Chapter 21: A Testimony of the Ministers of the County of Stafford
Chapter 21: A Testimony of the Ministers of the County of Stafford
to the Truth of Jesus Christ and to the Solemn League and Covenant, as also against the errors, heresies, and blasphemies of these times, and the toleration of the same.
Sent up to the ministers within the province of London, subscribers of the first testimony.
July 26, London
Printed by John Macock, for George Calvert, at the sign of the Half-Moon in Wathng Street, near Austine’s Gate. 1648.
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Editor’s Note: The following letter is a typical account of county ministers who appealed to the Westminster Assembly after the Solemn League and Covenant had been installed, though some churches were not conforming to it, and their previous oath to uphold the truth. As a result of schism and anarchy, these ministers all over England signed their names to entreaties to both the divines and Parliament to enforce the said covenant. The following letter and signatures demonstrate not only a holy zeal for the truth, but a desire to uphold the covenant in which they pledged whole heartedly against the errors of the day.
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A Testimony of the Minister of the County of Stafford to the Truth of Jesus Christ and to the Solemn League and Covenant.
Having seriously read the Testimony to the truth of Jesus Christ, and to the Solemn League and Covenant, as also against the sundry blasphemies, heresies, and errors of these times, which the ministers of the province of London have put forth to public view, and that in such a juncture of time, wherein blasphemous heresies, and dangerous Schisms did much abound, the Patrons of them insulting and industriously acting for a Toleration of them, we rejoice much in it, and blessed God for their great boldness and religious zeal in this common cause. And since diverse other provinces have published their pious testimonies to the truth, and their abhorrencey of the spreading of errors, lest we the ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the County of Stafford, should lie under the imputation of berating the common Faith, through our silence and neglect of concurrence with our Brethren, having the same engagements lying upon us, as upon them; we being Ministers of the Gospel, having lifted up our hand to the most high God; having humbled our souls in that Solemn day appointed by the authority of Parliament, tendering the welfare of our people’s souls: and lastly, lest that the diligence of the Adversaries of the Truth, in promoting their pernicious doctrines both by their tongues and pens should condemn our negligence. We therefore, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do declare and testify to all the church of Christ, to all our Brethren in the ministry, and to all that unfeigned love the truth of Jesus Christ.
First, that the sound and elaborate Confession of Faith, which the Assembly of divines (convened by Authority of Parliament) have presented to the honorable Houses, is so consonant to the truth contained in the Scriptures, that we do give our full consent unto the whole, and to each part thereof.
Secondly, that we do from our very souls abhor, all the errors which (to the provoking of God to wrath against this kingdom, to the great shame of this church, once famous for the maintenance of the truth, and to the grief of all the godly, are lately sprung up, grown high, and spread far among us, as Antinomianism, Socinianism, Anabaptism, Arminianism, Erastianism, Antiscripturalism, and whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine.
Thirdly, that an Universal Toleration so much pleaded for, and earnestly desired by the Sectaries is most sinful, destructive, both to truth and godliness, and in its own nature the mother of all confusion, both in Church and State; wherefore we cannot but bless God, that he hath stirred up the Honorable Houses of Parliament to publish an Ordinance for the publishing of diverse Heresies and gross errors, praying that all Magistrates in their several places would be faithful and diligent in the execution of the said ordinance.
Fourthly, because there cannot be a better dam to prevent the overflowing of all blasphemies, heresies, errors, schisms, and prophaness, then such a form of Church government which is agreeable to the Word of God, we declare that we are to dully convinced that the form of church –government tendered by the Assembly to the Honorable Houses of Parliament, for the civil sanction is so agreeable to the Word of God, that we can and shall readily subject ourselves unto it, when it shall please God to stir up the hearts of those in whose power it is to authorize the same. And because there are some who are of eminent worth, and piety differing from us in this particular, we heartily desire, that there may be a sweet Accommodation between us and them, which we conceive would be feasible, did they abate of their love to their yet unproved opinion: and had they an higher esteem of peace and unity; especially since they cannot be ignorant how God hath blasted their congregational way with sects, schisms, separations, and sub-separations, to their shame, our grief, and the woeful disturbance of the whole kingdom.
Fifthly and lastly, Since God hath visited persons and nations with exemplary Judgments for covenant-breaking, which we also in this kingdom may justly fear, because of our guiltiness in that respect; the Solemn League and Covenant being not only violated by most, but decried by some, and unworthily compared to an Almanac out of date, by which means some in Scotland take advantage to pretend a just ground of waging War against us (which God in his mercy avert). We therefore declare that it is as obligatory upon us now, as at the first taking of the same, and are resolved through God’s gracious assistance to endeavor a sincere observance of it in all particulars all the days of our lives; we knowing that it is not in the power of nay to absolve us from it or to impose any other sense then what is in the plain and literal expression of it. And we hope God will enable us to be as ready to witness a good Confession of the Truth, being thereunto called with our dearest blood, as now to profess it by the signing of this with our hands.
John Taylor, Minister of God’s word at Checkley
Nicholas Paston, Pastor of Kingswinford
Ithiel Smart, Minister of God’s Word at Womborne
Thomas Burndall, Minister of God’s Word Walsall
Joseph Sound, Minister of God’s Word
John Jackson, Pastor of Medaly
Robert Dowley, Minister of God’s Word at Elford
George Crosse, Pastor of Clifton Camville
William Brooks, Assistant to the Pastor of Clifton Camville
Richard Bell, Minister of God’s Word at Stafford
Sampson Newton, Minister of Chabsey
Thomas Lightfoote, Pastor of Uttoxator
Thomas Alsop, Minister of the Gospel at Chedle
William Langley, Minister of the Gospel at Elaston
Deliverance Phynihouse, Minister of God’s Word atLeigh
John Smith, Minister of Audley
Alexander Hoce, Rector de Dreycott en lee Moores
Zechariah Crafton, Minister of Newcastle Underline
Isaae Reling, Minister of God’s Word at Wolstanton
Charles Winne, Minister of the Gospel at Penne
Edward Burton, Minister of the Gospel at Wodensbury
Richard Bourne, Minister of God’s Word at Cannoke
John Bould, Pastor of Atrawas
Philip Sharp, Preacher of God’s Word at Bromley Regis
Roger Linch, Minister of God’s Word at Norton Juxta Cannock
Edward Nevil, Minister of God’s Word at Standon
Nathaniel Hinde, Minister of God’s Word at Peckridge
John Doleman, Minister of Jesus Christ at Browood
William Jenning, Minister of God’s Word at Church Eaton
Henry Stubb, Recor of Bloore
Francis Bowyer, Minister of Leek
Ro Ward, Minister, of Harton
Christopher Turner, de Grindon
Gawin Hamilton, Minister of Alstonefield
Thomas Mounteneys, Minister of Ilon
John Bowyer, Minister of Biddulph
Francis Storre, School Master at Walsall
Samuel Frankland, School-make at Lichfield
Imprimature
James Cranford
July 14, 1648
finis