The Rod in Pickle; or, An Answer to the Appeal of John Church, the Obelisk Preacher / Containing an Authentic Narrative of the Cause of His Leaving Banbury, in Oxfordshire: Together With the Charges Exhibited Against Him, the Meeting of His Friends in Consequence of Those Charges, and the Result of That Meeting. To Which Are Added, His Letters, Written to the Managers of the Banbury Meeting-House, Begging Them Not to Let the Cause of His Dismissal Be Known in London.

by T. Latham

Written to the Managers of the Banbury Meeting-House, begging them
not to let the Cause of his Dismissal be known in London.

By the Rev. T. LATHAM,
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.

“The nearer to Church the farther from God.”—English Proverbs.

London:
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HAY AND TURNER,
No. 11, Newcastle-Street, Strand.

1817.

PRICE FOUR-PENCE.

AN ANSWER
TO THE
APPEAL of JOHN CHURCH,
&c. &c. &c.

There is something so ungenerous in assailing a fallen foe—something so outrageous to humanity—that nothing but an imperative and paramount sense of duty to the public, could induce the Publishers of the following details, to notice the contents of “an Appeal to the Candid Public,” by John Church. Unfortunately for him, unfortunately for the practice he has espoused, his own account is sufficient to condemn him; so that it might justly be said of him—“Out of thine own mouth I judge thee, thou worker of Iniquity!” What, indeed, do his exculpations mean? Every where he intimates his proneness to the hateful and unpardonable sin of backsliding. But still he backslides in his sleep. Unknowing transgressor! What would society say of that female, who, acknowledging that she had been seduced, should pretend that her seduction was effected in her sleep?

Professors like Church are the bane of christianity. They are tares among the wheat. Jesus may be in their mouths, penitence and pardon their prayers, but their practice is that of Satan!

The Reverend John Church is pleased to charge the present Publishers with “the revival of old tales, printed about five years ago;” and, really, it is much to be apprehended that “The Rod in Pickle,” now presented to the religious world, will refresh his memory not most agreeably as to circumstances which he himself would willingly have buried in the silence of the grave. “Willingly” as he avows himself “amenable to the laws,” we much doubt whether he would willingly have the details now published in due form, submitted to a jury of his countrymen. Some “two false boys” might happen to make out a serious case against him, as one lad lately has done.