Useful learning

A new book has just been published under the title Useful Learning: Neglected Means of Grace in the Reception of the Evangelical Revival among English Particular Baptists. he book is by Anthony R Cross and has a foreword by Ian Randall.

It contains a section on Benjamin Francis. The blurb says

Explorations of the English Baptist reception of the Evangelical Revival often - and rightfully - focus on the work of the Spirit, prayer, Bible study, preaching, and mission, while other key means are often overlooked. Useful Learning examines the period from c. 1689 to c. 1825, and combines history in the form of the stories of Baptist pastors, their churches, and various societies, and theology as found in sermons, pamphlets, personal confessions of faith, constitutions, covenants, and theological treatises. In the process, it identifies four equally important means of grace.

The first was the theological renewal that saw moderate Calvinism answer "The Modern Question" develop into evangelical Calvinism, and revive the denomination.

Second were close groups of ministers whose friendship, mutual support, and close theological collaboration culminated in the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society, and local itinerant mission work across much of Britain.

Third was their commitment to reviving stagnating Associations, or founding new ones, convinced of the vital importance of the corporate Christian life and witness for the support and strengthening of the local churches, and furthering the spread of the gospel to all people.

Finally was the conviction of the churches and their pastors that those with gifts for preaching and ministry should be theologically educated. At first local ministers taught students in their homes, and then at the Bristol Academy. In the early nineteenth century, a further three Baptist academies were founded at Horton, Abergavenny, and Stepney, and these were soon followed by colleges in America, India, and Jamaica.

Cross is Emeritus Director of the Centre for Baptist History and Heritage and a Research Fellow at Regent’s Park College

The Salopian Zealot

The Salopian zealot: or, The good vicar in a bad mood, by John the dipper can be found here.

The Salopian Zealot - is it by Benjamin Francis?

There is some debate over the work The Salopian Zealot. A Baptist Quarterly article on the Calendar of Letters collected by Isaac Mann and now in the NLW appears to put the question to rest for good. It says that among the letters is one (34) dated 1786. Oct. 13. It is from BENJAMIN FRANCIS (Horsley) to Rev. L. BUTTERWORTH (Evesham).

It apparently refers to some of his own published works, especially the work mentioned, in its 2nd edn. It also mentions: Mr. Thomas (Pershore) and Mr. Spencer.

Regarding The Salopian Zealot , it was a rhymed skit on Richard De Courcy, vicar of St. Alkmond's, Shrewsbury, who in 1776 had published a letter to Samuel Medley of Liverpool, on his baptising some converts at Shrewsbury. There had been a vigorous pamphlet war, and in 1778 this appeared anonymously. This letter t says is conclusive that the skit was not by John Sandys, as thought by a relative of his, who was followed in "A Baptist Bibliography". It was in fact by Benjamin Francis, as asserted by J. A. Jones in a fourth edition, 1837. Francis, in 1778, was 42 years old, and had been pastor at Horsley, or Shortwood, for 20 years.

Thomas Thomas of Pershore left next year for London (Mill Yard First-day church) where he became joint secretary of' the Baptist Union in 1813. Benjamin Spencer, from the Grafton Street church (letter 19) and Bristol Academy, was; pastor at Alcester, preaching occasionally at Astwood Bank.

Funeral sermon and first biographical sketch

In 1800 the following volume appeared

Ryland, John. The Presence of Christ the Source of Eternal Bliss: A Funeral Discourse, Delivered December 22. 1799, At Shortwood, Near Horsley, In Gloucestershire, Occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Benjamin Francis, A.m. By John Ryland, D.d. To Which Is Annexed, A Sketch of Mr. Francis's Life, and of His Death-bed Consolations, Drawn of by His Son and Assistant Thomas Flint. [Bristol]: Printed for the benefit of Mr. Francis's family, by Ann Bryan Corn-Street, Bristol and sold by Button in London, and James in Bristol

It can be accessed on ECCO.

Elegy on Philip Jones

Francis wrote an elegy on Philip Jones of Upton-upon-Severn in the year of his death, 1771.

Enoch Francis

Benjamin's father was born in 1688/9 at Pant-y-llaethdy on the Teify, between Llanllwni and Llanybydder. He was the son of Francis David Francis, of a family whose religious roots were at Rhydwilym. At least eleven of the family became ministers . Enoch Francis's upbringing was in the ‘Tivy-side church',’ either at its first centre at Glandŵr (Llandysul) or at Dre-fach  or (perhaps more probably) at Rhos-goch (Llanarth). About 1707 he began preaching at Llanllwni; when he was ordained assistant to James Jones (d. 1734 ), pastor of ‘Tivy-side’ is not known, but it was obviously before 1721, the year in which he was selected to preach at the Baptist Association meeting (at Hengoed ) in 1722 . He had married (c. 1718) Mary Evans of Hengoed and was living at Capel Iago in Llanybydder. His Association sermon in 1729 (at Llangloffan) was published.

In the Arminian controversy of 1729, when his second-cousin Abel Francis went over to Arminianism, Enoch Francis was on the Calvinist side, and in 1733 published Gair yn ei Bryd, in defence of Calvinism. By that time, he had moved to Pen-y-gelli on the outskirts of Newcastle Emlyn, and had been since 1734 superintendent minister of ‘Tivy-side’ with four or five collaborators - the church had a number of congregations, which later on became separate churches, such as Aberduar, Pant Teg, etc. Francis itinerated diligently within (and without) his wide circuit, and acquired great fame as a preacher - to judge from the words of Joshua Thomas and others, it would seem that ‘majesty’ and sobriety, rather than revivalistic emotionalism, were the marks of his preaching.

In August, 1739 his wife died and on 4 February 1739/40 (when away from home, at Fishguard ) he himself died, at the age of fifty-one; he and his wife were buried at Cilfowyr. He had six children. A daughter of his married Stephen Davies; and Jonathan Francis of Pen-y-fai and Benjamin Francis of Horsley were sons of his. As has been mentioned, Abel Francis was his second-cousin.

The inscription on the tomb ofEnoch Francis adn his wife reads "Enoch walked with God" and "Mary has chosen the better part". The historian of the baptists concludes his memoir with an elegy by Jenkin Thomas, Drewen.

Publications

The Work and Reward of the Faithful Minister of the Gospel, 1729.

A Word in Season, 1733.

He was also the author of some of the association letters; that of 1734 is specially mentioned.

Cornwall

Francis apparently preached some 20 times down in Cornwall. On one occasion

When he was administering the ordinance of Baptism at Penzance on his first Journey into that Country, he was interrupted by some wicked men, to whom he addressed himself in so affectionate and impressive a manner, that they were stricken with deep conviction of sin, and on his next visit he had the pleasure of baptising them in the name of the Lord Jesus, on a profession of their faith in him.

How forcible are right words sometimes.