| 释义 |
congregational, a.|kɒŋgrɪˈgeɪʃənəl|
[f. prec. + -al1.]
1. Of or pertaining to a congregation.
†a. Consisting of, of the nature of a congregation. Obs.
1639[R. Mather] Ch. Govt. (1643) 10 They that are within the visible Church..must needs be members of some particular Congregation, because all visible churches are Congregationall. 1642J. Ball Answ. to Canne ii. 67 Whether of the true Catholique Church, whereof every member is a living stone, elect and precious, or of the visible congregationall assembly, consisting of good and bad, sincere and hypocriticall professors.
b. Performed by a congregation of worshippers collectively.
1860L. L. Noble After Icebergs 27 June, We heard practical sermons and fine congregational singing. 1881Monier-Williams in 19th Cent. 512 Visiting the temples; not, however, for common prayer and congregational worship, which are..unknown among the Pārsīs.
c. Connected with a particular congregation of worshippers as distinguished from the parish church.
1882Sat. Rev. 11 Mar. 295/2 The parochial system does..continue to exist..yet the personal worship of individual Churchmen has for many years been largely congregational.
2. Of or belonging to the congregation as the lowest organized unit in the Presbyterian system.
1644Resolut. Ho. Comm. 23 Jan., That the church be governed by Congregational, Classical, and Synodical assemblies. 1644Baillie Lett. & Jrnls. (1841) II. 205 In the presence and with the consent..of the presbyterie congregationall. 1647(title), An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for dividing and settling the severall Counties of this kingdome into Classicall Presbyteries and Congregational Elderships. 1649–50Sir C. Sadler Last Will & Test. of Earl Pembroke in Somers Tracts (1812) VII. 91 Item. I give back to the Assembly of Divines their classical, provincial, congregational, national; which words I have kept at my own charge above seven years, but plainly find they will never come to good.
3. (with capital C.) [cf. congregation 6 b.] Of or pertaining to the form of ecclesiastical polity called congregationalism; adhering to this polity; Independent.
After the 17th c., Independent was chiefly used in England, while Congregational was decidedly preferred in New England, where the ‘consociation’ of churches formed a more important feature of the system (see that word); in the 19th c. the latter name has also prevailed in Great Britain.
[1639: see 1.] 1642T. Lechford Pl. Dealing or News fr. New Eng. 79 The Congregationall independent government, whereof I have had some experience. 1643W. L. Bramble Berry title-p., Whether the Congregationall Assemblies in England be true Churches of Jesus Christ, yea or no? a1647T. Hooker Ch. Discipl. Pref., A Church Congregationall is the first subject of the Keys. 1647W. Bartlet (title), ἸΧνοΓραϕΙα; or a modell of the Primitive Congregational way. 1648J. Cotton Way of Congreg. Ch. i. iii. 1 Nor is Independency a fit name of the way of our Churches..If there must needs be some note of difference..to distinguish our way from a Nationall Church-way, I know none fitter, then to denominate theirs Classicall, and ours Congregationall. 1672O. Heywood Event-bk. 18 June, Our brethren of the congregational persuasion. Ibid. 16 July, The congregational men amongst us have desired to sit down with us at the Lord's supper. 1691Wood Ath. Oxon. II. 358 Samuel Mather..a congregational man..yet he was civil to those of the Episcopal persuasion. 1755Johnson, Congregational is a word used of such Christians as hold every congregation to be a separate and independent church. 1765T. Hutchinson Hist. Col. Mass. iv. 432 A congregational church..consisted of a company of saints. 1836H. Rogers J. Howe iv. (1863) 90 note, The congregational brethren met at the Savoy (Sept. 29, 1658), and drew up a confession of faith. 1878Congregational Year Book (Appendix) Declaration of the Faith, Church Order, and Discipline of the Congregational or Independent Dissenters, adopted at the Annual Meeting of the Congregational Union [of England and Wales], May 1833. (The Union was formed 13 May 1831.)
4. Of or pertaining to a congregation of cardinals.
1662J. Bargrave Pope Alex. VII (1867) 25 At a congregational meeting he was for the reception of the Portugall embassador.
†B. n. A Congregationalist. Obs.
1653R. Baillie Disswasive Vind. (1655) 11 Independents are unfitly styled Congregationals. |