is

That they would lay aside all prejudice against a Brother, who though not soe acceptable

to them, yet in charity to lay aside all Vaine Suspitions & Surmises as concerning y^e

deaf lad,[87] & his participation in y^e sacram^t in an other church, & things of like nature:

And we doe heerby profess the greif of our hearts to take notice of such infirmityes w^ch

with a charitable construction may be looked on & censured as comon faylings & soe fitter

to be healed, then over heightned & elevated, by any misconstruction as iust cause of Ex

comunication, which without uncharitable comments Implying that w^ch was never inten

ded, & it maybe drawen farr beyound the merrit of the offence, hath produced too

much distance in affection, & severity in dealing.

And lastly wheras ther doth not appear to us that due care, love & meekness, nor

that due order by previous admonition, such should have bin observed in dealing with

such a person: Our advise is that the church would readily testify their readiness and

willingness on his submission according to advise, to receive, Entertain & imbrace him in

y^e bowells of christ; And as one testimony of their love & reconciliation to be willing,

according as is meet to bear the charges which have bin Expended in this business

together with M^r Nelson.

 This is a true copye of y^e result of the council          Daniel Denison

  soe farr as was read publickly in Decemb 11 78.          John Ward[88] {mod^r

   As atest Jeremiah Hubbard[89] Scribes to the                by order of y^e council

            John Richardson [90]  Councill.