450 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. establish a civil and religious order more strictly according to the word of God, than he had seen exhibited in any other part of the world. Hewas an original genius, and the plan he ,adopted was his own ; and, our author adds, " if success be any evidence of merit, he certainly has high claims to the veneration and gratitude of nations."* There the famous 'church of New Haven, as also the neighbouring towns, enjoyed his ministry, his discipline, his government, and his universal direction for many years. The holiness, the watchfulness, and the usefulness of his ministry, are worthy of the remembrance of all who would set before them an example of ministerial excellence. His attention and in- fluence extended to all the churches. He was a man of much devotion ; and he used to say, " ejaculatory prayer is like arrows in the hands of the mighty ; and happy is the man who bath his quiver full of them." Mr. Davenport was scrupulously careful in the admission of persons to the Lord's table. To promote church-purity was one important object of his life. It was a fixed prin ciple with him, that no person should be admitted a member of a church who does not make inch a profession of, faith as the church may in discretion conclude he is in a state of salvation. He was persuaded that there are many rules in the word of God, by which it will appear who are saints, and by which those who admit others to gospel ordinances are to be guided; so as to separate between, the precious and the vile. This, indeed, is no more than all sects and even individuals .clains for them. selves. The only difference is, they do not all fix on the same standard for the admission of members.' Mr. Daven- port had the same right to his terms of communion that other men have to theirs. He thought too much caution could not be used, where some persons might think very little to be necessary. His own words are these : 44 The officers and brethren of churches arebut men, who judge by outward appearance ; therefore, their judgment is fal- lible, and bath been deceived, as in the reception ofAnanias, Sapphire, and Simon Magus. Their duty is to proceed as far as possible by rule, with due moderation and gentleness, to try those who offer themselves to church fellowship, whether they be true believers. Andwhen they have done all, hypocrites will creep in.+ Mr. Davenport continued at New Haven till the year Morse and Parish's Hist. p. 69,71. t Mather's Hist. b. iii. p. 54,55.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=