SHIP.

of grace, Ps. xxvii, 4. The advan-bour strike our feelings, to protages of communion with God are, duce a disposition in us to relieve deadness to the world, Phil. iii, 8. him." patience under trouble, Job i, 22. COMPASSION OF GOD is fortitude in danger, Ps. xxvii, 1. the infinite greatness of his mercy gratitude for mercies received, and love, whereby he relieves the Ps. ciii, 1. direction under diffi- miseries of his people. This perculties, Prov. iii, 5, 6. peace and fection of Jehovah is conspicuously joy in opposition, Ps. xvi, 22. hap-displayed in the gift of his Son, piness in death, Ps. xxiii, 4. and Jo. iii, 16. the revelation of his an earnest desire for heaven and will, Hos. viii, 12. the bounties of glory, 2d Tim. iv, 7, 8. See Shaw's his providence, Ps. cxlv, 9. the Immanuai; Owen and Henry on exercise of his patience, Rom. ii, 4. Communion; and article FELLOW-the promise of his mercy, Ps. lxxviii, 38. the manifestation of his COMPASSION is that species presence, Matt. xviii, 20. and the of affection which is excited either provision of eternal glory, 1st Pet. by the actual distress of its object, i, 4. See MERCY. or by some impending calamity COMPLUTENSIAN BIwhich appears inevitable. It is a BLE. See BIBLE, No. 29. benevolent sorrow for the suffer- COMPREHENSION, in Engings or approaching misery of an-lish church history, denotes a other. The etymology of the scheme proposed by Sir Orlando word expresses this idea with strict Bridgman, in 1667-8, for relaxing propriety, as it signifies suffering the terms of conformity on behalf with the object. Hobbs makes this of the Protestant Dissenters, and a mere selfish passion, and defines admitting them into the commuit as "being fear for ourselves."nion of the church. A bill for Hutchinson resolves it into in- this purpose was drawn up by stinct; but Dr. Butler much more Judge Hale, but disallowed. The properly considers it as an original attempt was renewed by Tillotson distinct particular affection in hu- and Stillingfleet, in 1674, and the man nature. It may be consider- terms were settled to the satisfaced as a generic name, compre-tion of the non-conformists; but hending several other affections; as the bishops refused their assent. mercy, commiseration, pity. This The scheme was likewise revived affection (as well as every other of again immediately after the revoour nature) no doubt, was wisely lution. The king and queen exgiven us by our Creator. "Ideas pressed their desire of an union : of fitness" as Saurin observes, however the design failed, after "seldom make much impression two attempts, and the act of toon the bulk of mankind; it was leration was obtained. necessary therefore to make sen- CONCEPTION OF CHRIST, sibility supply the want of reflec- the supernatural and miraculous tion; and by a counter-blow with formation of the human nature of which the miseries of a neigh- Jesus Christ. "It were not dif

ficult to shew," says a divine," that meeting of the cardinals shut up the miraculous conception, once for the election of a pope. Conadmitted, naturally brings up after clave also signifies the place in it the great doctrines of the atone-which the cardinals of the Romish ment and the incarnation. The church meet for the above-menmiraculous conception of our Lord tioned purpose. The conclave evidently implies some higher is a range of small cells, ten feet purpose of his coming than the square, made of wainscot: these mere business of a teacher. The are numbered, and drawn by lot. business of a teacher might have They stand in a line along the galbeen performed by a mere man, leries and hall of the Vatican, with enlightened by the prophetic spirit. a small space between each. EveFor whatever instruction men have ry cell has the arms of the cardithe capacity to receive, a man nal over it. The conclave is not might have been made the instru- fixed to any one determinate place, ment to convey. Had teaching, for the constitutions of the church therefore, been the sole purpose of allow the cardinals to make choice our Saviour's coming, a mere man of such a place for the conclave might have done the whole busi-as they think most convenient; ness, and the supernatural con-yet it is generally held in the ception had been an unnecessary Vatican-The conclave is very miracle. He, therefore, who came strictly guarded by troops: neither in this miraculous way, came upon the cardinals, nor any person shut some higher business, to which a up in the conclave, are spoken to, mere man was unequal. He came but at the hours allowed of, and to be made a sin-offering for us, then in Italian or Latin: even that we might be made the right- the provisions for the conclave eousness of God in him." Sce are examined, that no letters bp. Horsley's Tracts, and article be conveyed by that means from HUMANITY OF CHRIST. the ministers of foreign powers, CONCEPTION IMMACU-or other persons, who may have LATE of the Holy Virgin, is aan interest in the election of the popish festival established in ho- pontiff.

