17th century church synod in Boston, Massachusetts
The Reforming Synod, also called the Synod of Boston was a synod convened in Colonial New England for two sessions in 1679 and 1680. It was convened by the Massachusetts General Court in response to perceived spiritual decay, set to answer two questions: “What are the Evils that have provoked the Lord to bring his judgments on New England?", and, “What is to be done, that so these evils may be reformed?” Spiritual decline was in part attributed to the Half-Way Covenant and surrounding controversy.
Proceedings.
The synod adopted the Savoy recension of the Westminster Confession in 1680, formally re-titled "A Confession of Faith Owned and Consented Unto by the Elders &amp; Messengers of the Churches Assembled at Boston in New England, May 12 1680. Being the Second Session of that Synod." This confession was later to be translated to Algonquian.
Solomon Stoddard's view of the Lord's supper was called into question, and the synod included a debate between Stoddard and Increase Mather.
Causes of Judgment.
Answering the question, "What are the Evils ...?", the synod identified several potential causes:
A cause of all these evils was determined to be "defects as to Family Government”
Reforming.
Answering "What is to be done, that so these evils may be reformed?", the synod advised the following: