ADDITIONAL NOTE. THE minutes of the council which formed the Consociation of New Haven County, April 13th, 1709, are preserved on the records of the Association of New Haven county. Respecting that council, the Rev. Jonathan Todd, pastor of East Guilford (now Madison,) says, in a tract published in 1759, "Most of the elders and churches, by their messengers, attended, though with particular instructions, (as I was informed by one who was very active in bringing about such a consociation of the churches), to take care to secure their congregational privileges. When they came together, many of the messengers of the churches had some doubts whether their congregational liberties were sufficiently guarded in some of the articles. The Rev. Mr. Andrew, (of Milford,) and Mr. Pierpont, (of New Haven,) interpreted these articles to their satisfaction. They insisted that the sense of those articles, or clauses of articles that they were in greatest doubt about, should be written and fixed, to prevent a different interpretation hereafter." Todd's Faithful Narrative, p. 34. As the interpretation then given and put upon record, was not only a cotemporaneous exposition of the Platform, but was given by two of the members of the Synod which formed the Platform, one of whom (Mr. Pierpont,) is designated by tradition (Stiles' Christian Union, p. 70), as the author of that instrument, it has a historical value sufficient to justify its insertion here. "Some members desiring the Council's sense of several Articles in the written method of managing discipline, as it was agreed on by the Council, at Saybrook, Sept. 9, 1708. "Voted as follows: "1. As to the first Article, we conclude, if the majority of the brethren do not consent, the elders cannot proceed to act. If the elders do not consent, the fraternity cannot proceed; in which case it is proper to seek council. "2. The second Article, we understand to be an explanation, or revival, of the duty engaged by our churches when they give the right hand of fellowship. "3. By 'all cases of scandal' in Article third, we suppose such cases as need a council for their determination. "4. A major part of the elders we suppose necessary. As in a particular church the brethren cannot act without the elder, so in a council, the messengers may not make an act of council, without the elders or a major part of them. "5. Shall see their determination,' &c. i. e. shall by themselves, or some of their number deputed thereunto, observe whether the counsel of God, sought in this way, may be complied with or refused. "6. Contempt of counsel sought of God, or offered in a way of God, must be scandalous, or a just offence, and to be dealt with. And that clause, viz.The churches are to approve of said sentence,' &c., we understand as the Platform expresseth it, viz. The churches being informed of the council's judgment, and the churches approving said sentence, then the non-communion to be declared. Without approbation of churches, there cannot be a non-communion of said churches. "7. The seventh Article provides only for joining two councils in weighty, difficult, and dangerous cases. "8. Churches may call a council before they proceed to censure; but, without their allowance, no particular person shall have a council before excommunication. "9. That as no members of a council can remain such for longer than one year; so the churches may choose new messengers for every council, if they see cause. "10. The tenth Article directs to the calling the first council, and adjourning the same, not beyond a year, and how a further council may afterwards be called. "11. The eleventh Article shows how persons concerned may be obliged to attend, with their cases and evidence, on a council. "12. The twelfth Article is the revival of our former ministers' meetings, for the ends and good services formerly aimed at; wherein our people did rejoice for a season, and hope yet will. "13. The thirteenth Article shows how a minister offending may be proceeded against, till, by a council of that consociation, he be reclaimed, or removed from his office." *See Camb. Platf. Ch. XV. § 2, 3d. way of Communion. |