though they considered their own form of ecclesiastical government as of divine institution, and as originally introduced by the authority of the apostles, nay, by the apostles themselves, they had yet candour and charity enough to acknowledge, that true religion and solid piety might flourish in those communities which were under the jurisdiction of bishops, or the government of synods and presbyteries. They were also much more attentive than the Brownists in keeping on foot a regular ministry in their communities; for, while the latter allowed promiscuously all ranks and orders of men to teach in public, the Independents had, and still have, a certain number of ministers, chosen respectively by the congregations where they are fixed; nor is it common for any person among them to speak in public before he has submitted to a proper examination of his capacity and talents. and been approved of by the heads of the congregation. defects that reigned in the discipline of Brown, and in the spirit and temper of his followers, employed his zeal and diligence in correcting them, and in new-modelling the society in such a manner, as to render it less odious to his adversaries, and less liable to the just censure of those true Christians who look upon charity as the end of the commandments. Hitherto the sect had been called Brownists; but Robinson having in his apology affirmed that all Christian congregations were so many independent religious societies, that had a right to be governed by their own laws, independent of any farther or foreign jurisdiction, the sect was henceforth called Independents, of which the apologist was considered as the founder. The first Independent or congregational church in England was established by a Mr. Jacob, in the year 1616. Mr. Jacob, who had fled from the persecution of bishop Bancroft, going to Holland, and having imparted his design of getting up a separate congrega- From 1642, the Independents_are tion, like those in Holland, to the most very frequently mentioned in the Englearned Puritans of those times, it was lish annals. The charge alleged against not condemned as unlawful, considering them by Rapin (in his history of Engthere was no prospect of a national re- land, vol. ii. p. 514. folio ed.) that they formation. Mr. Jacob, therefore, hav-|| could not so much as endure ordinary ing summoned several of his friends to- ministers in the church, &c. is groundgether, and having obtained their con- less. He was led into this mistake by sent to unite in church fellowship for confounding the Independents with the enjoying the ordinances of Christ in the Brownists. Other charges, no less unpurest manner, they laid the foundation justifiable, have been urged against the of the first independent church in Eng- Independents by this celebrated histoland in the following way. Having ob- rian, and others. Rapin says, that they served a day of solemn fasting and abhorred monarchy, and approved of a prayer for a blessing upon their under-republican government: this might have taking, towards the close of the solemnity, each of them made an open confession of their faith in Christ; and then, standing together, they joined hands, and solemnly covenanted with each other, in the presence of Almighty God, to walk together in all God's ways and ordinances, according as he had already revealed, or should farther make known to them. Mr. Jacob was then chosen pastor by the suffrage of the brotherhood; and others were appointed to the office of deacons, with fasting and prayer, and imposition of hands. The Independents were much more commendable than the Brownists; they surpassed them, both in the moderation of their sentiments, and in the order of their discipline. They did not, like Brown, pour forth bitter and uncharitable invectives against the churches which were governed by rules entirely different from theirs, nor pronounce them, on that account, unworthy of the Christian name. On the contrary, been true with regard to many persons among them, in common with other sects; but it does not appear, from any of their public writings, that republican principles formed their distinguishing characteristic; on the contrary, in a public memorial drawn up by them in 1647, they declare, that they do not disapprove of any form of civil government, but do freely acknowledge that a kingly government, bounded by just and wholesome laws, is allowed by God, and also a good accommodation unto men. The Independents, however, have been generally ranked among the regicides, and charged with the death of Charles I. Whether this fact be admitted or denied, no conclusion can be fairly drawn from the greater prevalence of republican principles, or from violent proceedings at that period, that can affect the distinguishing tenets and conduct of the Independents in our times. It is certain that the present Independents are steady friends to a limited monar chy. Rapin is farther mistaken when | Puritan emigrants, in 1629 and 1633, he represents the religious principles from England. One Morel, in the sixof the English Independents as contrary teenth century, endeavoured to introto those of all the rest of the world. It duce it into France: but it was conappears from two confessions of faith, demned at the synod of Rochelle, where one composed by Robinson in behalf of Beza presided; and again at the synod the English Independents in Holland, of Rochelle, in 1644. and published at Leyden in 1619, enti Many of the Independents reject the tled, Apologia pro Exulibus Anglis, use of all creeds and confessions drawn qui Brownista vulgo appellantur; and up by fallible men, though