Who are the Old Baptists?

In 1912 Elder John R. Daily of the "Primitive" or "Old School" Baptists debated Elder W. P. Throgmorton of the Missionary Baptists in Ewing, Illinois on the question of "Who are the Primitive Baptists." Elder Throgmorton had a debate on the same question in 1887 with Elder Lemuel Potter. In the debate with Daily the participants debated two propositions, one on whether the atonement was general or specific, and whether God employed gospel truth as a means in regeneration.

In the debate over the question of gospel means in the work of regeneration, Throgmorton offered these words in his first affirmative speech (pg. 213-219):

"Another preliminary remark I desire to give you. This remark is that in denying my proposition Brother Daily is out of harmony with the "Old Baptist Faith." Do you get that? In denying my proposition Brother Daily is out of harmony with the Old Baptist Faith! He sets himself squarely against the Old Baptist Confession of Faith. If he shows that I am wrong in this discussion, he will show that the Old Confession of Seven Churches in London, of 1644, was wrong. He will show that the "Somerset Confession" (of churches in West England), 1656, was wrong, He will show that the "Old London Confession" of 1689, of which his people have boasted so much, is wrong. He will show that the Philadelphia Confession is wrong. If he shows that my proposition is wrong, good bye to the doctrine of the old Baptists. I am here to defend the Old Baptist Faith, as to what is involved in this proposition. Brother Daily is here to oppose it, and to overthrow it, if he can! Will you "Old School" Baptists follow him in this?

Now for the facts: I will quote first, from the Confession of 1644, issued by Seven Churches in London. Speaking concerning faith it says : "That faith is ordinarily begot by the preaching of the Gospel, or Word of Christ," etc. Art. 24. See McClothlin's "Baptist Confessions of Faith," page 181. Proof text given, Romans 10: 17, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God;" also I Cor. 1; 21.

The Somerset Confession in West England, 1656: "We believe that the Spirit is administered (that means 'given,' in that old way of expressing it) by or through the word of faith preached." (Gal. 3: 2) "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith; that the Spirit is administered by or through the word of faith preached, which word was first declared by the Lord himself and was confirmed by them that heard him." Baptist Confessions of Faith, page 201.

"That this Spirit of Christ, being administered by the word of faith, worketh in us faith in Christ," etc. Same work, page 207. These works show us plainly what those Baptists believed. What is in my proposition? The same idea; that faith comes by hearing. Inasmuch as regeneration comes by faith, then regeneration comes by the preaching of the Gospel.

I come to the "Old London Confession," 1677. "Those whom God has predestined unto life, he is pleased in his appointed and accepted time effectually to call (How?) By his word and Spirit out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ." How? By the Spirit alone? No, sir. By his Word and Spirit. That is the Old Baptist Faith. Chapter 10 of the Old London Confession. Section 1 I believe it is.

"The grace of faith (this is from the old London Confession) whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word." That is by the preaching of the Gospel, don't you see? This is the Old London Confession, chapter 14, paragraph 1. This same point is found in the Old Philadelphia Confession.

In denying my proposition, I want to say further, that Brother Daily not only sets himself against the "Old Baptist Confession," but also against noted worthies whom he and his people honored as leaders.

All who were in the assembly of 1689, who approved and sent out the London Confession; those in the old Philadelphia Association when it adopted its confession, the one known by its name; Dr. John Gill, Dr. R. W. Fain, Dr. John M. Watson, Morgan Edwards, John Gano. I just want to call your attention to this list of names. These all endorsed these words which I have read from the Confessions and which Brother Daily denies in denying my proposition."

"Now I will quote from R. W. Fain, page 15 of the Old Baptist Test. This is in the preface to Dr. Watson's great book: "Upon this principle the Gospel is preached to all, repentance and an interest in a Saviour's blood is offered to all." What was that we heard about offering salvation yesterday? That is neither here nor there of course! Brother Fain continues: "The charitable invitation, whosoever will, goes out to all, inviting them to take the water of life freely."

Dr. John M. Watson: "To show that the will of God is in his word, 'of his own free will,' says James, "begat he us with the word of truth." "Old Baptist Test," page 421.

David Jones' Circular Letter in the Old Philadelphia Association minutes, 1788, endorsed by that association: "The precious gift of faith is a free and sovereign gift of God, conveyed through the power of the Holy Ghost, and the instrumentality of the Word." This is what I want you to hear: "And is co-existent with regeneration if not an essential part of it." Isn't that my proposition?"

"So, Brother Daily, in denying my proposition, is off the old Baptist track and you are going to follow him, are you? He is out of line with the Old Baptist Confession! and will you follow him? He is out of line with the American Baptist Fathers before the great division of 1832, and is at cross purposes with some of the best of the "Old School" Baptists since the division. For instance, Watson and Fain."