The travels of true godliness

Front matter

Jiiches was foil of business tetttngJus money cr casana up his accounts.

3 1 . 4>5.

BOSTON. LINCOLN & EDMANDS.

Preface

The Editor hopes he has rendered an acceptable service to the religious public, by bringing forth from

|- almost entire oblivion, this small but admirable trea* tise. The strenuous efforts of Authors and Publish- ' ers to attract attention to new works, and the ne- : cessarily greater interest we feel in the present than in

* the past, combine to throw the books of former years into increasing obscurity. Though books abound in every department of knowledge or piety, yet those of a proper kind do not abound, at least, on practical religion. Sabbath Schools and Tract Societies, together with extended education, have created a taste for reading, which it has become extremely difficult to supply. We are deplorably deficient in books for private Christians and common readers, which possess interest without fiction-— religion without sectarianisms—plainness of style without vulgarity — and importance of matter without being above general comprehension. These excellencies, the Editor thinks are eminently displayed in this little volume.

Most works of this kind, since Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, have been clumsy imitations of that immortal production, and have fallen into merited contempt. Keach is entitled to the merit of originality, not less than that of skilL His line of metaphor is wholly diverse from that of Bunyan. While that delineates iv

PREFACE.

the progress of a soul in sanctification, this depicts religion itself as a pilgrim, and describes the treatment it receives from the various orders of men. In point of theological accuracy, devout temper, and useful tendency, the Travels of True Godliness may bear comparison with Pilgrim's Progress. The admirers of Bunyan cannot fail to be pleased with Keach.

Considerable liberties have necessarily been taken with the style, as the work was written an hundred and fifty years ago ; but the sentiments have in no instance been varied in the least. The Memoir has been prepared with much attention, expressly for this edition of the work.

Those who adopt as one of their modes of benevolence, the distribution of awakening tracts, will find this happily suited to their purpose, and adapted to a great variety of characters. To Christians it will prove an excellent closet companion, containing judicious and satisfactory helps to self-examination, and designating the true and false marks of grace, with remarkable precision. May the divine blessing attend it.

H. M.

Boston, June l 3 1829.

TO THE READER,

Ik this tract are shown the many snares and temptations that attend both riches and poverty, youth and old age ; together with the chief reasons why most people, of all ranks and qualities, are such great strangers and enemies to true godliness. The legalist and formal hypocrite may here see what dangers they are in : also you have an account of many errors and heresies, with a detection of Antinomian errors. True Godliness is described in his own primitive internal and external beauty and glory, being vindicated from all calumnies and reproaches cast upon him in this and former ages ; with his sad lamentation, in respect of the prevailing power of vice, ungodliness, papistry, and other enemies at home and abroad. Also the usefulness of consideration, and of the utmost improvement of the means, in order to union with Christ and true conversion, is clearly exhibited, together with the causes and fatal consequences of apostasy.

If thou art a believer, read with delight. But if thou art an enemy to True Godliness, read and tremble : for the great happiness of the one, and the miserable condition of the other, is here laid before thy eyes.

In this treatise, you may see the little cause the godly have to mourn in the worst of times, or the ungodly to rejoice in the best of times. I hope none will be offended because True Godliness is here presented vi

TO THE READER.

in an allegory, since the Holy Scriptures abound with them, and so fully justify our essay herein. But since it hath been abroad near twenty years, and hath found kind acceptance amongst people of all persuasions, I need not say any thing farther as to that ; yet knowing that the times are quite changed, to what they were when first it was published, I have corrected this edition, and made great additions.

And as I have received an account from many, what good God hath done by it to their souls, so if any receive profit by this, I shall rejoice ; and to that end shall commit it and thee, to the blessing of Jehovah, in whom I still remain,, through infinite grace,

Thy soul's friend and servant,

BENJAMIN REACH,

fforselydown, Fair- Street 9 May 31, 1700,

MEMOIR

OF

REV. BENJAMIN REACH.

