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

can be found in them of the slightest disaffection in any Church of the Congregational order holding Evangelical principles, nor yet in any individual member of such a Church; but, on the contrary, the most ample evidence that when the High Church party were seeking, by plots, intrigues with the Pope, riots, mobs, and actual rebellion, to overturn the throne, and to set up an Anglican Establishment co-ordinate with a Romish Hierarchy, the King and his Ministers of State found in Congregational Churches the most steadfast friends of order, combined with constitutional liberty.

Nothing has more surprised me, in this careful and prolonged research, than the light thrown on the origin, course, and practical issue of the New Philosophy, adopted by the self-styled "Rational Dissenters," who predicted a millennium of peace, freedom, and happiness. The result of their persevering efforts, as seen in the condition of America after the War of Independence, and in the horrors of the French Revolution, as well as in the extinction of Churches and educational institutions in England, was that of the most disastrous and ignominious failure.

The distinct and oft-repeated testimonies of Dr. Priestley on this subject-especially when deserted and left to endure the miseries of virtual banishment at Northumberland, in Pennsylvania-should be carefully examined and deeply pondered.

This enquiry into the progress and influence of Rationalistic views needs to be carried on much

further, particularly in relation to the Churches in
Boston and Harvard College at the beginning of the
present century. I propose, therefore, to continue
the history, and to show, by a clear narration of facts,
the changes produced by Dr. Channing, Dr. Ware,
and others, and the gradual recovery of Evangelical
Churches and the establishment of Theological in-
stitutions by the labours of Dr. Spring, Dr. Leonard
Woods, Dr. Moses Stuart, and their coadjutors, with
the subsequent progress of Congregational Churches
in England and America, and in the British Colonies.
The co-operation of my friends in the communica-
tion of original letters, or books and pamphlets, will
be gratefully welcomed and appreciated.

I am encouraged to renewed effort by the assur-
ances of ministerial brethren, on whose judgment I
can rely, that the record of facts, the exposition of
principles, and the examples of Christian character,
experience, and conduct given in the volumes already
published, is esteemed by them, as one particularly
needed in our own times.

I began this service under many disabilities and
some discouragement, but my personal interest has
deepened at every stage, and, though I am painfully
sensible that the keen eye of the critic will discover
in the present volume many defects and blemishes,
my hope is that at the same time it will be acknow-
ledged that no labour has been spared to give the
whole truth so far as it could be obtained from
authentic documents, and that the work, notwith-
standing its imperfections, will be accepted as a new

and substantial contribution to English History,
replete with lessons of practical value to all parties.

The sources of information to which attention
has been given in the preparation of the narrative
are the following:-

The STATE PAPERS (Uncalendared)-HOME, COLONIAL, AND
FOREIGN, for the Eighteenth Century, by special permission of her
Majesty's principal Secretaries of State.

RECORDS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY for the last decade of
the century.

MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

The Original Correspondence and other Papers of the Venerable
Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, with all the
Papers at FULHAM and LAMBETH relating to AMERICA, sump-
tuously printed in several large quarto volumes for the American
Episcopal Church.

LAMBETH MANUSCRIPTS.

HARMER MANUSCRIPTS, containing Transcripts of the Church
Records of the Eastern Counties, in many volumes.

Manuscript Collections, Printed Books, and Tracts in Dr.
Williams' Library.

Copies of Church Records, London and Provincial, made by
Robert Barclay, Esq., of Reigate.

Church Records of Northamptonshire, copied by Mr. John
Taylor, of Northampton.

Collection of Rare Tracts in the Town Hall, Northampton.
Church Books at Bedford, Olney, Kettering, Rowell, and
Arnsby.

County Congregational Histories.

Minutes of the Fund Board, in the possession of Mr. Ives.
Minutes of the King's Head Society, recently restored to NEW
COLLEGE.

Minutes of the Congregational Board.

Minutes of the Three Denominations.

Minutes of the Dissenting Deputies.