An abridgement of the General history of the Baptist denomination in America, and other parts of the world

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Preface

THE sale of about five thousand ‘copies of this History, in its original expensive form, has been a gratifying circumstance to its Aue thor, and has given satisfactory proof of the desire of the denomination, for whose benefit it was at first compiled, to be acquainted with the scenes through which their brethren have passed, and to Jearn their present situation in the world.

The work is now nearly out of print ; and as many have expressed a wish to see it ina

_ condensed and cheaper form, for their accom.

_modation, this Abridgement has been prepared, and is now presented to the public with corrections and additions.

The Article on Baptism has been Ss halle

‘omitted, and the Author would refer the readers, for information on that subject, to his edition of Robinson’s History of Baptism, from which most of the Article was taken, which has lately been published by Lincoln

& Edmands of Boston, of whom i it may be isin iV PREFACE

The substance of the General History of the Baptists will be found in this volume ; ‘and its perusal will convince the readers, that notwithstanding the prejudice under which the denomination labours, it is gradually advancing, in point of numbers and influence to an important. stand in christendom; and that their grand distinguishing principle of Believers? Baptism, is making a rapid and tri- _umphant march in the christian world. May _ the prudence and piety of the denomination be as remarkable, as have been their zeal and:

SUCCESS. - | si DAVID BENEDICT, |

Pawtucket, Oct. 9, 1820.

AN ABRIDGMENT, &c. . oe CHAPTER I.

A SUMMARY VIEW OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

THE introduction of the gospel system was a most glo-

_ vious and importantevent. At the timethe Sun of Righteousness arose upon the world, it was in a state of profound ignorance, and the deepest moral misery.

» The Jews, the ancient people of God, had generally departed from the piety oftheir ancestors, and were sunk into formality and hypocrisy. The Gentile nations, whether barbarous or civilized, were involved in the grossest idolatry ; their deities were multiplied to an ex-

- travagant degree, almost every thing in creation was worshipped, and the enlightened city of Rome contained, at one time, thirty thousand different deities, which had been collected from the conquered nations. A magnificent temple, called the Pantheon, that is, the temple of all the gods, had been erected, in which this mighty host of divinities was assembled.

Towards the conclusion of the reign of Herod the Great, the Son of God, who had long been foretold by the ancient prophets, descended upon earth. . Although the world was involved in darkness at this time, yet the nations were generally in a state of tranquillity and repose. The yast Roman empire, in which Palestine was then included, was less agitated with wars and tumults at the birth of Christ, than it had been for many years before. And, indeed, some historians have maintained that the temple of Janus* was then shut, and that wars and discords ome throughout the world.

* Janus, according to heathen fable, was the most ancient king, who reigned in Italy. Some authors make him son ef Apollo, some of Ceelus and. Hecate, and others, a native of Athens. Janus is represented with two faces, because he was‘ acquainted

_ with the past gnd the future ; or, according to others, because he . 3

The manner in which the Messiah appeared, his ministry and death, and all the affairs of his kingdom and people, for many years after he ascended on high, are re- .

corded in the New Testament. His disciples began to congregate into churches, soon after he left the earth. The church at Jerusalem was formed the evening of the glorious day of his ascension, in an upper room, and consisted of about a hundred and twenty believing men and women. The persecution, which arose about the time of Stephen’s death, caused all the disciples of Jesus, except the apostles, to leave Jerusalem. They proceeded out every way like the radii of a circle from the centre, and formed churches in many places, first in Palestine, ‘then in other parts of Asia, next in the Asiatic islands, and lastly in Europe.

Mr. Robinson has shewn that the apostles and primitive. preachers gathered churches in between sixty and seventy different cities, towns and provinces, and in many instances a number were gathered in each. ‘These churches were all composed of reputed believers, who had been baptized by immersion on the profession of their: faith. ‘Their bishops and elders were. merely overseers of their spiritual flocks ; they claimed no right to lord it over God’s heritage ;_ every church was an independent _ body, and no one claimed a right to regulate the affairs of another. Ifthey met in council, as they did at Jerusalem, it was to advise, not to give law.

