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        Jan 16 1671

A Reply to a letter sent to S P. from M^r John Woodbridge in Justi

fication of their practise in comeing to the Lords table notw^thstanding

the sad divisions amongst them.[14]

 

  Reverend & Dear Sir.

Though I have noe great Rest nor leisure for writings of y^s nature, yet your

long epistle necessitating some reply; I doe intreat your consideration of these few

lines in way of answer: you doe in yours informe me that y^e b^r opposite to

M^r Parker doe incorraging y^mselves by something they have heard from me

as if I profest against your practise in celebrating y^e Lords supper in such

a time of division; I know not what reports you have heard, nor from

whom nor upon what ground you receive them; notw^thstanding I deny not

but upon occasion I have say^d I was of y^e last councills mind in y^s matter

(who advised a cessation at present till your spirits were healed, & sweetned

w^th love one toward another) & have Expressed noe less to M^r Parker

before y^e council was sent. But if it be y^e way of M^r Woodman & y^e

rest with him to take advantage by any hint (as you say) though never

soe felicetous, you needed not to take such notice of y^r taking incouragm^t

from such hints, nor take soe much pains to confute them.

Conserning y^e Question as your self have stated it, it is easily answer^d

for your self confess that if y^r were any thing Chargeabl on y^e Reverend

pastor & b^r w^th him, why they should abstain from y^e use of y^e sacram^t that

then you would acknowledg y^t y^e case were somwhat altered if it were soe

But y^t I conceive is y^e case for y^e Pastor & y^e B^r w^th him stand charg^d

by a councill to have acted irregularly in several things. 3 are in

my mind at present.

1 that M^r Parker contrary to y^e agreem^t in y^e former council did refuse

to admit some into fellowship because y^ei were of different perswasion from

himself, whereas, different perswasions on either side was to be noe lott as to

2 That thes articles of agreem^t of w^ch y^e forementioned relating to admission

to w^ch M^r Parker consented & several principal b^r [----] w^th him

that yet he should refuse to publish them & to endeavour a consent to y^m

was an omission that had sad consequences following it amongst y^m

selves; not to speak how much the former councills pains was made

thereby ineffectual, & gods name taken in vayne while solemn thanks

was given to god in y^e churches that he had blessed indeavours & incl:

=ned all hearts to such Articles of agreem^t

3 that y^e pastor & b^r w^th him redress a sentance against M^r Woodmans

party before calling upon them for Repentance, or advising on so waighty

a matter w^th other churches; & though you once expressed your self that

these were circumstantiall omissions (Tho M^r Parker did not see into your

cause &c) I concurr that they were; especially the former a substantiall

omission as if attendance to y^m therby that calls upon us to have patience

wth all & not to reject him presently w^thout using [illeg.]