ebook img

To find definition, click appropriate link above. Click link PDF

865 Pages·2004·2.7 MB·English
by  
Save to my drive
Quick download
Download
Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.

Preview To find definition, click appropriate link above. Click link

Buck's Theological Dictionary Preface A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Appendix To find definition, click appropriate link above. Click link to return to top. PREFACE Knowledge, in a great measure, forms the true dignity and happiness of man: it is that by which he holds an honourable rank in the scale of being, and by which he is rendered capable of adding to the felicity of his fellow-creature. Every attempt, therefore, to enlarge its boundaries, and facilitate its acquisition must be considered as worthy of our attention and regard. The present work is designed to promote these valuable and important ends. The plan of conveying knowledge by dictionaries has been long established, and well received in the republic of letters. A dictionary, however, of a religious and ecclesiastical nature was still a desideratum in the religious world; for although we have had dictionaries which explained Scripture terms, yet it is evident these could not embrace the history of the church since the sacred canon was concluded, nor explain the numerous terms which have been used; nor, indeed, point out the various sects and denominations which have subsisted since that time. I do not mean, by these remards, to depreciate the valuable works above referred to; I am sensible of their excellencies, and I have no wish to undervalue them in order to exalt my own. This work, however, is of a different nature, as the reader will easily see, if he takes the trouble to compare and examine. There may, doubtless, be defects in this publication which may have escaped my attention; but whoever considers the various books that must have been consulted; the discriminations that were necessary to be made; the patient investigation required; and the toil of selecting, transcribing, and the probability of its being useful to others, greatly encouraged me in its prosecution. Besides, to be active, to be useful, to do something for the good of mankind, I have always considered as the honour of an intelligent being. It is not the student wrapt up in metaphysical subtilties; it is not the recluse living in perpetual solitude; it is not the miser who is continually amassing wealth, that can be considered as the greatest ornaments or the greatest blessings to human society:--it is rather the useful than the shining talent that is to be coveted. Perhaps it may be said, the work is tinctured too much with my own sentiments, and that the theology is too antiquated to please a liberal, philosophising, and refined age. In answer to this, I observe, that I could do no other, as an honest man, than communicate what I believed to be the truth. It is a false liberality to acquiesce with every man's opinion, to fall in with every man's scheme, to trifle with error, or imagine there is no difference between one sentiment and another: yet, notwithstanding this declaration, I trust the features of bigotry are not easily discernible in this work; and that, while I have endeavoured to carry the torch of Truth in my hand, I have not forgotten to walk in the path of Candour. It is almost needless here to say, that I have abailed myself of all the writings of the best and most eminent authors I could obtain. Whatever has struck me as important in ecclesiastical history; whatever good and accurate in definition; whatever just views of the passions of the human mind; whatever terms used in the religious world; and whatever instructive and impressive in the systems of divinity and moral philosophy, I have endeavoured to incorporate in this work. And in order to prevent its being a dry detail of terms and of dates, I have given the substance of what has been generally advanced on each subject, and occasionally selected some of the most interesting practical passages from our best and celebrated sermons. I trust, therefore, it will not only be of use to inform the mind, but impress the heart; and thus promote the real good of the reader. The critic, however, may be disposed to be severe; and it will, perhaps, be easy for him to observe imperfections. But be this as it may: I can assure him I feel myself happy in the idea that the work is not intended to serve a party, to encourage bigotry, nor strengthen prejudice, but "for the service of Truth, by one who would be glad to attend and grace her triumphs; as her soldier, if he has had the honour to serve successfully under her banner; or as a captive tied to her chariot wheels, if he has, though undesignedly, committed any offence against her." After all, however, what a learned author said of another work I say of this:- "If it have merit, it will go down to posterity; if it have none, the sooner it dies and is forgot the better." CHARLES BUCK. 1. ABBA 2. ABBE 3. ABBESS 4. ABBEY 5. ABBOT 6. ABELIANS 7. ABESTA 8. ABILITY 9. ABLUTION 10. ABRAHAMITES 11. ABSOLUTION 12. ABSTEMII 13. ABSTINENCE 14. ABSTINENTS 15. ABYSS 16. ABYSSINIAN CHURCH 17. ACACIANS 18. ACADEMICS 19. ACCLAMATIONS 20. ACCOMMODATION OF SCRIPTURE 21. ACCURSED 22. ACEPHALI 23. ACOEMETAE 24. ACOLYTHI 25. ACT OF FAITH 26. ACTION FOR THE PULPIT 27. