power, Showing also, that Christ had ap-nity; in covenant stipulations; in his Surety. pointed two ordinances to be observed by his people,-baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper, and that only those baptised on a profession of their faith in Christ, were the right recipients of the same. The enquiry was then put to the church whether they wished Mr. Vaughan to be their pastor? A unanimous shew of hands was the result. Mr. Banks then joined the hands of the newly chosen pastor and deacons, and offered up a very solemn prayer-the elements of the Lord's Supper were distributed to, and partaken of, by the church, for the first time, as a Strict Baptist Church. About two hundred sat down to a good substantial tea; and in the evening a solemn charge was delivered to the newly ordained pastor, by Mr. James Nunn, of Zion Chapel, Caniden Town, at the close of which Mr. Banks addressed the church and congregation in a searching and edifying manner; and although the place was literally crammed, and almost unbearably hot, a solemn stillness pervaded the services. Thus was brought to a happy, and we trust profitable conclusion, one of those days which stand out as an epoch in a lifetime. At our last church meeting, we had the gratifying intelligence that our income had covered all our expenditure, and had left us a balance in hand of £4, which was unanimously voted to our pastor as a small token of our regard for him. ship engagements; in the majesty of his person; in his federal headship as the lawful Husband of his dear bride; and, blessings on his dear name, when he came into the world he behaved himself wisely in a perfect way from the cradle to the cross; for when he was reviled, he reviled not again; he never did wrong, nor spake wrong, nor thought wrong, but was holy and harmless before God, and he behaves himself wisely in a perfect way, in his blessed manifestations and divine communications to all the objects of eternal love, and redeeming blood, and sancifying grace. Glory, glory, hallelujah! amen. "Ŏ when wilt thou come unto me?" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me and from the words of my roaring? O, my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not, and in the night season, and am not silent; all thy waves and billows go over me. As the Surety and Substitute of his people, Christ is forsaken, left in darkness, overwhelmed with divine wrath, and suffers all that hell of punishment due to his people as transgressors of his holy law; but blessings on his holy name, it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of our salvation perfect through suffering. Hail! all bail thou brightest fairest One, that eyes have seen or angels known! thou art the altogether lovely, and dost thou not walk in thy house, thy temple, as a son over his own house, whose house are we, and with a perfect heart, perfect in love, and faithful Surely as a church and people we have great cause for thankfulness. We are free from debt. Our Sabbath services are crowded, in fact, in the evening numbers go away, not being able to obtain an entrance. Our pray-ness for ever and ever! er meetings are well attended, and our Wednesday night service is excellent. We are about establishing a Friday evening service. And now join with us, brethren in the common faith, in giving thanks unto our covenant Father, for what he hath done for us, in remmembering us in our low estate. Јонн. ZION CHAPEL, MILL STREET, In the evening Mr. Bowles preached to a crowded congregation from Zeph. iii. 16, 17, "In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, fear thou not, and to Zion, let not thine hands be slack, the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty," &c. The fulfilment of this blessed scripture was realized by us. Our God was in the midst of us; the preacher's heart was full; his tongue at liberty; pure gospel truth shone forth with lustre and brightness. On Monday 26th, believers' baptism was adThis chapel was opened for the worship ministered; brother Bowles preached from, of Almighty God on the 25th and 27th of "If thou believest with all thine heart thou October. On Lord's-day 25th, brother Bowles, mayest." I never witnessed such a happy of Zoar Chapel, Poplar, preached a very pow-seaason. We proceeded through that blessed erful sermon in the morning from 1 Kings. viii. ordinance to the satisfaction and comfort of 29-"That thine eyes may be opened towards most present. We hope this is a first fruit of this house night and day, even towards the a plentiful harvest. place of which thou hast said-my name shall be there" the mind of the preacher was fruitful and savoury, the blessed unction of the Holy Ghost attended the word with power. How sweetly Christ was exhibited as God's house and the dwelling place of his people, before the mountains were brought forth, or ever he had formed the earth and the world, and that dear and precious name was as ointment poured forth. The afternoon subject was from Psalm. ci. 2. "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way, none but a precious Christ can be said to behave himself wisely in a perfect way; he behaved himself wisely in a perfect way in the councils of eter On Tuesday, 27th, Mr. James Wells preached in the afternoon; the subject was the 17th Psalm, "They shall not be ashamed; but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." We