they require another drawn up in London in 1658, by of their teachers a declaration of their the principal members of this commu- belief in the Gospel and its various docnity in England, entitled, "A Declara-trines, and their adherents to the Scription of the Faith and Order owned and tures as the sole standard of faith and practised by the Congregational Chur- practice. They attribute no virtue ches in England, agreed upon and con- whatever to the rite of ordination, upon sented unto by their Elders and Messen-which some other churches lay so much gers, in their meeting at the Savoy, Oct. stress. According to them, the quali12th, 1658," as well as from other writ-fications which constitute a regular ings of the Independents, that they dif- minister of the New Testament are, fered from the rest of the reformed in a firm belief in the Gospel, a principle no single point of any consequence, ex- of sincere and unaffected piety, a comcept that of ecclesiastical government; peten stock of knowledge, a capacity and their religious doctrines were al- for leading devotion and communicating most entirely the same with those adopt-instruction, a serious inclination to ened by the church of Geneva. During gage in the important employment of the administration of Cromwell, the In- promoting the everlasting salvation of dependents acquired very considerable mankind, and ordinarily an invitation reputation and influence; and he made to the pastoral office from some partiuse of them as a check to the ambition cular society of Christians. Where of the Presbyterians, who aimed at a these things concur, they consider a pervery high degree of ecclesiastical pow-son as fitted and authorised for the diser, and who had succeeded, soon after the elevation of Cromwell, in obtaining a parliamentary establishment of their own church government. But after the restoration, their cause declined; and in 1691 they entered into an association with the Presbyterians residing in and about London, comprised in nine articles, that tended to the maintenance of their respective institutions. These may be found in the second volume of Whiston's Memoirs, and the substance of them in Mosheim. At this time the Independents and Presbyterians, called from this association the United Brethren, were agreed with regard to doctrines, being generally Calvinists, and differed only with respect to ecclesiastical discipline. But at present, though the English Independents and Presbyterians form two distinct parties of Protestant Dissenters, they are distinguished by very trifling differences with regard to church government, and the denominations are more arbitrarily used to comprehend those who differ in theological opinions. The Independents are generally more attached to Calvinism than the Presbyterians. Independentism is peculiar to Great Britian, the United States, and the Batavian Republic. It was carried first to the American colonies in 1620, and by successive charge of every duty which belongs to the ministerial function, and they believe that the imposition of hands of bishops or presbyters would convey to him no powers or prerogatives of which he was not before possessed. But though they attribute no virtue to ordination, as conveying any new powers, yet they hold with and practise it. Many of them, indeed, suppose that the essence of ordination does not lie in the act of the ministers who assist, but in the choice and call of the people, and the candidate's acceptance of that call; so that their ordination may be considered only as a public declaration of that agreement. See ORDINATION. They consider it as their right to choose their own ministers and deacons. They own no man as head of the church. They disallow of parochial and provincial subordination; but though they do not think it necessary to assemble synods, yet, if any be held, they look upon their resolutions as prudential counsels, but not as decisions to which they are obliged to conform. They consider the Scriptures as the only criterion of truth. Their worship is conducted in a decent, plain, and simple manner, without the ostentation of form and the vain pomp of ceremony. The congregations of the Indepen dents are very numerous, both in Eng-mish church, all the good works of the land and America, and some of them saints, over and above those whicn very respectable. This denomination were necessary towards their own jushas produced many characters as emi- tification, are deposited, together with nent for learning and piety as any the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, in church in Christendom; whose works, one inexhaustible treasury. The keys no doubt, will reflect lasting honour on of this were committed to St. Peter, their characters and abilities. See and to his successors, the popes, who CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL; NONCON- may open it at pleasure; and, by transFORMISTS, and books under those ar- ferring a portion of this superabundant ticles. merit to any particular person for a INDEX, EXPURGATORY, a cata- sum of money, may convey to him logue of prohibited books in the church either the pardon of his own sins, or a of Rome. The first catalogues of this release for any one in whom he is interkind were made by the inquisitors, and ested from the pains of purgatory. Such these were afterwards approved of by indulgences were first invented in the the council of Trent, after some alter- eleventh century, by Urban II. as a reation was made in them by way of re- compense for those who went in pertrenchment or addition. Thus an in- son upon the glorious enterprise of condex of