IRE NIC MOVEMENTS 127 



during the years 1656-1658 may be cited. 

 Dissociated from any compulsory measures 

 and based upon a purely voluntary prin- 

 ciple, it reflects an earnest spirit, which in 

 many souls longed and Labored during a 

 tempestuous period for spiritual unity and 

 harmony. From a very interesting and 

 detailed account 1 of the proceedings of this 

 association of ministers we make a few 

 selections illustrative of the purposes which 

 brought them together : — 



" Jan. 20 : 1656 : At a meeting at Cambridge 

 it was upon the question resolved : 



"1. That wee all meet monthlie, & every 

 time wee will bee all present, unlesse a 

 rationall account can bee given to the con- 

 trarie, & that wee will meet Feb. 3 : 1656. 



"2. That in our meetinges wee will keepe 

 our selves close to our proper busines, not 

 medling with the civill affaires of the comon- 

 wealth. 



" 5. That wee all will agree to the same 

 order & method in administration of ordi- 

 nances even in circumstances as far as pos- 

 sibly wee can. 



1 For full .account, see The English Historical Re- 

 view, Oct., 1895, pp. 744-753, with introductory para- 

 graph by Rev. H. W. P. Stevens. 



