PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ix ENGLAND. The principles of the Puritans (q.v.) were essentially Presbyterian, although many of them were so much occupied with questions of doctrine and discipline, and with resistance to power as they believed, con trary to the word of God, that they paid little heed to the development of their principles in church government. Yet, in 1572, a presbytery was formed at Wandsworth, in Sur rey, by ministers of London and its neighborhood, separating from the church of England ; and other presbyteries were soon formed, notwithstanding the extreme hostil ity of queen Elizabeth. When the Westminster assembly met in 1643, the Puritans of England were generally inclined to adopt Presbyterianism as their system of church gov erment, although some still preferred a modified episcopacy, and some had adopted the principles of independency or Congregationalism. The Presbyterians were, however, the strongest party in the beginning of the revolution, although the Independents gained the ascendency afterward. The establishment of Presbyterian church government in the church of England was voted by parliament (the long parliament), Oct. 13, 1647; but it was never really established. the influence of the Independents prevented it. London and its neighborhood were, meanwhile, formed into 12 presbyteries, constituting the provincial synod of London, which continued to hold regular half-yearly meetings till 1655, the meetings of presbyteries being continued till a later date; but the whole Pres byterian system was overturned by Cromwell's committee of triers, appointed for tine examining and approving of all persons elected or nominated to any ecclesiastical office. Cromwell's policy aimed at bringing all ecclesiastical matters under the immediate control of the civil power. The restoration was followed by the fruitless Savoy conference (q.v.),
and soon after by the act of uniformity, which came into force on Aug. 24, 1662: and on that day, about 2,000 ministers in England and Wales resigned their benefices, or submitted to be ejected from them, for conscience' sake. The first Nonconformists (q.v.) were mostly Presbyterians, but a small minority of Independents among them presented the institution of a regular Rresbyterian system, and the consequence was that the Non conformists of England became in genera] practically, independent. Antinomianism and Arminianism soon appeared among them, and were followed by Socinianism or Uni tarianism to such an extent, that the name Presbyterian became synonymotis in England with Socinian or Unitarian,. old endowments, legacies of Presbyterians, being in many instances enjoyed by Unitarians. Meanwhile, there existed in England a few congrega tions connected with the church of Scotland, and with what was formerly known as the " Secession church." now the United Presbyterian church. The number of such after ward very much increased. At the lilac of tine formation of the Free church of Scot land (q.v.), the greater number of the English Presbyterian churches connected with the church of Scotland sympathized with the cause of the Free church, and took the name of the Presbyterian church in England. In 1876 a minion, which had been long desired, was consummated between the synod more intimately related to the Free church of Scot land and the congregations belonging, to the United Presbyterian church. The name assumed by the united church is the Presbyterian church of England. At the time of the union, the Presbyterian church in England had about 150 churches, and the United Presbyterian church more than 100. At the same date, the Church of Scotland in England had about 20 congregations.