A HAND-BOOK OF CONGREGATIONALISM, BY HENRY MARTYN DEXTER. NOTE TO THE READER The paper in this volume is brittle or the We have bound or rebound the volume PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE GENERAL Bookbinding Co., CHESTERLAND, OHIO COPYRIGHT, 1880, BY THE CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHINGg society, 30,471 Electrotyped by Thomas Todd, Congregational House, Boston. 718 CONG ΤΟ THE SETTLED PASTORS AND TEACHERS OF THE Congregational Churches of the United States: MORE ESPECIALLY 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 Reverently Dedicated. As for our felves, wee proteft as all other men wee are liable to error, which our God wee trußt will in mercy forgiue vnto vs) but hold the grounds of Chriftian Religion with all Gods antient Churches and with all faythfull people at this day. ... Let him that readeth consider and the Lord gyue him understanding in all. Weigh all things vprightly in the ballance of the Sanctuarie, and judg righteous iudg= ment. Bee not offended at the implicitie of the Golpell, neyther hold the Faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Chrift, in respect of mens perfons. Gods caufe ball stand when al that handle yt amiffe tball fall before yt. Mee 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 Trve Confession, etc., 1596. 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 |