Church at Boston wherin they did desier o' Church to send
ther messengers to y* ordaining of M"" Oxenbridg for a pastor
& M' John \Viswall for a Ruling Elder to y' Church y"^ day
apointed is y'' 4"' (3) 70
The Church desiered M"" Stoughton to goe for one & they
apointed Captin Clap Captin ffoster Elder Humfry & Deacon
Capen
The 5 (4) 70 an order was read w'^'' came from y^ generall
Court wherin they did appoint a day of humilliation to be
kept one y' 16'^ this Instant June M' Stoughton exersized y^
former p' of y' day from Eay 57 17 p' 18 & M"" Atherton y"
latter p' from Lament 3 11: & y' Elder did pray in y' Con-
clusion of y* day
[86]
The 12 (4) 70 a letter was read w"'' Came from y' Church
at Brantry wherin they did desier o'' Church to send some
help in way of Councell in regard of y' differences y' weer
amongst them in respect of teaching officers : y*" Church did
desier M' Stoughton for one & appointed Elder Humphry &
Capt ffoster y" day appointed is y"" 20 June 70
21 (6) 70
Wheras y'' Church at a former meeting nominated M''
Stoughton Elder Humphry Capt Clap & Capt: ffoster to
Consider & look out for a man for a teaching officer & they
to p'pos two or three and then y* Church to declare by Voat
w'^'' of thos they would Invite for p'bation : now after a
pretty long time of Consideration they have upon this 21 (6)
70 p'pounded three for y' Church to Consider off Viz M'
fifiint of Brantry M"" Benjamen Eliot of Rocksbery & m'
Butler in old England y' Church was to Consider of it & y*
next lords day to bring in Voats which they would Invite &
DORCIIEMi K LllLKLH RFXORDS 63
thos two w''*' have the most Voats should y' next lords day
after be Voated af,^aine
The 28 of y'' (6) 70 y*" Church brought in thcr Voats &: m'
fflint & m' Eliot had y' most Voats y'' Church was to Con-
sider of it till y'' next lords day & then to bring in Voats for
one of thos two
The 4 (7) 70 Voats weer brought in as was formerly
appointed and m' fflint had y' Major Voate atterward y"
Elder put it to Voate to y' whole Church whether any mem-
ber had anything against it or whether they did all consent
to what was Voated y" Voat was in y'' affermati\e At y'
same time y" Church did Nominat seaverall breatheren to be
ther messengers to acquaint m' flflint w"' y'' motion Viz M'
Stoughton (whom y'' Church desiered) and Elder Humphry
Capt Clap : Capten ffoster & Deacon Capen
[871
The 1 1 (7) 70 ther was a letter read to y' Church w*"'' Came
from Hull expressing thcr intent to enter into Church state
& ordaining (the Rev*^ m' Whitman &) some officer or officers
besides as also ther desier that o' Church would send some
messengers to assist & hold out y*' right hand of ffellowship
unto them y' day appointed is y' 13"' this Instant : y' Church
desiered M' Stoughton to be one and Elder Humphry for
y' other.
