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Edification and Beauty: The Practical Ecclesiology of the English Particular Baptists, 1675-1705
Edification and Beauty describes the practical application of confessional theological principles among English Particular Baptists at the close of the seventeenth century. It examines the theological summary of their views as contained and expressed in the Second London Confession (1677/89), fleshed out in various published works, and recorded in manuscript church books. It describes in detail a wide variety of ecclesiological practices, demonstrating that these churches and their leaders sought to work out in practice the principles they publicly confessed. The book demonstrates that confessional subscription was taken seriously and practiced carefully within the Particular Baptist churches.
252 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 2, 2021
As a Baptist minister without first-hand experience in a confessional church, I cherished the many insights this book provided into the practical ecclesiology of the earliest confessional Baptists. A particularly valuable work for those, like myself, who are seeking to recover this tradition in a context in which it has been lost.
December 21, 2024
Highly fascinating and illuminating study of early Particular Baptist ecclesiology and interdependent communion. A must read for understanding the church government of Reformed, credobaptist congregationalism.
June 28, 2020
This a great book that will bring a clearer view into the window of 17th century Baptist life and worship. I ONLY gave this book 4 stars because I found it a bit dry and hard to work through at times.
May 31, 2025
This is the most fascinating book I've read this year!
James Renihan gives us a well-researched and well-organized peek into how early "Particular Baptists" practiced their faith. My main takeaway is this. Early Particular Baptists were united by one, singular statement of faith, but their practice of that faith varied—sometimes widely! May we have similar unity and charity today.
James Renihan gives us a well-researched and well-organized peek into how early "Particular Baptists" practiced their faith. My main takeaway is this. Early Particular Baptists were united by one, singular statement of faith, but their practice of that faith varied—sometimes widely! May we have similar unity and charity today.
May 26, 2018
This book discusses the context and theology of the English Particular Baptists within the milieu of Reformed groups in England during this time. Helps us to see that the English Particular Baptists rose out of reformed theology and saw themselves as squarely standing within the tradition and applying its principles in fuller ways than the paedobaptists.
February 4, 2021
Un estudio exhaustivo de la práctica eclesiástica existente entre los Bautistas particulares ingleses originales. Útil para tener un criterio basado en fuentes primarias y poder hacer un juicio justo, ya sea en aprobación o desaprobación de la eclesiología bautista particular.
August 19, 2022
Útil para entender el gobierno de las iglesias bautistas particulares, en sus orígenes.
November 28, 2017
This work of historical inquiry explains the origins and distinctives of English Particular Baptists. English Particular Baptists emerge in 1640, and by 1644 the first London Baptist Confession is adopted, the one disavowing Anabaptism. It was a surprise to me to learn that my buddy Praisegod Barebones, of whom I’d seen mention while investigating John Owen, was one of the figures running around London being an early Particular Baptist. Praise God! William Kiffin is explained, as well, eventually, as is the position and significance of men such as Hanserd Knollys, Nehemiah Coxe and Benjamin Keach, Particular Baptists all. This book also touches on a few of the controversies, distinctives, and various options, thus enlarging one’s understanding of the situation. My understanding is meager, so I am grateful for any amplification.
What is most interesting is the ecclesiology which drove these men, and about which they had very clear ideas. I learn in this volume that the kind of congregationalism I’m used to (elder led) was not what the prevailed. It is Renihan’s argument that the language of the Second London Baptist Confession reflects the elder rule approach to church government. I picked up the book looking for this in particular; it was entirely new to me. I also find that Renihan’s historiography seems to me altogether sound. Had I known that this was not only a historical option, but the historical option (though not necessarily what I believe Scripture teaches) my life would perhaps have been much different.
“The question at hand is this: Where is the seat of authority for the government of the church? Is it in the church as a gathered body, and thus delegated to the elders as their representatives, or is it in the elders as a ruling body, delegated directly from Christ? The answer to these questions makes all the difference in understanding the church government of the seventeenth-century Particular Baptists.”
That is a clear way of framing the issue. Renihan always succeeds at least as framing the issue clearly, it seems to me. In that is one of the great things about the book. The other is in his careful use of primary sources.
Another of the arguments Renihan wants to make is that the Second Confession requires that independent Baptist churches form associations to help each other. I am all for associations. I am not sure his argument, that the word “communion” at that point means “formal association” is altogether correct, but it is valiantly made. I do not need to be persuaded of the advantages of formal associations, though there are apparently many Reformed Baptists who are against. But Renihan’s assumption behind the argument is an important one: the Confession means something, and you have to subscribe according to what it means. If his argument holds, then that is what the confession teaches.
What is most interesting is the ecclesiology which drove these men, and about which they had very clear ideas. I learn in this volume that the kind of congregationalism I’m used to (elder led) was not what the prevailed. It is Renihan’s argument that the language of the Second London Baptist Confession reflects the elder rule approach to church government. I picked up the book looking for this in particular; it was entirely new to me. I also find that Renihan’s historiography seems to me altogether sound. Had I known that this was not only a historical option, but the historical option (though not necessarily what I believe Scripture teaches) my life would perhaps have been much different.
