[517] Howe’s Works, v. See passages, pp. 263–290.
[518] James Hamilton.
[519] Life of Matt. Henry, by Sir J. B. Williams, prefixed to Commentary, 60.
[520] Ibid., 61, 62.
[521] Ordinations often occurred at these meetings. The following extract from Henry’s Diary furnishes an instance:—“The 24th was kept as a fast-day in Broad Oak Meeting-House, a competent number present. Mr. Latham prayed; Mr. Lawrence gave an account of the business we met about, prayed and sung a psalm; Mr. Doughty prayed; I preached from Isaiah vi. 8: ‘Here am I, send me,’ and prayed. Mr. Owen, as Moderator, demanded a confession of his faith and ordination vows, which he made abundantly to our satisfaction. We then proceeded to set him apart. Mr. Owen concluded with the exhortation. We have reason to say it was a good day, and the Lord was among us.”
[522] Hist. of Congregational Church at Cockermouth, 58. I have adopted the language on the Church-Book. Confirmed is explained to mean establishment as to right of membership, by being admitted to the table of the Lord.
[523] Ibid., 97.
[524] Guestwick Church-Books.
[525] Hist. of Church at Cockermouth, 94.
[526] Ibid., 90, 98, 99, 100.