1691 JOHN HOWE. Very Important Document Consolidating Puritan Theology - Influenced Massachusetts Bay Colony

An important document that attempted to gather together the Presbyterian and Congregational Dissenters for the revival of the puritan church. Previously, issues surrounding a national church, which the Presbyterians favored, and solifidianism over neonominism, which the Congregationalists largely favored contra Richard Baxter had kept the movements separate. However, between the Great Ejection of 1662 and the decline in Presbyterian influence in Scotland, both parties were willing to work things out for the preservation of a truly experimental and reformed Church.   Increase Mather, then in London was instrumental in the formulation of the present document. Signed by over 80 Puritan divines, it formed an important part of the ecclesiology of England and in the colonies, which of necessity needed the strength of the Presbyterians and Congregationalists united in one puritan movement in America. After the damage inflicted by the Half-Way Covenant, the famous Saybrook Platform was issued