PREFACE
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The footpaths of any country
may be expected to yield some glimpses, both of the land and the people, not obtainable
along the dusty and well-beaten highway. It is sincerely hoped that this may prove equally
true of these Byp-paths in Baptist History. That they occasionally cross the main
roads, and now and then run parallel with them, is no more than other
"Bye-paths" have done before them; but care has been taken throughout to
preserve, as much as possible, their distinctive character.
In the sketches thus given of the Early English
Baptists, no attempt has been made to diminish their excellencies or to gloss over their
defects. Their early and persistent advocacy of the broadest religious freedom (an honour
of which none will now seek to rob them); their zealous regard for Scirptural precedents;
and their willingness to sacrifice all things in the maintenance of what they deemed to be
the truth, commend them to the warmest sympathies and loving regard of their descendants.
Nor should their disputatious and angular character; their literal obserance of customs
now fallen into desuetude, and their vigorous and inquisitorial discipline, be judged
apart from the ferment of the age in which they lived, their natural reation against the
commandments of men, and their steadfast desire that those who associated with them should
live unblamable and unreprovable before God.
The author tenders his hearty thanks to the
gentlement who have kindly rendered him help in the preparation of this volume. He desires
especially to mention Rev. W. Robinson, of Cambridge, who very cheerfully examined for him
the Baker MSS. in the University Library of Cambridge; Rev. J.C. Means, London,
who permitted him the free use of MS. Proceedings of the General Baptist Assemblies;
Rev. R. Wallace, Tottenham, for the earliest extant Minute Book of the Particular Baptist
Board; and Dr. Underhill, London; Dr. Underwood, Chilwell College; Revs. W. Urwick,
Hatherlow; J. Jenkyn Brown, Birmingham; R. Harris, Esq., Leicester; J. Barlow, Esq.,
Accrington; T. Bayley, Esq., Lenton Abbey, Nottingham; and many other friends, for their
generous loan of rare and valuable books.