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 28. ACTS OF PILATE 29. ADAMITES 30. ADESSENARIANS 31. ADIAPHORISTS 32. ADMIRATION 33. ADMONITION 34. ADONAI 35. ADONISTS 36. ADOPTIONISTS 37. ADOPTION 38. ADORATION 39. ADVERSARY 40. ADVERSITY 41. ADULTERY 42. AERIANS 43. AETIANS 44. AFFECTION 45. AFFLICTION 46. AGAP AE 47. AGAPET AE 48. AGENDA 49. AGENT 50. AGENTS 51. AGNOET AE 52. AGNUSDEI 53. AGONISTICI 54. AGONYCLIT AE 55. AGYNIANI 56. ALASCANI 57. ALBANENSES 58. ALBANOIS 59. ALBIGENSES 60. ALEXANDRIAN MANUSCRIPT 61. ALKORAN 62. ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD 63. ALMARICIANS 64. ALMONER 65. ALMS 66. ALOGIANS 67. ALTAR 68. AMAURITES 69. AMAZEMENT 70. AMBITION 71. AMEDIANS 72. AMEN 73. AMMONIANS 74. AMSDORFIANS 75. AMYRALDISM 76. ANABAPTISTS 77. ANALOGY OF FAITH 78. ANACHORETS 79. ANAGOGICAL 80. ANATHEMA 81. ANDRONA 82. ANGEL 83. ANGELICS 84. ANGELITES 85. ANGER 86. ANGER OF GOD 87. ANGLO-CALVINISTS 88. ANNIHILATION 89. ANNUNCIATION 90. ANOMOEANS 91. ANTEDILUVIANS 92. ANTHEM 93. ANTHROPOMORPHITES 94. ANTHROPOPATHY 95. ANTIBURGHERS 96. ANTICHRIST 97. ANTIDORON 98. ANTINOMIANS 99. ANTIPATHY 100. ANTIP AE DOBAPTISTS 101. ANTIQUITIES 102. ANTISABBATARIANS 103. ANTITACT AE 104. ANTITRINITARIANS 105. ANTITYPE 106. ANTOSIANDRIANS 107. APATHY 108. APELLEANS 109. APHTHARTODOCITES 110. APOCARIT AES 111. APOCHRYPHA 112. APOLLINARIANS 113. APOSTACY 114. APOSTLE 115. APOSTLES' CREED 116. APOSTOLATE 117. APOSTOLIC 118. APOSTOLIC 119. APOSTOLICAL CONSTITUTIONS 120. APOSTOLIC FATHERS 121. APOSTOLICI 122. APOTACTIT AE 123. APPLICATION 124. APPROBATION 125. APPROPRIATION 126. AQUARIANS 127. ARABICI 128. ARCHANGEL 129. ARCHIBISHOP 130. ARCHDEACON 131. ARCHONTICS 132. ARCH-PRESBYTER 133. ARRHABONARII 134. ARIANS 135. ARISTOTELIANS 136. ARK 137. ARK OF THE COVENANT 138. ARMENIANS 139. ARMINIANS 140. ARNOLDISTS 141. ARTEMONTES 142. ARTICLE OF FAITH 143. ARTICLES OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND 144. ARTICLES, LAMBETH 145. ARPOTYRITES 146. ASCENSION OF CHRIST 147. ASCETIC 148. ASCODROGITES 149. ASCOODRUTES 150. ASSEMBLIES OF THE CLERGY 151. ASSENT 152. ASSURANCE 153. ASSURITANS 154. ASTONISHMENT 155. ATHANASIANS 156. ATHEIST 157. ATONEMENT 158. ATTRIBUTES OF GOD 159. ATTRITION 160. AVARICE 161. AVERSION 162. AUDIENTES 163. AUGSBURGH OR AUGUSTAN CONFESSION 164. AUGUSTINS 165. AUSTERITY 166. AUTOCEPHALI BISHOPS 1. ABBA A Syriac word, signifying Father. It is more particularly used in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, as a title given to the bishops. The bishops themselves bestowed the title ABBA more eminently on the bishop of Alexandria, which occasioned the people to give him the title of Baba or Papa; that is, Grandfather: a title which he bore before the bishop of Rome. It is a Jewish title of honour given to certain Rabbins called Tanaites: it is also used by some writers of the middle age for the superior of a monastery. St. Mark and St. Paul use this word in their Greek, Mark xiv. 36. Rom. viii. 15. Gal. iv. 6. because it was then commonly known in the synagogues and the primitive assemblies of the Christians. It is thought by Selden, Witsius, Doddridge, and others, that Saint Paul alluded to a law among the Jews which forbade servants or slaves to call their master Abba, or Father; and that the apostle meant to convey the idea that those who believed in Christ were no longer slaves to sin; but being brought into a state of holy freedom, might consequently address God as their Father. 2. ABBE The same with Abbot,which see. Also the name of curious popular characters in France; who are persons who have not yet obtained any precise or fixed settlement in church or state, but most heartily wish for and would accept of either, just as it may happen. In the mean while their privileges are many. In college they are the instructors of youth, and in private families the tutors of young gentlemen. 3. ABBESS The superior of an abbey or convent of nuns. The abbess has the same rights and authority over her nuns that the abbots regular have over their monks. The sex, indeed, does not allow her to perform the spiritual functions annexed to the priesthood, wherewith the abbot is usually invested; but there are instances of some abbesses who have a right, or rather a privilege, to commission a priest to act for them. They have even a kind of episcopal jurisdiction, as well as some abbots who are exempted from the visitation of their diocesan. 