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Benjamin Robinson

From an original Painting

In D. WilliamssLibrary Red Cross Street.

EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE,

AND

Theological Review.

APRIL, 1822.

BIOGRAPHY OF MR. BENJAMIN ROBINSON.
[With a Portrait.]

THE subject of the present Memoir
was a learned and respectable minister
among the Presbyterians; the intimate
friend of the great Mr. John Howe;
and for nearly twenty-five years, pastor
of the Christian church assembling in
Little St. Helen's, London-a society
raised in troublous times, by the minis-
terial labours of the celebrated Dr.
Annesley. Young Robinson was born
at Derby, in the year 1666, where his
parents resided, and maintained a re-
spectable station in life. He had the
misfortune to lose his mother only a
few days after his birth; but his father,
being a pious man, watched over his
infantile years with the tenderest assi-
duity, and, at a proper age, placed him
in the grammar school at Derby, under
the superintendence of Mr. Samuel
Ogden;
a gentleman not less distin-
guished by his attainments in polite
literature, than by his valuable labours

in the ministry. Having made considerable proficiency in the learned languages, he was placed under the tuition of the Rev. John Woodhouse, of SheriffHales, in Shropshire, where he completed his academical studies.

Mr. Robinson, previous to his settlement in the pastoral office over any church, accepted the invitation of Sir John Gell to become one of his family, probably in the capacity of domestic chaplain, or preceptor to his children; but the situation proving favourable to the prosecution of his studies, he surrendered himself to them with such persevering application as greatly to injure his health. His residence, too, in the neighbourhood of Kidderminster, gave him an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the celebrated Baxter, in whose defence he wrote an able and learned "Plea," vindicating him from the charge of Socinianism.*

After

* The mention of the name of Richard Baxter, gives us the opportunity of calling the attention of our readers to a republication of his Theological and Practical Writings; the first volume of which has just made its appearance, in a most respectable form. Though our sentiments do not coincide in all respects with those of Baxter, who, as we think, slackened some points of the Christian doctrine, particularly those of Election and Redemption; no doubt with the intention of steering a middle course between the Calvinists and Arminians; and thereby paved the way for a system of generalizing on the doctrines of the gospel, which is the bane of evangelical preaching; yet we confess that we are glad to see the present edition brought forward, on various accounts. The Arminians, we perceive, are republishing, at this moment, the works of the learned divine, whose name they, as a discriminating sect, acknowledge; and the writings of Baxter are not ill adapted to counteract their influence. But we more especially anticipate their usefulness, in checking the progress of that Ultra-Calvinism which so deplorably infects a considerable portion of the body of Dissenters of the present day. Persuaded as we are of the anti-scriptural tendency of this high-flying Supralapsarianism, we hail with acclamation every thing that is calculated to arrest its progress among us. Edit.

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some time, Mr. Robinson removed into the family of Mr. Saunders of Normanton, as domestic chaplain. The conversation of this family, and a valuable library to which he had access, rendered his situation very agreeable, and he had the satisfaction of being greatly respected by the family. In this station we find him first engaged in public preaching; and his pulpit labours are said to have met with great acceptance and success.

son first removed to Hungerford in Berkshire, where he exercised his ministry with great acceptance for about seven years; and, at the earnest request of his brethren, set up a private academy, (1696.) This step occasioned a complaint to be preferred against him to Dr. Burnet, then bishop of Salisbury, who, while engaged in visiting his diocese, and passing through Hungerford, sent for Mr. Robinson that he might speak to him. During the interview, he gave such satisfactory reasons for his nonconformity, and also for the establishment of the academy, as laid the foundation of an intimate friendship between them, which continued through life. He appears to have been eminently gifted for the office of tutor, and applied himself to the duties of it with great constancy. His success, too, was such as might be expected; he had the honour of training up many persons, who were ornaments to the church of God, and his skill was abundantly manifested in counselling young ministers, both in private conversation, and on various public occasions.

