wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation," &c. Rev. v. 9, to the end.

ORIGIN

OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH,

NOW MEETING IN

Little Wild-street, London. (Compiled from the Records of that

Congregation)

The chief place of worship among the general Baptists appears to have been at White'salley, Moor-fields; but the church meeting there, was part of a large church composed of five

t

churches; viz. White's-alley; Glass-house-yard, Goswell-street; Rupert-street, Goodman's-fields; at the Dork-head, Shad-Thames; and Duke-street, in the Park, Southwark. All of these, as they express it," professing and prac-. tising the six principles of the Christian religion, mentioned THE Baptists in England trace 1691, these churches agreed to Heb. vi. 1, 2." In November, their origin, as a separate denomi- receive into their communion, as nation, to the period of the Reformation in the reign of Henry history is now presented to the a sixth part, the church whose VIII.; though there is good evi-reader; the origin of which is dence that persons of the same thus circumstantially related; sentiments, on the subject of believers' baptism, were found among the Wickliffites and Lollards, who were the Protestant dissenters from the church of Rome before that period; and also, that all the British Christians, till the arrival of Austin at the close of the sixth century, were ignorant of the practice of infant baptism.

The first churches of which there is any account, were composed of those who have been since called general Baptists; because they believed in general redemption. A society of this description existed in London as early as 1611. The first church of particular Baptists in London, so called from their holding the doctrine of personal election and particular redemption, was not formed till 1633. Between these churches there does not appear to have been any communion, as they met in distinct Associations during all the period prior to the Revolution in 1688, and just after that time in separate General Assemblies.

"Proposals for the settleing of a Baptist Meeting in the Westerne parts of the Suburbs of London,

"GOD haveing, by his overruleing Providence, opened such a doore for the preaching of the gospell, as has not been knowne in the ages past; itt is become the duty of the professors thereof to use their endeavors to promote itt in all places to the vttmost: wherein there hath not beene that care taken as there ought, which is manifest, (among other instances) in that there is not, nor has been, anny place sett upp for the worshipp of God in all the out parishes, or places westward from London; insomuch, that many professors dwelling in those parts, by reason of their age & infirmityes, and remotenesse from the congregations wherevnto they belong, have either neglected their dutyes, or betaken themselves to the assemblyes and places of those who differ from vs in the trueths of the gospell;

"That, therefore, trueth may bee advanced, and that those who have gone astray may returne to their duty, a convenient place is now to bee had for the worshippjudged capeable by the churches

touching our being constituted in a church state here; and that the 30th of January be sett apart for prayer and humiliation, to implore the blessing and direction of the Lord in carrying on our work here.

Southwark; all of us professing and practising the 6 principles of the Christian religion mentioned Heb. 6. c.: 1, 2. taking into our serious consideration by what means wee may best promote the glory of God, the gospell of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the mutuall edification one of another, have, with one consent, agreed unto these severall things fol

"On the 22d of March, 1694, the brethren being then mett to consider how a church state might bee settled here, agreed that the following request belowing: sent to the 5: churches, (viz.) "1. That such of the parts Wee who are members of the have power of themselves to rechurch of Christ, consisting of ceive in members to their com5: parts, owning the principles munion, and hold assemblies and mentioned Heb. vi. 2: now by church meetings to deale with your consignmt. meeting att Co- offenders, and to regulate their vent Garden, do humbly desire own affairs; only when the case pur brethren meeting att Goswell- may be respecting their officers, street part, to meete the rest of or any other matter which they the parts on Tuesday, April the shall esteeme difficult; in such 12th, 1692, att 3: of the clock cases it is agreed that the mutual in the afternoon, at brother Jen-assistance of all the parts be renings's meeting-place in Moor-quired.

fields, to consult of methods and "2. It is agreed, that the seways for the support of the afore-veral elders shall apply their parsaid meeting: our brother Turner being deceased. Signed, Robert Chandler, John Hicks, William Dent.'"

ticular service vnto that part to which they appertayne: yett for the better maintayning of our union, itt is agreed, the elders be desired to make frequent changes

respect to the work of preaching, and breaking of bread.

The proposed meeting was accordingly held; when it was re-att the several parts, both with solved, that "the meeting lately sett upp in Hart-street should be continued;" and that they be sett down and declared to bee a congregation, and a 6th part in our dependancy." Signed, Jo. Jennings, Thomas Kirby, and 16 others.

"3. It is agreed, that when there may bee want of an elder in any part, the rest of the elders of the other parts shall mutually assist such parts in all the services of religion vntil they bee Then follow the "Articles of supplyd with an elder or elders. Union of the churches.-Wee "4. It is agreed, that with rethe elders, deacons, and brethren,spect to the choice of officers to being representatives of the five serve the congregation, any of parts of the congregation now the five parts shall have holding our assembly at White's-power to nominate any person or alley, in Moorfields; at Glass-persons which are in any of the house-yard; att Rupert-streete, parts to the office of elders or in Goodman's-fields; att the deacons. But yett that their Dork head, att Shadd Thames; election shall bee by calling all and at Duke-streete, in the Parke, the parts together; and that the

choice be by the general consent of the whole.

