fined to it; and in the celebration of the communion, did not use it at all.*

Whether these churches were made what they were by the peculiarities of their situation, or had existed previously to the accession of the Persecutor, I have no means of deciding. One thing is certain, that no church but such as was substantially Congregational could have existed, in an organized form, during the terrible persecutions of Mary's reign. And it certainly deserves remark, that this organization may be as perfectly observed under persecution, as in the highest prosperity; no insignificant argument in favor of its being that form of church government which Christ designed for universal adoption. We have, however, fuller evidence than the hints just alluded to, that there were churches of the Congregational description as early as the time of Mary.

Orme, in his life of John Owen, (page 48), in speaking of Browne, the reputed author or discoverer of Congregationalism, in 1582, says: "Long before he was heard of, perhaps before he was born, there were persons in England who held and acted on these sentiments, as far as was prac⚫ ticable in their circumstances. Bolton, though not the first in this way, was an elder of a separate church in the beginning of queen Elizabeth's days." ‡ [1558].

Gifford, writing against the Brownists at a period some. what later, (1590), says: " Many men think they be

* See Fox, ut sup.

+ Clarke (Chaps. 56, 57) mentions the existence of secret congregations of Christians in different parts of the kingdom during the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII. These appear to have been Wickliffites; and to have been quite numerous. I see nothing un. reasonable in the supposition that they may have survived unto Mary's day.

1 See Robinson's Justification, p. 50.

sprung up but of late; but whereas, in very deed, it is well known, that there was a church of them in London twenty years past."

says:

(6 Penry, in his address to queen Elizabeth, • If we had queen Mary's days, I think we should have been as flourishing a church at this day, as ever any; for it is well known that there were then in London, and elsewhere in exile, more flourishing churches than any tolerated by your authority.'

999

The same author (Orme) says: "In the year 1567 a number of persons were imprisoned who belonged to a society of about a hundred, who appear to have been of this persuasion."

I introduce the above extracts out of their chronological order, that I may present, in one view, what little. I have been able to collect illustrative of the progress of scriptural principles of church polity, up to the close of Mary's reign. Penry was a devoted follower of these principles, and undoubtedly knew the history of his own brethren: he asserts, without qualification, that there were flourishing Independent churches in Mary's day. And, the fact, that a few years after this date- in the early part of Elizabeth's reign-there was a single church, containing a hundred souls, is very strong presumptive evidence that these principles were not then of very recent discovery.

The reason that we have not more full historical details of these dissenters from all hierarchies, is very plain: these men were compelled to hide themselves from all the pow ers in authority, whether Protestant or Popish; and conse quently, little would be known of them until the watchful

* See Orme, ut sup. ; also Hanbury's "Historical Memorials Relating to Independents," Vol. I. pp. 15-17. London, 1839 Prince's New England Chro. Sec. 11. p. 302.

ness of their enemies, or the unfaithfulness of some of their own number, discovered them to the government.

That the leaven of Congregationalism was extensively diffused through the English nation previous to the time of which I am now speaking, is very evident from the course adopted by many of the exiles who fled to the Continent on the accession of Mary. As early as June 27th 1554, a company of English exiles entered Frankfort, Germany"the first ** that there arrived to remain." At their head was the famous William Whittingham, a clergyman of large fortune, which he had forsaken for the comfort of a good conscience in a foreign land. Immediately after their ar rival, (July 8), they applied to the magistrates for the use of a church "wherein they might have God's word truly preached, and the sacraments sincerely, (that is, purely) ministered in their natural tongue. July 14th they obtained their request, and then (forming themselves into an Independent church) consult what order of service to use, and the English order [established in the latter part of Edward's reign] being perused, they by general consent conclude, that the answering aloud after the minister should not be used; that the litany, surplice, and many other things, be omitted; that in the sacraments also, sundry things be omitted as superstitious and superfluous. And having chosen their ministers and deacons, they enter their church on (Lord's Day) July 29."* From Neal we learn, that this church were of opinion "that in all controversies among themselves, and especially in cases of appeal, the dernier resort should be in the church."† One of their articles of agreement was, "that the ministers and seniors [elders], and every of them, be subject to ecclesiastical dis

* "Treatise of the Troubles in Frankfort," in Prince's N. E. Chron. Sec. 11. p. 286.

+ His. Puritans, Vol. I. pp. 150-157.

cipline and correction, as others,-private members of the church be."*

I have been particular in marking the dates, as above, to show, that the peculiar notions of this church were not derived from any intercourse with those among whom they had gone to reside. Whatever they were, they were brought with the exiles from England. And that they were essentially Congregational, or Independent, is very obvious from their proceedings; from the character of their church officers-simple elders and deacons ; and above all, from the grand principle of Congregationalism which they recognized in asserting the church to be the ultimate source of all power and authority under Christ.

Dr. Cox and his friends joined these exiles about eight months after their organization; and by their attempts to introduce the entire English service, finally broke up this church. After various manœuvres the Congregationalists being out-voted, retired to Geneva rather than live in a quarrel at Frankfort. In Geneva, Mr. Whittingham and his friends established another church, which," in its discipline, government, and form of worship, is said to have varied but little from that of the Congregational churches of the present day." +

"Other exiles out of England set up another (Independent) church at Embden, in East Friesland, whereof bishop Scory was the superintendent. Others formed another (Independent) church at Wesel, in West Phalia, to which bishop Coverdale preaches. But he being called away, they removed to Arrow in Switzerland, under the conduct of Mr. Thomas Seaver."

I extract the above from the accurate Prince, who in a note says: "I call them all Independent churches; for

* Troubles in Frankfort, quoted by Hanbury, p. 248, Note d. Baylies' Historical Memoir of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1. p. 3.

though their historians give them not this title, yet they were plainly such in reality."* And even the church or

ganized by Dr. Cox and his coadjutors, seems finally to have embraced principles and practices more nearly in accordance with our denominational peculiarities than those on which they set out; and to have become entirely reconciled to their injured brethren at Geneva.*

From all which it appears, That Congregationalism had an embodied existence in its principles-though not in name -at home and abroad, during even the reign of the "bloody Mary."

ages

We are now about to emerge from the dark of our history. We are approaching a period when the principles of Congregationalism were fully discovered, and developed, and maintained; a period memorable for mighty men and wonderful events-men and events which are likely to be remembered, and whose influence will be felt, while the world shall stand.

CHAPTER XII.

ACCESSION OF Elizabeth, 1558. THE NON-CONFORMISTS.

THE PURITANS.

Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII. and Anne Boleyn, succeeded her sister Mary. During her sister's tyrannical reign, this princess was in constant jeopardy; she suffered imprisonment, and narrowly escaped with her life. A woman of less prudence would have fallen a victim to the jealous bigotry of Mary.

* N. E. Chro. Sec. 11. p. 287, and note.