porters in Parliament, as well as partizans in the army.
Preaching Generals and praying Captains abounded; but Cromwell favoured
the Independents, as against Presbyterians, and this gradually paved the
way for toleration.

[Picture: Interior Congregational Chapel]

At the "Savoy Conference" in London (so called because held at the palace
of that name), in 1658, the Independents published an epitome of their
faith, and henceforth, with occasional interruptions, they held on their
way; although it was not till 1831 that the "Congregational Union of
England and Wales" was finally and fully constituted. They again
published, in 1833, a more definite "Declaration of Faith, Order, and
Discipline," which continues still to be the charter of the community.

We have seen that in the early annals of this society the name of John
Robinson stood high in general estimation, but his was by no means the
only honoured name. Among early members of mark was Dr. John Owen, of
Queen's College, Oxford, a learned writer, and Chancellor of the
University in 1652; he became Chaplain to Protector Cromwell, as an
Independent. The Rev. Isaac Watts, who had been tutor to the sons of Sir
John Hartop, became the popular minister of a Congregational Chapel, in
Mark Lane, London, in 1693. Dr. Philip Doddridge was also a valued
member, as Minister at Norwich, Northampton, Kibworth near Market
Harborough, and other places. From his candour and learning he held
friendly relations with the highest dignitaries of the established
church; he is chiefly known for his two great works, _The Rise and
Progress of Religion in the Soul_, and his _Family Expositor_. To the
regret of many he died of consumption, at a comparatively early age, in
1751, at Lisbon, whither he had been ordered by his doctors for the
milder climate. The friend and biographer of the last-named, Mr. John
Orton, was another esteemed member, who published several valuable works,
he died in 1783.

Another was Robert Hall, who ministered at Cambridge, Leicester and
Bristol, where he died in 1831. He was a great writer and very eloquent
preacher. Professedly he was a Baptist, but he frequently occupied
Independent platforms, and admitted that he had more feeling of
fellowship with an Independent than with a strict Baptist. {80a} None of
these, however, was more highly esteemed than Dr. Isaac Taylor, of
Norwich and Colchester, author of several instructive works, and c