1717. MR THOMAS BOSTON. 9,71 have not been altogether in vain .there. I beg the Very Reverend Cornmiffion to confider, what-will be the confeqùences of rent- ing me, by this tranfportation, from that congregation. The defolating of that parifh, which lies at .fuch a `diftance from neighbour -kirks, as has been reprefented ; . and that in a moun- tainous country, which it is hard to travel to or from in the -winter-feafon, as appears from their not having one fermon in their church for eight or nine Sabbaths fuccelfively, in time Of their. latt vacancy the defolating, I f:ay, of that pariah in filch circumftances,, would challenge the ferious regard of ourReverend judges, though both they and I were indifferent in the matter of this tranfportation. But < fence it is far otherwife, on their part, as vvell- as on mine, how can -I think on their cafe, as left irritated, both heritors and people ? í' Moderator, I was planted in that parif$under a great (Wad- vantage, with refpeót to molt of the Honourable perfons, heri- tors of it ; yet now it is quite againft their mind that I be re- moved. And I doubt they think themfelves but harthly trea- ted' by the judicatories of this church, if my removal from, and my fettlement in, that parifh, be fo much of a piece as this tranfportation -will make them. And as there is very little hope, that they and the people will agree in the choice of another minifter, fo it is hardly to be expected, but that the manner of my fettlement in that parifh will be remembered, on another fuch occafion, to the prejudice of the intereft of the göfpe! there, and I fear ,(not without ground) to a more public prejudice. What fhall become of the irritated people, bereaved of their pattor, to whore minifiry, by the good hand of God, they have adhered, notwithttanding, of their manifold temptations to defert it, and the communion of this church ? How will the fcorn of their deferting neighbours work on their paffions? Can any who know the circumftances of that country, obtain it of themfelves to think, that fuch a fair occafìon for pron oting the fchifin there will be negleóted ; Will not thofe who have kept their meetings feveral times within the bounds of. the pariah fence I was fettld there, return again to the church-yard, where they have met in the time of the lait vacancy ? The pariah of Etterick is almoit quite furrounded with neighbouring parifhes, notably broken, as well ás they are themfèlves ;, in one of , which, Efkdalemoor, feparatifts of different fataions have their diftin& parties, and their meetings one after another: and fume of my congregation are almoft as near to a church, which the prefbytery has feldom, if ever, accefs to, viz. Wamphrav, as they are to their own chrch. I am loth to be more particular on this head; I with the Reverend Commißìon -may in due time inquire fur- ther into the fiate of that country. But from what is fáid it appears, that the pariah of Etterick, lying in the centre, is, by this tranfportation, threatened to be made the very feat O feparation in that country. No. G. L1
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