nour of the Virgin Mary, on the CONCORD, form of.-Form supposition of her having been of concord, in ecclesiastical histoconceived, and born immaculate, ry, a standard-book among the Lui. e. without original sin: held on therans, composed at Torgaw in the 8th of December. The imma-1576, and thence called the book culate conception is the great head of Torgaw, and reviewed at Berg of controversy between the Scotists by six Lutheran doctors of Gerand Thomists; The former main many, the principal of whom was taining and the latter impugning it. James Andreæ. This book conPeter d'Alvahas published 48 huge tains, in two parts, a system of folio volumes on the mysteries of doctrine, the subscription of which the conception. was a condition of communion, CONCLAVE, the assembly or and a formal and very severe

condemnation of all who differed of rabbi Mordecai Nathan verfrom the compilers of it; particu-batim, and according to the order larly with respect to the majesty of the books and chapters in the and omnipresence of Christ's body, other column is a Latin interpreand the real manducation of his tation of each passage of scripture flesh and blood in the eucharist. quoted by R. Mordecai: this inIt was first imposed upon the terpretation is Calasius's own; but Saxons by Augustus, and occa- in the margin he adds that of the sioned great opposition and dis-LXX and the Vulgate, when difturbance. The dispute about it ferent from his. The work is in was revived in Switzerland in 4 vol. folio, printed at Rome in 1718, when the magistrates of 1621. A new edition of this Bern published an order for adopt-work was published by subscriping it as the rule of faith; and tion in London, in 1747, 8, 9, by consequence of which was a con- Mr. Romaine, to which he obtest that reduced its credit and tained the signature of authority. crowned head in Europe, his CONCORDANCE, a diction- Holiness not excepted. Dr. Tayary or index to the Bible, wherein lor published, in 1754, a Hebrew all the leading words are rang-concordance, in 2 vol. folio, adapted alphabetically, and the books, ed to the English Bible, and dischapters, and verses wherein they posed after the same manner as occur referred to, to assist in find- Buxtorf. This is perhaps the best ing out passages, and comparing for English readers.

every

with the several significations of The Greek concordances are the same word. Cardinal Hugo only for the New Testament, exde St. Charo seems to have been cept one by Conrad Kircher on the first who compiled a con- the Old, containing all the Hecordance to the holy scriptures; brew words in alphabetical orand for carrying on this work, it der; and underneath, all the inis said, he employed 500 monks terpretations of them in the LXX, to assist him. Rabbi Mordecai and in each interpretation all the Nathan published a Hebrew con-places where they occur in that cordance, printed at Venice in version, In 1718, Trommius 1523, containing all the Hebrew published his Greek concordance roots, branched into their various for the LXX, at Amsterdam, in significations, and under each sig-2 vol. folio; and Schmidius, imnification all the places in scrip- proving on a similar work of H. ture wherein it occurs; but the Stephen, has given an excellent best and most useful Hebrew con- Greek concordance for the New cordance is that of Buxtorf, print- Testament, the best edition of ed at Basil in 1632. Calasius, which is that of Leipsic, anno

an

Italian cordelier, has given 1717. Williams's concordance us concordances of the Hebrew, to the Greek Testament gives the Latin, and Greek, in two columns: English version to each word, and the first, which is Hebrew, is that points out the principal Hebrew

roots corresponding to the Greek][to the state of an inferior, and diwords of the Septuagint, 4to, minish that restraint which the ap1767. We have several concord-parent distance is calculated to proances in English, as Fishers, But-duce in him. It is enjoined on the terworth's, Newman's, Brown's; christian, and is peculiarly ornabut the best esteemed is that in mental to the christian character, 4to, by Alexander Cruden, which Rom. xii, 16. The condescension no minister or student should of God appears every way great, be without, except he have such when we consider his infinite pera prodigious memory as to su-fection, his absolute independence persede the necessity of it. Crutt-of his creatures, his purposes of well's Concordance of Parallels mercy toward them, and his conmay also be consulted with pro- tinual care over them.