can never sufficiently thank God for raising up such a champion for God's truth in this dark age of the church: no mincing the truth with Mr. W.; his eagle eye, his penetrating mind, his eloquent tongue, are constantly and fearlessly employed in exhibiting the foundation truths of the everlasting gospel, without deviating or swerving one hair's breadth therefrom. After the afternoon service, about 80 persons sat down to tea; and at half past six, our service commenced: again our attention was di rected to the prophecy of Zech. iii. 10, " In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree." There was a profound depth of solid matter in the sermon, flowing from a warm heart and tongue, and an evidential testification of the Holy Spirit's revelation to the mind of the speaker, setting his seal to the soul-endearing truths in the hearts of the lovers of truth. Our collections were good. The Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Our fund is still open; hoping that some of the churches in London will lend us a helping hand, that the gospel of Christ may continue to be preached in this dark part of the land. THE ORIGIN OF J. BEACOCK. THE BAPTISTS IN PLYMOUTH. the glory of Christ, and some enjoyment of DEAR BROTHER-I have found the history HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT 1603; it did not abate the spirit of persecution against them. However, from this time they began to separate themselves into district churches, though many of them (unable to support a stated ministry), continued to unite with the pious Puritans from about the year tually separated. In the country, where the until 1633, when they more effecnumber of the inhabitants were small, and the preachers few, many of the residents in little villages united together for the maintainance of the gospel, and its preachers. It is under these circumstances we find Loo, Penryn, Falmouth, and Holdsworthy in Cornwall, connected with the history of the church before us. Under the reign of James the First a treaOUR zealous and faithful brother Greenslade lated, and published by the baptists in Engtise originally written in Dutch, was transhas favoured us with the following account of the struggles of our devoted fathers in for- grounded Treatise on Baptism :" in which land, entitled, A very Plain and Wellmer times. In Plymouth, Stonehouse, and they likewise avowed their disposition toDevonport, the gospel has flourished in times wards the civil government. This piece gainpast and gone: and some old relics still re-ed them many friends and followers, though main but, the beauty of Zion has, for a time, departed from these towns. What is "Charles Church" now? what is the state of Stoke, of Trinity, of Mount Zion, and of some other once highly favoured places? Alas! alas! what lectures could we read from events which have transpired within these towns during the last half century, and more recent days than that! when Robert Hawker flourished in the Church, when brother Triggs was full of Christ in Trinity pulpit, and Trinity chapel full of happy people: when the beloved Cartwright shouted "Salvation is of the Lord" to his ten or twelve hundred hearers in Mount Zion; when the stern but sterling Goddard broke up the bread of life to his united band in Stonehouse; and when others we might name proclaimed a full and finished salvation through our adorable Mediator, and glorious God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ; then, indeed, the cause of Christ was like an army with banners; but now, the harp is on the willows; and there are few with divine authority who can effectually say "Your harps, ye trembling saints, No; tumults, confusion, carnal jealousies, parsonic tyrannies, and dry, unsavoury, or ridiculous twaddling, have occupied the place of that God-like and gracious power which once bound up the churches in holy peace, and secured unto them a measure of prosperity. There are good men in these parts still, the brethren Doudney, Babb, Foord, Brewer, Easterbrooke, Bull, and some others, have doubtless, a single eye to Its original formation, we have no authentic records of. Our papers, however, lead us back to the year 1648, chapter I. containing from the calling of the Rev. Abraham Cheare, a general account of the church at Plymouth, in 1648, to the calling of the Rev. Philip Gibbs, in 1748, in How-street chapel. The faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Abraham Cheare, appears to have been a native of Plymouth, born of believing parents, who were fullers; and brought up their son to the same business. Judging, however, by certain Greek criticisms in a posthumous publication of his sermons, entitled, “Words in Season," and by several MS. letters, it seems that he acquired a good education, which united with an early delight in, and study of, the sacred writings, qualified him nobly to defend the cause he espoused. It is not clear, how long he preached the gospel. the ministry before he was convinced of the The church records say he certainly was in ordinance of believers' baptism, to which he had not submitted till the year he received the church's call. He was ordained pastor of this church in 1648. Who was his predecessor, we know not; nor is there any account by whom he was ordained. The church at the time of their calling him to take charge of them in the Lord, must have been in a flourishing