921.73 W589w.pdf - Mesa FamilySearch Library

x22 Memoir of
bly put it to the consideration of the court,
whether there will not be a wide door opened
to £rasfianisme, _ which we hope all of us do
abhor from our hearts. Now the God of peace
himself give the country, courts, and churches
peace always by all means ; grace be with you
all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
" Dated the 4th, 3d, _663, with the consent
and vote of the church.
" SAMUEL WHITING."
On the next day the Court replied as follows:
" REVEREND AND BELOVED,- We are very
sorry our endeavors have not produced that
effect we hoped and desired, but seem to have
been interpreted contrary to our intentions
(and, we conceive, our words), as an encroach-
ment, and destructive to the right and power
of the churches. We have been taught, and
do verily believe, the civil and ecclesiastical
power may very well consist, and that no cause
The denial that the church had power to censure or decree.