The ancient historical records of Norwalk, Conn ... - Hay genealogy

152 NORWALK. [1727.
our Lord and ye Interest of immortal Souls may increase
and flourisli ; John 3d, 30tli. We have also considered
James 3d, 16th, Where envying and strife is, there is
Confusion and every evil work. Now this we have
thought ye Malancholly Condition of this Place ; &
have been Ready to account the Method of ye Council
in their late Doings accepting ye Revd. Gentleman's
Resignation, & supplying the Sanction of their authority
thereunto, to be a proper and probable Remedy
of ye unhappy Distemper of this place. (2) The Revd.
Mr. Buckingham, as we understand, appearing in the
late Council, affected with ye Sorrowful state of ye place
and ye improbability of his future service here, Did
Seriously, Solemnly, & willingly resign his pastorall
Relation to ye Church and people of the place ;
which
was in his power to Do so far as Concerns an act of his.
And the s^ Resignation being willingly made by him,
we apprehend no injury Done him. Because an injury to
a willing mind cannot be Done. We propose John 3d,
30th, he must increase, but I must Decrease. Which
example of that Great man, than whom a greater was
not Born of Women, We do understand presidential
even to ye ministers of ye Gospel in our Times, when
this continuing in the exercise the Gospel ministry may
be justly thought to interfere with the Generall Spirituall
good of Precious Souls.
3. The Resignation of ye Revd. Mr. Buckingham in ye
presence of ye society's com'tee, before ye council, ye
authority whereof we suppose not proper for ye good
people of this place to question, who have come into onr
ecclesiastical constitution and accepted our articles of
administering Chh. discipline
;
yet for ye satisfaction
of any of our people of this place, we mention ye