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
The Dissenters of Kettering have conducted occasional services in the
village of Broughton, about three miles distant on the road for
Northampton, for many years past. But rather more than five years ago,
there were four or five young men in this village who began to think of
the things which belonged to their everlasting peace; they formed
themselves into a little band, and resolved that they would meet weekly
and study the holy Scriptures, and encourage each other in the ways of
God. They subsequently joined a Christian Church at Kettering. Becoming
anxious for the welfare of those around them, they had a cottage
licensed for preaching; that was found too small for those who wished to
attend. In the meantime several other Christian friends came to the
village, and at length, in the year 1850, a Chapel was erected; it is a
neat structure, capable of containing about 200 hearers. In January,
1851, a Christian Church was formed, consisting of 19 persons; Mr.
Toller and Mr. Robinson, of Kettering, being present, and conducting the
services. This village Church is formed on the broad principle of
Christian union, designated simply a Christian Church, without
denominational distinction; its present number of communicants is 22.
There is preaching here on the afternoon and evening of the Sabbath, by
friends from Kettering and other places. An interesting Sabbath-school
is conducted, numbering more than 60 children. The teachers express the
earnest desire that many of them may be gathered into the fold of
Christ, and become useful in their generation.
This place was once noted as the residence of the eminent Puritan
divine, Robert Bolton, B.D. He was presented to the rectory in the year
1609, and continued until his death, in 1631. It is stated concerning
him, that "he was a most authoritative and awakening preacher, being
endowed with the most masculine and oratorical style of any in his
time;" that "he was so deeply engaged in his work, that he never
delivered a sermon to his people in public till he had preached it to
himself in private."
"His remains were interred in the chancel of Broughton Church, where
there is a half-length figure of him with his hands erected in the
attitude of prayer, resting on a book lying open before him; and
underneath is a monumental inscription in black marble, of which the
following is a translation:"--
Here lies,
peaceably sleeping in the Lord,
the body of Robert Bolton,
who died December the seventeenth,
in the year 1631.
He was one of the first and
most learned of our Church.
His other excellencies all England knoweth,
lamenting the day of his death.
Mr. Bolton published a number of works; those most known in the present
day are his 'Directions for Walking with God,' and his 'Four Lost
Things.'
CHAPTER IV.
MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT MARKET HARBOROUGH.[3]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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