Those who refuse to join the established church. Nonconformists in England may be considered of three sorts: -- 1. Such as absent themselves from divine worship in the established church through total irreligion, and attend the service of no other persuasion. -- 2. Such as absent themselves on the plea of conscience; as, Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, &c. -- 3. Internal Nonconformists, or unprincipled clergymen, who applaud and propagate doctrines quite inconsistent with several of those articles they promised on oath to defend. The word is generally used in reference to those ministers who were ejected from their livings by the Act of Uniformity, in 1662. The number of these was about two thousand. However some affect to treat these men with indifference, and suppose that their consciences were more tender than they need be, it must be remembered that they were men of as extensive learning, great abilities, and pious conduct, as ever appeared.