Page Founders of Massachusetts, 72. 'Book of Sports,' 72. SECTION VI.-MEN OF THE COMMONWEALTH-CONFLICT 77-86 Meeting of the Long Parliament, 1640, p. 77. Re-action and abolition of Episcopacy, 78. Westminster Assembly, 78. Circular to suspend formation of churches, 79. 'League and Covenant,' 80. The 'Dissenting Brethren,' 80. Decree of the National Synod of France against Independency, 81. Independents denounced by Kirk of Scotland, 82. Correspondence of Baillie, 83. The Directory, 84. Grand Committee of Accommodation, 84. Jeremiah Burroughes, 85. SECT. VII.-PARTIES BEFORE THE RESTORATION-Deve LOPMENT OF CONGREGATIONALISM, 1644-1661. 87-119 Meetings of the Independents in London, p. 87. Views of John Goodwin, 88-92. Committee of Triers, 92. Baxter's testimony, 93, 94. Goodwin's censure, 95. Independents in favour of religious liberty, 95. John Lothrop, 98. Henry Jessey, 98. Church formed in Llanvaches, 98. Church at Mynddislwyn, 99. Stephen More and the Meeting in Deadman's Place, 99. Separatists summoned before the House of Lords, 100. Peers attend the meeting of the church in Southwark, 101. Courage of Stephen More, 101. Lay preaching, 101, 102. Henry Burton and the church at Stepney, 103. Burton's vindication of Independency, 104-106. Burton's preface to the treatise of Leonard Busher, 106-108. Warning to Presbyterians, 109. Cromwell's deathbed, 110. Meeting of Congregational delegates at the Savoy, 111. Declaration of Faith and Order, 111. Accession of Charles II., 113. Conference at the Savoy, 113. Act of Uniformity, 1662, 114. Triumph of Moral Consistency, 115. Effect of trial and discipline on Presbyterians and Congregationalists, 116. Result of the conflict, 117. Effects of consistency, and the duty of Congregationalists, 118, 119. APPENDIX. I. JOHN ROUGH AND THE CHURCH AT ISLINGTON Page 121-126 John Rough at St. Leonard's College, p. 121. Call presented 126-135 II. VINDICATION OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS III. RESULTS OF THE STRUGGLE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY 135, 136 T the Autumnal Meeting of the Congregational Union, held at Birmingham, October, 1861, it was announced that an anonymous friend had offered three Prizes, of fifty guineas each, for as many Essays on the under-mentioned subjects-the competitors to be ministers of the Independent and Baptist denominations: I. The Nature, Constitution, Characteristics, and Government of a Christian Church in New Testament Times. II. The History of the growth and development of Independent Principles of Church Organization and Government, from the Reformation till 1662. To embrace England and Wales. III. The advantages that would result from a true representation, based on Scripture principles, of the entire body of Church Members (ministerial and lay so-called) in England and Wales, for the purposes of fraternal Christian conference and co-operation, with suggestions for the attainment of such a representation, and for safeguards against its abuse. The conditions of competition prescribed that the essays should be popular in style, and admit of publication at one shilling each; that the adjudication should be made by Bartholomew's Day, 1862; and that the successful essays should be at the disposal of the adjudicators for publication, or otherwise, as they might determine. A large number of MSS. was received; and, after careful consideration, we, the adjudicators named by the donor, award the prizes to the following essays, viz. :Essay I., entitled "CHRISTIAN CHURCHES: the Noblest Form of Social Life; the Representatives of Christ on Earth; and the Dwelling-place of the Holy Ghost." Writer, the Rev. Joseph Angus, D.D., Principal of Regent's Park College. Essay II., entitled "CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY in England and Wales, from the Reformation to 1662." Writer, the Rev. John Waddington, D.D., Southwark. Essay III., entitled "CONGREGATIONAL UNION: the Problem Solved." Writer, the Rev. Austin Lord, Hersham, Surrey. In virtue of the discretion left with us, we have decided upon the immediate publication of the first and second essays.* We commend them to the ministers and members of our churches and congregations, as concise, trustworthy, readable, and cheap hand-books upon our principles and early history. We believe they will supply a want, generally felt and expressed, of convenient and accessible material for the information of our people, and for the vindication of our principles. The first essay is an able exposition of that form of ecclesiastical polity prescribed by Christ and His apostles, and exemplified in the practice of the early Christian churches;-the second will be useful in removing erroneous impressions in regard * Bicentenary Essays. Christian Churches, by Joseph Angus, D.D. ; Congregational Church History, by John Waddington, D.D. Crown 8vo, Is. each, in paper covers, or the two Essays bound together, 2s. 6d., cloth boards. Ward & Co., 27, Paternoster-row, London, E.C. Adjudicators' Award. xi to our origin and antecedents. While correcting historical blunders, it will authoritatively disprove assertions, assiduously circulated at the present time, in disparagement of the noble Pilgrims driven from our shores to seek freedom of worship across the Atlantic, who have been confounded, even by writers of distinction, with commercial adventurers who followed them to the land of the West. With reference to the third essay, we have postponed its publication for the present, and have suggested the addition of an Appendix, which will, we believe, add to its value. This competition has elicited several essays on Subject I., which, though not occupying the first place, yet, in our estimation, display considerable merit. We think that some of them may be advantageously published, if the authors should so determine. It is our intention, after a careful reconsideration of their respective claims, to give a list of those deemed deserving of honourable mention. Signed, SAMUEL MORLEY. LONDON, July, 1862. |