heretical books being formed, quering the Holy Land. They were it was confirmed by a bull of Clement afterwards granted to those who hired VIII. in 1595, and printed with several a soldier for that purpose; and in prointroductory rules; by the fourth of cess of time were bestowed on such as which, the use of the Scriptures in the gave money for accomplishing any pivulgar tongue is forbidden to all per- ous work enjoined by the pope. The sons without a particular licence: and power of granting indulgences has been by the tenth rule it is ordained, that no greatly abused in the church of Rome. book shall be printed at Rome without Pope Leo X., in order to carry on the the approbation of the pope's vicar, or magnificent structure of St. Peter's, at some person delegated by the pope: Rome, published indulgences, and a nor in any other places, unless allowed plenary remission to all such as should by the bishop of the diocese, or some contribute money towards it. Finding person deputed by him, or by the inqui- the project take, he granted to Albert, sitor of heretical pravity. The Trent elector of Mentz, and archbishop of index being thus published, Philip II. Magdeburg, the benefit of the indulof Spain ordered another to be printed gences of Saxony, and the neighbouring at Antwerp in 1571, with considerable parts, and farmed out those of other enlargements. Another index was pub-countries to the highest bidders: who, lished in Spain in 1584, a copy of which to make the best of the bargain, prowas snatched out of the fire when the cured the ablest preachers to cry up English plundered Cadiz. Afterwards the value of the ware. The form of there were several expurgatory indexes these indulgences was as follows:printed at Rome and Naples, and par-" May our Lord Jesus Christ have ticularly in Spain. mercy upon thee, and absolve thee by the merits of his most holy passion. And I, by his authority, that of his blessed apostles, Peter and Paul, and of the most holy pope, granted and committed to me in these parts, do absolve thee, first from all ecclesiastical censures, in whatever manner they have been incurred; then from all thy sins, INDIGNATION, a strong disapprobation of mind, excited by something flagitious in the conduct of another. It does not, as Mr. Cogan observes, always suppose that excess of depravity which alone is capable of committing deeds of horror. Indignation always refers to culpability of conduct, and cannot, like the passion of horror, be ex-transgressions, and excesses, how enortended to distress either of body or mind. mous soever they may be: even from It is produced by acts of treachery, abuse such as are reserved for the cogniof confidence, base ingratitude, &c. which zance of the holy see, and as far as the we cannot contemplate without being keys of the holy church extend. I reprovoked to anger, and feeling a gene-mit to you all punishment which you rous resentment. deserve in purgatory on their account: INDULGENCES, in the Romish and I restore you to the holy sacrachurch, are a remission of the punish-ments of the church, to the unity of the ment due to sin, granted by the church, faithful, and to that innocence and puriand supposed to save the sinner from ty which you possessed at baptism: so purgatory. that when you dic, the gates of punishAccording to the doctrine of the Ro-ment shall be shut, and the gates of the For burning a neighbour's house. 12 0 9 0 6 For lying with a mother, sister, &c.7 For keeping a concubine For laying violent hands on a clergyman. And so on. .7 6 10 6 10 6 themselves. Since that time the popes have been more sparing in the exercise of this power; although it is said, they still carry on a great trade with them to the Indies, where they are purchased at two rials a piece, and sometimes more. We are told also that a gentleman not long since being at Naples, in order that he might be fully ascertained respecting indulgences, went to the office, and for two sequins purchased a plenary remission of all sins for himself and any two other persons of his friends or relations, whose names he was empowered to insert. Haweis's Church Hist. vol. iii. p. 147; Smith's Errors of the Church of Rome; Watson's Theol. Tracts, vol. v. p. 274; Mosheim's Eccl. Hist. vol. i. p. 594, quarto. a INFALLIBILITY, the quality of not being able to be deceived or mistaken. INDUSTRY, diligence, constant application of the mind, or exercise of the body. See DILIGENCE, and IDLENESS. INDWELLING SCHEME, scheme which derives its name from that passage in Col. ii. 9. "In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead The terms in which the retailers of bodily," which, according to some, asindulgences described their benefits, and serts the doctrine of Christ's consisting the necessity of purchasing them, were of two beings; one the self-existent so extravagant that they appear almost Creator, and the other a creature made incredible. If any man, said they, pur- into one person by an ineffable union and chase letters of indulgence, his soul may || indwelling, which renders the same atrest secure with respect to its salvation. tributes and honours equally applicable The souls confined in purgatory, for to both. See PRE-EXISTENCE. Dr. whose redemption indulgences are pur- Owen's Glory of Christ, p. 368, 369. chased, as soon as the money tinkles in Lond. ed. 1679; a Sermon entitled "The the chest, instantly escape from that true Christ of God above the false Christ place of torment, and ascend into hea- of Men," Ipswich, 1799; Watts's Glory ven. That the efficacy of indulgences of Christ, p. 6-203; Adams's View of was so great, that the most