phrase of the New Testament. Doctor Lardner, author of The credibility of the Gospel History." The Dissenters were ardent friends of the house of Hanover, and had they continued firm in their faith, and active in duty, might have prospered greatly by the side of the lukewarm and formal establishment; but in 1718, they began to be distracted by the Arian controversy. Two ministers at Exeter, were suspected of unsoundness in faith. A general controversy arose, on the subject of creeds and confessions of faith.— Many thought them an infringement of liberty, and took sides against them, and against the decidedly orthodox, who demanded them. These were soon suspected of error, and persecuted. Some of them took refuge, from trouble, in the establishment. Others became open Arians and Arminians; and, as the Puritans and Dissenters had ever lived by the power of evangelical doctrine, the churches of such, soon declined and went to decay. These were wholly Presbyterians and General Baptists. The Independents retained their ancient faith. In the deistical controversy, the Dissenters lost much ground, for their preachers, dwelling almost wholly on the evidences of Christianity, and neglecting to call sinners to repentance, became dry. And as they had generally adopted the use of notes, lest they should be reputed methodistical, their manner became comparatively dull and monotonous. Mr. Whitefield and his party, with whom the Independents harmonized, diffused among them for a season, much spirituality and life. But before 1760, there was a great decline in both denominations.During the life and popularity of Dr. Priestly, who abhorred a middle course, the Presbyterians generally renounced their ancient discipline, and separated entirely from the Independents, and called themselves rational dissenters. From Arianism, they have descended to Socinianism, and now chuse to be known as Unitarians. Many of the Presbyterians in the North of England, retain their orthodoxy, and are united with the Scotch. At the end of Queen Anne's reign, the Presbyterians formed two-thirds of the dissenting interest. Now, not one twentieth part. The Independents have for some years continued steadily to increase. They have at present, in England and Wales, 1024 congregations. Their ministers are evangelical and active.—— They have laid aside the practice of reading sermons, and preach extempore. Strict discipline is maintained in their churches. Their seminaries for the education of ministers, have been distinguished, but many of them have fallen a prey to destructive errors. The two most respectable, now, are at Hoxton and Homerton. From the former, proceeded the lovely Spencer, of Liverpool, who, having filled England with his fame by his pulpit eloquence, was suddenly called into eternity, Aug. 5, 1811, at the early age of twenty. Their ministers are supported chiefly by contribution. George I. gave 1000 pounds a year, for the maintenance of the dissenting clergy. This was afterwards increased to 2000, and is still divided among them. The Independents have entered warmly into the cause of the Bible, foreign missions, Sabbath schools, and other benevolent enterprises. Some of their best modern preachers, have been Winter, Stafford, Jay, Bogue. Many of Cromwell's army settled in Ireland, and established Presbyterian congregations. At a subsequent period, many Seceders passed over from Scotland, and established about an hundred congregations in the north of Ireland. Of late, the Independents have also settled in that desolate country. Each of these branches have taken some root and continued to live. King William granted their ministers 1200 pounds a year. In 1719, an act of toleration was passed in their favour. CHAPTER XX. Mr. Robinson's Church. Its emigration to Holland and to New England. Rapid increase of the New England Churches. Character of their first ministers and members. Constitution. Harvard College founded. Roger Williams. Hutchinsonian controversy. Troubles from the Baptists. Cambridge Platform. Disturbances from the Quakers. Hartford controversy. Synod of 1657. Half-way covenant. Synod of 1680. Witchcraft. Yale College. Saybrook Platform. Great revival. Sandemanian Controversy. Demoralizing influence of the French and Revolutionary war. Revival of the Churches. Unitriaianism. Theological Institutions. Number and order of the churches and ministers. Distinguished Divines. In 1602, an Independent congregation in the North of England, chose Mr. John Robinson, a man of much learning and piety to be their pastor. But scarcely had they begun to enjoy his labors, when they were subjected to fines, imprisonment, the ruin of their families and fortunes, and were compelled to flee to Holland, which at this time granted free toleration to different denomina phrase of the New Testament. Doctor Lardner, author of The credibility of the Gospel History.' The Dissenters were ardent friends of the house of Hanover, and had they continued firm in their faith, and active in duty, might have prospered greatly by the side of the lukewarm and formal establishment; but in 1718, they began to be distracted by the Arian controversy. Two ministers at Exeter, were suspected of unsoundness in faith. A general controversy arose, on the subject of creeds and confessions of faith.