success.

GOAT-YARD PASSAGE.-Particular Baptist.

In his family he was very exemplary, encouraging the first appearances of piety in his children, and instructing them in the fear of God. He was naturally of a good disposition, and his conversation pleasant and cheerful. The vivacity of his temper sometimes exposed him to sudden fits of anger, but they were of short continuance, and gave way to the tenderness of his nature. He was of a weak constitution, being often afflicted with illness, and was once given over by the physicians, but wonderfully recovered. His last illness was but short, and the violence of his disorder extinguished any hopes which his friends might entertain of his recovery. Under his affliction he behaved with extraordinary patience and resignation; spoke affectionately to his family, and exhorted his children to unity, and to a steadfast adherence to the ways of Christ. He died July 18, 1704, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and was interred in the burial-ground belonging to the Baptists in the Park, Southwark.*

BENJAMIN STINTON.-Mr. Keach was succeeded by his son-in-law, Mr. Benjamin Stinton. This gentleman was born on the 2d of February, 1676. We have no account of him prior to his joining Mr. Keach's church, of which he became a deacon, and married one of his pastor's daughters. He was a man of unassuming modesty, and it was with great difficulty that the church prevailed upon him to undertake the pastoral charge. Mr. Keach knowing his abilities, and believing that the church would fix upon him for his successor, charged him on his death-bed not to reject their call, in case they should think fit to make choice of him; telling him with earnestness, that in so doing, he would reject the call of God, and could not expect his blessing to attend him. This solemn charge, together with the pressing call of the church, at length procured his consent. In this

• Crosby's English Baptists, vol. iv. p. 268—313.

GOAT-YARD PASSAGE.-Particular Baptist.

situation he was a very faithful and laborious minister. Though he had not the advantage of an academical education, yet by his own industry, with the assistance of the famous Mr. Ainsworth, after he had entered upon the ministry, he acquired a good degree of knowledge in the languages, and other parts of useful literature, which added a lustre to his natural endowments. He was a man of great judgment and moderation, and was one of the first promoters of the Baptist fund, which he wished to have extended to his brethren of the General persuasion; but in this particular was outvoted. He was the first framer of the charity-school upon Horsleydown, in the establishment of which he consulted with Mr. Sladen, and other ministers of different denominations, in his neighbourhood. Mr. Stinton's regard to the public good did not interfere with his usefulness in a private capacity, when put in his way. A family of his congregation being burnt out, he drew up their case, and so effectually recommended it, as to procure nearly fifty pounds for their relief. His prudent conduct and affable behaviour procured him the esteem of many persons who were no friends to the Dissenters. Being a man of a liberal mind, he often frequented the company of Poedo-baptist ministers, and endeavoured to cultivate a good harmony amongst Christians of different sentiments. His own views were Calvinistical; but he was far from making the differences of Christians an occasion to discord or contempt.

Mr. Stinton's death was very sudden and surprising. On the day before it happened, being with several of his friends in London, he complained of a great pain in his stomach, which was so sharp and severe, that he was forced to put into three houses by the way, as he returned home, and had little or no rest all night. He took some medicine in the morning which somewhat relieved him; but to the sudden surprise of his wife, he laid himself down upon the bed, and died immediately, uttering only these words, "I am going."

GOAT-YARD PASSAGE.-Particular Baptist.

This was on the 11th of February, 1718, when he was only in the forty-third year of his age. He was buried from Mr. Killinghall's meeting-house, at the Baptist burial-ground in the Park; and Mr. Thomas Harrison preached a funeral sermon at his interment, Mr. David Rees, who had been appointed to that service, being taken ill; but he delivered it afterwards at Mr. Stinton's meeting-house, from these words: "Be ye also ready," which were the last Mr. Stinton uttered from the pulpit, on the Lord's-day preceding his decease, at the conclusion of a funeral discourse. Mr. Stinton published but two sermous: One in commemoration of the Storm; preached Nov. 27, 1713: the other on the death of Queen Anne, and accession of George the First. He left in manuscript, "A Short Catechism," which was printed after his death. He had been some years collecting materials for a History of the English Baptists, from the beginning of Christianity, down to his own times, but did not live to digest them in order, with the exception of the Introduc❤ tion, containing an account of the different opinions concerning the first rise of the Baptists, which Crosby has printed in the Preface to his first volume. He also designed to have added an Abridgment of the Controversy between the Baptists and Podo-baptists, by way of Appendix.*

Crosby's Hist. of the Baptists, vol. iv. p. 348-36.

DIPPING-ALLEY, HORSLEYDOWN.-Particular Baptist, Extinct.

DIPPING-ALLEY, HORSLEY DOWN.

PARTICULAR BAPTIST.-EXTINCT.

THIS is one of those places of which but little knowledge

is to be obtained. In early times, the Baptists had a meeting-house in Dipping-alley, Fair-street, Horsleydown. It went by the name of the " Dipping Place," Dipping Place," on account of a baptistry there, which was used by several congregations, in whom was invested a joint right. In 1717, the baptizing place was repaired, and a new meeting-house erected. It was a small boarded place, with galleries, and beams across, in the old style of building. Adjoining to the meeting-house, dressing-rooms were built for the more convenient administration of the ordnance of baptism. There was a burial-ground behind the meeting, where was situated the baptistry, which is said to have been in the shape and form of a horse-pond. Crosby has preserved some documents relating to the building of the place, which it may not be improper to transcribe in this place. The first is a preparatory letter, addressed to the Baptist churches by several ministers. It is as follows: " Beloved Brethren. It being earnestly desired by several persons, that the ancient baptizing place at Horsleydown should be repaired, believing it will be for the interest of the Baptists, and a better accommodation to several of their churches, that there should be two places kept for that use, as has been for some years past. And whereas it is designed that the propriety of this place shall not be lodged in any single person, or in any one community only, but that every congregation that shall advance ten pounds towards the charge of its reparation shall have a propriety therein equal with others, secured to them by a trustee of their own chusing; and that every

DIPPING-ALLEY, HORSLEYDOWN.

Particular Baptist, Extinct.

congregation who shall advance any less sum, shall be entitled to the free use thereof, without paying more for any persons to be there baptized, than any other the more favoured whatsoever. We have, therefore, thought it fit to communicate this design to all the churches, that so every one that approves of it may have, if they please, the same privilege with ourselves, and an opportunity of joining with us in this good and public undertaking, and take leave to subscribe ourselves, &c. Nath. Foxwell, John Noble,

and others.

P. S. The charge of erecting a place to preach in, of 30 foot by 20, and 3 rooms 11 foot square, between that and the baptistery, and repairing the bason and seats round it, is computed at £100. The charge of the pulpit and seats, and several new suits of apparel, &c. at £30 more."

The registery of the meeting-house in the Bishop of Winchester's Court is as follows:

"E. Reg. Dom. Epi. Winton, &c.

These are to certify whom it may concern, that on Monday the third day of June, one thousand seven hundred and seventeen, the certificate following, viz. Whereas a place is erected for religious worship in Horsleydown, Fair-street, in Southwark, in the county of Surry, now in the possession of Thomas Roats, for the use of those Protestant Dissenters that scruple the baptizing of infants, we whose names are here under written do testify the same, and desire it may be recorded, according to the Act of Parliament in that case made and provided. Dated May 20, 1717.

Benj Stinton.

John Noble, and others.

was brought into the registery of the lord bishop of Winton,

and is there registered accordingly.

W. Chapman, Reg. Dep."