198 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. A copy of this declaration is still preserved.. Soon after his death, his followers returned to England; and, as it is generally supposed, they were the first of those now called general baptists in this country. Mr. Smyth possessed good abilities, was a learned man, and an able preacher, but he often changed his opinions, even to the very close of life.= This, however, was undoubtedly from conviction, as he himself declared. " To change a false religion," says be, " is commendable, and not evil ; and to fall from the pro- fession of Puritanism to Brownism, and from Brownism to true Christian baptism, is not evil or reprovable in itself, except it be proved that we fall from true religion."+ Mr. Smyth and his company were certainly very much reproached by their enemies. This, as well as theirdefence, we have from his own pen. " We," says he, " disclaim. the errors commonly, but most slanderously imputed unto us. We are, indeed, traduced by the world as atheists, by denying the Old Testament and the Lord's day ; as traitors to magistrates, in denying magistracy ; and as heretics, in denying the humanity of Christ. Be it known, therefore, to all men ; first, that we deny not the scriptures of the Old Testament, but, with the apostle, acknowledge them to be inspired. of God ; and that we have a sure word of the prophets whereuntowe ought to attend as to a light shining in a dark place; and that whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our instruction, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope.-Secondly, we acknowledge, that, according to the precedent of Christ's disciples and the primitive churches, the saints ought, upon the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's day, to assemble together to pray, prophesy, praise God, break bread, and perform other parts of spiritual communion, for the worship of God, their own mutual edification, and the preservation of true religion and piety in the church.- Thirdly, concerning magistrates, we acknowledge them to be the ordinance of the Lord; that every soul ought to be subject unto them; that they are the ministers of. God for our good ; that we ought to pray for them that are in authority, and not speak.evil of them, nor despise govern- ment, but pay tribute, custom, &c.-Finally, concerning the flesh of Christ, we do believe that Christ is the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of David, according to the prophecies of the scriptures; and that.he is the son of Mary Crosby's Baptists, vol. i. and ii. A ppen. + Smyth's Character of the Beast, Pref. Edit. 1610.
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