A HAND-BOOK

OF

CONGREGATIONALISM,

BY

HENRY MARTYN DEXTER.

NOTE TO THE READER

The paper in this volume is brittle or the
inner margins are extremely narrow.

We have bound or rebound the volume
utilizing the best means possible.

PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE

GENERAL BOOKBINDING CO., CHESTERLAND, OHIO

COPYRIGHT, 1880, BY THE CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING society.

Electrotyped by Thomas Todd, Congregational House, Boston.

TO THOSE HONORED OF GOD IN BEING CALLED TO APPROVE

THEMSELVES AS HIS MINISTERS BY ENDURING

HARDNESS IN MUCH PATIENCE,

-AS POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH

THIS LITTLE BOOK,

DESIGNED IN SOME THINGS TO LIGHTEN THEIR LABOR,

Is Affectionately and Keverently Dedicated.

As for our felves, wee proteß
with limple harts in the prel-
ence of God, and his holy
Angelles, vnto al men, that
wee doo not wittingly and
willingly mataine anie one
error against the word of truth
(though wee doubt not but

as all other men wee are

liable to error, which our God wee truß will in mercy forgiue vnto vs) but hold the grounds of Christian Religion with all Gods antient Churches ♦ ♦ . and with all faythfull people at this day. ✦ ✦ ✦ Let him that readeth confider and the Lord gyue him understanding in all. Weigh all things vprightly in the ballance of the Sanctuarie, and judg righteous iudgment. Bee not offended at the implicitie of the Golpell, neyther hold the Faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, in respect of mens perfons. Gods caufe thall stand when al that handle yt amille fball fall before yt. Wee offer heere our Fayth to the view and tryall of all men. Try all things and keep that which is good: and yf thou shalt reape anie frute by these our labors (gentel Reader) gyue God the glory.

[Preface to A True Confession, etc., 1596.

CHAPTER.

CONTENTS.

I. THE HISTORY OF CONGREGATIONALISM

II. THE POLITY OF CONGREGATIONALISM

III. THE DOCTRINE OF CONGREGATIONALISM

IV. THE WORSHIP OF CONGREGATIONALISM

V. THE WORKING OF CONGREGATIONALISM

VI. THE ADVANTAGES OF CONGREGATIONALISM

VII. THE STATISTICS OF CONGREGATIONALISM

VIII. THE FORMS USUAL TO CONGREGATIONALISM

IX. THE LITERATURE OF CONGREGATIONALISM

X. RULES OF ORDER USED IN CONGREGATIONALISM

THE SHORT OF IT

INDEX OF TEXTS

GENERAL INDEX