- Mr. GEORGE OFFOR, Jun.
Council.
- Rev. J. ACWORTH, LL.D.
- — JOSEPH ANGUS, M.A.
- — C. M. BIRRELL.
- — CALEB EVANS BIRT, M.A.
- — WILLIAM HENRY BLACK.
- — WILLIAM BROCK.
- — THOMAS BURDITT.
- — JABEZ BURNS, D.D.
- — F. A. COX, D.D., LL.D.
- — T. S. CRISP.
- — B. DAVIES, Ph. D.
- — B. EVANS.
- — B. GODWIN, D.D.
- — F. W. GOTCH, M.A.
- — W. GROSER.
- — J. H. HINTON, M.A.
- — J. HOBY, D.D.
- CHARLES THEODORE JONES, Esq.
- G. F. KEMP, Esq.
- GEORGE LOWE, Esq. F.R.S.
- Rev. W. H. MURCH, D.D.
- — J. P. MURSELL.
- — THOMAS FOX NEWMAN.
- GEORGE OFFOR, Esq.
- Rev. G. H. ORCHARD.
- — J. J. OWEN.
- — T. POTTENGER.
- — THOMAS PRICE, D.D.
- J. READ, Esq.
- Rev. ROBERT ROFF
- — JOSHUA RUSSELL.
- — J. SPRIGG, M.A.
- — EDWARD STEANE, D.D.
- — CHARLES STOVEL.
- — THOMAS THOMAS.
- — FREDERICK TRESTRAIL.
It has been a matter of regret with many, that the writings of the early members and ministers of the Baptist churches of this country should be comparatively so little known. The present appears to be a favourable time to reprint such of them as may be deemed worthy of perpetuation, from their historical or theological importance.
These writings are confined to no peculiarity of sentiment, but embrace every topic of divine truth, which the word of God presents for the salvation of the believer, as well as for the regulation of the church of Christ.
To the Baptists, belongs the honour of first asserting in this land, and of establishing on the immutable basis of just argument and scripture rule, the right of every man to worship God as conscience dictates, in submission only to divine command.
Rejecting the authority of men in matters of faith, they wrote with great simplicity and directness of purpose. Scripture alone was their authority, and excepting some of their polemical works, their productions are remarkably free from that parade of learning which was the fault of their age.
They were not, however, destitute of learning. Most of the early Baptists had had an university education: and if this privilege was not enjoyed by their successors, it was because the national seats of learning denied it to them. The names of Bampfield, Canne, Cornwell, Danvers, Delaune, Du Veil, Denne, Grantham, Jessey, Knollys, Smyth, and Tombes, are sufficient to prove that the Baptist churches were not destitute of able and learned expounders of their sentiments, eminent for their attainments in both classical and divine knowledge.
The historical value of the works which it is proposed to reproduce, is very great. Their authors exercised no mean influence on the course of national affairs during the period of Cromwell’s protectorate, and they became in subsequent reigns, as they had been in times preceding the Commonwealth, the especial objects of ecclesiastical and political persecution. Some of the works which it is desired to publish will also embrace the period of the Reformation, and illustrate the sufferings endured, by the baptists of that eventful period, for conscience sake.