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In 1517, the reformation was begun by Luther in Germany. In 1540, the order of Jesuits was established, and Ignatius Loyola appointed first general of the order. In 1560, the reformation was completed in Scotland by John Knox, and the papal authority abolished. In 1572, the massacre of St. Bartholomews took place, the object of which was the destruction of all protestants in France; and in 1598 the edict of Nantes was issued, tolerating the protestant religion in France. Towards the conclusion of the reign of Henry VIII. parliament had passed an act, commonly known by the name of the bloody statute,' consisting of six articles, designed to favour the cause of popery. By these articles it was enacted, that in the sacrament, the bread and wine are changed to the body and blood of Christ; that communion in both kinds is not essential to the common people; and that priests may not marry; with other sentiments of a similar character.

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In consequence of these articles, many were persecuted and compelled to flee the country; but at the accession of Edward to the English throne, this statute was repealed.

During this prince's reign, the Liturgy, or Church Service Book of England was composed. About this time also, articles of religion to the number of fortytwo, were agreed upon by the bishops and clergy, to which subscription was required, by all who held ecclesiastical offices, These articles were the basis of the celebrated thirty-nine articles of the church of England, which form at present the code of faith and discipline in that church.

Edward died in 1553, and at his death gave the crown to Lady Jane Grey; but the same year the princess Mary, a bigoted papist, claimed the throne as her right, and succeeded in taking possession of it, August, 1553,

Mary now united herself in marriage with Philip, of Spain, and in 1554 Cardinal Pole arrived from Rome, with authority from the pope to receive the submission of the king and queen, which was offered on their

knees. When this was done, the cardinal pronounced the kingdom absolved from all censures, and once more returned to the bosom of the Catholic church.

Soon after this reconciliation was effected, an act was passed in parliament for the burning of heretics, and in less than two years above four hundred were publicly executed. Among the distinguished men who suffered were Rogers, Saunders, Hooper, Taylor, Ridley, Latimer, and Cranmer.

At a meeting of parliament in January, 1559, a majority were found in favour of the reformation, at which time several acts were passed in favour of the protestant

cause.

In this century, the sect called Puritans were formed, being dissenters from the church of England.

SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

In the year 1602, the puritans separated from the established church, and organized themselves into two churches; the history of one, after a short time, is lost. Of the other, Mr. John Robinson was elected pastor, and in 1608, owing to the persecution they received in England, they removed to Holland, and on the 6th of September, 1620, a portion of this church, under the charge of Elder Brewer, set sail for America, and landed at Plymouth, New England, the 22d of December.

In 1605, a scheme was formed by the Roman Catholics, the object of which was to cut off at one blow the king, lords, and commons, at a meeting of parliament. This was called the gunpowder plot. Happily, the design was discovered in time to prevent its execution. In 1613, a translation of the Bible into the English tongue was made, being the same which is now in use.

In 1685, the famous edict of Nantes was revoked by Lewis XIV. In 1646, Mr. Eliot, a distinguished minister of New England, applied himself to the improvement of the Indians in that quarter, and met with great success. He labouréd till his death in 1690,

EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

In the course of this century, the light of Christianity was gradually extended in various parts of the world. The spirit of Christianity appeared to receive a new impulse from the labours of Mr. Whitfield and the Wesleys, both in England and America.

The first protestant nation who engaged in Foreign Missions, for the conversion of the heathen, were the Danes. Their missionary efforts were commenced about the year 1705, and were directed, in the first place, to the inhabitants on the coast of Malabar, in the East Indies; and a few years after, to the people dwelling in Greenland.

The Moravians, stimulated by the example of the Danes, commenced their missionary operations about the year 1732. Though a small people, they for a time exceeded all others in their missionary enterprise.

It deserves to be recorded, to the honour of Dr. Coke, that as early as 1786, he commenced a mission to the blacks in the West Indies, which was undertaken on his own responsibility, and sustained for some time by his individual exertions. Other missionaries, however, followed him in his labours, who have succeeded in adding great numbers to the Methodist connexion.

The Baptists first effectually commenced their missionary operations in 1792, about which time a society in England was formed through the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. Carey, of Leicester.

The principal missionary enterprises of the British at this time were conducted under the auspices of three societies, viz. London Missionary Society, formed in 1795; Edinburgh Missionary Society, in 1796; and the Church Missionary Society, formed about the same period.

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