Of Religious Communion, Private and Public
A treatise of 1614 by the pastor of the English Separatists at Leiden. Part of it answers Thomas Helwys on baptism and on flight from persecution, and in doing so reports how John Smyth’s congregation baptized itself.
The title page says that the book silences “the clamours raised by Mr. Thomas Helwisse” against keeping the baptism received in England and against baptizing infants, and that it surveys the confession published by “the remainders of Mr. Smyth’s company”. It is dated 1614.
John Robinson writes as an opponent of both men. His account of the baptism, that Smyth baptized first himself and then Helwys and the rest, he says he heard from members of the group. His answer to Helwys on flight asks how Helwys and his people have preached to London and why they stay in a city that does not receive them, which shows where the group was when he wrote. It is cited in the First Baptist Congregations.
Cited in
- 1609, estimated date