gospel, to be ruled by his will revealed in the bible, acknowledging the need we have of the ministry of the word and the seals of the covenant for our edification:we do still own Mr. Oliver Heywood, whom God hath wonderfully restored to the exercise of his ministry amongst us, as our rightful pastor, formerly chosen by us; and we shall be willing, by the assistance of God's grace, to believe and practise what truths and duties he shall make manifest to us to be the mind of God, desirous to maintain communion with God and one another in his holy worship, and to discharge what duties he requires of us in his word, as members of one body and as occasion shall offer :-we resolve, by divine assistance, to walk in our places as becomes the gospel, in all good conscience toward God, one another, and all men :—and we purpose to do this to the end of our days, against all opposition from the persecutions and allurements of the world, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own wicked hearts, in order to the glory of God and our eternal salvation."

Every individual member of this society afterwards made the following declaration :

"I do heartily take this one God for my only God and my chief good; and this Jesus Christ for my only Lord, Redeemer, and Saviour; and this Holy Spirit for my Sanctifier; and the doctrine revealed by Jesus Christ, and sealed by his miracles, and now contained in the holy scriptures, I do take for the law of God and the rule of my faith and life: and repenting unfeignedly of my sins, I do resolve, through the grace of God, sincerely to obey him, both in piety towards God, righteousness towards men, and special love to the saints, and communion with them, against all temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh: this I resolve to do, even to the end of my life. I do also

consent to be a member of the particular church at Northowram, whereof Mr. O. Heywood is teacher and overseer, and to submit to his teaching, his ministerial guidance and oversight, according to God's word: to hold communion with that church in the public worship of God, and to submit to the brotherly admonition of fellow-members, that so we may be built up in knowledge and holiness, and may the better maintain our obedience to Christ, promote the welfare of this society, and hereby the more please and glorify God."

These mutual engagements were entered into by Mr. H. and his people, June 12th, 1672, when the ordinance of the Lord's supper was first administered to this dissenting church at Northowram, and on which occasion, Mr. H. thus writes: "Though my heart was out of order in preparation work, yet in the exercises of that day I was much melted and carried out towards God. O it was a delightful day! God united our spirits, so that afterwards we made a solemn profession of our faith, and entered into an engagement to be the Lord's. The people renewed their owning me to be their pastor, and I solemnly owned them in that relation, to discharge all ministerial duties to them. O that we may perform what we promised." This christian church was formed on Presbyterian principles; but Mr. Heywood's liberality of sentiment being known, several persons who had formerly been members of the Congregational church at Sowerby,* previously under the pastoral care of Mr. Root, re

After Dr. Fawcett, in his Life of Mr. Heywood, has said that Mr. Robert Tillotson was a member of the congregational church at Sowerby, and that he was the father of the celebrated archbishop Tillotson, who was born at Haugh-End in the township of Sowerby and parish of Halifax, he relates the following anecdote:

"Mr. Robert Tillotson went up to London, on a visit to his son, when he was Dean of Canterbury, and being in the dress of a VOL. I.

N

quested leave to unite with the church at Northowram. "June 18th," says Mr. H. "there was a solemn meet

plain countryman, was insulted by one of the Dean's servants, for inquiring if John Tillotson was at home. His person, however, being described to the Dean, he immediately exclaimed, It is my worthy father,' and running to the door to receive him, he fell down upon his knees in the presence of his servants, to ask his father's blessing." He also adds, "The following epistle from Mr. Tillotson to Mr. Root has been preserved, which being literally copied, will no doubt gratify the curious reader :

For his much respect. friend Mr. Roote, att Sorbey in Yorkeshire, are these.

To excuse the slownes and infrequency of writeing, is growne a thing soe complementall and common in the frontispeece of every letter, that I have made choice rather to put myselfe upon your candor to frame an excuse for mee, than goe about myselfe to do it.

I cannot but thankefully acknowledge my engagements to you for your kindnes showne to mee, both when I was in the country, and at other times; I shall not here let my pen run out into complementall lines, gratitude (and that as much as may be) being all that I desire to expresse.

'As for our university affayres, things are as they was before I came into the country, only wee have lesse hopes of procuring Mr. Thomas Goodwin for our Master then we then had. Wee are in expectation of the Visitors every day, but what will be done at their comming wee cannot guesse.