The church of Christ has always been taught by the conduct of the people of this world, that this is not her _ home. She was persecuted at first by the Jews, then by the pagans, and next by monsters under the christian name.

Christianity prospered greatly under the ministry of | the apostles and primitive preachers, and in a short time © was carried to most parts of the Roman empire, which ~ extended in length above three thousand miles, from the — river Euphratesin the east, to the western ocean; inbreadth it was more than two thousand miles, and the whole consisted of above sixteen hundred thousand square miles.”

was taken for the sun, who opens the day Heh rising, and shuts it at his setting. He was chiefly worshipped among the Romans, His temple, which was always open in times of war, ay gab one ly three times, for the space of seven hundred years, fo r during — that long period of time the Romans were continually employed — in war. . Classical Dictionary

ECGLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 4

This vast empire was an assemblage of conquered king-

doms and provinces, and comprehended, at the commence-

ment of christianity, most of the civilizel world. And

at this period, it is said to have contained, one hundred and twenty millions of souls.*

Providence seems to have chosen this vast dominion, for the scene of the first gospel labourers. The multitude of languages amongst its mhabitants was no obstruction to them, for they were inspired to speak with other tongues. Opposition they frequently met with, but this fell out to the furtherance of the gospel; for when persecuted in one city they fled to another, and carried with them the light of truth. ‘The Lord gave the word to his servants, and great was the company, who published it abroad.

“It would be difficult to form any probable conjecture of the number of converts to christianity in the early ages of the church, but it must have been immensely great, for it is supposed that three millions were sacrificed in the three first centuries, to the rage of pagan persecutors. _Inthese three centuries there were ten general persecutions, fomented by so many cruel pagan emperours. "They did not reign, however, in regular succession, and in the intervening spaces between their reigns, the em- _ pire was governed by princes, who entertained a great ' variety of opinions respecting christianity. Some turned it into ridicule, others showed some degree of clemency towards the christians; some repealed the persecuting laws of their predecessors, while others left them to their _ destructive operation. But the pagan priests continually » employed their malicious eloquence to defame the disciples of Christ, and to rouse the persecuting sword against them. ‘They laid to their charge the earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and conflagrations, and all the nation- _ al calamities which happened where they resided. And they persuaded the magistrates that the gods sent down these judgments to avenge their lenity towards the christians. - | ‘The first of these ten persecutions was begun by the abandoned Nero. He was the first emperour who shed _ the blood of christians, and it is said that Peter and Paul were of the number. The city of Rome took fire, and a _ considerable part of it was consumed. The perfidious ‘Nero was thought to have kindled the fire, but that cruel

* Robinson’s Ecclesiastical Researches, pp. 13, 14,

& ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

prince accused the innocent christians of the horrid crime, and avenged it upon them in a most barbarous manner. He caused some to be wrapped up in combustible garments, which were set on fire; others were fastened to crosses, others were torn to pieces by wild beasts, and thousands suffered death in the most horrid and cruel forms.

The persecutions under all the ten emperours, were similar in many respects; some of them were but short, and others of longer duration. The christians suffered every privation, and were put to death by all the excruciating tortures, which infernal ingenuity could invent. Multitudes were confined in theatres, where wild beasts were let loose upon them, and they were worried and devoured, for the diversion of thousands of barbarous spectators, who sat elevated above the reach of harm.

The third persecution was under Trajan, a prince renowned for many excellent qualities, but who was, nevertheless, a dreadful scourge to the disciples of Christ. The letters which passed between him and Pliny, the governor of Bythinia, I'shall here transcribe.

