Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire: with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county.Coleman, Thomas
History
Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire: with biographical notices of their pastors, and some account of the puritan ministers who laboured in the county.
Coleman, Thomas
Clergy -- England -- Northamptonshire; Independent churches -- England -- Northamptonshire; Puritans -- England -- Northamptonshire
An interesting memorial exists, written by Mr. Some, which shows the
method he adopted in admitting candidates to the Church; clearly
indicating what he considered their qualifications should be; what was
the nature of the connexion they were about to form; and with what
spirit and purpose they should unite themselves to the society to which
they desired to be admitted.
_Questions to be addressed to Candidates for Communion._
1. Wherefore do you desire communion with this Church?
2. Will you endeavour to walk circumspectly and peaceably amongst
us, as it becomes a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?
3. Will you attend upon the ministry and ordinances of this Church
as often as you can?
4. Do you purpose to stand by us, and steadfastly to adhere to us,
if times of difficulty and trial should come?
5. Do you therefore, in the presence of God and his people here
assembled, give up yourself to the watch and care of this Church,
promising to submit to the discipline that is exercised therein, so
far as it is agreeable to the mind of Christ revealed in his word?
If these be your designs, then in the name of our blessed Redeemer,
and with the consent and approbation of this Church, I open the
doors thereof for your admittance into it, and declare you a member
of it, earnestly desiring that God would bless you in it.
Towards the close of Mr. Some's ministry the Chapel House was purchased
of Walter Renals, and bought by Knightley Holland, for the use of the
minister for the time being.
In the year 1844 this house was taken down, and the new Chapel erected
near to the spot where it had stood; for some years before it having
ceased to be occupied by the minister of the place.
After Doddridge removed to Northampton, as Mr. Some, through the failure
of his strength, was incompetent to undertake the whole of the services
devolving on him, he was provided with another assistant in 1730, in Mr.
J. Halford, a native of Northampton, who, though he never enjoyed the
advantages of an academical education, possessed good natural talents.
He remained until 1734, when he removed to Horselydown. After the
removal of Mr. Halford, Mr. Some had no other assistant to the day of
his death, but most probably restricted his labours. He died in the 57th
year of his age; "and," said this holy man of God with his dying breath,
"If any ask how David Some died, let it be answered, that he sought and
found mercy." Dr. Doddridge preached his funeral sermon, after his
remains had been interred in the chancel of the parish church of Great
Bowden. The knowledge of the spot is only preserved by tradition, which
must be attributed to that fatal modesty which induced him in his last
moments to commit his writings to the flames. His best earthly memorial
is in the affection and reverence with which his name has been so long
cherished.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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