The Rev. Dr. Campbell, Pastor of the Church worshipping in the Tabernacle, Moorfields, and Editor of the Christian Witness and the British Banner, feeling a deep interest in the object, promptly and generously undertook the responsibility of the republication; and to him, therefore, the whole Congregational community in both hemispheres are chiefly indebted for the reproduction of the writings of their venerated ancestor.

It is with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction the Editor records the spontaneous and liberal support given to the undertaking by a large body of subscribers, both in Great Britain and in the United States.

The desire to become more fully acquainted with the characters and works of the Puritans and Nonconformists is a hopeful sign of the times. Those venerable and sainted men were champions for the truth and martyrs for liberty. They live in their writings and in the Histories of their deeds. Their "Tracts and Treatises" constitute a precious treasure for the present and coming generations, as elaborate expositions of Christian truth, as undying testimonies to the spirituality of Christ's kingdom and its independence of state support and secular control, and as earnest apologies for the inalienable right of man to freedom of thought, liberty of conscience, and selection of worship.

The Press has lately been prolific in publications respecting the Puritans and the Pilgrim Fathers.

To the earlier works of Pearce, in his " Vindication of Dissenters," Neal, in his "History of the Puritans," Conder, in his valuable work on "Protestant Nonconformity," Brook, in his "Lives of the Puritans," and Bogue and Bennett, in

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their "History of Dissenters," there have been added, more recently, the valuable publications of Hanbury's "Historical Memorials of the Independents," Price's "History of Protestant Nonconformity," Fletcher's ""History of Independency in England," Stoughton's "Spiritual Heroes," Stowell's Puritans in England," Wilson's "Pilgrim Fathers," Marsden's "History of the Early Puritans," and Hunter's "Collections concerning the Early History of the Founders of New Plymouth." In America also, the Press has lately sent forth Dr. Young's most interesting and charming "Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers," to which the Editor acknowledges himself greatly indebted, Punchard's History" and "Views of Congregationalism," Cheever's "Pilgrim Fathers," Sumner's "Memoirs of the Pilgrims at Leyden," with many others of varied form and titles.

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The relation of Mr. Robinson to modern Congregationalists both in England and in the United States, gives him a claim to the respect of its adherents throughout the world. The churches in Southwark and New Plymouth trace their origin to the church at Leyden. Both English and American Independents look with affectionate interest to Leyden, as the refuge and the home of their predecessors; and to Mr. Robinson as their father and friend. A debt is therefore due to his memory, which, though late, is now attempted to be discharged. The effort has been made, for the first time, to collect all the genuine productions of his pen, whether treatise, tract, or letter, scattered through the private libraries of antiquarians and the ni libraries of the country, and to embody them in a omplete Edition of his Works. One tract only appears to be want

VOL. I.

a 2

ing, entitled "Manumission," the substance of which may, however, be found in the closing sections of his "Defence of the Synod of Dort," contained in the third volume.

Mr. Robinson's Letters are distributed throughout the volumes in their appropriate places.

The "Memoir" is brief, but contains all the ascertained facts of his history, with a few occasional notes explanatory of the text.

The Works have not been arranged in chronological order, as this would have required the breaking up of some of the treatises into parts, to equalize the volumes. A chronological list will be supplied, by which they may be traced in their connexion and progress.

The works have been printed verbatim from the copies, excepting that the orthography has been modernized, and manifest typographical and clerical errors have been corrected.

Some of the treatises have been broken up into chapters and sections, for more convenient reference, and more fully exhibiting to the eye the design of the author; but even in this case, the divisions and headings have been interposed, without altering, in the slightest degree, the form and arrangement of the successive paragraphs.

The Editor has been greatly assisted in his laborious work by various ministers and gentlemen, to whom he would present his sincere and grateful acknowledgments. Among his coadjutors must be noticed especially, Benjamin Hanbury, Esq., Edward Bean Underhill, Esq., Joshua Wilson, Esq., Joseph Davey, Esq., George Sumner, in his valseph Hunter, Esq., J. Kitson, Esq., the Rev. John in his "Lpf Oxford, the Rev. G. B. Bubier, of Cambridge,

Rev. John Alexander, Norwich, Rev. John T. Burt, M.A., of Mundham, Rev. John Waddington, London, Rev. Evan Davies, Richmond, and last but not least, his beloved friend and brother, the Rev. Dr. Campbell, whose united advice, researches, and contributions, have greatly enhanced the value of the publication, and rendered it more worthy of the confidence and support of the public.

It

The Editor would direct especial attention to the exceedingly valuable and interesting document appended to the Memoir, entitled, the “Descendants of Robinson." is a contribution by the Rev. Dr. Allen, of Northampton, Massachusetts, formerly President of Boudoin College, author of the "American Biographical Dictionary," and other works. Such a contribution would, under any circumstances, have been gratefully accepted; but, presented as it was, in so spontaneous, generous, and cordial a manner, although forming part of a new Biography of Robinson, which the venerable Doctor is preparing for the American press, it demands special acknowledgment, and the expression of the Editor's most sincere and hearty thanks.

This first collected edition of the Works of the Pastor of the Pilgrim Fathers, is now committed by the Editor to the Congregationalists throughout the world, assured that they will have no reason to be ashamed of their distinguished ancestor, and thankful that these "Remains" will now be preserved from decay, and that the name of their excellent Author will not sink into oblivion, but be held in grateful and everlasting remembrance.

PUTNEY, SURREY,

Sept. 5th, 1851.

ROBERT ASHTON.