Benjamin Keach was born at Stokeham, in Buckinghamshire, England, Feb. 29, 1640. He had the inestimable blessing of pious parents, but though in respectable circumstances, the} were unable to give him a liberal education, which, at that day, was so much more expensive and difficult than at present. He was, therefore, placed at a trade. Soon, however, it was perceived by his uncommon love of books, and critical manner of readiDg the Scriptures, that the employment was uncongenial. He, notwithstanding, continued at his business about three years, during which time, he was led by observing the entire silence of the sacred oracles on the subject of infant baptism, to enter on a deliberate examination of that subject, which resulted in his joining a Baptist church in that county.

The church discovering his piety and talents, about three years afterwards, in 1658, called him to the solemn work of the ministry. He was now in his 18th year, and for about two years he pursued his work with great comfort and success, and much to the edification of those who heard him. The Baptists in the part where he lived, generally held the sentiments of the Remonstrants, or Arminians, and from these he imbibed and maintained it ; till on coming to London, where he had an opportunity of consulting both men and books, he found that the different opinions upon these subjects had given rise to two denominations of Baptists. Examining this point more closely, he in a few years came to a clear understanding of the Calvinistic sentiments, and continued to maintain them during life.

In the year 1664, he wrote a little book, which many of his friends wished him to publish for the use of their children. This request he complied with, and entitled it, The Child's Instructor, or a New and Easy Primer. He did not put his name to it, and procured a friend to write a recommendatory preface ; from which it seems that he apprehended it would expose him to some difficulties, as there were several things in it contrary to the doctrines and ceremonies of the church of England.

This book was no sooner printed, and some few of them sent down to him, than one Mr.

Stratford, a justice of the peace for that county, was informed of it. He immediately took a constable with him, and went to the house of Mr. Keach, where they seized all the books they could find, and bound him to appear at the assizes, to answer for his crime, in a recognizance of a hundred pounds himself, and two sureties of fifty pounds each.

The assizes commenced at Aylesbury, October the 8th, 1664, and Lord Chief Justice Hyde, afterwards Lord Clarendon, presided. The account of this trial shows the shameful prostitution of justice resorted to in order to punish the nonconformists, in those days of persecution.

The treatment of Mr. Keach during this trial, was harsh and unreasonable, and the sentence severe. It is as follows :

f< Benjamin Keach, you are here convicted for writing, printing, and publishing a seditious and schismatic al book, for which the court's judgment is this, and the court doth award, That you shall go to gaol for a fortnight without bail or mainprize ; and the next Saturday to stand upon the pillory at Aylesbury in the open market, from eleven o'clock till one, with a paper on your head with this inscription : For writing, printing, and publishing a schismatical book, entitled The Child' ! s Instructor, or a New and Easy Primer. And the next Thursday, to stand, in the same manner and for the same time, in the market at Winslow ; and then your book shall be openly burnt before your face, by the common hangman, in disgrace of you and your doctrine. And you shall forfeit to the king's majesty the sum of twenty pounds, and shall remain in gaol until you mid sureties for your good behaviour, and for your appearance at the next assizes ; then to renounce your doctrines, and make such public submission as shall be enjoined you. Take him away, keeper ! "

All the attempts of his friends to obtain any abatement of this sentence were ineffectual. It was executed both at Aylesbury and Winslow, with even more exactness and rigor than was customarily used toward common malefactors.

Though Mr. Keach seems not to have been daunted by persecution, yet considering how much it obstructed his usefulness in Buckinghamshire, and how much greater opportunities of doing good would be afforded him in the metropolis, he removed to London in 1668.

He had not been long in London, before he was invited to settle with a congregation in the Borough, and was solemnly ordained by imposition of hands in 1668, being then 28 years of age.

During four years after the settlement of Mr. Keach, they were obliged to meet from house to house, and though very careful to prevent being discovered, they were twice disturbed, and some of them indicted to appear at the Quarter Ses* sions.

In 1672, when the declaration of indulgence was published, they built a meeting-house at the corner of Stoney Lane, Horselydown. It pleased God to give such success to the ministry of Mr. Keach, that they soon increased so considerably, that the place was frequently enlarged till it became capable of containing nearly a thousand people.

From this period to the revolution in 1688, Mr. Keach took a lively interest in every thing which related to the Protestant interest, wrote several of his best works, and embraced every opportunity to expose the iniquitious scenes that were transacted for the introduction of Popery.