heinous sins, Religions, p. 267. even if one should violate (which was impossible) the Mother of God, would be remitted and expiated by them, and the person be freed both from punishment and guilt. That this was the unspeakable gift of God, in order to reconcile man to himself. That the cross erected by the preachers of indulgences was equally efficacious with the cross of Christ itself. "Lo," said they," the heavens are open: if you enter not now, when will you enter? For twelve pence you may redeem the soul of your father out of purgatory; and are you so ungrateful that you will not rescue the soul of your parent from torment? If you had but one coat, you ought to strip yourself instantly, and sell it, in order to purchase such benefit," &c. It was this great abuse of indulgences that contributed not a little to the reformation of religion in Germany, where Martin Luther began first to declaim against the preachers of indulgences, and afterwards against indulgences The infallibility of the church of Rome has been one of the great controversies between the Protestants and Papists. By this infallibility it is understood, that she cannot at any time cease to be orthodox in her doctrine, or fall into any pernicious errors; but that she is constituted, by divine authority, the judge of all controversies of religion, and that all Christians are obliged to acquiesce in her decisions. This is the chain which keeps its members fast bound to its communion; the charm which retains them within its magic circle; the opiate which lays asleep all their doubts and difficulties: it is likewise the magnet which attracts the desultory and unstable in other persuasions within the sphere of popery, the foundation of its whole superstructure, the cement of all its parts, and its fence and fortress against all inroads and attacks. INF 263 head of the church and its members, as- The most general opinion, however, Under the idea of this infallibility, the church of Rome claims, 1. To de- it is said, is that of its being seated in a termine what books are and what are pope and general council. The advonot canonical, and to oblige all Chris-cates for this opinion consider the pope tians to receive or reject them accord- as the vicar of Christ, head of the ingly.-2. To communicate authority to church, and centre of unity; and therethe Scripture; or, in other words, that fore conclude that his concurrence with the Scripture (quoad nos,) as to us, re- and approbation of the decrees of a ceives its authority from her.-3. To general council are necessary, and suffiassign and fix the sense of Scripture, cient to afford it an indispensible sancwhich all Christians are submissively tion and plenary authority. A general to receive.-4. To decree as necessary council they regard as the church repreto salvation whatever she judges so sentative, and suppose that nothing can although not contained in Scripture. be wanting to ascertain the truth of any 5. To decide all controversies respect-controversial point, when the pretended ing matters of faith. These are the claims to which the church of Rome pretends, but which we shall not here attempt to refute, because any man with the Bible in his hand, and a little common sense, will easily see that they Every impartial person, who consiare all founded upon ignorance, superders this subject with the least degree stition, and error. It is not a little remarkable, however, that the Roman of attention, must clearly perceive that Catholics themselves are much divided neither any individual nor body of as to the seat of this infallibility, and Christians have any ground from reason or Scripture for pretending to infalwhich, indeed, may be considered as a satisfactory proof that no such privi- libility. It is evidently the attribute of the Supreme Being alone, which we lege exists in the church. For is it consistent with reason to think that God have all the foundation imaginable to would have imparted so extraordinary conclude he has not communicated to a gift to prevent errors and dissensions any mortal, or associations of mortals. in the church, and yet have left an ad- The human being who challenges infalditional cause of error and dissension, libility seems to imitate the pride and will ascend, and will be like the Most viz. the uncertainty of the place of its presumption of Lucifer, when he said,abode? No, surely.-Some place this infallibility in the pope or bishop of High. A claim to it was unheard of in Rome; some in a general council; the primitive and purest ages of the others in neither pope nor council sepa-church; but became, after that period, rately, but in both conjointly; whilst others are said to place it in the church diffusive, or in all churches throughout the world. But that it could not be deposited in the pope is evident, for many popes have been heretics, and on that account censured and deposed, and therefore could not have been infallible. That it could not be placed in a general council is as evident; for general councils have actually erred. Neither could it be placed in the pope and council conjointly; for two fallibles could not make one infallible any more than two ciphers could make an integer. To say that it is lodged in the church universal or diffusive, is equally as erroneous; for this would be useless and insignificant, because it could never be exercised. The whole church could not meet to make decrees, or to choose representatives, or to deliver their sentiments on any question started; and, less than all would not be the whole church, and so could not claim that privilege. the arrogant pretension of papal ambi- |