state, as his call is said to have been signed by one hundred and fifty members: but where they then met for worship does not appear on record. In the year 1651, the church purchased the land in the pig market, and appropriated a house for divine worship. In 1658, we find Mr. Abraham Cheare at the Western Association, held at Dorchester, and in the year 1661, the comfort of the church was marred, by his being committed to Exeter goal for encouraging religious assemblies from whence he was liberated in about three months. In the next year on the 26th of the fourth month, which was June (the year then beginning with March) he thus writes" as for my part, my Father graciously indulges me, and the lambs here, giving us an undeserved covert, even where satan's seat is, while other flocks are dispersed and scattered, some from our neighbouring parts are sent to that place of ancient experience, where they have a stock of prayers and presence to begin upon, they begin on straw, as learning to endure hardness as good soldiers, the Lord make that word good to them, which often hath been, in that place sweet to me-" And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bleas thy bread and thy water, and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." Exod. xxiii. 25, and Eccles. iv. 14, "For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor." I expect daily the same lot." His apprehensions were not unfounded; for the blessing of liberty was soon snatched from him, from his people, and from thousands of others, by the act of uniformity in 1662: and he was committed to the aforesaid prison again, for holding unlawful conventicles, and not conforming to the established church. Several of the letters he wrote from this place are in good preservation, and one of them is here subjoined; it is addressed to Mr. William Punchard, London, bearing date the 17th of the seventh month (September), 1662 : "At Plymouth. "The beauties of the Father's ornament sett in majestie upon you, my deare. I received yours of the 11th of the seventh month, and in it a testimony of teaching and supporting grace and presence continued to you abroade, which he is pleased not to denie his poore worms here in these holes of the earth, where violence has thrust us, as into so many slaughterhouses of men, but overruling grace makes them as the presence-chambers of the great King, where he brings and feasts his favourites with the best things, and proclaims amongst them, "Thus shall it be done to them the King delighteth to honour." This honour hath not all that yet are saints; much less have any this mercy who, either through the feare or formalitie of their unconverted soules, are enforced shamefully to putt off that profession which hypocritically they did put on in a day of promising prosperity: not but that these walls, as a draw-nett, may and do enclose good and bad: but, at length, a discoverie is made more manifest of those he chooseth in the furnace of affliction; a week in a prison giving a plainer discoverie of a man's spirit, than a month in a church. Of these experiments I no way doubt but you have obtained a good degree, by the long exercises you have gone under this way in prison; and have not only taken out lessons for yourself, but wherewithall to teach, warne, and support others, with the same that you have obtained from the Lord; whereunto I pray that you may make your advances beyond others, who, having faced tryalls a great while, are at length persuaded to give way, to the staine of their former standing, and staggering of such as have learned no further yett to behold the power of the Lord to support, than only as it is either manifested or clouded in creatures like themselves; meanwhile neglecting that inspection they ought to have therein, directly and immediately through the promises, that are of power to supply those that waite on the Lord with renewed strength,-even then, when youths faint and are wearie, and young men utterlie faile. "This afternoon there is to be committed to the earth the dust of our sister Firkle, whose spirit was yesterday commended to heaven, after she had sustained a long conflict between the two inmates, her better part breathing after that state for which she hath been long preparing. We are left to bewaile that losse, of which few are truly apprehensive, according to her worth, and to learne some living lessons from her dying dispense, who hath left divers lively testimonies of her fixed faithfulness. One is this,She desired that, if the reader approached to compliment her into the womb of her mother earth, they that attend her should leave her (bones, as lyons are scattered) at the grave's mouth (Psa. clxi. 7). The poor Lamb's lambs that I left have been visited by the constables again and again at these meetings, summoned before the mayor, fined for not coming to church, yet have a little strength left to meet in the same place; exposing their goods to be spoiled, &c., rather than consent to promote that which their soules is grieved at. Those with you are as formerly. Your old persecutor is come home, but hath hitherto done nothing. Brother Stone, who I hope is by this time with you, well escaped him. Clement Jackson, pastor of East Loo, Cornwall, was yesterday here with me, with whom I have refreshed. Our bishop Ward came to this city last week, and was received with great state, but hath been