CHAPTER II.
MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT ROWELL.
In the days of the Commonwealth, when Cromwell was Lord Protector of England, a greater degree of liberty for the worship of God and the preaching of the Gospel was enjoyed, than had been known for many centuries before, or was again known till the revolution by William. During this period there came to Rowell, a populous village in the county of Northampton, Mr. John Beverley, a devoted Puritan, to preach the Gospel of Christ. This was in the year 1654. His labours were rendered successful in bringing a number of persons to an acquaintance with the Saviour he preached; and they were willing to make a profession of their faith in Christ Jesus. He directed those who had received the Redeemer to form themselves into a Congregational Church, for the enjoyment of divine ordinances in their purity.
Mr. Beverley appears to have been a man of eminent devotedness to God, partaking largely of the spirit of evangelical, practical, and experimental piety. His attainments in learning were considerable: he had been a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; but he dedicated all that he had attained to the service of God in the ministry of the Gospel. He had a living offered to him worth £200 per annum, but he preferred labouring at Rowell, where he was not sure of £50; and he greatly rejoiced in the success that attended his labours. In the year 1655, those who had been converted under his ministry became united together in the fellowship of the Gospel as a Christian society. A Church covenant was drawn up, and signed by every member. This being the earliest of the kind that we have discovered among the Northamptonshire Churches, it may not be unsuitable to give it a place in these Memorials.
The memor. of a Covenant renewed and subscribed by the
reformed Church at Rowell.
Whereas, being by nature enemies to God and aliens from his covenant of mercy, hateful and hating one another, it pleased God of his free grace to admit us into covenant privileges by baptism, wherein we engaged, and whereby we were bound, to walk as new creatures adopted and redeemed, wholly attending to his blessed will revealed in the Gospel, we do now, with shame and loathing of ourselves, most solemnly acknowledge to his glory that we have most abominably corrupted ourselves, his worship, and the holy covenant of our peace, to the blemish of our holy profession, the scandalizing of many, the grief of God's Holy Spirit and people, and now, through mercy, to the grief of our own spirits; so that we abhor ourselves for all our former ignorant and disorderly walking. And seeing how God hath called upon us by his word and Spirit to lay hold yet again of his covenant, as in a proper season of reformation—seeing he is pleased to continue the proposal of such an unworthy people to himself, lo! how can we be ashamed of his truth and Gospel? We do, therefore, humbly tender ourselves to Jesus Christ and his ministry, in this renewed profession and covenant subscribed—viz., that, through the grace of God, we will constantly maintain and walk according to the whole will of God revealed in the Scriptures, and comprised in the articles above mentioned;[1] professing them against all error, heresy, and profaneness, in due order, as members of this one particular Church, for enjoyment of all Christ's ordinances, performance of all members' duties, in subjection to our pastors, ruling officers, and to each other in the Lord; holding due communion with all other reformed Churches of Christ in the world, that so we may be built up in knowledge and holiness, better to maintain our obedience to Christ, the common interest of the saints, and so more please and glorify God. Accordingly attest to remember his covenant and us, in the approaching day of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory for ever. Amen.
Anno Domini 1655.
(Signed, John Beverley, Pastor; John Ponder, John Cooper, Elders; John Fox, Ralph Mun, Deacons. Then follow the names of thirty members.)
Mr. Beverley's was a short but a useful course at Rowell. After about four years' labour amongst them, he was removed by death, June 2nd, 1658. Some extracts we have seen from his diary strikingly indicate the possession of deep and experimental piety, and show that he often had great enjoyment in intercourse with God. It was seen in his spirit and conduct that he was a "man of God." His labours at Rowell, though short, were attended with the most important and permanent result, the benefits of which were experienced by the descendants of his flock.
He was a zealous advocate for the Congregational principles of Church government, writing several tracts in their support, addressing a letter to Dr. Owen, entreating him to employ his powers in their defence, in which he says—