Mr. Keach appears to have taken an active part in the general assemblies held in London in 1689, &c. He was requested by the Association, to visit the baptized churches, in several parts of the kingdom, and to preach the gospel to them. In this journey, he was accompanied by Mr. Benjamin Dennis, and was attended with great success. His zeal for the Baptist denomination appeared by writing in defence of it; by encouraging ministers who came to him from all parts of the kingdom ; and by procuring the erection of several meeting-houses for the worship of God.

In 1692, Mr. Keach engaged in a controversy on the subject of baptism, with the Rev. Mr. Burkit, rector of Milden in Suffolk, and the well known author of the exposition of the New Testament.

He was led into this controversy by being solicited by the Rev. J. Tredwell, pastor of the Baptist congregation at Lavingham, to reply to an attack on him and his people, by Mr. Burkit, whose parish adjoined Lavingham. Mr. B's piece was entitled " An argumentative and 'practical Discourse on Infant Baptism" and was evidently written in great heat and indignation. The administration of immersion is caricatured so as to make it appear both ludicrous and disgusting. Tredwell and his brethren are called Anabaptists — the persons baptized are affirmed to have come up from the water covered with filth, and compared to creatures rising out of the bottomless pit. Mr. Reach's answer was entitled " The Rector Rectified."

Mr. Keach was induced to reply to various other publications on the subject of baptism, which frequently extorted rejoinders, in which he was not always treated with decorum. Russen in his " True Picture of the Anabaptists," published 1703, not only asserted in broad and general terms, that this sect was the most vile and pernicious that had ever appeared on the face of the earth, holding dangerous errors, and being men of profligate lives, but singled out Mr. Keach by name, and affirmed him guilty of uncleanness. So far from resorting to a civil process to punish such an accuser, Mr. Keach seems to have taken no notice whatever of this slander. A number of his friends, however, among whom were two members of Parliament, waited on the author, who refused to name his informant, or to attempt to sustain his allegation. So convinced, however, was the publisher of the injustice and cruelty of the allegation, that he appended to the book a certificate signed by twenty-eight gentlemen, among whom were some of the principal citizens of London. In this certificate it is not only set forth that the signers are " entirely satisfied that Mr. David Russen's assertion in his book entitled, A true Picture, fyc. that the said Mr. Keach had been accused of uncleanness, is false, groundless, and malicious," but the most honorable testimony is borne to his character as a christian and a minister. Thus did he shine with greater lustre, and his books acquire more extensive circulation.

Mr. Keach took a considerable part also in some controversies among the Baptists, on subjects in which they were not agreed. Such as laying on of hands on baptized believers. The propriety of granting ministers a maintenance for their labors. Singing the praises of God in public worship. And the abrogation of the Seventh-day Sabbath.

On the first of these subjects, viz. Laying on of hands, Mr. K. was very strenuous for its being an essential requisite to church membership, and practised it, therefore, on all he baptized. The

Baptist churches, however, have never seemed to regard this dispute as of any importance* and his book produced no special effect* On the subject of granting ministers a full maintenance, that they may be free from all secular anxieties, he assumed the affirmative, and argued in the most conclusive manner. So satisfactory was his treatment of the subject, that in the Assembly, 1689, this work was particularly recommended by the whole body of ministers and messengers of 107 churches.

The practice of singing in public worship was at that time by no means general among Baptist churches. So odious had been the pompous and theatrical music of the Popish Church, that many dissenters in reforming from the errors of that community, dispensed wholly with singing.

Mr. K.'s treatise on this subject was published in 1691, entitled, " The Breach in God's Worship repaired" fyc. In this controversy his success was very conspicuous : and about that time many of the churches in England commenced singing as a part of the public service of the sanctuary. He did not succeed, however, in reconciling all the members of his own church ; and a portion of them withdrew, retaining the same principles as their brethren, but abolishing the use of psalmody, except at the close of the Lord's supper. This was the origin of the church in Maze Pond. After a few years it conformed to what was become the general practice, and introduced singing. We notice an expostulation made by Mr. Keach in his writings during this controversy, because it serves to show the inflexible integrity of the early Baptists, in adhering to what they thought Scripture duty, though at the greatest hazard. He says : "Hath not the church sung at breaking of bread always for sixteen or eighteen years last past, nor would omit it in the time of the late persecution ? rf No doubt but their singing the praises of God had often disclosed their place of meeting to their persecutors. And as their Lord went from the supper to the garden, and from thence to the cross, so they had often left the Lord's table to appear at the magistrate's bar, and from thence be dragged to the prison.

