A Manifesto of the New Church in Boston
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00713.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A MANIFESTO OR Declaration, Set forth by the Undertakers of the New Church Now Erected in Boston in New-England, November 17 th. 1699.
INASMUCH as GOD hath put it into our hearts to undertake the Building a New Meeting House in this Town for His Public Worship; And whereas through the gracious Smiles of Divine Providence on this our Undertaking, We now see the same Erected, and near Finished: We think it Convenient, for preventing all Misapprehensions and Jealousies, to publish our Aims and Designs herein, together with those Principles and Rules we intend by GOD'S Grace to adhere unto.
We do therefore as in the Presence of GOD our Judge, and with all the Sincerity and Seriousness, which the nature of our present Engagement Commands from us, Profess and Declare both to one another, and to all the World, as follows.
[I.]
First of all, We approve and subscribe the Confessions of Faith put forth by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster .
[II.]
We design only the true and pure Worship of GOD, according to the Rules appearing plainly to us in His Word; Conformably to the known practice of many of the Churches of the UNITED BRETHREN in London , and throughout all England .
We judge it therefore most suitable and convenient, that in our Public Worship some part of the Holy Scripture be read by the Minister at his discretion.
In all other parts of Divine Worship as (Prayer, Singing, Preaching, Blessing the People, and Administring the Sacraments;) We conform to the ordinary practice of the Churches of Christ in this Country.
[III.]
It is our sincere desire and intention to hold Communion with the Churches here, as true Churches; and we openly protest against all Suspicion and Jealousy to the contrary, as most Injurious to us.
[IV.]
And although in some Circumstances we may vary from many of them; yet we jointly profess to maintain such Order and Rules of Discipline as may preserve, as far as in us lies, Evangelical Purity and Holiness in our Communion.
[V.]
In pursuance whereof we further Declare, that we allow of Baptism to those only who 〈◊〉 their faith in Christ and Obedience to him, and to the Children of such; yet we dare not refuse it to any Child offered to us by any professed Christian, upon his engagement to see it Educated, if God give life and ability, in the Christian Religion.
But this being a Ministerial Act, We think it the Pastors Province to receive such Professions and Engagements; in whose prudence and conscience we acquiesce.
[VI.]
As to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we believe that as the Ordinance is Holy, so the Partakers in it (that it may not be visibly profaned) must be persons of visible Sanctity.
[VII.]
We judge it therefore fitting and expedient, that whoever would be admitted to partake with us in this Holy Sacrament, be accountable to the Pastor to whom it belongs to inquire into their knowledge and Spiritual State, and to require the Renewal of their Baptismal Covenant.
[VIII.]
But we assume not to ourselves to impose upon any a Public Relation of their Experiences; however if any one think himself bound in Conscience to make such a Relation, let him do it.
For we conceive it sufficient, if the Pastor publicly declare himself satisfied in the person offered to our Communion, and seasonably Propound him.
[IX.]
We also think ourselves obliged in faithfulness to God, our own Souls, and theirs who seek our Communion, to inquire into the life and conversation of those who are so propounded; and if we have just matter of objection to prefer it against them.
[X.]
But if no objection be made, before the time of their standing propounded is expired, it shall be esteemed a sufficient Consent and Concurrence of the Brethren, and the person propounded shall be received to our Communion.
[XI.]
If ever any of our Communion should be so unhappy as to fall into any scandalous Sin (which God by his Grace prevent) we profess all dutiful submission to those Censures, which the Scripture directs, and the Churches here practice.
[XII.]
Forasmuch as the same power that Admits , should also Exclude , We judge it reasonable, that the Pastor in Suspending or Excommunicating an Offender, have the consent and concurrence of the Brethren.
[XIII.]
We apprehend that a particular Church, as such, is a Society of Christians by mutual agreement, usually meeting together for Public Worship in the same place, and under the same Ministry, attending on the Ordinances of God there.
[XIV.]
In every such Society, the Law of nature dictates to us, that there is implied a mutual promise and engagement of being faithful to the Relations they bear to each other, whither as private Christians, or as Pastor and Flock, so long as the Providence of God continues them in those Relations.
[XV.]
We moreover Declare ourselves for Communion of Churches, freely allowing our Members occasionally to Communicate with other Churches of Christ, and receiving theirs occasionally to the Table of the Lord with us. And in extraordinary cases, when the Providence of God makes it needful, we conceive that any Authorized Minister of Christ, may upon our request, Administer the Sacraments unto us.
[XVI.]
Finally , We cannot confine the right of choosing a Minister to the Male Communicants alone, but we think that every Baptized Adult Person who contributes to the Maintenance, should have a Vote in Electing.
Yet it seems but just, that persons of the greatest Piety, Gravity, Wisdom, Authority or other Endowments, should be leading and Influential to the Society in that Affair.
THESE are the Principles we Profess, and the Rules we purpose through the Grace of GOD, to govern ourselves by; and in some of these particulars only, and in no other, do we see cause to depart from what is ordinarily Professed and Practised by the Churches of CHRIST here in New-England .