184 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. " havinggrown very numerous, and being more than could in those times of persecution conveniently meet together, and believing that those persons acted from a principle of conscience, and not obstinacy, agreed to allow them the liberty they desired." They formed themselves, therefore, into a distinct church, September 12, 1633, and chose Mr. Spilsbury to the office of pastor. This church, which settled in Wapping, is thought to have beenthe first baptist congregation in England.. In the year 1638, Mr. William Kiffin, Mr. Thomas Wilson, and other celebrated persons, became members of this church ,+ and the society appears to have been in a flourishing condition. In process of time, however, some disputes arose among the members, on the subject of mixed communion. Those who opposed it withdrew, and formedaseparate society,under the care of Mr. Kiffin. This separation is said to have taken place in 1653, soon after which the present baptist meeting- house in Devonshire-square was built, where Mr. Kiffin and his church assembled for public worship.t Mr. Spilsbury, in 1644, subscribed the confession of faith set forth in the name of the seven baptist congregations in London ; but when he died we have not been able to. learn. It appears that after the above separation he went to Ireland, where he was highly respected. Henry Cromwell, in a letter dated Dublin, March 8, 1654, addressed to Secretary Thurloe, speaks in high terms of !Am.§ He was a man of an excellent spirit and great moderation.il He published a piece entitled, " The peculiar Interest of the Elect in Christ and his Saving Grace." CUTHBERT SYDENHAM, A. M.-This divine was born at Truro in Cornwall, in the year 1622, and eduCated in St. Alban's-ball, Oxford. He continued at Oxford till after the commencement of the civil wars, and the place was garrisoned by the royal forces ; at which time lie left the university, and espoused the cause of the parliament. About the year 1644, he became lecturer of St. Nicholas church, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; where," says Wood, " by his constant and confident preaching, he gained more respect than any venerable minister in that or another Neal's Puritans, vol, ii. p. 347.-Crosby's Baptists, vol. i. p. 148, 149, + Crosby's Baptists, vol. iii. p. 41, 42. I Wilson's Hist. of Dissenting Churches, vol. i, p. 401. Tborloe's State Papers, vol. p. 149. Bailie's Anabaptism, p. 94, 118.
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