His work on the Jewish, and Christian Sabbath, was published in 1700, entitled, " The Jewish Sabbath abrogated : or the Saturday Sabbatarians confuted ; in two parts. — First, Proving the abrogation of the old Seventh-day Sabbath — Secondly, That the Lord's day is of divine appointment. This was occasioned by some of his people embracing those sentiments. But the arguments he produced prevented their spread, so that but about three or four left him to unite with the Sabbatarians.

Archbishop Tillotson was pleased to extol this book, and pay Mr. Keach many marks of favor.

This acquaintance between them was probably owing to Mr. John Griswold, pastor of the Baptist church in Barbican, for whom this pious prelate had a great respect, and was often one of his hearers.

The respect paid by Archbishop Tillotson to the Baptists probably arose from the circumstance of his father, who was " remarkable for a good understanding, and an uncommon knowledge of the Scriptures," being a Baptist. This was Mr. Robert Tillotson, a considerable clothier at Sowerby, in the parish of Halifax, Yorkshire. He embraced the sentiments of the Baptists when his son was very young ; and this gave rise to the report that the Archbishop had never been baptized in infancy, and led Dr. Birch to say in his sermon before the house of Commons, January 30, 1694, We have fathers of the church ivho never were her sons. To this the Archbishop alludes in a letter to Lady Russel, August 1, 1692. Speaking of King William, he says, " If it please God to preserve my good master, and to grant him good success, I have nothing more to wish in this world, but that God would grant children to this excellent prince; and that. I, who am said not to have been baptized myself, may have the honor to baptize a Prince of Wales."*

* Birch's Life of Tillotson, p. 2 S 3, 298.

Mr. Keach not only wrote much on practical subjects, as well as in defence of the truth,* but at times engaged in public disputations. One of these public discussions was with the

*His Practical Works are,

1. The child's instructor, or a new and easy primmer. The first piece he wrote, and for which he suffered so much. 24mo. 1664.

2. A summons to the grave ; being Mr. John Norcofs funeral sermon. 12mo. 1676.

S. TROPOLOGIA. A key to open Scripture metaphors, 2 vols. Folio. 1682. A second edition of this work was published by the London booksellers a few years since.

4. The travels of true godliness. 8vo.

5. The progress of sin ; or the travels of ungodliness. 8vo.

6. The counterfeit Christian ; or the danger of hypocrisy. 4to. 1691.

7. The marrow of justification ; being several sermons on Rom. iv. 5. 4to. 1692.

8. The everlasting covenant; being a funeral sermon for Mr. Henry Forty. 8vo. 1693.

9. A Trumpet blown in Zion. 4to.

10. A golden mine opened ; or the glory of God's rich grace displayed. 4to. 1694.

11. God acknowledged ; being a sermon on a particular fast. 4to. 1696.

12. The early seeker, and love of a dying Saviour. 12mo. 1697.

13. The articles of the faith of the congregation of Horselydown. With the glory and discipline of a true church displayed. 12mo. 1697.

14. The display of glorious grace ; or the covenant of grace opened. 8vo. 1698.

B people called Quakers: at another time with Unitarians, and once with some of the established clergy. The profitableness of this mode of controversy, however, is extremely doubtful.

15. Jacob's ladder improved. 8vo. 1698.

16. A call to weeping; or a warning concerning present miseries. 12mo. 1689.

17. Instructions for children. 24mo.

18. Gospel mysteries unveiled ; or an exposition of all the parables > kc. Folio. 1704.

His Polemical Works.

