In English church history, denotes a scheme proposed by Sir Orlando Bridgman, in 1667-8, for relaxing the terms of conformity on behalf of the Protestant Dissenters, and admitting them into the communion of the church. A bill for this purpose was drawn up by Judge Hale, but disallowed. The attempt was renewed by Tillotson and Stillingfleet, in 1674, and the terms were settled, to the satisfaction of the non-conformists; but the bishops refused their assent. The scheme was likewise revived again immediately after the revolution. The king and queen expressed their desire of an union: however, the design failed, after two attempts, and the act of toleration was obtained.
Despite a stated reliance on the plain meaning of the Bible and the dictates of common sense, Buck's Theological Dictionary, first published in London in 1802, seeks to provide a textual basis for the evangelical community. By combining brief essays on orthodox belief and practice with historical entries on various denominations, Buck provided an interpretive lens that allowed antebellum Protestants to see Christianity's almost two millennia as their own history.Wikipedia
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