CARTER-LANE, DOCTORS-COMMONS.

ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN.

THE Presbyterian congregation in Little Carter-Lane,

Doctors' Commons, is of early origin, and in point of respectability, has always ranked among the most considerable of that denomination in London. It took its rise in the early part of the reign of Charles the Second, being gathered by the labours of the pious and excellent Mr. Matthew Sylvester, who was ejected from Gunnerby, in Lincolnshire, and settled in London, in 1667, being the year after the dreadful fire. His congregation assembled first at Rutland-house, Dr. Calamy says in Charter-house-yard; by which we are probably to understand Glass-houseyard, the ancient meeting-house in that place, being formerly a part of Rutland-house, as will be seen more fully when we come to speak of that building. Here, towards the latter. end of the reign of King James the Second, he was assisted by the truly venerable Mr. Richard Baxter.

Soon after the Revolution, they removed to another place of worship, in Meeting-house-court, Blackfriars. This was one of the places singled out for destruction, by the infuriated mob that fell upon the Dissenters in 1710. The reader need scarcely be informed, that the idol of this faction was the Rev. Henry Sacheverel, D. D. and minister of St. Saviour's, Southwark, whose history makes a conspicuous figure in the annals of fanatical zeal, and priestly domination. That this preacher of passive obedience and non-resistance, should have inspired his admirers with notions of such a rebellious nature, as to break forth into open resistance against the constituted authorities of the land, is a fact no less curious than certain, and points out the precarious nature of that VOL. II.

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attachment which basks only in the sunshine of a court. Because a liberal-minded prince had sheathed the sword, which for near thirty years had been let loose upon the Dissenters, this ecclesiastical firebrand, envying their peace and liberty, must raise the senseless cry of "the church in danger;" though from what quarter, seeing she was fenced round by articles, canons, and penal laws at every avenue, that she enjoyed the protection of the civil sword, and was supported by a powerful and interested priesthood, posterity is at a loss to guess. The animal that possesses a soul so contracted as to proscribe all divine worship, which is not offered in a manner agreeably to its own limited apprehensions, is unworthy a human form, and merits, in a high degree, the infamy of a troubler in Israel. It is from such troublesome spirits as these, belong to whatever denomination they may, and not from the real subjects of Christ's kingdom, who will always be the quiet of the land, that the kingdom of the clergy is in danger.

Though Mr. Sylvester was far from being a popular preacher, yet during the lifetime of Mr. Baxter, his ministry was well attended. But after the death of that great mau, many persons deserted him, which proved a great discouragement. He would not, however, relinquish his post, but continued labouring till, in a good old age, he was released by death. His successor, Dr. Samuel Wright, being a minister of good pulpit talents, and a very acceptable preacher, soon raised the congregation; but, it was not long after his settlement, that the disaster above-mentioned happened to his meeting-house. The damage it sustained from the rioters being repaired at the expence of government, Dr. Wright continued his ministry at Blackfriars, for the space of more than twenty years, with great comfort and usefulness. At length, the congregation being grown very numerous, a larger place became necessary; and gave rise to the building of the present meeting-house in Little Carterlane, which was opened for divine worship, on the 5th of

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December, 1734. The sermon preached by the Doctor upon this occasion, was published. Here he continued his labours with growing reputation, for about twelve years, when he was removed by death. Since the time of Dr. Wright, the congregation has gradually declined, and is at present in rather a low state. In point of property, however, it is still respectable, and the annual collection made for the Presbyterian fund, is very considerable,

This church, like those of the Presbyterian denomination in general, was constituted upon principles strictly Calvinistical, and the pastors prior to Mr. Newman, were moderate Calvinists. That gentlenian, as well as his successor, Mr. Pickard, is generally supposed to have followed the scheme of Dr. Clarke; but they were both, in many respects, very valuable and useful ministers, and well esteemed in their day. And here it may not be amiss to remark, that Arianism at that time, differed most essentially from what has usually passed under that name during the last twenty years, which, as far as we can perceive, differs in a very trifling degree from the Socinianism of former times; for during the period just mentioned, even these latter sentiments have undergone a material revolution. The present pastor, in principle, as well as in spirit, is supposed to approach nearer the nonconformists of the former age. The afternoon preacher is considered an Arian.

The meeting-house in Little Carter-lane, is a large, substantial, brick building, of a square form, and contains three galleries of very considerable dimensions. The inside is finished with remarkable neatness; and in point of workmanship, is scarcely equalled by any place of worship among the Dissenters in London. The sombre appearance it exhibits, arising partly from the colour of the pews and galleries, immediately arrests the attention, and appears much better suited to the solemnity of divine worship, than the theatrical style of decoration adopted in many of our modern chapels. The Society now under consideration, has, from its earliest state, invariably enjoyed the assistance of two

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ministers, who were formerly called pastor and assistant, but of late years morning and afternoon preachers, of whom the former sustains the office of pastor. The latter resembles, in some measure, the afternoon lecturer at our parish churches, and has but little connexion with the minister of the place. Though the morning congregation is far from being large, yet the afternoon audience is considerably smaller, and presents the melancholy spectacle of a noble place of worship nearly deserted.

The ministers of Carter-lane meeting, and of the Society before it met at that place, have been as follows:

MATTHEW SYLVESTER.-This pious and excellent minister was born about the year 1637, but at what place we are no where informed. He had the misfortune to lose

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-English Presbyterian.

both his parents while young; but meeting with friends, was sent at a proper age, to St. John's College, Cambridge. There, his diligence and humility, his affable and obliging behaviour, attracted general notice; but through the straitness of his circumstances, he was compelled to leave the university sooner than he would otherwise have done. After spending some time in the country, in the close pursuit of his studies, he was presented to the living of Gunnerby, in the county of Lincoln; whence he was ejected by the Act of Uniformity, in 1662. The learned Dr. Sanderson, then bishop of the diocese, who was his relation, sent for him, and treated him very courteously, but strongly urged his conformity, with the offer of considerable preferment. But he frankly told his lordship, that he could not go into the church with satisfaction to his conscience, and must, therefore, be excused. The points he most scrupled were, the unfeigned assent and consent-the renunciation of the solemn league and covenant-reordination—and the power of the church to decree rites and ceremonies. His principles he maintained with great moderation, and though he could easily foresee that they would expose him to considerable hardships, yet he often declared," that he never had one repenting thought as to his nonconformity."

After his being silenced, Mr. Sylvester lived sometime as domestic chaplain with Sir John Bright, and afterwards in the same capacity with John White, Esq. of Nottinghamshire. In both these families he met with many civilities, and abundant respect. After the fire of London, Mr. Sylvester removed thither, and gathered a private congregation; but though he suffered in common with other Dissenters, he was never imprisoned. Here he cultivated a good correspondence with several Divines of the Church of England, by whom he was greatly respected; particularly by Dr. Tillotson, and Dr. Whichcot. But no man valued him more than the excellent Mr. Richard Baxter, who was a good judge of men; and his esteem for Mr. Baxter ran as high