ページの画像
PDF
ePub

17. Changes effected by Peter the Great.-18. Present state of the Russian Church.-19.

Division of the Protestants.-20. Location of Lutherans.-21. Rise of their Church.-22.

Her internal commotions.-23. Order of Pietists.-24. Their numbers and influence.-

25, 26. State of religion in Germany, Denmark, and Norway.-Swedenborgianism.-27.

Meaning of the term "Reformed."-28. Classes of Christians under this title.-29. Cal-

vinists, their doctrine and discipline.-30. Countries in which it prevailed.-31. Not an

entire uniformity among Calvinists.-32. Difference between the Lutheran and Calvinistic

Churches.-33. State of the reformed Churches in the sixteenth century.-35. Arminian

schism.-36, 37. Progress of this doctrine.-Synod of Dort.-38-40. Decision of this

senate, and subsequent history of the Arminians.-41. Reformation in England-accession

of Edward VI.-42. Changes in favor of the Reformation.-43. Principal promoters and

opposers of the Reformation.-44. Visitation of the Churches.-45. Thirty-six injunctions.

-46. Revision of the liturgy.-47. Insurrections on account of it.-48. Articles of religion.

49, 50. Clerical garments of the Romish priests retained-consequence of this.-51. Perse-

cution of the Anabaptists-Joan of Kent.-52. Death of Edward-state of the Church.-

53. Accession of Mary.-54, 55. Cruel proceedings against the Reformers.-56. Repeal

of king Edward's laws.-57. Marriage of Mary with Philip of Spain.-58. Public discussion

between the Reformers and their opposers.-59. Submission of the king and queen to the

pope.-60. Public burning of Rogers, Saunders, and others.-61. Singular prevention of

sanguinary measures in Ireland.-62. Rise of the Puritans at Frankfort in Germany.-

63. Accession of Elizabeth.-64. Her proceedings in reference to the Reformation.-65.

Acts of parliament in favor of the Protestant cause.-66. Court of high commission.-67.

Revision of the liturgy.—68. Oath of supremacy required, and by many refused.-69. At-

tempts of the pope to extend his power again over England.-70. Severe measures of the

court of high commission.-71. Rise of the Brownists.-72. Accession of James 1.-de-

clares in favor of Episcopacy.-73. Gunpowder plot.-74. Translation of the Sacred Scrip-

tures.-75. Accession of Charles I.-Attempts to extirpate Puritanism and Calvinism fro

his realm.-76. Conduct of archbishop Laud.-77. Emigration of Puritans to America.—78.

Laud beheaded.-Episcopacy abolished.-Charles I. brought to the scaffold.-79. Massacre

of Protestants in Ireland.-80. Assembly of divines at Westminster.-81. Dissolution of

the monarchy of England.-Protectorate of Cromwell.-82. The restoration.-Episcopacy

re-established.-83. Revolation of 1688.-84. Reign of William auspicious to religion.—

Episcopacy established, but free toleration allowed.-85. Accession of queen Anne.—

Season of spiritual darkness ensues.-86. Accession of the family of Brunswick.-State

of religion since that time.-87. Dissenters, who so called.-88. Their doctrines and mode

of Church government.-89. The rise and progress of the Independents in England.-90.

Commencement of the Reformation in Scotland.-91, 92. Conduct and death of Hamilton.

-93. John Knox.-95. Date of the establishment of the Reformation in Scotland.-96.

Efforts of Mary to re-establish popery.-97. Establishment of Episcopacy by James I.-

98, 99. Oppressions of the Scots continued by Charles I.-Commotions which ensued.-100.

Solemn league and covenant of the Scots with the Puritans of England and Ireland.-Pres-

byterianism re-established.-101. Scotch Presbyterians during the protectorate of Cromwell.

-102. Episcopacy re-established by order of Charles II.-103. Accession of William and

Mary.-Presbyterianism re-established.-104. Church of Scotland since the revolution.-

105. Different denominations in Scotland.-105. Reformation in Ireland.-107. Attempt of

Mary to re-establish popery.-108. Irish massacre.-109. Religion in Ireland during the

eighteenth century.-110. Present state of religion.-111. Rise of the Moravians.-112.

Conversion of count Zinzendorf.-113. Doctrines and disciplines of the Moravians.-114.

Their manners, dress, &c.-115. Congregationalists, meaning of the term.-116. Congre

gationalists of New England.-117. First organization of the Churches.-118. Take refuge

in Holland.-119. They remove to Leyden.-121. Embark for America.-122. Arrive in

New England.-123. Church of Plymouth.-124. Arrival of reinforcements.-125. Re-

moval of Churches to Connecticut.-126. Progress of the colonists.-127. Roger Williams.