C. Pliny to Trajan, Emperour, health.

“ir is my usual custom, Sir, to refer all things, of which I harbour any doubts, to you. For who can better direct my judgment in its hesitation, or instruct my understanding in its ignorance ? I never had the fortune to be present at any examination of christians, before I came into this province. 1am therefore - at a loss to determine, what is the usual object, either of inquiry or punishment, and to what length either of them is to be carried. It has also keen with me a question very problematical, whether any distinction should be made between the young and the old, the tender and the robust ; whether any rcom should be given for repentance, or the guilt of christianity once incurred is not to be expiated by the most unequivocal retraction; whether the name itself, abstracted from any flagitiousness of conduct, or the crimes connected with the name, be the object of punishment. In the mean time this has been my method, with respect to those who were brought betore me as christians. I asked them whether they were christians? If they pleaded guilty, I interrogated them twice afresh, with a menace of capital punishment. In case of obstinate perseverance, I ordered them to be executed. For of this I had no doubt, whatever was the nature of their religion, that a sullen and obstinate inflexibility called for the vengeance of the magistrate. Some there were infected with the same madness, whom, on account of their privilege of citizenship, I re- ‘served to be sent to Rome, to be referred to your tribunal. “In the course of this business, informations pouring in, as is usual when they are encouraged, more cases occurred. An anonymous libel was exhibited, with a catalogue of names of persons, wha

_ed day to meet before dayyet declared, that they were not christians then, or ever had been, and repeated after me an invocation of the gods and of your image, which, for this purpose, I had ordered to be brought with the images of the deities, performed sacred rites with wine and frankincense, and execrated Christ, none of which things, J am told, a real christian can ever be impelled to do. On this account I dismissed them. Others, named by an informer, first affirmed and then denied the charge of christianity, declaring that they had been christians, but had desisted, some three years ago, others still longer, some even twenty years ago. Al of them worshipped your image, and the statues of the gods, and also execrated Christ. And this was the account which they gave me of the nature of the religion they once had professed, whether it deserves

_ the name of crime or Get that they were accustomed on a stati ght, and to repeat among themselves an hymn to Christ as to a God, and to bind themselves by an oath, with an obligation of not committing any wickedness, but on the contrary, of abstaining from thefts, robberies, and adulteries, also of not violating their promise, or denying a pledge, after which, it was their custom to separate, and to meet again at a promiscuous, harmless meal, from which last they yet desisted, after the publication of my edict, in which, agreeably to your orders, I forbade any societies. On which account, I judged it the more necessary, to inquire by torture from two females, who were said to be deaconesses, what is the realtruth. But nothing could I collect, except a depraved and excessive superstition. Deferring, therefore, any further investigation, I determined to consult you. Forthe number of culprits is so great, as to call for serious consultation. For many are informed against of every age and of both sexes, and more still will be in the same situation. For the contagion of the superstition hath spread not only through cities, but even villages and the country. Not that I think it impossible to check and correct it: The success of my endeavours hitherto forbids such desponding thoughts ; for the temples, once almost desolate, begin to be frequented, and the sacred solemhities, which had long been intermitted, are now attended afresh ; and the sacrificial victims are now sold every where, which once could scarce find a purchaser. Whence I conclude, that many might be reclaimed, were the hope of impunity on repentance absolutely confirmed.”

Trajan to Pliny.

**You have done perfectly right, my dear Pliny, in the inquiry which you have made concerning christians. For truly, no one general rule can be laid down, which will apply itself to all cases. They must not be sought after. If they are brought before you and convicted, let them be capitally punished, yet with this restriction, that if any renounce christianity, and evidence his sincerity by supplicating our gods, however suspected he may be for the past, he shall obtain pardon for the future, on his repentance. But anonymous libels in no case ought to be attended to ; for the precedent would be of the worst sort, and perfectly incongruous to the maxims of my eerstament.-

ae

This Letter of Pliny’s was written about 106 or 107.

It suggests many remarks, which have been judiciously made by the late Rev. John Newton. ‘They are found in the 6th volume of his works, New York edition. - Notwithstanding the violence with which persecution raged in the three first centuries, yet christianity never prospered more than in these trying times. The constancy of the christian sufferers emboldened their brethren to persevere, and led many to examine into the nature of that religion, which exposed its professors to such calamities, and which, at the same time, inspired them with such holy fortitude, amidst the torturing agonies of death. And their enemies soon found that the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. We are now about to take a view of the christian cause, under circumstances very different from those which have been related.

