Baptist Magazine. JANUARY, 1819. HISTORY OF THE CONFERENCE ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY, IN 1719. As the present year is the first centenary of an event of great importance in the annals of Nonconformity, it may not be improper to present our readers with a succinct account of a conference, which has been rendered memorable by the baneful influence it has produced in the denomination, the most distinguished at that time among Protestant Dissenters; the ENGLISH PRESBYTERIANS. Salters'-hall Meeting-house, belonging to the Presbyterians, is situated in Salters'-hall-court, Cannon-street, London. At the period above referred to, the Rev. W. Tong, an eminent minister, was the pastor of the church. The present ministers are the Rev. W. B. Collyer, D. D. and the Rev. Henry Lacey. They are both of the Independent de nomination; the former being pastor of a church at Peckham, and the other of a church at Plaistow. The cause of the conference alluded to, was the revival of the Arian heresy in England, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, by the writings of Emlyn, Clark, and Whiston. These principles were very zealously and successfully propagated in VOL. XI. the west country. The flame of angry contention first broke out at Exeter, in 1718-19, among the Presbyterian body in that city. There were three united congregations, and four ministers, viz. the Rev. Messrs. - Withers, Joseph Hallet, James Pierce, and John Lavington. The labours of these ministers, says Mr. Pierce, were well accepted, until the controversy arose about the explication of the doctrine of the Trinity. For the sake of impartiality, the account shall be given in his words. "The gentlemen," says he, "who used to manage the temporal affairs of the congregation, were pleased, some time ago, to send for seven ministers in the country, and desire their advice. These were the reverend persons following:Messrs. Ball of Honiton, Horsham of Topsham, Hall and Moore of Tiverton, Waldrond of Ottery, Eveleigh of Crediton, and Manston of Lympstone. None of the ejected ministers' side were advised with, or knew any thing of their being sent for, till they came, being men picked out as fit for the purpose. Had an equal number been chosen on both * Case of the Ministers ejected, p. 6. B sides, some good might have I urged them not to be hasty, telling them, there were heads of advice under the consideration been expected. But these ministers, who were really parties in the controversy, pursued no of the whole body of the London designs for peace. The paper ministers, which were shortly exof advice they drew up, was not pected, and might be the means drawn up, after a hearing of us of healing us. They answered, [Mr. Pierce and Mr. Hallet], nor they had nothing to do with was it communicated by them to them; nor would they wait for us, but accidentally fell into our them; those advices not being hands while they were scattering the advices of the Presbyterian it about the country in a circular ministers; but the addition of letter. Nay, though I insisted the Anabaptists to one side made upon it to three of them, that a majority: though I am since they should give no advice re-informed they were divided, as lating to me, without first hearing what I had to say; yet did they never give us a hearing. "We thought they had no more right to draw up tests for us than we had for them; and leave it for God and the world to judge, whether they have acted a christian and brotherly part in what they have done against us. well as the other denominations, ten on the one side and nine on the other. * "I desired that we might have time to give our answer; but was told we must do it presently. Mr. H. told them, he heard there was in the press a book written by four eminent ministers in London, and desired that we might "Wednesday, March 4, they see whether that which was came hither the second time; and shortly expected would satisfy the next day the four ministers us. us. Nothing of this nature availwere desired to meet the gentle-eth. There was no attempt made men; which accordingly they to charge us with denying the did. Then the paper the seven had drawn up and subscribed was read to us, which shall hereafter be published at large. It consisted of three articles, the second of which was what we were urged with, and was this: That the denying the true and proper Divinity of the Son of God, viz. that he is one God with the Father, is an error of that nature, [that is, an error which is a sufficient foundation for the people to withdraw from the communion of their ministers holding it,] contrary to the doctrine of the holy scriptures, and the common faith of the reformed churches. true and proper Divinity of the Son of God, even in the true sense of the article; so that we had not fair dealing in that respect. For here was nothing laid to our charge, supported by witnesses: but an inquisition was as truly set up, to rack our consciences, and search