english general baptists to 1644

7/30/2019 English General Baptists to 1644

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English General Baptists to

1644


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John Smyth (c. 1570-1612)

followed path from Puritan in Church ofEngland to Separatist to Baptist

studied at Christs College, Cambridge, whichwas a hotbed of Puritanismone of his tutorswas Francis Johnson

1594ordained to Anglican ministry byBishop of Lincolnin 1600 Smyth waselected as lecturer (preacher) in Lincoln by 8-

7 vote of city councilposition supported outof town funds or by private individualsithad more freedom than regular parish appt.


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Smyth (cont.)

1602Smyth dismissed from this positionbecause he spoke vs. Anglican clergy andalienated political dignitariesat this point, heapparently supported himself as a physician

2 major works from his Puritan period: 1. 1603The Bright Morning Starresermons given in

Lincoln on Psalm 22dealt with Christ, Trinity, authorityof Scripture

2. 1605A Paterne of True Prayeralso sermons fromLincolnon Lords Prayershowed his Calvinism, supportof role of magistrates in religious matters


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Smyth (cont.)

c. 1606Smyth separated from state church,joined Separatist congregation in Gainsborough,Eng., where he was soon ordained as pastor (partof the Gainsborough group had gone to Scrooby

Manor, where it became Pilgrim Church underJohn Robinson)

1608Gainsborough congregation moved toAmsterdam, probably funded by a wealthy

layman named Thomas Helwysin HollandSmyth had contact with other EnglishSeparatistsRobinsons group went to Leiden


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Smyth (cont.)

Smyths works from Separatist period: 1. Principles & Inferences. . .written just before

leaving Eng. or soon after arriving in Hollandbookan ecclesiology (nature, authority, composition of aNT church)accepted invisible/visible churchdistinction, but emphasized visible congregationstressed covenant, congregational polity, equality ofall visible churches

2. Parallels, Censures, & Observationssoon afterprevious book, more argumentativedescribed falsechurch, which was best identified for mixedmembershipChurch of England a false churchSmyth denied doctrine of apostolic succession


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Smyth (cont.)

3. 1608The Differences of the Churches of theSeparationmainly Smyths differences with his oldtutor, Francis Johnson re: public worshipSmythopposed sermon-reading, offerings from non-

believers, use of Bible translations, psalm-singingfrom a book


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Smyth (cont.)

1608-09Smyth rejected infant baptism andembraced believers baptismhiscongregation disbanded, declared itself not achurchSmyth then baptized himself (se-

baptism) by pouring and then baptized therest of the groupchurch was thenreconstituted on basis of believers baptism

1609The Character of the BeastSmyth

identified infant baptism as the Mark of theBeastbelievers baptism the only truebaptism


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Smyth (cont.)

Smyths self-baptism became controversialsome suggested that he could have soughtbaptism from Dutch Anabaptistsin fact, heeventually initiated discussions with theWaterlander Mennonites in Amsterdam

Helwys and about 10 others in the churchobjected to this because of their misgivings

re: Mennonite doctrinethe Helwys factionexcommunicated Smyth and declaredthemselves to be the true church


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Smyth (cont.)

Smyth and 31 of his supporters made formalapplication to join the Waterlanders, butMennonites were slow to respond

1610in failing health, Smyth wrote

Propositions & Conclusions. . . , whichincluded a confession of faithbook revealedthat Smyth had become an Arminian(possible theological influence of

Mennonites)Smyth and his followersendorsed a general atonement, hence thename General Baptists


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Smyth (cont.)

1610 book showed a more irenic Smythstrong on regenerate church membership,but also an emphasis on invisible, spiritualchurch

Smyth also defended freedom of consciencein 1610 book, a change from earlier positionre: magistratesthis writing represented 1st

claim for full religious liberty in Englishlanguage


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Smyth (cont.)

1612Smyth lingered in bad health forseveral weeksdied of consumption (TB)-leftlegacy as Baptist pioneer with emphases onregenerate membership; congregational

polity; believers baptism; religious freedom after Smyths death, his congregation applied

again to be united with Mennoniteshisfollowers were admitted to Waterlander

Church in 1615they learned Dutchlanguage, intermarried with Dutch, lostidentity as a distinct community


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Thomas Helwys (c. 1550-1615)

Helwys believed that Smyth had sinned vs. theHoly Spirit when he questioned the validity of hisself-baptismHelwys also believed that Smyth

was not sufficiently discerning re: Mennonite

doctrine

1612Helwys led his small group of followers(perhaps a dozen in all) back to Englandthey

believed that they should not have left England in

the first place Helwys had background as country gentlemen

from Nottinghamsome legal training


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Helwys


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Early 17th-Century England


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Helwyss Home in Nottinghamshire


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Helwys (cont.)

Helwys now became pastor of a small churchthat met secretly at Spitalfields, just outside the

walls of Londona General Baptist church thatpracticed believers baptism by pouring

Helwys distanced his church from Mennonitessaw them putting too much emphasis of free will,

which he called that most damnable heresyHelwys believed that only Adam & Eve before the

Fall enjoyed complete freedom of choicehe wasstronger than Smyth or Mennonites on originalsin


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Helwys (cont.)

at same time, Helwys attacked Calvinists re:predestination

Helwys rejected ministerial succession idea ofAnabaptistsfor him, ordination valid only in

ordaining church Helwys also uncomfortable with Mennonite

views on oath taking, participation in civil govt.,and celestial flesh

1612Helwys affirmed freedom of conscience inA Short Declaration of the Mistery of Iniquityfirst call in England for universal freedom of

worship


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An Original Edition of Helwyss Book


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Helwyss Title Page


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Helwys to King James I


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Helwys (cont.)

this book landed Helwys in Newgate Prison,where he died sometime before 1616

his views echoed by Leonard Busher, whowroteReligions Peace: or a Plea for Liberty

of Conscience in 1614first Baptist treatisedevoted entirely to religious liberty

John Murton became leader of Spitalfieldschurch after Helwyss deathin 1620 he

wrote The Humble Supplication as a prisonerin Newgatewrote with milk on paper thatwas stopper on his daily milk bottle


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Helwys, etc. (cont.)

the papers were smuggled out of the prison andbrowned over a candle to make the wordsappearMurton died in prison in 1625 0r 1626

after Murtons death, Spitalfields congregation

and 4 other General Baptist churches in Englandsought union with Waterlander Mennonites, butrequest was turned down because of doctrinaldifferencesthese 5 churches, with about 150

total members, grew to 47 churches by 1644marked by Arminian theology, commitment toreligious liberty

english general baptists to 1644

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