A little more than three hundred years after the birth of Christ, the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, embraced the christian faith, and not only abolished all the persecuting edicts of his predecessors, but established religion by law. And under legal establishments of different kinds, the great mass of christian professors have been included from that inauspicious period to the present time. The conversion of this emperour was effected by the miraculous appearance of across in the heavens, — while he was marching at the head of his armies. ‘This story has, however, been considered, and not without just grounds, a fabulous invention of after-times. And, indeed, the sincerity of this royal convert has never been fully established. But so it was, that either from motives of civil policy, or from a genuine conviction of its truth, he espoused the christian cause, and established it as the religion of his empire. ‘This was hailed by most as an auspicious and promising measure ; but it proved in the end to be a dangerous favour, big with calamity and harm. It was indeed a desirable thing to be freed from the rage of a persecuting power; it was also a pleasant sight, to the worshippers of the true God, to see the whole system of paganism, which had been the pride of ages, gradually dissolved and sinking into insignificance and contempt. And had Constantine repealed all persecuting laws, and left religion to stand upon its own foundation, he would chave done essential service to the church of Christ, and every Christian would have reason to respect his memory.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. i]

_ But when princes undertake in religion, they either do too

Jae much for it, or against it. ‘This zealous prince, (says Mosheim) employed all the resources of his genius, all the authority of his iaws, and all the engaging charms of his munificence and liberality, to efface by degrees the superstitions of paganism, and propagate christiaaity in every corner of the Roman empire.””* “+ Nothing (says Milner) can be more splendid than the external appearance of christianity at this time. An emperour, full of zeal for the propagation of the only divine religion, by edicts, restores every thing to the church of which it had been deprived, indemnifies

‘those who had suffered, honours the pastors exceedingly, recommends to governors of provinces to promote the gospel—he also erects churches exceedingly sumptuous and ornamental, with distinctions of parts, corresponding in some measure to those in Solomon’s temple; his mother Helena also fills the whole Roman world with her munificent acts in support of religion, and so on.”’} |

Many were elated beyond measure at this external - prosperity and magnificence : but the old veterans in the. christian cause, foresaw the evils which were brooding over them. ‘They judged rightly when they suspected that these splendid benefits were purchased at too dear a rate, for the emperour, who had taken the church into his princely favour, claimed the privilege of regulating its affairs.

_ Now religion assumed a prosperous appearance, but very little of the spirit of godliness was to be seen. Now the bishops and pastors, especially those in populous cities and towns, were exalted to a pitch of worldly grandeur, in consequence of the princely endowments which their churches had received. Now multitudes came swarming into the church, in pursuit of the emoluments which it offered them. Now blasting errors, augmented superstitions, and pompous and unmeaning forms of piety, which had long been gaining ground, ripened apace, and soon arrived to a dreadful maturity. Ina word, every thing in faith and practice, that was opposite to the pure religion of Jesus, came pouring in like a flood, and this heavenly system was disrobed of its primeval beauty, and sunk beneath an oppressive load, from which it hag never yet fully recovered. ;

_The Bishop of Rome soon rose to preeminence among bis brethren, on account of his local situation, and the foundation for the magnificent papacy was laid. The. bishops of Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople, were soon exalted to superior dignity. Next came Archbishops, Patriarchs, Exarchs, Metropolitans, Suffragans, Popes, Cardinals, Monks, Nuns, Synods, Councils, Anathemas, Dungeons, Gibbets, Flames, and Death, all for the glory of a God of mercy, and the honour of his holy name. We have now opened to a wide field, and a mighty mass of materials presents itself, which, however, we can but just glance upon without extending this article farther than would comport with its design. s In farther pursuing this subject, I shall relate, under separate heads, accounts of some of the most distinguished bodies of professed christians, and also of the most striking events which have occurred in the christian world. : The Church of Rome.