out the secret sense of our minds, as ever there was in Spain or Portugal. I challenged them thus: Gentlemen, is there any single expression you can any of you charge me with using, either in praying or preaching, that has been disagreeable to the scrip *This was afterwards published, en"Then was it put to us, whe-titled "The Doctrine of the ever-blessed ther we owned that the Son of God was one God with the Father. Rev. Messrs. Tong, Robinson, Smith, Trinity stated and defended," by the and Reynolds. · tures? No one offering to allege any, I added, Then, gentlemen, I take you to record, that you have no such to accuse me of. To which I was answered by one of them: Stop there, we do not say so. Then said I, I desire to know what it is, that I may clear myself.' All the answer to which was, That they did not come prepared for that. I cannot but think this was disingenuous. To deal thus with a man, is to wound his reputation, without giving him room to vindicate himself, let him be ever so innocent; which is the worst sort of calumniating. "I then told them, as to their articles I would own that Christ and the Father were one, because he said so. They asked if I would own they were one God? I answered, If they would turn me to the text where it was said so, I would own it:' but I had over and over declared, I would subscribe no religious tests at all that were not expressed in scripture words that if they made it a religious test that three and two make five, I would refuse to subscribe. And I gave this reason for my stiffness: That I verily believed that the worst mischief had been done to the church of God by imposing unscriptural creeds, or tests, upon men; and that now God had stirred up a noble spirit in men, in whom we little expected it, to plead against impositions; and therefore I could not in conscience give up the liberty they were so bravely defending. They said, Then they had my answer. Mr. Hallet then next refused in like manner to give his assent. Then Mr. John Lavington, who had as great a hand in kindling the flame as any man, roundly gave his assent. And Mr. Withers, in the last place, offered them this explication in the words of Bishop Pearson, Though the Father and the Son are two distinct persons, yet since the Son is of and from the Father, as the fountain of the Deity, and intimately united with him, I conceive, in this sense, he may be said to be one with the' Father.' This would not be accepted; and so they said they were for withdrawing from us, but were for parting amicably. I told them, they knew I had several times declared, that in case they could heal the breach, and continue to hold communion with one another, I should be very glad to be laid aside, if that would be the means to make peace; and that I continued in the same mind still. And I said to them, Gentlemen, you see I cannot do what you desire; is there any thing I can do beside, that will be of service to the peace of the church? But I' had no answer. There were seve ral of them which were much more modest than the rest, and would have been glad if counsels of peace had been followed. And when we got up to 80 away, I said to one who I saw was troubled, Sir, I put it to you; Do you believe that the gentlemen [the seven ministers] who drew this paper, did it with a design to heal? He would not say so; but answered, He believed they did it with a design for the glory of God.' He desired us then not to depart, but let them withdraw and consult. We staid some time, and then one of them returned, and brought us this civil answer (though some of them declare they knew not of it), That if we had no more to say to the gentlemen, they had no more to say to us; and so we parted." From this time Mr. Pierce and Mr. Hallet were prevented from preaching in their usual place of worship; but were told they might preach" at the little meeting; and Mr. Withers, who had now offered farther to subscribe the Nicene creed, might preach at that near the Bow."* land. Nor can we in conscience join with those ministers who decline to defend those truths (though requested to do so) when they are openly attacked; but rather countenance and encourage the advances of those errors, by declaring for a SUBORDINATION, &c. Upon all occasions we are ready to demonstrate a Christian temper to those who differ from The gentlemen who composed the managing committee, published "An Answer to Mr. Pierce's State of the Case;" to which Mr.us, and to maintain a brotherly Pierce published a reply, entitled love towards them. As we are "The State of the Case defend- not for imposing our sentiments ed." Some other pamphlets were on them, or persecuting them in published at Exeter, "Arius de- any respect for what opinions tected and confuted," and "The THEY may hold; so WE only Innocent vindicated." insist on our own liberty of worshipping God agreeably to our consciences, and of hearing those ministers, who will preach and defend the faith which we have received, and which we think most agreeable to the word of God."