The same time there was an order read w''' Came from
y*^^ Counsell requiering a publique fast to be keejit in this
Jurisdiction In regard of y" distresses of y' people of god
abroad & espessally as it is feared in o' Native Contry y""
day appointed is ye 22 this Instant being ye lift day of
y* weekc
The 18 7 70 after y' Evening exersiz y'' Elder declared to
y* Church y'' return of ther messadg to Hull Viz that ther
was a Church gathered & a teaching officer & a rulling
elder ordained & eleven p'sons in all entered into Covenant
at that time
The 6 (9) 70 an order Came from y" Gen'' Court requier-
ing a day to be keept of thanksgiving for y' peace y' we yet
enjoy & other generall mercys ; y' day is y'' 24 this Instant
The 25 10 70 ther was a contribution in money p'ly for a
recompence to m' fTlint for his labour in preaching & p"" for
other ncssesary uses at w'** time tiier was Collected two
pound 17" 3''A of w""'' M' fflint had 40* y' next day
The I 1 1 70 y*" Comittee y' was appointed (or messengers)
64 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
to Invite m"' fflint (in y'' name of y*^ Church) to Come to us
& preach to us in a constant way for p'bation to a further
call delivered his answer (after seaverall addresses unto him)
w'^'^ was an answer of acceptance of y" Churches call soe farre
The same time y" Church by Voate did nominate & appoint
y'' Elder & Deakon w"" y^ select men & Capt Clap & Bro'
Sumner for to speak w"' m' Stoughton & desier y' y'' Church
may Enjoy his labour alsoe as a help unto m' fflint for some
time
[88]
The 12 (12) 1670 Notice was given by y^ Elder that y^
Elders meeting together at Boston lately did Conceave y' it
was needfull for y'' Churches & people heer abouts to keep
a day of fasting & prayer to god for thes reasons viz : y** sad
condition of the people of god in Our Native Contry & y^
places adjacent being under great restraints & affliction as
also in regard of y*" great p'"valeing & increas of sine & wick-
ednes amongst o"" selves y*^ day appointed was y' first of
March next : to this motion y" Congregation consented
The 12 I 1671 it was agreed unto by a Vote in y' Church
y' m"" Stoughton & y"= Elder & bro' Sumner together w"' y^
Select men should speake w"' m'' fflint & desier him to Come
& take up his residence amongst us & Joyne to o' Church
in order to o' further p'ceeding to call him to office :
The same day Jn" Holbrook was dismissed unto y'' Church
at Rocksbery though he was not in full Comunion
The 7 (3) 71 a letter was read in y*" Church w'='' Came from
y* County Court in w'^'' they did stcrr up our Church together
w* y'' Church at y"' north end of Boston & deadham & Way-
mouth ; for to send by ther messengers for to enquier into
y" reason of (the Church at Braintry) ther great differance &
slownes in p'viding a minester of y" word unto them ; y^
Church at y'' same time Nominated & desiered m"" Stoughton
for one & the rulling elder : Capt Clap & Capt ffoster
The 16 (5) 71 y"' Church was desiered to stay to consider
whether we should not send to m"' fflint againe to sterr him
up to hasten his remove to dorchester & to Joyne to y*
Church in order to office relation : y*" Church did apoint y*
Elder & deakon Captin ffoster & some more to doe it : &
Augustin Clement & Jn" Smith to consider about finishing
his hous
[89]
V 23 5 71 y^ messengers y' weer sent to M'' flint returned
his answer that he thought it not convenient for to Joyne
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS 6$
to y' Church untill he was sctlcd hccr in tovvne but as soonc
as his hous is ready he did purpos to Come away
The 30"' 5 71 y'' Elder after y"' evcnitij^ cxercis read a
declaration of what they did wiien they went to brantry
which he could not doe before becaus it was not drawnc up
in wrighting, as alsoe it was therin declared what advis &
counsell they left with them : The same time it was thought
fitt that y"" same Churches should goe to them againe by
their messengers to know what effect their Counsell had
taken with them to which y" Church agreed & apointed y"
former messengers
The 24 7 71 ther was a letter read y' came from y" Coun-
cell who appointed a publique day of thanksgivinge to be
kept in this Jurisdiction for y"-' Continuance of peace & lib-
ertys in Church & state & for y" fruts of y'' earth y"' day
appointed is y'" 19 8 71
The 12 9 71 a\r Stoughton & M' fllint weer admitted
members of this Church wi"'out makcing any relation but
ther dismission being made known & entering into Covenant
The 26 9 71 the Church did Elect m' fllint to be a teach-
ing officer to this Church
The 3 of y'' 10"' 71 M' fflint gave in his answer unto the
Church of his acceptance unto y'' office of a pastor unto the
which y" Church had before elected him
The same time it was Concluded by the Church y' y* 27"'
of this Instant should be the day of ordaination and that y"
Churches at Boston & Cambridg Charlstowne Rocksbery &
Waymoth should be sent unto to desier them to send their
Elders & messengers to Asist in that worke
[1)0]
The lo"* of y' 10"' 71
The Major p* of y' Church did agree by a Vote that M""
Eliot of Rocksbery should be desiered to manedge y" worke
of Ordaination & giveing the Charge, though some of the
breathercn weer not soe free ther unto but would have had
it p'formed by y" Church alone but y" ruling Elder desiered
to be spared therin.