128, 129. Anna Hutchinson.-130. Cambridge platform.-131-134. Controversy about

the half-way covenant.-135. Witchcraft.-136. Saybrook platform.-137. Great revival of

religion. 138. State of religion during and following the French war.-139. Effects of the

revolution.-141. Present state of religion in the Congregational Churches.-142. Rise of the

Presbyterian Church in the United States.-143. Their confession of faith and form of ec-

clesiastical government.-145. Rise of difficulties between them and Congregationalists.--

46. Distribution of Presbyteries.-147-149. Dissensions among them.-150. Difficulties

nealed.—151. General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.-152. Introduction of Episco-

pacy into America.-153. First Episcopal Society in New England.-154, 155. Consecration

of bishops for America.-156. Union of the eastern and the southern Churches.-Liturgy

revised, &c.-157. Baptists, meaning of the term.-158. Origin of the Baptists.-Menno

Simon-sometimes called Mennonites after him.-159. Mennonites separated into two di-

visions.-160. First appearance in England.—161. Favored by the Independents.-162.

Adopt the name of Baptists.-163. Separate into two classes.-164. Persecuted in

England.-165. Gain a legal toleration.-166. First Baptist Church in America.-167.

Character of their Churches.—168. Other denominations of Baptists.-169. Origin of the

Methodists.-170-173. Wesley and Whitfield—their voyages and labors.—174. Separation

between them.-175. Death of Whitfield-his followers.-176. Organization of the denomi-

nation by Wesley.-177. Death of Wesley-his labors.-178. Methodism in the United

States.-179. Quakers-their origin.-180. Why so called.-181. Their principal doctrine.

-182. State of the sect during the protectorate of Cromwell.-183. State at subsequent

periods.-184. First appearance of Quakers in New England.-185. Principal residence in

America.—186. Shakers.—187. Unitarians—why so called—principal classes.-188. Arians.

-189. Socinians.-190-192. Progress of Socinians-writers.-193. Unitarianism in the

United States.-194. Universalists-why so called.-195. A sect of modern times-their
principal writers.-Distinguished characters of period eighth.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]

tions in foreign countries, I. Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, p. 408.-II. Society

for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, p. 409.-III. Society for sending Mission-

aries to India, p. 410.-IV. Society for promoting Christian Knowledge in the Highlands

and Islands of Scotland, p. 411.-V. Moravian Missions, p. 412.-VI. Society for promoting

religious Knowledge among the Poor.-VII. Naval and Military Bible Society, p. 416.-

VIII.-Methodist missions, p. 417.-IX. Sunday School Society, p. 419.-X. Baptist Mis-

sionary Society, p. 420.-XI. London Missionary Society, p. 424.—XII. Scottish Mission-

ary Society.-XIII. Village Itinerancy, or Evangelical Society for spreading the Gospel in

England, p. 431.-XIV. London Itinerant Society.-XV. Baptist Home Missionary Society,

p. 432.-XVI. Religious Tract Society, p. 433.-XVII. Church Missionary Society, p. 435.

-XVIII. Sunday School Union, p. 438.-XIX. British and Foreign Bible Society, p. 439.

-XX. British and Foreign School Society, p. 442.-XXI. London Hibernian Society, p

444.-XXII. Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, p. 445.-XXIII. Prayer-

Book and Homily Society.-XXIV. Irish Evangelical Society, p. 446.-XXV. Baptist

Irish Society.-XXVI. Irish Society.-XXVII. Continental Society, p. 447.-XXVIII.

Port of London Society.—XXIX. Home Missionary Society, p. 443.—XXX. Irish Society

of London.-XXXI. Ladies' Hibernian Female Society, p. 449.-XXXII. Christian

Institution Society.-XXXIII. British Society for promoting the religious Principles of

the Reformation, p. 450.—XXXIV. Sunday School Society for Ireland.-XXXV. London

Seamen's Friend Society, p. 451.-XXXVI. London Peace Society, p. 452.-Missionary

and Benevolent Societies in the United States.-I. Board of Commissioners for Foreign

Missions, p. 453.-II. American Baptist Board, p. 460.-III. American Tract Society, p.

464.-IV. Northern Baptist Education Society, p. 466.-V. American Bible Society, p. 467.

-VI. Missionary Society of the Protestant Methodist Church, p. 470.-VII. Domestic

and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States

of America, p. 471.-VIII. Baptist General Tract Society, p. 473.-IX. Home Missiona-

ry Societies, p. 474.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

INTRODUCTION.

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF THE WORLD AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

1. At the time Jesus Christ made his appearance upon the earth to prepare the way for the establishment of the Christian Church, a great part of the known world had become subject to the Roman empire, under Augustus Cæsar.

