A Further Testimony Against the Scandalous Proceedings of the New-North Church in Boston.
AN Ordination or Instalment of a Minister in Boston, in which the Ministers of the Town could not in Conscience be Concerned; and in which the Churches sent unto to give them the Right Hand of Fellowship, have some, if not the most of them refused to send their Messengers; And in which after the Ordination, there was no Right Hand of Fellowship given, And in which there was no Solemn Charge given to the Person Ordained or Installed, And in which there was no Express Ordination-Prayer, is a Nullity and no [Page 2] Ordination, but an heinous Transgression of the Third Commandment; The like to which was never before known in New-England, no, nor in the Christian World; But has been a Scandal and Dishonour to New-England, and a Reproach to the Church Discipline here, and has a Tendency to Prejudice Strangers and others, and has been an hurt to all the Churches. Neighbouring Churches have just cause (according as the Platform of Discipline directs them, Chap. 15.) to admonish, and to renounce Communion with a Church that has acted so Scandalously, except they Repent.
AND whereas they met with Opposition, it was their Duty to have delayed until they could have proceeded regularly and with peace.
THEY have offended CHRIST in a refusing the help of a Council, when earnestly advised to it by all the Ministers of GOD in Boston, which would (by a Divine Blessing) have prevented that Sin and Confusion which has since followed. Not only our Platform of Church Discipline, but the Scripture, Nay the Light of Nature directs to a Council, when there is want either of Light or Peace. I say then, that their rejecting [Page 3] that Scriptural Remedy has been a very great Scandal.
THIS I who have been an Unworthy Servant of CHRIST in the work of the Gospel for more thanFifty Eight Years inBoston, and who have been willing to the utmost of my Capacity to serve these Churches in bothEnglands, being now Aged, and expecting every Day to be called out of this World, account it my Duty to leave this as myDying Testimony with the Churches inNew-England.