“The question at hand is this: Where is the seat of authority for the government of the church? Is it in the church as a gathered body, and thus delegated to the elders as their representatives, or is it in the elders as a ruling body, delegated directly from Christ? The answer to these questions makes all the difference in understanding the church government of the seventeenth-century Particular Baptists.”
That is a clear way of framing the issue. Renihan always succeeds at least as framing the issue clearly, it seems to me. In that is one of the great things about the book. The other is in his careful use of primary sources.
Another of the arguments Renihan wants to make is that the Second Confession requires that independent Baptist churches form associations to help each other. I am all for associations. I am not sure his argument, that the word “communion” at that point means “formal association” is altogether correct, but it is valiantly made. I do not need to be persuaded of the advantages of formal associations, though there are apparently many Reformed Baptists who are against. But Renihan’s assumption behind the argument is an important one: the Confession means something, and you have to subscribe according to what it means. If his argument holds, then that is what the confession teaches.
February 8, 2022
In essence, this book is an assessment of chapter 26 of the Second London Confession of Faith in light of its seventeenth century context. The assessment represents a very thorough introduction, but as Renihan's copious notes indicate, it merely scratches the surface of seventeenth century Baptist life. I would recommend this volume to be in every Baptist pastor's study.
The work is well-executed in several key aspects. First, it draws from a variety of contemporary sources to understand the intent and language of the 1689 Confession. Second, it is illustrated with specific examples from both the didactic writings of the time and actual incidents in the lives. Third, Renihan engages carefully and respectfully with positions contrary to his own and argues them in a logical and academic manner.
With these high qualities, there is relatively little to critique. However, there are a few areas that could be improved. The book would benefit from some editing. The individual chapters do not have much connection between them. This lack of editing is admitted by the author in the introduction. The second aspect is that it may not be very accessible to those who are unfamiliar with seventeenth century Baptist history. Tom Nettle's work on this serves as an excellent introduction, but without preliminary study, I would not have known many of the relevant parties. There is a wonderful opportunity for a brief introduction on that topic to appended to this work.
The work is well-executed in several key aspects. First, it draws from a variety of contemporary sources to understand the intent and language of the 1689 Confession. Second, it is illustrated with specific examples from both the didactic writings of the time and actual incidents in the lives. Third, Renihan engages carefully and respectfully with positions contrary to his own and argues them in a logical and academic manner.
With these high qualities, there is relatively little to critique. However, there are a few areas that could be improved. The book would benefit from some editing. The individual chapters do not have much connection between them. This lack of editing is admitted by the author in the introduction. The second aspect is that it may not be very accessible to those who are unfamiliar with seventeenth century Baptist history. Tom Nettle's work on this serves as an excellent introduction, but without preliminary study, I would not have known many of the relevant parties. There is a wonderful opportunity for a brief introduction on that topic to appended to this work.
August 12, 2022
Very interesting exploration of early Baptist ecclesiology. By no means an easy read, the reading can be a bit tedious at times due to the large number of quotations that are incorporated. But the information given is invaluable and well worth the occasional slog to get through. The information found in the footnotes is equally intriguing and the constant desire to break away from the main text to the footnotes doesn't help the readability of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to dig into Baptist history.
May 3, 2025
A fascinating dive into the practicalities of 17th century baptist church life and particularly their methods of church governance.
Probably not the intended purpose of the book but one thing that really stood out to me is that these churches were not perfect; and whilst it is good to learn from them some of their practises would be best left behind.
Probably not the intended purpose of the book but one thing that really stood out to me is that these churches were not perfect; and whilst it is good to learn from them some of their practises would be best left behind.
July 20, 2020
Wonderfully told and thoroughly researched account of the history and theology, leading to the ecclesiology, of the Particular Baptists of the 17th century.
July 31, 2021
Essential reading for every Reformed Baptist.
January 1, 2022
A great look at the 17th century Baptist issues of the church.
July 16, 2024
Phenomenal resource for any Reformed Baptist. Renihan's meticulous historical analysis helps shed light on how these churches ecclesiology functioned.
November 9, 2022
De una Iglesia separatista de Londres surgieron los Bautistas Particulares que se distinguieron por su adhesión al calvinismo. Estos, se sustenta en el libro, tienen que ser considerados como un movimiento que provienen sin ningún vínculo orgánico ni con los anabaptistas continentales ni con los bautistas generales. Esta es una obra interesante para todo lector interesado en la historia de los bautistas particulares.
August 15, 2013
This is a thorough and very carefully researched work on the London Particular Baptists of the late 17th century. Only slightly touching on their theology, this is more of a historical work on their practical ecclesiology. An important read to properly understanding the 1689 London Baptist Confession.
September 2, 2020
Puro y práctico
Es un excelente libro sobre la eclesiologia práctica en español.
La historia para la eclesiologia es tan urgente y necesaria para nuestra herencia Bautista Particular
Es un excelente libro sobre la eclesiologia práctica en español.
La historia para la eclesiologia es tan urgente y necesaria para nuestra herencia Bautista Particular
August 22, 2022
very insightful pertaining to 17th century particular baptist ecclesiology and the background that influenced much of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Renihan also addresses many of the controversies in the time, such as singing in corporate worship, open and closed communion, ext.
July 22, 2015
Excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews