Semple - History of the Baptists in Virginia - Landmark Baptist

CHAPTER 4. — FROM THE ABOLITION OF THE
ESTABLISHED CHURCH TO THE PRESENT TIMES,
BRING THE END OF THE GENERAL HISTORY OF
THE SEPARATE BAPTISTS.
THE war, though very propitious to the liberty of the Baptists, had an opposite
effect upon the life of religion among them. As if persecution was more
favorable to vital piety than unrestrained liberty, they seem to have abated in
their zeal, upon being unshackled from their manacles. This may be ascribed to
several causes: both preachers and people were so much engrossed with
anxious thoughts and schemes for effecting the revolution, as well as with
alternate hopes and fears for the event, it was not probable that religion should
not lose some portion of its influence upon the minds of professors thus
divided. The downfall of Jeremiah Walker and some other preachers of less
note, together with the contentions arising from Waller’s defection,
contributed, not a little, towards dampening the zeal of the Baptists. Having
lost some of their champions in Israel, they could not, with the same boldness,
face their enemies. Perhaps we may add, that many did not rightly estimate the
true source of liberty, nor ascribe its attainment to the proper arm. In
consequence of which God sent them liberty, and with it leanness of soul. This
chill to their religious affections might have subsided with the war, or perhaps
sooner, if there had not been subsequent occurrences which tended to keep
them down. The opening a free trade by peace served as a powerful bait to
entrap professors who were in any great degree inclined to the pursuit of
wealth. Nothing is more common than for the increase of riches to produce a
decrease of piety. Speculators seldom make warm Christians. Kentucky and
the Western country took off many of the preachers who had once been
exceedingly successful in the ministry. From whatever cause, certain it is that
they suffered a very wintry season. With some few exceptions the declension
was general throughout the State. The love of many waxed cold. Some of the
watchmen fell, others stumbled, and many slumbered at their posts. Iniquity
greatly abounded. Associations were but thinly attended, and the business was
badly conducted. God has left many promises that He will not always chide,
nor be angry with His people; that He will turn again the captivity of Zion, etc.
The long and great declension induced many to fear that the times of
refreshing would never come, but that God had wholly forsaken them.
Their enemies likewise often reproached them, saying “Where is the promise
of His coming? We believed, and said, they would come to nothing, and our
prediction is fast fulfilling.” But let God be true and every man a liar. The set