Durham E-Theses Charles Simeon: evangelical or churchman? Simeon's contribution to the baptismal controversy in the early nineteenth century Becht, Barbara How to cite: Becht, Barbara (1995) Charles Simeon: evangelical or churchman? Simeon's contribution to the baptismal controversy in the early nineteenth century, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/5176/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 Charles Simeon Evangelical or Churchman? Simeon's Contribution to the Baptismal Controversy in the Early Nineteenth Century by Barbara Becht The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without his prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. A thesis submitted for the degree of M.Theol. tttthe University of Durham March 1995 This thesis is subject to the l":Opyright regulations of the University of Durham, according to which the copyright remains in the hands of the author · ,~. 1 MAY 1996 Charles Simeon. Evangelical or Churchman? Simeon's Contribution to the Baptismal Controversy in the Early Nineteenth Century A Thesis submitted for the degree of M.Theol. at the University of Durham, by Barbara Becht, March 1995. This paper attempts to trace the thought of an outstanding leader of the Anglican Evangelicals, Charles Simeon, concerning baptism. What makes Simeon's life and thought an interesting topic is the fact that his characteristic Evangelical manner is tempered by a strong allegiance to the Church of England and her creeds. Thus, the title of this book is justified: Could Simeon in actual fact reconcile his Evangelical beliefs with his reverence for the Church, a way of life thought by many contemporaries to be on the brink of hereticism with a clear confession to the Church? In order to ascenain the contribution of his thought, it is necessary to ex­ amine the Baptismal Controversy which raged at the time. As the Orthodox con­ tended that the Evangelicals were basically Calvinistic, we especially need to take a closer look at the Calvinistic Controversy preceding the Controversy under discussion in order to ascenain the theological roots of the Evangelicals (Part A, chapter 1). A second chapter examines the Baptismal Controversy and imponant contributions of Onhodox and Evangelical proponents. Pan B then sketches the life of Charles Simeon prior to analyzing Simeon1s thought concerning baptism and regeneration in greater detail. It is found that Simeon belongs to the main group of Evangelicals. Like these, he propagates that regeneration may or may not be conveyed at baptism; funher common points are the notion of ')udgment of charity" (=charitable supposition) and of baptism as a change of state, a title to blessings, the entrance into the covenant, an initiation rite into the Church, an appointed means of grace. Simeon however rejects both the Calvinistic and the Anninian doctrinal systems. A funher point which distinguishes him is his absolute loyalty to the Church and her liturgy. Thus, Simeon unites both his Evangelical nature and his churchmanship in a unique manner. Contents Introduction S Part A : The Baptismal Controversy 7 1 "Calvinism" and the Baptismal Controversy 8 1.1 The Calvinistic Controversy 9 1.1.1 The Historical Components of the Calvinistic Controversy 9 1.1.2 The Theological Components ofthe Calvinistic Controversy 12 1.2 The Baptismal Controversy 14 1.2.1 The Orthodox Party 14 1.2.2 The Evangelicals 16 1.2.2.1 The Views of the Evangelicals 19 1.22.1.1 Religion 20 1.221.2 The Bible 20 1.221.3 Anthropology 21 1.22.1.4 Soteriology 21 1.2.2. 1.5 Ecclesiology 21 1.2.3 The "Calvinism" ofthe Evangelicals 24 1.3 The "Calvinism" of the Baptismal Controversy 29 2 Baptism and Regeneration: the Baptismal Controversy 32 2.1 Controversy Prior to the Controversy 32 2.2 The Baptismal Controversy Proper 41 2.2.1 The Historical Setting 42 2.2.2 A Systematic Evaluation of Selected Works 47 2.2.2.1 Inseparability of Baptism and Regeneration: the Orthodox Shibboleth 47 2.2.2.1.1 Herbert Marsh 48 2.2.2.1.2 Richard Mant 49 2.2.2.1.3 Daubeny 52 2.2.2.1.4 Richard Laurence 54 2.2.2.1.5 Hector Davies Morgan 55 2.2.2.1.6 Variations on a 1beme: Orthodox Unity 56 2.2.2.2 Baptism Versus Regeneration? The Evangelical Dilemma 57 2.2.2.2.1 John Scott 59 2.2.2.2.2 Daniel Wilson 61 2.2.2.2.3 Thomas T. Biddulph 62 2.2.2.2.4 George Nicholson 64 2.2.2.2.5 George Bugg 66 2.2.2.2.6 Henry Ryder 68 2.2.2.2.7 John W. Cunningham 70 2.2.2.2.8 George Stanley Faber 71 2.2.2.2.9 The Christian Observer 74 2.2.2.2.10 TheQuorterlyReview 76 2.2.2.2.11 Diversity and Unity Amongst the Evangelicals 78 3 Conclusion 80 Part B : Charles Simeon: Evangelical or Churchman? 82 1 The Evangelical Enigma: Simeon's Life 82 1.1 Simeon's Childhood 82 1.2 "The Deepest Shame and Sorrow:" at Eton 82 1.3 "The Sweetest Access to God:" Simeon's Conversion-Experience 85 1.4 First Steps into the Ministry 90 1.5 Pastoral Work in an Academic Setting 91 1.5.1 Growing Pains 91 1.5.2 ltregularity or Church Order? 92 1.5.2.1 ''They are all His Flock:" the Dissenters 96 1.5.2.2 "Pray the Prayers:" Liturgy and Renewal 96 1.5.3 Principles of Church Growth 99 1.6 "Academic" Work in a Pastoral Setting 101 1.6.1 The Art of Preaching 105 1.6.2 Friday Tea-parties 107 1.7 Societies and the Evangelical Cause 108 1.8 The Problem of Continuity 110 2 Sign and thing signified: Simeon's Solution 112 2.1 Baptism 112 2.1. 1 The Nature of Baptism 113 2.1.2 Infant Baptism 115 2.2 Regeneration 116 2.2.1 Scope and aim of Regeneration 116 2.2.2 The Nature ofRegeneration 118 2.2.3 "Election but not Reprobation" (Regeneration and Election) 123 2.3 Baptism, Regeneration and the Missing Link 128 2.3.1 Simon Magus & the Dying Thief 131 2.3.2 Noah's Ark 131 2.3.3 Circumcision and Baptism 133 2.3.4 Baptism as a Covenant 135 3 Baptism in the Light of Simeon's Life and Pastoral Theology 136 3.1 Simeon the Ewngelical: Baptism and Conversion 136 3.2 Simeon the Bible Christian: Baptism and Hermeneutics 138 3.2.1 "Be Bible Christians, not System Christians" 138 3.3 Simeon the Churchman: Baptism and Ecclesiology 143 3.3.1 The Centrality ofthe Church 143 3.3.2 Church and Baptism 143 3.3.2.1 ''Enter then into the Ark:" Faith and Baptism 143 3.3.2.2 Visible and Invisible Church: Branches, Fishes and Tares 145 3.3.2.3 The "Individualism" of Simeon's Ecclesiology 146 3.3.3 Confirmation, Communion and Baptism 150 3.3.3.1 The "Peculiar Blessings" of C..ommunion 155 4 Simeon's Contribution within the Baptismal Controversy 158 Bibliography 163 Introduction The late eighteenth and early nineteenth century were a restive and uneasy time marked by political and economical revolution8. chanaes at home and abroad. The rise of the Evangelical movement within the Church of England may be called the most remarkable spiritual development at this time. The emphasis on individual conversion and commitment, holiness of life and witness at home and abroad held a strong appeal for many Christians. A major issue of the time was a direct consequence of the rise of Evangelical­ ism within the Church, namely regeneration and its relationship to baptism: if re~ generation as defined by Evangelicals is linked to conversion, can a person receive regeneration at baptism? Is baptism at all necessary for regeneration, or does it merely play a marginal role? Does regeneration occur at conversion, and if so, can regeneration be lost? These were some of the questions asked and fiercely disputed in these decades. The following pages attempt to trace the thought of an outstanding leader of the Anglican Evangelicals, Charles Simeon, concerning baptism. Little has been written on this subject, and indeed, comparatively little original research has been done on the Evangelicals of this time, leaving aside the multitude of biographies of a devotional nature. What makes Simeon's life and thought an interesting topic is the fact that his characteristic Evangelical manner is tempered by a strong allegiance to the Church of England and her creeds. Thus, the title of this book is justified: Could Simeon in actual fact reconcile his Evangelical beliefs with his reverence for the Church, a way of life thought by many to be on the brink of hereticism with a clear confession to the Church? In order to ascertain the contribution of his thought, it is necessary to ex­ amine the Baptismal Controversy which raged at the time.