— Many thought them an infringement of liberty, and took sides against them, and against the decidedly orthodox, who demanded them. These were soon suspected of error, and persecuted. Some of them took refuge, from trouble, in the establishment. Others became open Arians and Arminians; and, as the Puritans and Dissenters had ever lived by the power of evangelical doctrine, the churches of such, soon declined and went to decay. These were wholly Presbyterians and General Baptists. The Independents retained their ancient faith. In the deistical controversy, the Dissenters lost much ground, for their preachers, dwelling almost wholly on the evidences of Christianity, and neglecting to call sinners to repentance, became dry. And as they had generally adopted the use of notes, lest they should be reputed methodistical, their manner became comparatively dull and monotonous. Mr. Whitefield and his party, with whom the Independents harmonized, diffused among them for a season, much spirituality and life. But before 1760, there was a great decline in both denominations.During the life and popularity of Dr. Priestly, who abhorred a middle course, the Presbyterians generally renounced their ancient discipline, and separated entirely from the Independents, and called themselves rational dissenters. From Arianism, they have descended to Socinianism, and now chuse to be known as Unitarians. Many of the Presbyterians in the North of England, retain their orthodoxy, and are united with the Scotch. At the end of Queen Anne's reign, the Presbyterians formed two-thirds of the dissenting interest. Now, not one twentieth part. The Independents have for some years continued steadily to increase. They have at present, in England and Wales, 1024 congregations. Their ministers are evangelical and active.-They have laid aside the practice of reading sermons, and preach extempore. Strict discipline is maintained in their churches. Their seminaries for the education of ministers, have been distinguished, but many of them have fallen a prey to destructive errors. The two most respectable, now, are at Hoxton and Homerton. From the former, proceeded the lovely Spencer, of Liverpool, who, having filled England with his fame by his pulpit eloquence, was suddenly called into eternity, Aug. 5, 1811, at the early age of twenty. Their ministers are supported chiefly by contribution. George I. gave 1000 pounds a year, for the maintenance of the dissenting clergy. This was afterwards increased to 2000, and is still divided among them. The Independents have entered warmly into the cause of the Bible, foreign missions, Sabbath schools, and other benevolent enterprises. Some of their best modern preachers, have been Winter, Stafford, Jay, Bogue. Many of Cromwell's army settled in Ireland, and established Presbyterian congregations. At a subsequent period, many Seceders passed over from Scotland, and established about an hundred congregations in the north of Ireland. Of late, the Independents have also settled in that desolate country. Each of these branches have taken some root and continued to live. King William granted their ministers 1200 pounds a year. In 1719, an act of toleration was passed in their favour. CHAPTER XX. Mr. Robinson's Church. Its emigration to Holland and to New England. Rapid increase of the New England Churches. Character of their first ministers and members. Constitution. Harvard College founded. Roger Williams. Hutchinsonian controversy. Troubles from the Baptists. Cambridge Platform. Disturbances from the Quakers. Hartford controversy. Synod of 1657. Half-way covenant. Synod of 1680. Witchcraft. Yale College. Saybrook Platform. Great revival. Sandemanian Controversy. Demoralizing influence of the French and Revolutionary war. Revival of the Churches. Unitriaianism. Theological Institutions. Number and order of the churches and ministers. Distinguished Divines. In 1602, an Independent congregation in the North of England, chose Mr. John Robinson, a man of much learning and piety to be their pastor. But scarcely had they begun to enjoy his labors, when they were subjected to fines, imprisonment, the ruin of their families and fortunes, and were compelled to flee to Holland, which at this time granted free toleration to different denomina tions of Protestants, for the enjoyment of religious liberty. The government had forbidden all such departures, and they could escape only by stealth. They secretly contracted with a captain to take them on board his ship at Boston, in Lincolnshire; but the captain was treacherous, and no sooner had he received them, than he delivered them over to the civil authority; their goods were seized and they were carried back to the town, spectacles of scorn. The next spring, they agreed with a Dutch captain to take them from a spot remote from any town. The little band were collected at the appointed moment, but the vessel did not come until the next day, and much suffering was endured. At length the vessel appeared, and a boat came to the shore and received as many as it could contain. But before it returned, a company of armed horsemen appeared and seized those who remained, and the vessel weighed anchor and disappeared. As there had been no regard to families in the embarkation, great distress ensued. Husbands were separated from wives. and parents from children. Those on the sea were tossed in a terrible storm, and driven on the coast of Norway. Those that remained were treated with the greatest indignity and cruelty; were hurried from prison to prison, and officer to officer, and at last became objects of pity and public charity. Their flight was not the flight of guilt, but of humble piety from oppression, and God was their helper, In process of time, they all safely reached Holland, and in 1708, Mr. Robinson saw his church established at Amsterdam upon firm independent principles. Mr Robinson's church were originally of the Brownists who denied the church of England to be a true church, But by reflection and conversation with the learned Dr. Ames, he adopted more enlarged views, and established his church upon better principles. The next year the pilgrims removed to Leyden, where they acquired a comfortable subsistence, and under the care of Mr. Robinson and Elder Brewster, their church prospered. Numbers joined them from England. They had a large congregation and 300 communicants. In doctrine, they were strictly Calvinistic; in discipline, rigid; in practice, very exemplary. At the end of twelve years, the magistrates declared from the seat of justice, "These English have lived among us now these twelve years, and yet we have never had one suit or action come against them.' In Holland they might long have enjoyed peace and prosperity, but their object was religion. The fathers were dropping away, and the youth were attracted by the splendour and luxu |