19. Mr. Baxter's arguments for believer's baptism. A sheet. 1674.

20. Darkness vanquished ; being an answer to Danvers on the laying on of hands. 8vo, 1675.

21. Gold refined ; or baptism in its primitive purity. 8vo, 1689.

22. Light broke forth in Wales. 8vo.

23. The gospel ministers' maintenance vindicated. 12mo. 1689.

24. Antichrist stormed ; or the Popish church proved to be mystery Babylon. 8vo. 1689.

25. Pedobaptism ; being an answer to the Athenian Society. 4to. 1691.

26. Breach repaired in God's worship ; or singing, &c. &c. 8vo. 1691.

27. A sober reply to Mr. Steed's epistle concerning singing. 8vo. 1691.

28. The rector rectified, &c. 8vo. 1692.

29. The axe laid to the root ; or one blow more at the foundation of infants' baptism, and church membership. Parti. 4to. 1693.

30. The axe laid to the root ; wherein Mr. Flavel's, Mr. RothwelPs, and Mr. ExalPs arguments are answered. Part II. 4to. 1693.

Notwithstanding the various labors in which Mr. Keach engaged, he was of a very weak constitution, and often afflicted. He was at one time so ill, in 1689, as to be given over by the

31. A counter antidote; or an answer to Shute's antidote, to prevent the prevalency of Anabaptism. 4to. 1694.

32. A medium between two extremes. 8vo. 1698.

33. The Jewish Sabbath abrogated, &c. 8vo. 1700.

34. The French imposter detected; or an answer to Zachary Housel and Dr. Coward, who denied the soul's immortality. With a Frontispiece. 12mo. 1702.

His Poetical Works are,

35. Sion in distress, &c. 8vo. 1666.

36. A pillar set up to keep in remembrance his first dear and beloved wife. A sheet. 1679.

37. War with the Devil. 8vo.

38. The glorious lover. 8vo.

39. The grand imposter discovered ; or the Quaker's doctrine weighed in the balance and found wanting. 8vo. 1674.

40. The victorious Christian, or the triumph of faith ; being prison meditations. A sheet. 1685.

41. Spiritual melody ; containing nearly 300 hymns. 12mo. 1696.

42. A feast of fat things ; containing several Scriptural songs and hymns. 12mo. 1696.

u Besides which (adds Crosby) he prefixed several prefaces and commendations to the works of others, viz.

A Preface recommendatory to Mr. Balmford's poem, entitled, The Seaman's spiritual companion. 8vo. 1678.

physicians, and several of the ministers and his relations had taken leave of him, as a dying man, past all hopes of recovery. " But the Rev. Mr. Hansard Knollys seeing his dying friend and brother in the gospel near, to all appearance, expiring, betook himself to prayer ; and in an earnest and very extraordinary manner, begged that God would spare him and add unto his days the time he granted to his servant Hezekiah. As soon as he had ended his prayer, he said, 4 Brother Keach, I shall be in heaven be-

A Preface to Mr. Prudom's Truth unveiled by Scripture light. 8vo. 1699.

A Preface to Mr. Prudom's new world discovered ; in which Mr. Keach declares his opinion of the inillenium. 12mo. 1704.

An Introduction to Mr. Colman's narrative of a schism made in the church at Kilbey in Leicestershire.

Some of the works of Mr. Keach display a good share of learning ; but this was supplied by others. The preface to his Tropologia ; or A Key to open Scripture metaphors, was written by the famous Thomas Delaune, and bears his signature, T. D. Nor did Mr. Keach wish to appear in borrowed plumes, since he acknowledges in the preface to the Rector Rectified, as follows : 4 Whereas you will find both Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, Dutch, made use of either more or less in the ensuing answer, I would not have you think I understand all these languages ; but I have had the assistance of a learned person, (though in that case only) who is my friend and acquaintance, that so the work may be more fully and effectually done.' ** fore you,' and quickly after left him. So remarkable was the answer of God to this good man's prayer, that I cannot omit it ; though it may be discredited by some, there are yet living incontestable evidences of the fact. For Mr. Keach recovered of that illness, and lived just fifteen years afterwards : and then it pleased God to visit him with that short sickness which put an end to his life."*