fit: Talbot's complete Analysis, CONDITION, a term of a barand new Arrangement of the gain to be performed. It has been Bible; Dodd and Locke's Com-debated whether faith should be mon-place Books; with Clark on called the condition of our salvation. the Promises, and Gastrill's In- If by it we mean a valuable equistitutes, may also be useful to valent for the benefit received, or preachers. something to be performed in our CONCUBINAGE, the act of own strength, or that will be meriliving with a woman to whom the torious, it is certainly inapplicaman is not legally married. It is ble; but if by it be meant, that also used for a marriage with a it is only a mean, without which woman of inferior condition (per- we cannot be saved, in that sense formed with less solemnity than it is not improper. Yet as the the formal marriage) and to whom term is often made use of improthe husband does not convey his perly by those who are mere lerank. As polygamy was some-galists, perhaps it would be as well times practised by the patriarchs, to decline the use of it. it was a common thing to see one, CONFERENCE, the act of two, or many wives in a family, discoursing with another in order and besides these several concu- to treat upon some subject, or to bines, 2d Sam. iii, 3, &c. 1st Kings settle some point of dispute. Conxi, 3. 2d Chron. xi, 21; but ever ference Meetings, in a religious since the abrogation of polygamy sense, are meetings assembled for by Jesus Christ, and the reduction the purpose of relating experience, of marriage to its primitive insti- discoursing on some religious subtution, concubinage has been for-ject, or for transacting religious bidden and condemned among business. " Religious conference, christians. says a divine, "is one way of CONDESCENSION is that teaching religion. We all have species of benevolence which de- leisure time, and it is well spent signedly waves the supposed ad- when it is employed in set convantages of birth, title, or station, ferences on religion. There the in order to accommodate ourselves doubting man may open all his

suspicions, and confirmed chris-violations of the second table were tians will strengthen his belief; to be acknowledged to their there the fearful may learn to be brethren. Confession, according valiant for the truth; there the to Dr. Watts, is the third part of liberal may learn to devise liberal prayer, and includes, 1. A conthings; there the tongue of the fession of the meanness of our stammerer may learn to speak original, our distance from God, plainly; there Paul may withstand our subjection to him, and conPeter to the face, because he de-stant dependance on him.-2. A serves to be blamed; there the confession of our sins, both original gospel may be communicated se- and actual, in thought, life, omisverally to them of reputation;sion, and commission.-3. A conthere, in one word, ye may all fession of our desert of punishprophesy one by one, that all ment, and our unworthiness of may learn, and all may be com-mercy.-4. A confession or humforted. One hour in a week spent ble representation of our wants thus will contribute much to our and sorrows of every kind. Conedification, provided we abstain fession also may be considered as from the disorders that have often a relative duty, or the acknowdisgraced, and sometimes destroy-ledgment of any offence we have ed, this excellent christian prac-been guilty of against a fellowtice. Time should be kept, order creature. The Romish church should be preserved, no idle ques-requires confession not only as a tions should be asked; freedom of duty, but has advanced it to the inquiry should be nourished; im- dignity of a sacrament. These conmodest forwardness should be re-fessions are made to the priest,and strained; practical, experimental, are private and auricular; and the and substantial subjects should be priest is not to reveal them under examined; Charity with all its pain of the highest punishment. gentle train should be there, for This, however, is both unnecesshe openeth her mouth with wis-sary and unscriptural; for, in the dom, and in her tongue is the law first place, there is no proof that of kindness." See EXPERIENCE the power of remitting and reMEETINGS. taining sins (the pretended ground CONFESSION, the verbal ac-of sacramental confession) was knowledgment which a christian imparted to any but the apostles, makes of his sins. Among the or at the most to those to whom Jews, it was the custom, on the a discernment of spirits was comannual feast of expiation, for the municated.-2. If our Saviour high priest to make confession of had designed this to have been a sins to God, in the name of the duty, he would most probably whole people: besides this general have delivered us an express comconfession, the Jews were enjoined, mand to this purpose.-3. This if their sins were a breach of the authority of pardoning sins im first table of the law, to make mediately in relation to God (the confession of them to God; but foundation of the pretended duty