"Whereas the elders and representatives of the above mentioned five parts have, this 12th day of Aprill, 1692, agreed to settle a congregation as a sixth part in Hart-street, Covent Garden, consisting of several of the members of the said sixth part, whose names are herevnto subscribed: do hereby oblige them and ourselves to continve under, and to be governed according to the several articles above written; and to be of the same dependancy as a sixth part.-Phillip Price, Robert Chandler, Wm. Dent, Abr. Astley, John Hicks."

At a church meeting, April 26, 1692, they appointed two mem

"5. Itt is agreed, that with respect to the elder or elders which shall bee chosen by the whole, they shall be disposed of by the whole to serve in that particular part which hath most need; yett so as there be the consent of the elder or elders so chosen to accept of the care of that part, and the approbation and good likeing of that part vnto which hee or they may be assigned. "6. It is agreed, that with respect to the deacons that shall bee chosen by the whole, that they bee to continue in the part or parts vnto which they did before belong; vnlesse some extra-bers as their representatives at ordinary necessity shall require their removal: and in such case it bee by the generall consent of the five parts, and the consent of the deacons so to be removed. "7. It is agreed, for the pre-ordained deacons." servation of a cordiall vnion It has been mentioned, that amongst us, that all the five parts shall once every yeare meete together att one place to celebrate the remembrance of our Lord's death in the supper; only whereas many of our brethren which belong to Good-terwards attained to such emiman's-fields meeting differ from nence, and raised the church to many other parts in the manner a high degree of reputation, will of the Lord's-supper;* it is be interesting to the reader. agreed, that they may have their liberty to absent from this general meeting if they please.

Signed by us, the representatives of the five parts, March the 18th, 169, Jos. Jennings, and 25 others."

the General Assembly; and also chose three brethren "to officiate as deacons at the Lord's-table, if the rest of the parts do not accomodate us with some of their

Mr. John Piggott, a member of the church in Rupert-street, Goodman's-fields, was one of the ministers appointed to preach in Hart-street. Every circumstance respecting this minister, who af

On the 28th of June, 1692, about six months afterwards, the church agreed, in order to carry on the work of the ministry, to allow Mr. Piggott twenty pounds a year, and to Mr. Mark Keys fifteen pounds a year. Mr. Piggott was to preach in the afternoon, and also on fast days, and other days that shall be appointed for the public worship of God, and that brother Keys assist him therein; and that our * It does not appear wherein this take the worke of baptizing, and brother Piggott do also under

It appears that the articles above-mentioned had been agreed upon before the commencement of the church in Hart-street, but was now agreed to by them, as a sixth-part, as follows:

difference of opinion consisted.

five parts had violated the second principle, viz. Heb. vi. 2, "of faith towards God." Say they,

visiting and attending at our church meetings and other ministerial affairs as there shall be occasion." On the 23d of Au-" For that the Dependancy, as

is manifest, holds communion with those that are not sound in the second principle; but are tainted with the leaven, or heresy, known by the name of Socinianism, to the great reproach of our profession."

gust following, three brethren were appointed" to meet brother Piggott in Belle Sauvageyard on Ludgate-hill, in order to license himself and place at the next sessions, or the next quarter sessions." On the 25th of October, 1692, it was resolved to This doctrine had been reintroduce singing into the public cently introduced among the Geworship as follows: "Forasmuch neral Baptists, by Mr. Matthew as diverse have been dissatisfied | Caffin, of Horsham; and in the that wee are not in the exercise course of the succeeding century and practice of singing of psalms ruined the churches, and destroyand hymns in our publick wor-ed the glory of that denominashipp and service; it is agreed tion; so that the gold became for the satisfaction of such, that dim; and the most fine gold was our brethren concerned in the changed. worke of the ministry here bee att liberty to sing a psalm or hymne after the worke of prayer and preaching on the evening of the Lord's days, and after the preaching on the days of thanksgiving."

The introduction of this practice, however, and by omitting to lay hands upon the members when they were received into the church (which was said to be a violation of the fourth principle, viz. " of laying on of hands." Heb. vi. 2. The singing of psulms and hymns, and spiritual songs, were, though performed at the end of the service,) to give the objectors opportunity to leave the place without wounding their consciences) was considered such an innovation; and not laying on of hands such a departure from the faith by the other five parts of "the dependancy," that discontents took place, which this Baptist PRESBYTERY in GENERAL ASSEMBLY could not settle, and the consequence was, that the church in Hart-street determined to withdraw from them; assigning among other reasons, that the

IOTA.

(To be concluded in our next.)

ON THE DUTY

OF

SELF-EXAMINATION.

If we would be happy in the enjoyment of the divine presence, and feel the consolation of a lively faith in Jesus Christ, we must frequently, diligently, and impartially examine ourselves as to the state of religion in our souls.

The man who by self-examination is enabled to prove that divine grace has wrought an ef fectual change in him, will therein have matter of solid satisfaction and delight; reflecting upon what God has graciously done for him, he will feel a deep sense of his obligations, and ardently desire to promote his glory. He will not be carried forward in his profession of Christianity by the good opinion or the applause of others, but will have an inward