ever since ill, it is said with the black jaundice. The deputylieutenants are sitting, and it is said we shall be brought before them, but to what end is not known. Two or three troops are in town, and going forth this morning; of their design we know nothing; but it is reported to be to take up the non-conforming parsons; perhaps to give security. They at Dulwood and Loughwood, in Dorsetshire, have a very large and increasing meetting, where the Lord is present as a covert to them. At Loo they are also hitherto quietly and comfortably kept. Fear and fury disperseth others hereabout. Mr. Steed, of Bovey, Devon, is here at present to give us a visit. There they are THE yet preserved. The lieutenants are now CONVERSION OF AN ISRAELITE. going to Castle, and we expect a call to be tried, so that I have not time to enlarge; but I desire to be remembered to all that love and fear the Lord Jesus. Yours, loving, &c. After remaining in this confinement at Exeter three years he obtained his freedom; but here he was again seized, and committed to the prison under the guildhall, and was banished to the island of St. Nicholas, in Plymouth Sound. During his imprisonments, he wrote several little tracts, and also some hymns and verses, that were afterwards printed in 1672. One of these pieces, originally written on the wall of his prison, is selected, as containing a brief history of his sufferings, and as displaying the fortitude and resignation of his mind. Verses affixed to the wall of the prison where Nigh four years since, sent out from hence But special grace, in three months' space Till Bartholomew, in sixty-two, Where, having lain as do the slain, And thought not then, I here again I'm during life consigned. But since my lines the Lord assigns I kiss the rod, confess my God, In this isle of Plymouth, where he was prisoner under military guards, a violent sickness in a few days seized him, by which he kept his chamber three quarters of a year: but recovering in some measure, he wrote a little form of grateful acknowledgement to his Saviour's praise, and dedicated it thus:"To his truly sacred Majesty, the high and mighty Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords, Prince of life and peace, Heir of all things, and Head over all to the church, the humble prostrature and thankful acknowledgement of a poor prisoner of hope, whose life upon all accounts hath been marvellously preserved and delivered with a great salvation from the pit of corruption." [If my brother Banks thinks well, I will J. GREENSLADE.] continue it. (Continued from page 251). MR. SAMUEL LEAVING HOME. We left our author, last month, under the blessing of his aged grandsire, who on parting with him pronounced a sacred benediction. We shall not attempt to follow him through Prussia and other parts to England, but simply take here and there a sample of the dangers through which he passed, and, preserved by a kind Providence, not only came safe into England, but fully also into the knowledge and enjoyment of another kingdom, the peaceful and gracious kingdom of the once despised, but now risen and exalted Lamb of God. The first part of Mr. Samuel's expedition from home toward this country is very singular. He says: "We left home at midnight disguised in female clothing. A banker's only son, my brother, and myself. A kind of chaise with two horses belonging to the banker, and four men, were waiting outside the town, joining the Prussian territories, to the house of a Gentile, where were waiting twelve men with guns and pistols to escort us into Prussia, which is separated from Russia by a deep valley. This valley was watched by Cossacks; about every five miles there was a cottage, or kind of station, from which stations they rode to and fro. The people of the village had a perfect knowledge of the movements of these patrols; when one had passed there was about half an hour's interval, which time we embraced for crossing the valley. Here time must not be lost, as the danger is very great. If these patrols overtake any person, and resistance is made, they are allowed to shoot them dead on the spot. "We left our female clothing at the cottage before mentioned, and prepared to encounter the danger of which we were sensible. As we advanced towards the valley, two men of our company were previously placed on the look out; when at their signal we had to run as fast as possible: but we three boys, with fright and fatigue, could not run as fast as the rest, therefore we were sometimes carried, and sometimes dragged. After we had crossed the valley, there was a small mountain to climb; when arrived at the top we were safe which we scarcely reached, when we saw a patrol galloping on his horse after us, as fast as he could, but was about three minutes too late. On the Prussian side there were six men waiting for us, with a waggon and firearms. When they saw us on the top, they all cried with one voice, "All right;" and great was our joy, as it was the first time we had heard a voice since we left the cottage, being While writing, methinks I can see myself in compelled to cross the valley without speaking. the valley running; sometimes falling down, sometimes dragged by one, and then by another. Thus my pilgrimage began with danger, and is still encompassed with the same; being in the vessel; so that sailors and passengers had to pump alternately day and night expecting