During this illness he had many friends with him, but the violence of his distemper soon deprived them of the expectation of his life. When he was very near his end, Mr. Joseph Stennet was sent for ; but when he came, Mr. Keach was not able to say much to him, excepting desiring him to preach his funeral sermon from 1 Tim. i. 12. / know in ivhom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day. During his illness, he manifested extraordinary patience and resignation to the divine will, and with much composure, told his wife that he had recommended her to a better husband — the Lord Jesus Christ : and exhorted his children to live in love, peace, and unity, and in a steadfast adherence to Christ and his ways. A little before his death, his eldest daughter, who was one of the people called Quakers, came to see him, with

* Crosby's History of the English Baptists, whom he endeavored to converse, and manifested a great eagerness and desire to speak with her, but his speech failing prevented him. He died July 18, 1704, about 11 o'clock in the morning, and in the 64th year of his age. On the following Friday, his remains were taken from his meeting house, at the corner of Stoney-lane, to the Baptists' burying ground in the Park Southwark. A very large auditory was collected to hear his funeral sermon ; but the illness of Mr. Stennet prevented him from preaching it, till some time afterwards. The sermon was not printed, though he was strongly solicited to do it.

Mr. Keach had been twice married. His first wife was a Miss Jane Grove, of Winslow, in Buckinghamshire, " a woman of great piety and prudence," to which might have been added, great affection and fortitude, which she manifested when her husband was set in the pillory, by standing by him, and defending the cause for which he suffered. This good woman died October, 1670, in the 31st year of her age. This was a very great affliction to him, as she was a very tender and loving wife, and had been his companion in sufferings ten years. By her he had five children, three of whom, Mary, Elias, and Hannah, survived him. The extraordinary affection which he bare to her memory, was manifested by his writing a poem on the occasion of her death, which he entitled, A Pillar set up, assigning as his reason, the example of Jacob, And Rachel died and was buried, and Jacob set up a pillar on her grave ; that is the pillar of RacheVs grave unto this day. In this he gave her a very high character, commending her zeal for the truth, sincerity in religion, uncommon love to the saints, and her great contentment in whatsoever condition of life God was pleased to place her. He particularly mentions how great an help and comfort she was to him . in his suffering for the cause of Christ, visiting him while in prison, and taking all possible care of him, and encouraging him to go on, counting it an honor done them both, in that they were called to suffer for the sake of Christ. She was of a heavenly conversation ; her discourse was savory, and for the most part, about spiritual things, seeking the good of those she talked with ; and in this she was so successful, that many have acknowledged that they were indebted to her conversation for their conversion to God. As Mr. Keach published this account of her, that her example might be imitated by others, for the same reason we have thought it worth transcribing.

After being a widower about two years, he married Mrs. Susanna Partridge, of Rickmansworth, in Hertfordshire. This union was much to his comfort, as they lived together in great affection, thirty two years.

"To collect every particular transaction of this worthy minister's life, cannot be expected, at such a distance of time : nay, even to collect all that was excellent and inimitable in him, is too great a task to be now undertaken. I shall only observe that he was a person of great integrity of soul ; a Nathaniel indeed : his conversation not frothy and vain, but serious, without being morose or sullen. He began to be religious early, and continued faithful to the last. He discharged the duties of his pastoral office with unwearied diligence, by preaching in season and out of season, visiting those under his charge, encouraging the serious, defending the great truths of the gospel, and setting them in the clearest light. He was not addicted to utter hard censures of such as differed from him in lesser matters, but had a love for all saints, and constantly exercised himself in this, to keep a conscience void of offences towards God and towards man. He showed an unwearied endeavor to recover the decayed power of religion, for he lived what he preached; and it pleased God so to succeed his endeavors, that I doubt not but some yet living may call him their father, whom he hath begotten through the gospel. He affected no unusual tones, nor indecent gestures in his preaching — his style was strong and masculine. He generally used head notes, especially in the latter part of his life ; and if his sermons had not the embellishments of language, which some boast of, they had this peculiar advantage, to be full of solid divinity ; which is a much better character for pulpit discourses, than to say they are full of pompous eloquence, and flights of wit. It was none of the least of his excellent qualifications for the ministerial work, that he knew Jioto to behave himself in the house of God, in regard of the exercise of that discipline which is so necessary to a Christian society.