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
If there be any errors I maintain, I care not how soon they fall,
though I fell with them; nay, if I could be convinced that I
erroneously worded any matter, I should soon publicly declare
against my own wording. It is not my own honour I seek, but the
honour of him that sent me; and I hope I am always ready to bury my
own honour in shame, provided I could secure thereby his name from
dishonour and contempt. I should think hard of no confession of mine
that should give glory to God. But if it be the truth of Christ I am
assaulted for (as thereto I am persuaded it is), then all the
attempts against it will be in vain: his truth is like
himself--eternal, and will abide steadfast, bright, and insuperable,
when I and my opposers are moulded to dust and ashes. In parting, I
shall again recommend to them Gamaliel's prudent advice, viz., to
let us alone; for if this council be not of God, it will fall of
itself; but if it be of God, it shall stand in spite of all their
rage and persecution, and they themselves will at last be found
fighters against God.
Mr. Davis had to pass through a large measure of censure and rebuke from
his brethren. Intelligence was conveyed to the London ministers of Mr.
Davis's very disorderly proceedings in sending out the members of his
Church to preach; also, respecting disorders in the assemblies, and some
reports of erroneous doctrine, as if he were approaching Antinomianism.
Remonstrances were sent down to him. Mr. Davis stood upon his defence.
He was harshly treated; and being of an ardent temperament, some things
would be done and said by him that the prudent would not justify. A
public controversy arose. Pamphlets were published on both sides; and
neither side, perhaps, could be considered blameless in the matter. That
there were some eccentricities in the case of Mr. Davis, and some
incautious expressions, every impartial person we suppose would allow;
but the spirit of fervent piety, the ardent attachment to the doctrines
of divine grace, combined with a deep sense of the obligations to
Christian holiness, and some eminent attainments in the divine life,
with great labours, and much success, commend Mr. Davis to the grateful
remembrance of all the friends of truth and piety.
The following testimony was borne to the sentiments and preaching of Mr.
Davis, by the members of the Church at Rowell:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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