The 24"* 10 71 y' ruling Elder p'poscd to y' Church y'
some other breatheren or brother might be appointed to lay
on hands at y' time of ()rdainati(m or els some other IClders
but y" Church appointed only Deacon Capcn to be added to
m' lOliot & y*" ruling ICMer
The 27"" 10 71 the worke of ordaination was Solemnized
66 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
for y^ ordaining of m"" Josiah ffient to be a pastor unto this
Church of dorchester and it was approved off by y'' Elders
& messengers of y*" Churches formerly sent unto ; and m""
Chancy was appointed in y" name of all y*" Churches to give
y*" right hand of ffellowship
The 7 II 71 We had y'^ sacrament of y'^ lords Super admin-
estered by M' fflint
The 5 3 72 Votes weer brought in for a Deacon & James
Blak & Jn° Cornell had most Votes & then they two being
put to y' vote againe James Blake had 34 Vots & y" other
19 but his answer of acceptance was deferred till y'' next
lords day
The 26 3 72 James Blake was called upon to give his
answer at which time he did manifest his acceptation of his
call to y'' office of a deacon
The same time it was spoken unto & p'posed by y*" Church
whether we should not have a Contribution once a month
or evey lords day for p'sons to bring in p' of ther p'portion
to y' maintenance of y'' minestry in money to be keept upon
an account as p' of ther p'portion y" which was Concluded
that it should
[91]
be p'posed to y'' whole assembly the next lords day
alsoe something was said Concerning Cattechising but
not concluded in what manner
alsoe y* same time it was Concluded that we should have
a lectuer once a month to be on ye fowerth day of the week,
y^ which day m"" fiRint Nominated & to begin as soone as
m'' fflint did see fitt & Convenient with respect unto himself
The 9 4 72 It was p'posed by the elder that ther should
be a Contribution every lords day cheifly in money each
man putting in his paper with his name in it & how much
money he have therin put w'^'' should be keept on account
by y" deacon & at y'' end of y' yeer it should be accounted
as soe much of his p'portion towards y'^ maintenance of y''
minestry only y*" Sacrament days that Contribution should
be for y" p'vission for ye lords table but this was not put to
y* Vote yet afterwards practized.
The same day notice was given of a publick day of humil-
liation to be keept on the 13 of this month the grounds was
not declared but in generall in regard of the troubls of y"'
Church of Christ in o' native Cuntry & elce wheer & the
devissions amongst our selves y" former p' of y" day was
spent by m' Atherton & y*^ latter by M"" fflint
DORCIIIiSTIiK CHURCH RECORDS 67
The 23 4 72 y'' Church & some of y' Congregation began
Contribution to y' maintenance of y"' mincstry
The same day j\r fllint desicred the Church & Congrega-
tion to send in the names of all children & servants y' weer
under any famely government in order to catechising or
some other way of instruction
The 25 6 72 a letter was read w*"'' came from y'' Church at
Brantry wherin they did desier y' Elders & messengers of
this Church to be sent to them on y'' ii"' Sep for to ther
ordaination of m'' fisk to be an officer amongst them, at
w*^'' time ther was appointed o"" Teaching & rulling ciders
m' Stoughton Captin ffoster & deacon Capen & Deacon
Blake
At w'^'' time m'' ffisk was ordained a pastor to y" Church
at Brantry
[92]
The 3 9 72 an order was read v;'='* Came from y"' general!
