RECOMMENDATIONS.

I have examined TOWNSEND'S ABRIDGMENT, and in my opinion, it is executed in such a manner, as will render it an acceptable and useful work to the public.

HENRY DWIGHT, Pastor

of first Presbyterian Church Utica, N. Y.

From my acquaintance with the Rev. Mr. DWIGHT, I most cheerfully give my name, if it will aid in the more general diffusion of the Abridgment of Milner's Church History.

AZEL BACKUS, D. D.

President of Hamilton College.

I have examined a part of Townsend's Abridgment, and cheerfully concur in opinion with the Rev. Mr. Dwight and Doctor Backus, expressed in the above recommendations.

ASAHEL S. NORTON, D. D.

Pastor of the first Congregational Church, Clinton N. Y.

PREFACE.

THIS Abridgment of MILNER'S CHURCH HISTORY, is designed for the use and benefit of such families as may not feel themselves able to purchase, or may not have time to read the entire work.

THE principal facts there detailed, are here presented to the public in a condensed form, mostly in the language of the author.

THE progress of truth and its salutary influence on a world ruined by sin; the consolations which result from a life of true holiness, and the faithfulness of Zion's King in the means used to support his cause in the world, are here exhibited. The saints are seen in sackcloth, with their hearts fixed, trusting in God: errors in their various forms and deleterious nature, are noticed, and the blood of the martyrs is seen to be the seed of the church.

MAY all, who shall read this abridgment, be excited, by the Holy Spirit, to live to the glory of Him, who has said this church; "FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK, IT IS YOUR FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM.”

Utica, Feb. 10, 1816,

J. T.

CENTURY I.

CHAPTER I.

A SUMMARY VIEW OF THE CHURCH, SO FOR AS IT MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

SECTION I.

Jerusalem.

THAT "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in the name of Jesus Christ, beginning at Jerusalem;" is a text which shows what the christian religion is, and where we are to look for its commencement. We are to describe the rise of a dispensation, the most glorious to God, and the most beneficent to man. In Judea alone something of the worship of the true God, and of the forms of the Mosaic economy subsisted, but greatly obscured and corrupted with Pharisaic traditions, and Sadducean profaneness. Of that religion, which consists in repentance and remission of sins, they were totally ignorant. The great body of the Jewish nation knew not that men need to be made new creatures, and to receive the forgiveness of sins by faith in the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Some there were, however, who implicitly rested on the God of Israel, and trusted in the Redeemer that was to come; such were Zacharias, Simeon and Anna.

This dark season was chosen by Him "who hath put the times and seasons in his own power," for the exhibition of the Light of Life.

B