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
These elders appeared at once to enter with an earnest spirit on the
duties of their office. After several meetings amongst themselves, with
the concurrence of the pastor and deacons they drew up a letter, to be
presented to the Church, expressive of what they considered to be the
duties to which they were called, and of what they regarded as necessary
to the good order and prosperity of the society. The letter was
gratefully received by the Church. Special Church-meetings were
appointed to consider the proposals it contained, and the unanimous
sanction of the members present was given to what the elders desired.
Regarding the letter as an interesting document, we shall here present
it before the reader:--
_The Elders and Deacons of the Church of Christ assembling on Castle
Hill, Northampton, to their brethren of the Church, greeting._
DEAR BRETHREN, BELOVED IN THE LORD,--As we are chosen, in common
with our pastor, to watch over you, and serve among you in offices
relating to the public honour, edification, and comfort of the
society, we think it our duty to address ourselves to you with one
consent, on a subject which appears to us of great importance.
You cannot but know, dear brethren, that our Lord Jesus Christ,
whose servants we are, has by his apostles commanded his Churches
that they "withdraw themselves from every brother who walketh
disorderly, and not according to the traditions received from them;
that they mark those that cause scandals among them; and that if any
obey not the word, that they note that man, and have no fellowship
with him, that he may be ashamed; and that if any brother be a
fornicator, or covetous, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an
extortioner" (and, upon the same principle, if he be a liar, or one
that defrauds others), "they should not eat with such a one; but
that" (though such as are without are to be referred to the judgment
of God) "they judge those that are within, and put away from among
themselves such wicked persons." These, brethren, are the precepts
of Christ, according to which, by our entering into Church
fellowship, we engaged to walk; and we apprehend that the neglect of
these precepts, and the discipline in the Church of Christ which
should be founded upon them, is a great evil, which often provokes
God to withdraw from his people, and to hinder the success of other
ordinances while this is neglected. We do therefore, in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, beseech you that ye would attend to these
precepts, and would consent to proper measures for the regular
exercise of discipline among us. And as we have observed that
several have withdrawn themselves from the table of the Lord,
though their names stand as members among us, we desire that the
Church would take it into consideration, and that if it shall be
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account