The Dedham conference: Rylands 874

Summary

Editorial conventions

1. 1. This transcript retains the original spelling, punctuation and capitalization, although all standard abbreviations have been silently extended and modern usage – j for i, u for v, v for u and th for the thorn – has been used. Other abbreviations have been expanded between square brackets.

2. 2. Emendations made by Parker have been placed in < > and with a line through the text where that text is legible.

3. 3. Marginal notes have been enclosed with curly brackets ﹛ ﹜ thus.

4. 4. In the first few folios of the manuscript, Parker used two different inks. A black ink and a more formal secretary hand have been indicated through the use of bold type.

[fo. 1r]

A note of such thinges as are agreed upon to be observed in our meetinge

There was a conference had by some of the godly brethren the xxijth of October 1582 as a preparation to a meetinge purposed by them, and to be concluded and agreed upon by the rest who shuld after be chosen, as fitte persons for such an Assembly.

The order wherof was this:

First yt was agreed on in that first conference that there shuld be a day of meetinge wherin some portion of scripture shuld be handled briefly by the speaker, that shuld be appointed by consente of the reste: the place of scripture then chosen to be contynued in, is the second Epistle of St. P[aul] to the Thessal[onians]: the tyme to be spente therin, and in prayer to be one howre: the rest of the tyme to be employed in decidinge some profitable questions, if any were propounded by the brethren, or els in conference aboute other necessary matters, for the furtheringe of the gospell, and preventinge of evill, as farre as we mighte deale in by our callinges.

The persons chosen for the Assembly are these.

Mr Doctor Chapman.

Mr Doctor Cricke.

Mr dowe.

Mr Farrar.

Mr Lewes.

Mr Androwes.

Mr Sandes.

Mr Taye.

Mr Lowe

Mr Tye.

Mr Antony morse.

Mr Stocton.

Mr Parker.

Moreover that at every meetinge there be some one of the brethren chosen to be enterpretor of that scripture appointed to be handled, and another to be Moderator of the whole action, and he to begynne and end with prayer.