DISSENTERS, in church history, are a numerous body of people in this coun try, who made their first appearance in Queen Elizabeth's time, when, on ac count of the extraordinary purity which they proposed in religious worship and conduct, they were reproached with the name of Puritans. They increased in numbers by the act of uniformity, which took place on Bartholomew's day 1682, in the reign of Charles II. By this act 2000 ministers of the establishment, re fusing to conform to certain conditions, were obliged to quit their livings, and hence arose the name of Non-conformists. The descendants of these are known by the name of Protestant Dissenters : they may he considered in general as divided into the denominations of Pres byterians, Independents, and Baptists, which see.
The principles, on which Dissenters separate from the Church of England, are the same with those on which she separates herself from the Church of Rome ; - these are, the right of private judgment ; liberty of conscience ; and the perfection of scripture as a christian' only rule of faith and practice. Dr. Tay lor,' speaking of the Dissenters who wer ejected in 1662, says, " They were me prepared to lose all, and to suffer mar tyrdom itself, and who actually resigne their livings, rather than desert the taus of civil and religious liberty, which, toge ther with serious religion, would, I a persuaded, have sunk to a very low ebb had it not been for the noble stand which these worthies made against impositio upon conscience, profaneness, and ar bitrary power. They had the best educa tion England could afford, most of the were excellent scholars, judicious divines pious, faithful, and laborious ministers, undaunted and courageous in their mas ter's work, standing close to their people in the worst times, diligent iii theirstudies, solid, affectionate, powerful, awakening preachers, aiming at the advancement of real vital religion in the hearts and lives of men, which flourished wherever they had influence."
Before the revolution, many sta tutes were in force against Dissenters, but by William I. stat. 1. cap. 18. com monly called the "Toleration Act," it is enacted that none of the acts made against persons dissenting from the Church of England (except the Test Acts 25 Charles cap. 2. and 30 Charles 11. shit. 2. cap. 1.) shall extend to any person dissenting from the Church of England, who shall at the general sessions of the peace, to be held for the county or place where such person shall live, take the oath of allegi ance and supremacy, and subscribe the declaration against popery, of which the • court shall keep a register ; and no officer shalt take more than fid. for registering the same, and 6d. for a certificate there of, signed by such officer. Provided that the place of meeting be certified to. the bishop of the diocese, or to the archdea con of the archdeaconry, or to the justices of the peace at the general or quarter ses sions; and the register or clerk of the peace shall register on record the same, and give certificate thereof to any one who shall demand the same ; for which no greater fee than 6d. shall be taken ; and provided that, during the time of meeting the -doors shall not be locked, barred, or bolted.
Dissenters chosen to any parochial or ward offices, and scrupling to take the oaths, may execute the office by deputy, who shall comply with the law in this be half. But it seems they are not subject to fine, on refusing to serve corporation offi ces; for they may object to the validity of their election, on the ground of their own non-conformity.