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865 Pages·2004·2.7 MB·English

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

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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