4. ABBEY A monastery, governed by a superior under the title of Abbot or Abbess. Monasteries were at first nothing more than religious houses, whither persons retired from the bustle of the world to spend their time in solitude and devotion: but they soon degenerated from their original institution, and procured large privileges, exemptions, and riches. They prevailed greatly in Britain before the reformation, particularly in England; and as they increased in riches, so the state became poor, for the lands which these regulars possessed could never revert to the lords who gave them. These places were wholly abolished by Henry VIII. He first appointed visitors to inspect into the lives of the monks and nuns, which were found in some places very disorderly; upon which the abbots, perceiving their dissolution unavoidable, were induced to resign their houses to the king, who by that means became invested with the abbey lands; these were afterwards granted to different persons, whose descendants enjoy them at this day: they were then valued at 2,853,000/.per annum; an immense sum in those days.--Though the suppression of these houses, considered in a religious and political light, was a great benefit to the nation, yet it must be owned, that, at the time they flourished, they were not entirely useless. Abbeys were then the repositories as well as the seminaries of learning: many valuable books and national records have been preserved in their libraries; the only places wherein they could have been safely lodged in those turbulent times. Indeed, the historians of this country are chiefly beholden to the monks for the knowledge they have of former national events. Thus a kind Providence overruled even the institutions of superstition for good. See MONASTERY. 5. ABBOT The chief ruler of a monastery or abbey. At first they were lay-men, and subject to the bishop and ordinary pastors. Their monasteries being remote from cities, and built in the farthest solitudes, they had no share in ecclesiastical affairs; but, there being among them several persons of learning, they were called out of their deserts by the bishops, and fixed in the suburbs of the cities; and at length in the cities themselves. From that time they degenerated, and, learning to be ambitious, aspired to be independent of the bishops, which occasioned some severe laws to be made against them. At length whoever, the abbots carried their point, and obtained the title of lord, with other badges of the episcopate, particularly the mitre. Hence arose new distinctions among them. Those were termed mitred abbots who were privileged to wear the mitre, and exercise episcopal authority within their respective precincts, being exempted from the jurisdiction of the bishop. Others were called crosiered abbots, from their bearing the crosier, or pastoral staff. Others were styled aecumenical or universal abbots, in imitation of the patriarch of Constantinople, while others were termed cardinal abbots, from their superiority over all other abbots. At present, in the Roman catholic countries, the chief distinctions are those of regular and commendatory. The former take the vow and wear the habit of their order; whereas the latter are seculars, though they are obliged by their bulls to take orders when of proper age. 6. ABELIANS Or ABELONIANS, a sect which arose in the diocese of Hippoo in Africa, and is supposed to have begun in the reign of Arcadius, and ended in that of Theodosius. Indeed, it was not calculated for being of any long continuance. They regulated marriage after the example of Abel, who, they pretended, was married, but lived in a state of continence: they therefore allowed each man to marry one woman, but enjoined them to live in the same state. To keep up the sect, when a man and woman entered into this society, they adopted a boy and a girl, who were to inherit their goods, and to marry upon the same terms of not having children, but of adopting two of different sexes. 7. ABESTA The name of one of the sacred books of the Persian Magi, which they ascribe to their great founder Zoroaster. The Abesta is a commentary on two others of their religious books, called Zend and Pazend; the three together including the whole system of the Ignicold, or worshippers of fire. 8. ABILITY See INABILITY. 9. ABLUTION A ceremony in use among the ancients, and still practised in several parts of the world. It consisted in washing the body, which was always done before sacrificing, or even entering their houses. Ablutions appear to be as old as any ceremonies, and external worship itself. Moses enjoined them, the heathens adopted them, and Mahomet and his followers have continued them. The Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Jews, all had them. The ancient Christians had their ablutions before communion, which the Romish church still retain before their mass, and sometimes after. The Syrians, Copts, & c. have their solemn washings on Good Friday; the Turks also have their ablutions, their Ghast, their Wodou, Aman,& c. 10. ABRAHAMITES An order of monks exterminated for idolatry by Theophilus, in the ninth century. Also the name of another sect of heretics who had adopted the errors of Paulus. See PAULICIANS. 11. ABSOLUTION

Description:
104. ANTITRINITARIANS Those who deny the Trinity, and teach that there are not three persons in the Godhead. See TRINITY. 105. ANTITYPE
See more

The list of books you might like

Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.