_ “Tne Church of Rome is now a phrase of magnitude and splendour, yet at first itstood for no more than an assembly of converted Jews, dwelling at Rome, who met for worship in the hired house of Paul of Tarsus then a prisoner.”’*

The early history of this church is covered with obscurity, but the deficiency of historical facts has been supplied by Papist writers with a multitude of fabulous tales: But it is sufficiently evident that the church of Rome remained for a long time a small body of christians, who were but little known to the rest of the people of this great city. The bishop of Rome preached in a private house, and merely superintended the care of his little flock, and doubtless never expected his successors would arise to the highest summit of blasphemous eminence, and hurl their anathemas to distant nations, dethrone kings and emperors, and make them bow at their feet.

Silvester was bishop of Rome in the reign of Constantine, and Catholicks pretend that he was the thirty-fourth in succession. In the days of Sylvester, it is believed, that the people, who were afterwards called Waldenses, began to separate from the church, which had become a tool of state, and was fast plunging into error and super-. Stiion.)s.)3) 4

The bishop of Rome arose by gradual steps to eminence and authority, until he acquired the title of Univer-

* Robinson’s Ecclesiastical Researches, p. 117.

sal Bishop. This title was conferred upon Boniface III. by the emperor Phocas, in 606; and from this period - writers generally date the rise of Antichrist. If this be correct, his reign will end, or the 1260 years will expire about fifty years hence. ,

From the time of Boniface III. to that of Gregory VII. a period of a little less than five hundred years, there - were no less than a hundred and fourteen pontiffs elevated to the Papal chair,* and from the outrageous reign of the last mentioned pope, to the present time, the number of these antichristian bishops has been peculiarly great, but Iam not able now to state it.

The history of the Roman pontiffs is replete with every thing shocking to the feelings of piety and humanity. — Notwithstanding their high pretensions to sanctity, many ’ of them were the most flagitious monsters that ever walked the earth ; their scandalous amours were notorious throughout their dominions, and many of their illegitimate children have cut distinguished figures in the world. Their ambitious projects set the world in commotion ; their avarice drained the coffers of their blind devotees, and Sixtus V. left behind him at his death, above five millions of gold.f -. Some of those spiritual potentates were respectable as earthly princes, but others were the most violent and perfidious wretches that ever swayedasceptre. And in their quarrels with surrounding sovereigns, they had the advantage of adding to their military forces, their thundering anathemas, by which princes were deposed from their thrones, their subjects absolved from their allegiance, and promised with pardons for rebellion, and heaven for success. 3 '. The pontificate was elevated to its highest pitch of worldly grandeur in the eleventh century, and the Man of Sin appeared to have attained the summit of arrogance and blasphemy in the person of Gregory VII. This pope was a monk before he was elevated to the papal chair. His name was Hildebrand; Firebrand, he might more properly be called. He assumed not only the appellation of Universal Bishop, but also those of Sovereign Pontiff, Christ's Vicar, Prince of the Apostles, God on earth, Lord God the Pope, His Holiness, King of kings and Lord of lords, Prince over all nations and kingdoms, The

* Trial of Antichrist, p.14. + Millot’s History, Vol. iv. p. 279.

Most Holy and Most Blessed, Master of the Universal World, Father of Kings, Light of the World, Most High and Sovereign Bishop, &c. &c.* iii "

Gregory VII. was undoubtedly the most audacious pope

that ever sat on St. Peter’s throne, and his whole pontificate was a continual scene of tumult and bloodshed. He impiously attempted to submit to his jurisdiction the emperors, kings, and princes of the earth, and to render their dominions tributary to the See of Rome. He dethroned the emperor Henry IV. and then excommunicated him from the church, and obliged him to stand three days ~ barefoot before the gates of Canosa on the Appinees, where he was regaling himself with his mistress Matilda, before he would grant him absolution. ' 'This was the first instance of a prince being deposed by the pope ; but this served as a precedent for many others, which the limits of this sketch will not permit us to name. ;