every moment to sink. There were a great number of passengers, male, female, and children, whose cries and lamentations were heart-rending; and they being all strangers to me, I had to keep my grief to myself. The captain told us there was no hope for our escape, we must perish. The signal of distress was hoisted. One night we were informed that a vessel was approaching us, which afforded us no small joy; but, alas! it was but short-it was a mistake. The morning fol "My dear reader, we have seen the cause of my leaving the land of my navity, not to return again; and arrived on the borders of Prussia. We will now proceed on our jour-lowing the captain told us that we were ney to Konigsburg. We remained that night at the first village in Prussia, in the house of one of those Prussian men who were waiting for us. It is true we all three went to bed in one room, but no sleep; there was a candle burning in the room, and we were talking during the remainder of the night. Now and then a secret tear stealing from our eyes; again, one would burst into a flood of tears, and the others follow. On the one hand leaving affectionate parents and friends weeping; and on the other hand the thoughts of facing an unknown world. These things would alternately pass and repass in our minds. Sometimes we encouraged each other by saying, we were young, and we will go to England, and make our fortunes. Thus passed the first night." drawing near to a port, where we should most likely meet with vessels. The same day a vessel came to our assistance, and all the passengers were taken on board. When we got on board we began to feel the effects of fright and want of food. Many of them, with myself, were very ill; but at length we arrived safe at Dantzic, after many days toil and fright. The captain and sailors remained on the vessel; the day after we arrived at Dantzic, I heard that it sunk. Here again I have cause to erect an Ebenezer unto my covenant God and Father, who once more "plucked me like a brand" from the abyss where hope never cometh. "My dear reader, since I was quickened by the Spirit of God, my soul has had to encounter many storms. Often am I tossed with tempSimilar dangers and difficulties accompa- doubts and fears, almost despairing of life; ests and not comforted; sometimes with nied him all the way. There is, however, a three-fold value in this volume, which will at other times with darkness and the hidings of God's countenance-shut up, and cannot render it an interesting companion to many come forth. Sometimes with presumption of the Lord's tried people. First, there is and 8 God, for the waters are come in to my which makes me exclaim, "Save descriptive value in the details of the countries through which he passed. Secondly, soul. I sink in deep mire where there is no there is an experimental value: he makes all standing; I am come into deep waters where events to illustrate the inward kingdom of the floods overflow me." How distressing is grace; and thirdly, there is a providential value in the rich displays of an overruling and ever-faithful hand. How sweet, thus to recount the mercies of a covenant God! a me, it to a living soul when he cannot feel his standing upon the Rock of eternal ages, and no promise applied by the Spirit of God to the soul. These things have to experience, tossed sometimes by the north wind, and at other times by the south; but hitherto hath the Lord helped me. Blessed be his name! Passing over some portions of Mr. Samuel's early career as a wanderer from home, we have been greatly delighted with the following compound of the spiritual with the pro-see a little of the country, instead of taking vidential : I stayed in Dantzic a month. I resolved to a direct course to England; having heard of "Through the covenant mercy of my God, I Leipsic, I made up my mind to go there, and again reached my uncle's at Konigsburg, who proceeded thither on foot. My journey to at the sight of me was greatly surprised, and Leipsic has made an impression on my mind told me to be easy, as he would get me another not to be forgotten. One Friday afternoon passport; which he did. I then stayed with arriving at a small town, to spend the Sabmy uncle a month, after which I informed bath (Saturday,) as it is prohibited to trahim that I should like to proceed on my jour-vel on that day, in the evening, I went to the ney towards England. He advised me to go to Dantzic by water: kindly paid my fare, and provided me with every necessary for my journey. There is a certain path we must tread, ordered by the God of providence. Mine was to be a trying one, therefore I could not escape any more by sea than by land. On crossing the Gulf of Dantzic, we encountered a violent storm. The vessel was loaded with wheat, which was all obliged to be cast into the sea. The mainmast and rudder were destroyed, and the captain discovered a hole Synagogue, and met with a very kind reception from my brethren Jews; one, a very rich man, the head of the synagogue, invited me to spend the Sabbath with him. The next day, among other conversation, he enquired where. I was going I told him to Leipsic. He then said, if I stayed until Monday, which was market-day, I could cross a river, as there were vessels plying to and fro, which would save me a day's journey. I thanked him, and took his advice. On the Monday evening I proceeded to the water-side, and |