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    new connexion in 1770 . The differences at this time between the old and the new connexions will be seen from a letter addressed by the Rev . G . Boyce , Messenger of the Lincolnshire Association , to Mr . D . Taylor . Mr . Boyce says , " You believe , according to what you have written to me , that pure Deity or Godhead is one , pure , simple , uncompounded , undivided essence or being , in which is contained all perfection . So do I . I also understand you to believe , that this one all-perfect Being , Deity , or Godhead , is self-existent , independent , and eternal ; infinite , unchangeable ,

    and incomprehensible . So do I . In these two most august and grand points we are agreed . In the next place you believe , or at least I understand you to believe , there are three persons , distinct from each other , revealed to us under the titles or characters of Father , Son , and Holy Ghost ; and that these three persons do , independently of each other , equally possess all perfection : or , in other words , that these three persons make up that one , pure , simple , uncompounded , undivided Deity ; or , that these three persons , considered as above , are but one God . In this we differ . You believe that Jesus Christ is the most hiffh God . In this we differ . You do

    not seem to believe that the person who is called the Word , John i . 1 , came down from heaven . Herein we are not agreed . " From this statement , it is probable , that Mr . Boyce was an Arian , while the members of the new connexion were Trinitarians . It is plain , however , that the cause of division was , that the formers of the new connexion insisted on a subscription to a Trinitarian creed , while the members of the old connexion chose to leave their ministers and members at liberty to form their own opinions from Scripture . The Association of the new connexion drew up

    six articles " on the Fall of Man , the Nature and Perpetual Obligation of the Moral Law , the Person of Christ , Salvation by Faith , Regeneration by the Holy Spirit , and Baptism . " These articles are drawn up on the principles of Arminian Trinitarianism , declaring " that Jesus Christ is God and man united in one person ; that we are justified by faith ; that when a person comes to believe in Jesus , and not before , he is regenerated or

    renewed in his soul , by the . Spirit of God ; that it is the indispensable duty of all who repent and believe the gospel , to be baptized by immersion in water . ' They agreed " that no minister be permitted to join this Assembly who does not subscribe these articles , and that those who do subscribe , and afterwards depart from them , shall be considered as no longer belonging to this Assembly . " Many attempts at a reunion were made , especially between the Lincolnshire Association and that of the new connexion , but

    they failed , in consequence of the latter requinng subscription to their articles . The new connexion has much increased , and in this part of the country forms the largest body of Dissenters . Though very much cramped by subscription to articles , they are gradually becoming more liberal , especially in this town and the neighbouring village of Quorndon . Their other congregations are , I believe , more rigid in adhering to the six articles . They are a very active , zealous body , take a great deal of pains to diffuse their principles , encourage lay-preaching and missionary exertions both at home and abroad , and are increasing both in the middle and north of England .

    I have thus endeavoured to give your readers some information respecting a body of Dissenters little known among Unitarians . If any of your friends of the Old General Baptist connexion can give us fuller information respecting the jiistory of their own party , or the separation of the new connexion from them , they would oblige , . Yours , &c . T . C . HOLLAND .

    Untitled Article

    On the History of the General Baptists , 485

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1827, page 485, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1798/page/13/