1700-1800. IN RELATION TO CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS, Education, the Eclipse of Faith. Revivals, and BY JOHN WADDINGTON, D.D., AUTHOR OF "CONGREGATIONAL HISTORY, 1200-1567," AND London: LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 1876. 69.405 RECEIVED MAR 26 1891 WIS, HISTORICAL SO0; LONDON: Printed by Simmons & Botten, Shoe Lane, E.C. DKCO TWIL BX 7131 W3 1869 1.3 PREFACE. In the present work and in the two preceding volumes, I have attempted to give the history of Congregational Churches, more especially in England and America, with an account of the times through which they passed, and the influences by which they were surrounded. The method I have adopted has been-first, to ascertain the facts from authentic and original documents, collected from every available quarter, likely to afford light on the subject; and then, with due regard to order, sequence, and interdependence, to narrate them without exaggeration on the one hand, or dishonest omission on the other. To be satisfied on one point in this historical enquiry-that of the relations of Congregational Churches with the Government-I have carefully gone through all the Papers in State Records, sent to the Home Office for the Eighteenth Century, several thousands in number; and as the result of that investigation, continued for many months, I am in a position to affirm with confidence that no proof |