On the death of Mr. Saunders, Mr. R. removed to Findern, in Derbyshire, where he was ordained to the work of the ministry, Oct. 10, 1688, in conjunction with his highly respected friend, Mr. Nathaniel Oldfield. The state of the country was at that time very discouraging, on account of the revolutionary proceedings with which it was distracted; but being called to preach Christ's gospel, he applied himself to his work with great zeal and earnestness. His labours were not confined to the people of his own immediate charge, but extended to other places, and he established lectures at considerable distances. His learning, piety, and good sense, united with a most obliging be- The plan which Mr. Howe had prohaviour, introduced him to an acquain-jected, and of which he never lost sight, tance with many worthy persons, among he was at length enabled to effect, in both clergy and laity, from whom he bringing Mr. Robinson to London. A received such flattering offers of prefer- vacancy had taken place in the pastoral ment in the national church, as were charge of the church in Little St. not to be resisted but by a mind well Helen's, occasioned by the decease of established in the principles of noncon- Mr. Woodhouse, under whom he had formity. At Findern he set up a pri- perfected his studies, as hath been vate grammar school, (1693,) for which already mentioned. From their first he was cited into the bishop's court; acquaintance, Mr. Howe had formed an but a personal application to Dr. Lloyd, uncommon esteem for the subject of the then bishop of Litchfield and Co- this memoir, and he now strongly reventry, with whom he was acquainted, commended him to the people as a fit saved him from the impending conse- and suitable person to succeed their late quences. The Bishop took this oppor- minister. They consequently gave him tunity of entering into an amicable de- an unanimous invitation to take the bate with Mr. R. on the subject of non-pastoral charge, which he accepted, in conformity, which continued till two in the morning, when he was dismissed by the prelate with particular marks of his favour, and afterwards was honoured with his correspondence in writing. It was about this time, that Mr. Robinson also became acquainted with the venerable John Howe; who, discovering his great worth, resolved to embrace the earliest opportunity of bringing him to London, where, he rightly judged, that his superior talents would find ample scope for their exercise.

From Findern, however, Mr. Robin

the year 1700. When he removed to London, he was in the prime of life, and his mental powers were in full vigour. Besides his stated work, he was often engaged in delivering lectures, and in other occasional services; so that there were few pulpits in the metropolis, among the dissenters, in which he was not called to preach. On the death of Mr. George Hammond, in 1705, he was chosen one of the preachers of the Merchants' Lecture, at Salters' Hall; and he supplied his turn with great constancy, and no less success. When a

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Thus he continued, labouring in his master's vineyard, until having attained the age of 57, he was seized with a bad state of health, which for several months previous to his last confinement, frequently disabled him from public service, and called his faith and patience into exercise. But his confidence in the doctrines which he had inculcated upon others, powerfully supported him during his long indisposition, and inspired him with resignation to the divine will: though he longed to be at rest, he was ready to wait the Lord's time, and humbly submit to all that he was called to endure. After eight weeks confinement to his bed, in which wearisome days and painful nights were allotted him, he triumphantly departed to his eternal rest, April 30, 1724, at the age of 58. His last words were those of Simeon, "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace!"

pose with great ease and rapidity; inso-
much that it was observed of him,
"that he could do more in an hour
than most men in a day:" yet his per-
formances appeared the result of long
study and mature reflection. His elo-
quence was natural and manly, well
adapted to argumentation.
He was
commendably zealous in defence of the
leading doctrines of Christianity. A
Dissenter upon principle, yet always
candid towards those who differed from
him, and a strenuous advocate for a
free and impartial toleration. And as
he was eminently distinguished for his
talents and acquirements, so his con-
versation and conduct were exemplary
and ornamental to his profession, both
as a Christian and a minister. See a
Sermon on occasion of his death, by John
Cumming, M.A. p. 51–62.

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ON PREACHING.

It is

THE gospel ministry is an ordinance of God, instituted to accomplish_his purpose in the salvation of men. every way worthy of his divine perfections, and, attended by his blessing, will ultimately enlighten the world with the knowledge of himself. Men influenced only by the wisdom of this world, esteem it inadequate to produce Mr. Robinson was in person well so great and so good an effect; because formed, of a sprightly turn, and pleasing they do not understand the nature of countenance. His natural capacity was that energy by which it is accompanied. of a superior order, and his learning Had we no expectation but what could was extensive. A superficial acquaint- arise from the reasoning powers, the ance with things could not satisfy him; oratory, and eloquence of its ministers, he was not to be carried away with we should be disappointed; the "darkmere sound; his penetration was deep, ness" that "covers the earth, and" the and his judgment was profound and gross darkness" which covers "the solid. These qualifications rendered people" could not be dispelled by these: him an able champion for the faith; he the promise of Jehovah is, "As the could penetrate the disguises of error, rain cometh down, and the snow from and dispel the mists with which they were heaven, and returneth not thither, but sometimes obscured, even to the learn-watereth the earth, and maketh it bring ed. His conceptions were distinct, and his recollection easy. He was a powerful reasoner, and could force conviction, not by a deceitful eloquence, but by cogent argumentation. As he was eminently furnished for all the duties of the ministerial office, so he was very exemplary in the discharge of them. His sermons were directed to the great and all-important doctrines of the gospel; and his manner was suited to the dignity of his subjects, being grave, serious, and affecting. He could com

forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." The glory of the Lord is to be revealed, "and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Nor is HE "a man that he should lie, or the son of man that he should repent;"-"the grass may wither, and

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