A dictionary of Congregational usages and principles, according to ancient and modern authors: to which are added brief notices of some of the principal writers, assemblies and treatises referred to in the compilation

Front matter

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Preface

It has been said that a good book needs no Preface. Had this fewer defects, it would require less apology. The origin of this work was a supposed want of copious references to many points of frequent practical use in councils, church-meetings, and private duties. It was undertaken at the request of the Franklin Association, but without a due counting of the cost by the compiler.

Three full years of close daily application has sufficed only to discover the magnitude of that subject, which lies at the foundation of the whole fabric of our civil as well as religious liberties. Even Hume, with all his scorn, admits that to the principles and efforts of the Puritans the English owe the whole freedom of their Constitution.

The reader will make no new discovery when he finds that there are many and great defects in this work. The necessary hurry of consulting so many treatises; creates a constant liability of giving a wrong shade to the views

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of tlieir authors. To express tliose views in full is impracticable ; and brevity or irrelevancy very often forbids introducing both sides of the argument. All that can reasonably be expected, in such a case, is a striking or elucidating extract or epitome ; while the copious references direct to chapter and page, where the author cited has treated the subject at length.

The reader should never judge of the general character of a book by a mere reference to it in this compilation. The work may be valuable, notwithstanding one supposed or real inconsistency ; and, on the other hand, of comparatively little worth, though it contains some important admissions or illustrations.

With sincere aim to be a faithful lexicographer, this book must still have very much the shade of the compiler's sentiments. Selecting those points which to him seem most important, those which seem paramount to people of different views are sometimes necessarily excluded. Still, through an endeavor to avoid this evil, our differences may sometimes appear greater than they are ; because the views of the few who may be but semi- Congregationalists thus get a prominence disproportioned to those of the multitudes who are agreed. The aim has been to state facts as they are, and let the consequences care for themselves. This has led to some slight change of the author's views on a few points of order ; but he may sustain himself from any probable charge of fickleness, with the reply of an old convert to Nonconformity, *' He that can long and closely contemplate a subject

PREFACE. V with no modification of his own viev/s shall not have me for his competitor."

Some clamor for a work of undoubted authority in our churches. We have one, and can have but one, such work, viz., the Holy Scriptures. Our ecclesiastical government is a pure theocracy, administered by the people, who can remove their officers whenever they cease to rule — that is, to moderate — according to the divine constitution.

The churches are confederated only by fraternal ties, and the great common charter of their existence. Do any, then, inquire of what use is it to consult opinions and precedents 1 It is answered, To learn truth, not to be dictated by fallible men. He who relies implicitly on commentaries is a mental slave : he who discards the use of them is an ignorant egotist. It is with every uninspired book as Richard Mather said of a decree of a council: ''It has just so much force as there is force in the reason of it."

The reader should be apprised, that the references to books in the several libraries, contained in the Notices at the end of this volume, is incomplete. It Avas also found impracticable to give a particular notice of Qvery work and author referred to in the Dictionary.

With all its faults, this book is now sent into the world. If men will be excited to examine the originals, even to detect its errors, one great end of its publication will be gained. These originals contain vast funds of sound learning, by men who knew whereof they affirmed,

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and who many of them suffered, and even died, for the maintenance of those blessed truths and principles through which we now enjoy rest; liberty, and prosperity. May this work be instrumental in leading Christians to the law and the testimony as the ground of their faith and practice, and contribute its mite towards advancing spiritual to the overthrow of formal religion ; and the praise be to Almighty God for ever !

The first edition of this work, published last April, was exhausted early in the winter. In preparing this stereotype edition, nearly all the passages have been collated with the originals. A few new topics and many new references have been add-ed ; chapters and sections have been often substituted for pages ; and the references to the works of John Robinson conformed to the recent American edition.

Grateful acknowledgments are due to ministers, who have so universally aided the author, both by friendly criticisms and recommendations of the work to their people.

Leicester, April, 1853.

Contents

Page

Accusation 13

Accused 14