HAMPDEN MANOR, THE SEAT OF THE PATRIOT HAMPDEN. With Thirty-six Engravings. LONDON: A. COCKSHAW, 41, LUDGATE HILL. 1851. 270.C.216 PREFACE. THE design of the following work is to exhibit, in a form as little repulsive as the nature of the subject will allow, some of the phenomena of Religious Intolerance, especially as it has been displayed in a protestant form, and to indicate the mistaken principle in which these melancholy results have had their origin. It has been no part of the author's aim to advocate any distinctive form of doctrine or polity; but rather to show how any religious system, whether episcopal, presbyterian, or congregational, may become vitiated and perverted by its alliance with the powers of the State, and by the assumption, exclusiveness, and worldly pride, which such a connexion invariably engenders. The author will rejoice if his work shall produce, especially in the minds of the young, a juster esti mate of the value of that spiritual freedom for which their ancestors longed, suffered, and even died; though they did not always clearly understand the true nature of that liberty which alone could have met their wants, and which, in the degree in which it exists, is, for the most part, the measure of the religious prosperity, and of the moral and social well-being of nations. To those friends who have aided in such inquiries as were important to the writer's object-who have opened sources of information, or yielded to him their generous hospitality during the progress of his search, cordial thanks are offered. |