Court w"'' appointed y* 20 of this Instant to be keept as a
day of thanksgiving & y'' 24"' of y'' (10) 72 a day of humillia-
tion
Tiie 10 9"' 72 It was made known to y" Church y' ther
weer some yong men would Joyne to y" Church if they
might have ther relation read in wrighting & though some
spake against it at first ; yet when it was made knowne to
Church y' in y*" second month 65 such a thing was by Vote
granted on such Condition as is ther registered y*" Church
did again Consent to it by a Vote put by y" silence of y"
Church against w"'' none replyed after it
The same day y'^ Church appointed y*" two Deacons to
Returne thanks unto M" Thatcher of Boston for her gift to
y*' Church w*"'' was a silver Cupp for y'' Sacrament & a greene
Cushin for y" Desk
The 18 4 73 ther was a day of Humilliation keept in o'
Church p'ly w"' respect to y' state of y' Churches of Christ
in other p'" of y" world & y" Commotions of o' nation w"'
other nations & w"' respect to o' owne Condition in this
Contry & alsoe being intended y'' begining of setting up y"
monthly lectuers : The day was spent by M' fflint in y" fore-
noone & M' Alen praying in y" afternoon & M' Tory jireach-
ing & docter More concluding by i")rayer
The 13 5 73 notice was given y' y' next Wednesday being
y" 16 instant July y" monthly lecluer was to begin
The 17 6 73 ther was notice given of a generall day of
humilliation to be keept in this Collony on y*" 28 of this
68 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
Instant being y' 5' day of y'' week p*ly by reason of the duch
o"" enemys being soe neer us they haveing taken y'' Manados
& p'ly in regard of y" Comotions of y'^ Nations in Europ
&c : m"" fflint did pray & preach out of Ezekell 44 13 & y*
Elder prayed once
[93]
The 2 9 73 An order from y^ Generall Court was pub-
lished Appointing a publik day of thanks giveing to be keept
in Consideration of y*" returne of o"" prayers this last Summer
wheras all y'^ fruts of y'' earth was likly to be lost in regard
of y^ wett & coldnes of y'' season god sending some warme
weather for some weeks : As alsoe for 0'' peace notwith-
standing y*" pVailing enemy aproaching soe neer o' Coasts as
at New York : y^ day appointed is y" 20 9 73
The 23 9 73 a letter was read w'^^ came from Deadham
desiering y*^ Church to sent ther elders & messengers to
asist in y*" ordaining of M'' William Adames to be a pastor to
their Church y*" day appointed is y'' 3 desemb 73 The Church
Chos y" Elders & m' Stoughton & Captin ffoster
The 31 9 73 a letter was read w'^'' came from y* Counsell
Requiering a publique day of humilliation to be keept in y*
regard of y" troubls are like to come on the Con try by reason
of goeing to warre w"" y'' duch ye day appointed is y*" 11"'
decem 73
The 15 (i) 72 a letter was read w'^'' came from y'' Genâ„¢"
Court who appointed a day of humilliation to be keept on
y* 26 (i) 74 on y*" behalf of y" Churches abroad & troubls at
home & y"' outbreakings of gross sins among us & the differ-
ence in some Sosieties as also in regard of y'^ shortnes of y"
last harvest for Corne & by reason of o"" setting out of ships
of warre to defend o"" Navigation by sea
The 13 7 74 an order from y* Counsell was read who
appointed a publique day of thanksgiveing unto god p'ly
for y' his blessing on y'^ fruts of y'' earth & p'ly for y*" Con-
tinuance of o'' peace & liberty & for y'' ceasing of ye warre
between o' nation & Holland y'^ day to be y" 24 7 74
(The 19 9 74 The Reverend M'" Samuel Danforth Pastor
of Roxt-C''' aged 47 years rested in y*" Lord.)
[94]
The 14 (i) yt an order was published from y' Counsell
requiering a publique fast to be keept one y*" 25 of this
instant p'ly for ye people of god in ginerall & p'ly in regard
DORCIIESTKK CMLKCII KECOKUS 69
of y*" p'vailing & increase of grosc sines amongst us & y"
languishing state of y" CoUicig & y'' Coki backwardncs of y"
spring & for a blessing one y" labor of y" husbandman y''
ensewing yeerc
The 27"' 4 75 ther was noc meeting on y" Lords day in o'
tovvnc m' fflint being sick
The 29 4 75 ther was a publikc day ot humiliation (ap-
pointed some days before by y" Counsel!) in regard of y"
warre vv"' phillip y' Sachem against whom y" Souldiers weer
gon forth y*" 26 5 75 but there was noe publik meeting that
day (in this Town) neither but people went abroad (to other
meetings)
The 14"' 5 75 being one of our lectuer days it was keept
as a fast by o' towne
The 18"' 5 75 Jn" Capen Jun"" came before y" Church &
gave satisfaction for some ofence w''' he lay under
The 1 1 5 75 there was a Contribution for M' Corlet for
his labour in preaching at w'^'' time was Colected 3'' — iS" — 3'
The 5. 7. 75. William Sumner appeared before y'" Church
befcire the Sacrament to give Satisfaction for offencive
speches uttered against y'" Comittee of y*" Milicia
The 7. 8. 75. ther was a publique fast in y" whole Collony
The 29 10 75 being one of our lectuer days it was kept a
fast in regard of y" warr.
