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^ nvHH ^^^ HM ^ b ^ H * * Islington , Sir , August 1 , 1826 . WHEN the General Baptist Committee , who . appointed the preaching of Four Lectures on Baptism , requested their publication , I gaid they would not have justice done tbfcm in any one of the periodical miscellanies . The orthodox would either
altogether neglect or revile us on account of our heterodoxy , and the heterodox would treat us with contempt on account of our adherence to baptism by immersion . It has
nearly come to pass just as was predicted . Though copies of the Lectures have been respectfully sent to the leading Reviews and Magazines , a silence has been observed , saving by the Christian Moderator , who
immediately noticing the volume , pointed out its merits and demerits with an honest freedom : and still , as there has been no great lapse of time since its publication , there may be other honourable exceptions in the more liberal journals of the day .
A very zealous Baptist indeed has glanced at the work with the frozen encomium that the preachers " have given us four elaborate Lectures on the subjects mentioned in the titlepag ^ e , and if they contain little that is new , there is much that is true and
deserving attention / ' The Editor of the New Baptist Magazine then proceeds to depreciate the volume whence the Introductory History of Baptism is drawn , by demurring against the account given of it by the lecturer , who describes it as " a vast storehouse of facts , illumined by genius , enriched with learning , and glowing with th-e lambent flame of civil and
religious liberty . " There is no disputing of tastes , but there must be a strange want of discernment . In the United States of America the work is < My estimated , for it is there highly
spoken of by all denominations . In-Jfeed an abridgment of it has been Wade i > y the Rev . David Benedict , a j ^ ry respectable minister among the . Ua ptiatB , and something of the kind ^ wanted in this country . But hereby " hangs a tale" which m ust be told with simplicity . As to
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RoUmson ' s History of Baptis t& > J | - ft in inclined ito repeat nay * prais £ s * © f ! jtbis volum e- * because I believe it en ? tin © whole unequalled in its research And
liher&Hty . But why should it be run down by a Baptist ? Verily , because the Reviewer is a Particular Baptist ! When the work was first projected , the author ' s brethren , the Caivinists , liberally countenanced its publication , as the list of the subscribers testifies .
When the task was finished , it was received with great coolness , because Mr . Robinson , who died whilst it was in the press ,, had changed his sentiments . In every paragraph they smelt heresy . Nothing was to their mind amidst the sons of bigotry They were mortified , they were
chagrined in every page . Hence it was thrown by , and never came to a second edition . Henee , also , may be conjectured the disapprobation of the Editor of the New Baptist Magazine . " No book , " says he , " that ever issued from the press , ever disappointed us more than that ponderous volume ! " Had the author continued
sound , the Calvinist Baptists would in return for this work have smothered him . , with their caresses and his praises been sounded to the ends of the earth ! Previous to this change of sentiment , his party extolled him to the skies ; wherever he preached in the metropolis , the places were
crowded , and too much homage could not be paid him . When he ceased to be Trinitarian , his name was cast out as evil from among them , and his honest fame trampled in the dust . But to do justice to this body of Christians—the Particular Baptists , there were a few of their ministers .
generous and enlightened souls , others wise minded , especially ray worthy relative Dr . Caleb Evans and the venerable Daniel Turner , of Abingdpn , who to the last revered his talents , attainments and incorruptible integrity . He was the apostle of religious liberty . Such a man will not soon again rise up among them .
It is a curious fact , that some little time ago the Editor of the New Baptist Magazine announced his intention of publishing an edition of Robinson ' s works , with notes , to correct his heresies ! From this project he has been driven by the timely interference of Mr . Benjamin Flower , vviio has a copyright in certain portions
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Dr . Ehans on ike lafe 1 * ectunes an , Baptism . 4 / 3
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critic « ti # ^ assuredxthat-l was never more ? tferiom than when I made those remaa ks ^ XJX 745 ) on which : he bestowed some notice ( XXI . 12 ) .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1826, page 479, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2551/page/35/
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