GREAT-EASTCHEAP.

PARTICULAR BAPTIST.-EXTINCT.

THE origin of this Church, like that of many others,

particularly that of the Baptist denomination, is involved in great obscurity. Though we have taken some pains in examining manuscripts, and comparing lists of ministers, during the latter half of the seventeenth century, our researches, with regard to the article before us, have not met with the desired success. It seems, that about the year 1696, two societies of the Baptist denomination, then destitute of pastors, agreed to unite under the ministry of Mr. John Noble. One of these, very probably, was the church in Gracechurch-street, noticed in a former article. Mr. Noble, after labouring thirty-four years in this connexion, was gathered to his fathers. His successor was Mr. Samuel Dew, in whose time the congregation very much declined; and the lease of the meeting-house expiring about 1760, they dissolved their church state. Most of the surviving members joined themselves to the church in Horsleydown, under the care of Dr. Gill. During the chief part of Mr. Noble's time, the church assembled at Tallow-Chandlers'Hall, Dowgate-hill, from whence they removed to Maidenhead-court, Great-Eastcheap. Though the exact date of this removal is not mentioned, it must have been between the years 1727 and 1730. For many years a lecture was carried on at this place on a Wednesday evening. Dr. Gill preached it alone nearly thirty years. After his resignation, Mr. Brine, and Mr. Stevens, conducted it jointly for a few years; after which it was removed to Cripplegate. There it was carried on for some time by four ministers: Mr. VOL. L 3 N

GREAT EASTCHEAP.-Particular Baptist, Extinct.

Brine, Dr. Stennett, Mr. Burford, and Mr. Clarke. The lecture was afterwards removed to Little St. Helen's, and from thence to Devonshire-square, where Mr. Swain preached it alone, with great popularity for a few years. He was succeeded in this lecture, as well as in his congregation, by Dr. Jenkins.

In pursuance of our plan, we proceed to give some account of the ministers of this Society, so far as our information reaches, and which we shall introduce with the following table.

JOHN NOBLE.-This worthy minister was born about the year 1660, and had the advantage to descend from religious parents. When very young, he was accustomed to attend with them upon divine worship among the Dissenters. On one of these occasions, he was apprehended, and sent to the common jail, where he endured great hardship. But though he begun to suffer thus early for the profession of religion, yet, as himself has remarked, he was all this while destitute of its power. It pleased God, however, to make his confinement subservient to a saving change upon his heart. While in prison, he pursued his studies with diligence, and made a considerable progress in useful knowledge; so that, upon proper occasions, he was enabled to defend, as well as preach the gospel. Soon after his enlargement, he was

GREAT-EASTCHEAP.-Particular Baptist, Extinct.

baptized upon a profession of faith, and received into churchfellowship. In a little time, his abilities for the ministry became so apparent, that he was sent forth to preach the gospel, and his labours were accompanied with great success. For some time he preached to several churches in the country, only occasionally, not chusing to undertake a pastoral charge. He also taught grammar learning at this period, that he might be the less chargeable to poor churches. After spending some time in the country, where his ministry was both acceptable and useful, he received a call from two congregations in London, about the same time; but as he could not accede to both their requests, the high esteem they entertained of him, induced them to unite. In this situation Mr. Noble continued with great honour and usefulness, for about thirty-four years, till he was removed by death, June 12, 1730, in the 71st year of his age. His funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Edward Wallin, from Phil. i. 21. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.*

In this discourse Mr. Wallin gives a particular description of Mr. Noble's religious character; from whence it appears that "his manner of recommending truth to others was not with excellency of speech, or wisdom of words, but he chose plainness of speech, and such a way of expression as was out of the common road, yet so enlivened with many striking sentences, as commanded attention, and carried with them much light and conviction." In his preaching he dwelt much on the free grace of God, which was his delightful subject. He, also, frequently insisted upon the leading doctrines of the gospel. The length to which he carried his speculations upon some subjects, occasioned many persons to charge him with loosening the obligations to moral duties; but though the manner in which he stated some doctrines might have this tendency, yet, the thing itself was the re

Mr. Wallin's Sermon on the Death of Mr. Noble, p. 31-38.