The 13 II 75 ther was a publick fast over all this Collony
The 2 March fr, a publik fast
The 16 2 76 & two Saboth afore Isack Joans was before
y' Church p'secuted by y'' Elders for some miscaredg to M'
Stoughton
[95]
The 9 3 76 ther was a fast kept at y*" generall Court by y*
Court & Elders only
The 29 4"' 76 ther was a publique day of thanksgiveing by
y* whole Collony
The 24 Sep 76 ther was a Contrebution I'or Daniell EMers
at w"'' time ther was given in money i — 18 — i i' & in Corne
I — 18 o & dlevered to deacon Blake; the orne was lunised
by Scverall persons of w*"'' hee took account of them
The 7 10"' y6 ther was a publique day of humilliation in
all y' Churches in this Collony ji'ly in respect of o' messen-
gers sent to ICngland Viz M' Stoughton & M' Hackly
The 20 10 76 ther was a fast keept by y" whole Church at
M' fflints hous w"' respect to the messengers sent to I'!nL;lan(l.
The 29 1 1 76 ther was a Church meeting at M' Hlin; > h.ms
JO DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
to Consider what may be y^' p'voking sines y' may p'voke
god against his people & in order to o' renewall of o' Cov-
enant at vv*^'' time it was Judged y' we fell short of o'
former Covenant engagment in waching over one another
and in famely instruction & Church dissepline & publique
Catechizing therfore it wes Concluded at y" same time first
y' in matters agetated & voted y' the major Vote should Isue
bussincses put to ye Vote
2 Voted that y" Children of those y' arc in full Comunion
are members & soe to be looked at
3 for Catechizing it was left to be furder considered off by
m"" fflint & y*-' rulling Elder & y" Select men
4 y' y" Children of Church members being adult should
be watched over & discepline exercized to them as need
requier
5 It was Voted y' y'^ Children of y" Church (though not in
full Comunion) being quallefied as in y" fift p'posission of y*"
Senod & taking hold of y*" Covenant may be baptized to this
last y*^ Vote was ginerall all but one man some weer not
[96]
soe cleer in it yet would not make any distubance & soe
farre y' meeting p'cecded & appointed another meeting
The 7 12 76 ther was another Church meeting at m'' fflints
hous at w*"'' time ther was a free discoursing & laying open
one to another thos Sines w*"'' weer most p'vokeing to god
to come forth against us, that soe ther might an humble &
free Confession of them before god when we should Come
together to renew o"" Covenant & in y'' Close of y" day it was
concluded that m'' fiflint should draw up & p'"sent it to y"
Church at o'' next meeting for app'bation or adding to or de-
tracting from it
The 18 12 y6 being Sacrament day Robt Spur was called
forth before y'' Church to make his accknowlidgmcnt of y'
offence w"'' he lay under in giveing entcrtainement in his
hous of loos & vaine p'sons espcsally Joseph Belcher his
frequent Coming to his daughter Contrary to the admoni-
tion of y" Court w'''^ was greatly to y*" offence of y" said Bel-
chers ncercst relations and divers others
The same day after the evening exerciz ther was an Order
read w*"'' Came from y" Councell appointing & requicring a
publique day of humilliation in this Jurisdiction to be kept
upon y* first day of March next and becaus it was moe then
usually was wont to be I have heer inserted y*" Coppi of it
w'^*' is as f olio wet h
DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS 7I
[97]
At a Councell held at Boston the 12 ffcb 1676
As we must hold o' selves ever obliged to an humble &
harty accknowledi^ment of y" many mercyfull & Marvellous
outgoeings of god for us. his undcserveing people, inhabet-
ting this wiklernes, and more especiall}' of his late Signall
appearances on our side against bloddy & barbarous men
that rose up against us ; wherin he hath out acted o"" faith
and Expectation : soe we are noe less in duty bound to re-
flect w"' shame & sorrow upon o"' unbecoming deportments
toward y" lord and ill requitals of him, after all his kind-
nesses, the prid, y" worldlynes, the sensualletie of many