The Roman empire, at this time, was a most magnificent object. It extended from the river Euphrates on the east, to the Atlantic Ocean on the west. In length it was more than three thousand miles; and in breadth it exceeded two thousand. The whole included above sixteen hundred thousand square miles.

This vast territory, which was divided into provinces, comprised the countries now called Spain, France, the greater part of Britain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Asia Minor, Egypt, Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea, with its islands and colonies. The subjects of the empire, at this period, have been estimated at one hundred and twenty millions.

2. The state of the world, at this time, in respect to the prevalence of peace, civilization, and learning, was admirably adapted to the rapid diffusion of Christianity.

The world, in general, had not only become subject to the Roman dominion, but it was now at peace. This was a state of things, which had not existed before for many years, and justly entitled the period, in which our Savior descended upon earth, to the character of the pacific age. This tranquillity was indeed neces sary, to enable the ministers of Christ to execute, with success, their subhme commission to the human race.

A degree of civilization also prevailed, which had not before existed. Barbarous tribes had submitted to the Roman laws, which, with all their imperfections, were the best which human wisdom had devised. Distant nations, differing in language and manners, were united in friendly intercourse. A degree of literature was also spread abroad in countries, which had before lain under the darkest ignorance. The Greek language was both extensively read and spoken; and presented a medium to the heralds of the cross, of communicating, to almost all nations, the doctrines which they were commissioned to preach.

3. The religious state of the world was less favorable to the diffusion of Christianity. A dark and gloomy system of superstition and idolatry was prevailing among all nations, except the Jewish, by means of which the human mind had become exceedingly debased. Men were poorly qualified to judge immediately of a system, so different as was that of Christianity, and by far too sensual to embrace, at once, one so pure.

The notion of a Supreme Being was not, indeed, entirely effaced from the heathen world; but the knowledge of the true God was doubtless lost. Every heathen nation worshipped "lords many and gods many." These gods were multiplied without end. Every part of creation was supposed to have some divinity presiding over it. The earth, and air, and ocean were thought to be full of deities, who were

supposed to be diverse from one another, in respect to sex, and rank, and power. They, moreover, indulged the most lawless passions, and were guilty of the most polluting vices.

Yet to these gods a deep and universal homage was paid. They were courted and appeased by costly gifts, and honored by rites and ceremonies too indecent even to be named. Temples, the most magnificent, were erected to their honor, and a most expensive priesthood maintained to serve at their unhallowed worship.

Such is an outline of the religious state of the heathen world, when Christ made his appearance on earth. The knowledge of the pure and exalted character of Jeho vah was lost. Human accountability was unknown, and holiness of life was unnamed and unconceived of.

4. In respect to the Jewish nation, which inhabited Judea, where Christ was born, more correct notions of religion were entertained, since they possessed the Scriptures of the Old Testament, from which these notions were derived.

5. But even among the Jews, the state of religion was exceedingly low. They, indeed, still maintained the ancient forms of worship; but the life and spirituality, the original beauty and excellency of that worship, had departed.

6. At this period, also, the Jews were divided into several religious sects, all of which acknowledged the authority of Moses, and united in the same forms of worship; but they were so far separated by their peculiarities, as to be continually involved in the most bitter hostilities.

7. The most popular, and by far the most numerous of these sects, was that of the Pharisees, who derived their name from a Hebrew word, which signifies to separate; because they pretended, though very hypocritically, to uncommon separation from the world, and devotedness to God.

The origin of this sect is involved in uncertainty. From small beginnings, however, they had risen to great power; and, in the time of the Savior, they held the principal civil and religious offices in the nation.

In respect to some of the doctrines of the Scriptures, they seem to have been correct. They believed in the existence of angels, both good and bad; in the immortality of the soul; the resurrection of the body; and a state of future rewards and punishments. But they also held to the traditions of their elders, which they considered of equal authority with the Scriptures. Nay, in many instances, they explained the oracles of God by these traditions, and in such a manner as wholly to destroy their meaning.

In their religious practice, the Pharisees pretended to uncommon strictness. They abounded in washings, and fastings, and long prayers. They assumed great gravity in dress and demeanor, and exhibited no small zeal in all the forms of religion. But, with all their pretensions, they were noted for their hypocrisy; and by our Savior were compared to whited sepulchres, fair and wholesome externally, but full of deformity and death within.

8. Next to the Pharisees, the Sadducees were the most powerful sect. They derived their name from Sadoc, who flourished about 260, B. C. This sect were infidels. They denied the existence of a future state, and the immortality of the soul, and worshipped God only to secure his favor in the present world.

The Sadducees, in point of numbers, fell much short of the Pharisees; but they embraced most of the men of rank and wealth. The system which they adopted was eminently suited to the licentious life which they universally followed. They adopted the

« 前へ次へ »