-Signed, James White B. Brindley Anth. Vicary S. Munckley Fran. Lydston T. Jeffery That our readers may have the whole case at Exeter before them, the statement of the committee must also be presented. They say, "The violence and artifice wherewith the attempts made against the ever blessed TRINITY were carried on, and the strange progress it had of late made, especially among the youth here, necessitated us to proceed with that expedition to prevent many ill consequences that we were in fear of. Nor could we think it reasonable, that such as declined to declare their own faith, could be supposed competent advisers for us. "We assure you we have a hearty concern for the peace of the churches, and for the reputation of our ministers; but we dare not give up so great an article of our faith, as is that of the proper Deity of the SON and HOLY GHOST, which we apprehend fully held forth in the sacred scriptures, as expressed in the fifth and sixth answers in the Assembly's Catechism, or in the first article of the church of Eng * Case of Ministers, &c. p. 7—15. John Stephens John Vowles Edm. Cock Mark Burridg H. Waldrond John Pyon.+ While these things were transacting at Exeter, the flame spread itself to London. The general body of London ministers, consisting of Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists, had advice on this very important been applied to from Exeter for subject. A committee of that up "Advices for probody drew moting Peace," and a meeting ters'-Hall Meeting, on February was specially convened at Sal19, 1718-19, to deliberate and agree upon these articles. The assembly was numerous, and after + Letter from Exeter to the Rev. Jeremiah Smith, and the subscribing ministers. 17 the Rev. Joshua Oldfield, D. D. had been appointed Moderator, it was agreed to proceed with the discussion paragraph by paragraph, without any division, or any considerable appearance of hands to the contrary. against persecution, come up stairs!". To which another rejoined, "You that are for the doctrine of the Trinity, stay below!" The Rev. Thomas Bradbury, who had proposed this measure, was hissed in the As On Friday the 24th, was a se-sembly; and though this indecent cond meeting, at which time the conduct was reproved, yet the names of all present were set person added, "he hoped there down, and then called over, one would be no occasion for hissing." by one; each denomination being Mr. Bradbury was understood by to approve or disapprove of such some to have said, "You that as were reported to belong to are for the doctrine of the Trinity, them; and exceptions were al- are desired to stay below; and lowed to be made against any you that are against it, to go up whose presence might be object- into the gallery." He, however, ed to. After this, matters were satisfied the Assembly that his debated for several hours, and at words were, "You that are for last a question was agreed to be declaring your faith in the docput, for the decision of which a trine of the Trinity, if any are division was found necessary. above, you are desired to come This question was, "Whether a down; and those of you who are declaration concerning the Tri- not for declaring, are desired to nity, should not be inserted in go up." After the confusion' the Paper of Advices?" Those was hushed, the Assembly dewho were against this declaration clared that Mr. Bradbury had being inserted, went into the gal- given them satisfaction; and lery, to the number of 57; those passed a vote, "That in future who were for it staid below, no person be censured before he to the number of 53. Thus a be called upon to explain himmajority of four appeared to self." carry the question in favour of the conduct of Messrs. Pierce and Hallet. On this occasion much warmth was manifested. One minister asked, "Whether they came there to be contradicted by Anabaptist teachers ?" It was replied, "The persons they aimed at were not Anabaptist teachers, but Baptist ministers, of which name they were not ashamed; but the former appellation, denoted re-baptism, which they disowned." As those ministers who were against the declaration respecting the Trinity being introduced into the Articles, were going into the gallery, one cried out, "You that are ”米 The next meeting, March 3, was opened by loud complaints by some of the majority, that they were under a charge without doors, as if they were against the doctrine of the Trinity. These were answered by others of the minority, that all ground of suspicion might be removed, and the world be satisfied, by the Assembly making and subscribing an immediate declaration of their faith in the Holy Trinity, Mr. Bradbury was so provoked by the *There is a traditionary report, that indecent hissing which he received, that he tartly replied, "I have been pleading the cause of him who bruised the head fore that the seed of the serpent should of the serpent; it is not wonderful there. hiss!" |