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CHAPTER 24. — JOHN SMYTH’S BAPTISM AND
THE ORIGIN OF ENGLISH BAPTISTS.
Inasmuch as the alleged self-baptism of John Smyth has been used to the
discredit of Baptists, it is thought best to devote this chapter to its treatment
and to the explanation of its alleged relation to them.
(1.) Instead of that baptism being the origin of English and American Baptists
it was not even done in England. This alleged baptism was done in
Amsterdam, in Holland, in 1608. f808
(2.) Smyth never had any connection with the Regular or Particular Baptists, of
which denomination are American Baptists.
Though but poorly informed on the differences between the Particular and the
General Baptists of England, Mosheim was sufficiently informed to know they
were different religious bodies. He says:
“The sect in En and which rejects the custom of baptizing infants, are not
distinguished by the title of Anabaptists, but by that of Baptist. It is probable
that they derive their origin from the German and Dutch Mennonites. The
English Baptists differ in many things. … They are divided into two sects.
One of which is distinguished by the denomination of General or Arminian
Baptists, on account of their opposition to the doctrines of absolute and
unconditional decrees; and the other by that of Particular or Calvinistic
Baptists, from the striking resemblance of their system to that of the
Presbyterians, who have Calvin for their chief.” f809
Armitage and other historians recognize the difference between these two
bodies. f810
(3.) Admitting Smyth as the founder of English Baptists, the report that he
baptized himself is so far from being proved true that the contrary is more
probably true. Cramp says:
“There has been much dispute respecting the manner in which they
proceeded, some maintaining that Smyth baptized himself and then baptized
others. It is a thing of small consequence. … The probability is that one of the
brethren baptized Mr. Smyth, and that he then baptized the others.” f811
Armitage notices the rumor:
“Smyth and his congregation met in a large bakery for a time, but he soon saw
his mistake in his hasty see baptism, and offered to join the Dutch
congregation of Baptists. … Part of his congregation under the leadership of