p'fessors, the contempt of y" gosple, the defection and ap-
postacy of some from y" truth to p'nicious heresies, the
decay of brotherly love, y" unthankfulnes for mercys, the
deafnes to y'' rod of divine appointment, the abus of p'cious
peace & libertie, and the too general! unsubdewednes of y"'
harts of men to the will of god, with such like evels, found
among us (beside the gross ignorance & growing p'fanes of
too many p'sons under rich means of knowledg & reforma-
tion) doe proclaime aloud our litle profitting & p'ficciency
under gods hand and breeding, our unfrutfulnes under the
variouse instructing dispensations of god; yea, and sadiv
testefie to o' faces, y' we have not been throughly melted,
and won by mercies, nor kindly affected with, & reformed
by y" Judgments of y'' lord: and that, (what ever our vows
have been, in y" day of o'' distress, yet,) our old tast in great
measure remains in us, & our sent is litle Changed ; though
we have been emptied from vessell to vessell, and changes
& warr have ben against us. well may we fear another
storme of wrath, and that y" Just & holy god will punesh
us seaven times for our many & grevious p'vokations :
unles we p'pare our selves to meet our god with humil-
liation, supplication, & reformation ; and timously make o'
peace w"" him through y'' blood of o'' lord Jesus Christ.
Moreover, as we have had experience of y Lords heering
o' prayers, & being a p'sent, ready help to us (though most
unworthy) in all our troubles : Soe it cannot be dcnyed or
doubted, but that we have as much need of his help & grace
now as ever, and that it is o' wisdom & duty at this day, to
set o' selves to seek y" lord, and to become humble petition-
ers at y" throwne of grace to
^2 DORCHESTER CHURCH RECORDS
[98]
the father of mercys, that he would graciously pleas to par-
don & purge away our sins, and avert the judgments we
have deserved, for his names sake; that he would Continue
peace & truth with all the preciouse & pleasant things of
Jerusalem unto us, and give us one hart & way to feare him
for the good of o"' selves & Children after us ; that he would
Vouchsafe his gracious presence with his servants that are
entrusted with the management of publick affaires, and
p'ticulerly, with thos worthy p'sons, our messengers, in
their Negotiations, that they may find favor with the kings
Majestic, and prosper in that important undertakeing : that
he would infattuate y'' Counsels, defeate y^ designes, and Re-
straine the remainder of y'' Cursed & cruell wrath of ye
heathen, that 3 re yet in hostillety with us; that hee would
goe along with our forces in the present expedition ; that he
would build the wast places, Repaire the breaches made
upon us, and settle a suer & lasting peace in o"" borders ;
that he would smile upon the labours of his servants, bless
y'^ springing & fruts of y' earth, and Crowne the yere with
his goodnes ; that he would Cause Zebulon to rejoyce in
his goeing out, & Isachar in his tents ; that he would be a
wale of fier about us, & y'^ glory in y'' midst of us, that he
would save & bless his Churches abroad, support & enlarge
the intrest of Christ in the world
It is therfore ordered by y'' Governour & Councell of this
Jurisdiction that thursday ; the first day of March next en-
sewing, be set apart for a day of humilliation, fasting &
prayer, throughout this Collony : and all p'sons in ther sev-
erall Capacceties are requiered to forbeare y*" works of their
ordinary Callings, & apply themselves to y" Relidgiouse &
Sollemn observation of that day, that it may be indeed a
day of Attonement, & not of new & further provokation
By y* Councell Ed Rawson Secretary
[99]
The 25 12 76 y" Church had another meeting at m"" fflints
hous vyher & at which time, that w'^'' m"" fflint had drawn up
for y*" Church to engage in it was read y*" Substance of which
was a sevenfold instance from y* Scriptuer of renewall of
cg-=.3-3 Covenant, & after a repetition of y" Churches first