59 



mand a reason of us, of our withdrawing from communion. The 

 regularity of which proceeding, we do not understand, because 

 in this case, Ave esteem ourselves to be plaintiflFs and parties of- 

 fended, and in an orderly way, seeking satisfaction, tho' hither- 

 to denied. Our answer to the church is, that we esteem our- 

 selves hereby prevented in our duty, which we account a griev- 

 ance, seeing we were first in prosecution of the rule of our Lord 

 Jesus Christ, laid down in Mathew 18 C, 15, 16 vs. Where- 

 fore, if the church give us the liberty and freedom of attending 

 our duty, as according to rule bound, possibly then further trou- 

 ble may be prevented, or otherwise, the case will necessarily 

 and regularly come before them. But if they deny us the re- 

 quest, we shall, as in duty bound, give the reasons of our pro- 

 ceedings to the church, or any others, when orderly demanded." 

 Parris says, in the records of the church, " that these displeased 

 brethren were told in reply to their communication, that they 

 did ill to reflect on the church, who, as also the Pastor, were 

 ignorant of their methods, and that they should have spoken 

 with the pastor himself, before they went to consult neighboring 

 Elders. But to this last they pleaded ignorance. So we gave 

 way to their request of proceeding orderly." 



On the 27th of March, 1693, the dissenting brethren handed 

 to the pastor the following document: — 



" To our Pastor and Minister, Mr. Samuel Parris, of Salem 

 Village, and to some others of the Plantation. We, whose names 

 are underwritten, being deeply sensible, that those uncomfortable 

 differences that are amongst us, are very dishonorable to God, 

 and a scandal to religion, and very uncomfortable to ourselves, 

 and an ill example to those, who may come after us. And by 

 our maintaining and upholding differences, that are amongst us, 

 we do but gratify the Devil, the great adversary to our souls. 

 For the removal of which we have thought meet to proffer our 

 present thoughts to your serious consideration, hoping, that 

 there may be such methods propounded, as may be for the set- 

 tling and confirming peace and unity amongst us, both at the 

 present and for the future. And our desires are, that such a 

 foundation may be laid for peace and truth, that the gates, of 

 hell may not prevail against it. And in order thereunto, Solo- 

 mon adviseth counsel ; and our desires are, that a council of 

 elders may be chosen, to hear all our grievances between Mr, 

 Parris and us, and determine where the blameable cause is. 

 And we hope, that their wisdom and prudence may direct us to 

 such a method, as may be for our comfort for both present and 

 future." 



Much time was spent by the committee of the church, 

 in endeavoring to obtain satisfaction from the dissenting breth- 