It may seem altogether incredible now, to those who have not studied the history of ancient times, that emperors, kings, and princes, should be hurled from their thrones, and disrobed of the functions of royalty, by the anathemas of the pretended vicar of Christ. What regard would the sovereigns of Europe now pay to the denunciations of Pius VII.? But the case was far different when Antichrist was reigning in the meridian of his strength. Then all the world were wondering after the beast, and the voice of St. Peter, by his pretended vicegerent on earth, was regarded as the voice of God. Sovereigns might spurn at the thunders of the Vatican, but their subjects regarded them as the mandates of Heaven; kingdoms were soon filled with rebellion; the lives of princes were in danger from those about them; for the bulls of his Holiness must be obeyed ; kingdoms were laid under interdicts ; every thing was thrown into confusion; and in these dreadful circumstances, the proud imperious princes of the earth, were reduced to the humbling necessity of bowing to the feet of St. Peter’s successor, and becoming reconciled in the best manner they could to their spiritual master. And haying gained the friendship of his Holiness, their subjects returned to their allegiance, and their kingdoms were restored to order. It was, however, certainly unfair for the popes to interpose the charms

* Trial of Antichrist, p. 41. os

Cs of their spiritual influence, in their quarrels with princes about worldly things.

The pope was surrounded by ten thousand satellites, all receiving their light, or rather their darkness from him. _ But above them all, were seventy-two cardinals, by whom he was. elected. Armies of monks and ministers stood _ ready to obey his summons, and were dispersed in every country to execute hishigh commands. ‘These emissaries were constantly employed in the affairs of princes, in the intrigues of courts, and many of them were elevated to the heaet summit of worldly grandeur.

Councils.

Tue custom of holding councils, according to Mosheim, commenced in Greece in the second century. They were, by the Greeks, called synods. Councils were, at first, mere provincial assemblies, collected together for _ the purpose of regulating the affairs of particular districts ; but they soon arose to the most august and powerful assemblies, and assumed the supreme command of the whole catholick world. —

The popes frequently attended councils in person, and

at other times they were represented by their legates and nuncios. Some of them were called by the pontiffs ; at other times, they were afraid of their power, and tried to hinder their meeting, or dissolved them when assembled.

The first general council was held at Nice, in Bythinia, in 325, wherein the deputies of the church universal were summoned by the emperour Constantine, to put an end to the Arian controversy, which then began to rage extensively. At this council upwards of three hundred bishops were assembled; it held about a year. Some of the catholick councils sat many years, and assembled a standing army of bishops and ecclesiasticks, who stood ready to suppress every heretical whisper.

The council of Placentia, was the most numerous of any that had been hitherto assembled, and was, on that account, held in the open fields. There were present at it, two hundred bishops, four thousand ecclesiasticks, and three hundred thousand laymen.*

“The council of Constance was begun in 1414, and was held att years. It was opened by pope John XXIII. and

* Moshein, vol. II. p. 429.

was ended by Martin V. At this council were assembled, (says Millot) a prodigious number of cardinals, prelates, and doctors; above a hundred sovereign princes of Germany, with the emperour at their head; twenty-seven ambassadors, and innumerable deputies from all the different states and communities of Europe, and among the rest a crowd of ministrels, courtesans, &c. All Europe was in commotion about this council; it was summoned at the instance of the Emperour Sigismond, for the purpose of reforming the church, and checking the ambition of the pontiffs.

The papal chair, at this time, was deputed by three ambitious rivals, who had assumed the names of John XXII. Gregory XII. and Benedict XIII. But during the sitting of the Council, all the rival popes were deposed, and anew one was elected by the name of Martin V. . John had been a corsair, that is a pirate, in his youth; a profession, says Millot, more suited to his temper, than the functions of an ecclesiastick. In the habit of a postilion, he escaped from Constance, to avoid the vengeance of an enraged populace.* .