'The engagement is either comming downe hither, or (as I heare) already come, to which how soone wee may bee called upon to subscribe, we knowe not; as for my selfe I do not (at present) at all scruple the taking of it; yet because I dare not confide too much to my owne judgement, or apprehension of things, and because matters of such serious consequence require no little caution and consideration, therefore I shall desire you (as soone as with convenience you can) to returne mée your opinion of it in two or three lines.

Mr. Rich. Holbrooke desired mee to present his respects to you and your wife, to whom alsoe I desire you to present my best respects, as alsoe to your son, Joh. Hopkinson, and his wife. Noe more, but your prayers for him who remaines, Yours, whilst

Clare-Hall, Dec. 6, 1649.

JOH. TILLOTSON.”

ing at my house between our brethren of the Congregational persuasion and us. Several of Mr. Root's church came and expressed their desire to join with us in all ordinances.* We declared plainly the state of both societies, our present conduct, and the principles on which we acted; and, though our principles of church government were different, we concurred in our proceedings in the main, and both parties were, to overlook matters of difference. On further debate and enumeration of our members, they fully acquiesced in my fidelity as to the admission of our church members, and were willing to communicate with them as they stood, without demanding any other satisfaction concerning them; we also owned them, and were willing to receive them to all ordinances. A special season was then appointed for communicating together at the Lord's supper, and both parties went away abundantly satisfied. This is the special work of God, for men's spirits are greatly altered. Captain Hodgson earnestly promoted this union. Blessed be God. Zeph. iii. 9. Jer. 1. 5. Phil. iii. 15.Ӡ

* Mr Henry Root, Sen. of Magd. Col. Camb. travelled much into foreign parts in his early life. Afterwards he became a preacher at Halifax church, and collected a congregational society at Sowerby chapel, in 1645. He continued preaching at this place half a year after Bartholomew's day, but was afterwards treated with great severity. He died Oct. 1669, aged about 80.

+ The names of the persons that united with the church at Northowram on this occasion are the following, concerning whom Mr. H. has in some instances made observations respecting their characters:→→→

1. Mr. Joshua Horton, a useful man. He died April 7th, 1679, aged 60.-2. Mrs. Martha Horton, wife of the above. She died at her son's house at Chaderton, and was buried at Sowerby, July 27, 1694.-3. Mr. John Greenwood.-4. Mrs. Greenwood, wife of the above. She died at Sowerby, and was buried Nov. 29, 1677.-5. Mr. Richard Blackett. He was a pious man and a

The first time this truly catholic church manifested their mutual affection for the Redeemer in celebrating the christian passover, was July 14th, 1672, when about sixty communicants of this infant church were present. "The day before," says Mr. H. "God helped me exceedingly to plead with him for conversion work, and for the souls of adversaries. O what a melting season it was to me! On the Lord's day we had that sweet and solemn ordinance of the Lord's supper, after the rest of the people were gone; and though I cannot but say God helped me in preaching and prayer all day, yet I did not find so much of the divine presence in that sealing ordinance as I have sometimes done: what the reason was I know not, but desire to inquire. Perhaps the Lord saw that I trusted too much to my preparation; or, that I entertained proud, vain, and self-conceited thoughts of the numerous increase of our society, and the union of another church; or, perhaps the people had too high expectations from me, which God was determined to disappoint: fain would I know the cause, that I may be humbled. It is true, God helped me with suitable and abundant expressions; but I was conscious of vain distracting thoughts. The solid Christian, and often joined with us. He died near Halifax, and was buried in Holdsworth's Works, Nov. 8, 1677, aged 73.-6. Mrs. Root, widow of Mr. Root.-7. Josiah Stansfield.—8. Martha Stansfield, his wife.-9. Mr. John Hodgson.-10. Mrs. Sarah Hodgson.-11. John Learoyd. He was formerly a member with us, but upon discontent went to Mr. Root, but returned again and continued with us till his death, March 28, 1676. He left good evidences of his safe condition.-12. William Hurd. He also had been with us, but now returned, and again left us in 1682.— 13. John Smith was an aged Christian, one of Mr. Collier's converts. I discoursed with him on his death-bed, and hope he was a good man. He went to his rest 1673.-14. Mary Smith, wife of the above. She also is gone to her long home.-15. Mrs. Ellen Drake, a widow living at the Swan Inn, Halifax.