Thomas DeLaune: Difference between revisions

Thomas DeLaune was a Particular, or Calvinistic, Baptist in London. His occupation and scholarly demeanor led him to befriend [[Hanserd Knollys]], [[William Kiffin]], and [[Benjamin Keach]]--to name a few.<ref name=":1" /> Although he preached occasionally, he was mostly known for being a biblical scholar, translator, and author. His writings were mostly concerning baptism, covenant theology, church government, and the case for dissent from the state church of Anglicism.<ref name=":1" /> His most famous work was ''A Plea for the Non-Conformists'' (1683). He also argued for the case of [[believer's baptism]] amongst his learned peers who were Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Episcopalian. In 1676, DeLaune wrote the Preface to Edward Hutchinson's ''A Treatise Concerning the Covenant and Baptism, Dialogue-wise, between a Baptist & a Poedo-Baptist'', which was a response to Richard Baxter's case for infant baptism. Baxter's "massive independence of thought," showed a rather loose connection to Reformed orthodoxy, which was highlighted by many of his peers. DeLaune comments:<blockquote>…only the great Creator is unerring. A man may preach and write of the most seraphic verities, and yet know but in part. Mr. Baxter is to be honoured as far as he has laid himself out to preach the Gospel, and improve his talent for the conversion of souls in this evil day. But when he forgets himself, and instead of promoting practical holiness, fills the nation with notions as uncertain as they are numberless, puzzling such as arrive not to the subtlety of his distinction, creating more doubts then ever he’ll be able to resolve, making Christianity a mere riddle which no man understands but he, and liable to as many forms and interpretations as his wavering mind. Then I humbly conceive he may be very safely left.<ref name=":1" /> *''Cited from DeLaune's Preface to Hutchinson's Treatise against Baxter's argument for infant baptism''*</blockquote>DeLaune would go on to author his own work on Baptism in ''Truth Defended'' (1677). DeLaune would also participate with Rev. Benjamin Keach in ''Tropologia'' (1681). Keach notes in the Preface, speaking to DeLaune's character and skill, "And having many brief heads of my notes by me, it was judged worthy my time and pains to compile the work before thee; and to render the utility of the work as valuable as I could, I applied for the assistance of men most eminent in piety and literature, and was so happy as to succeed in the application." Keach acknowledged DeLaune's piety and literary ability, which we should keep in mind when we read his works--this man was a recognized scholar who followed Christ in his personal life, too. He strongly disagreed with and argued against the state church, whose use of force would lead to DeLaune and his family's premature deaths. He says:<blockquote>No man can be forced to believe; he may be compelled to say this or that, but not to believe it ... A man may as easily make a man stark blind to read Greek, or distinguish colours, as an unbeliever to believe, for that is God's gift. Arguments are good inducements, but force has no countenance in the Gospel... Force may make one blind, but never to see clearer; it may make a hypocrite, but no true convert.<ref name=":1" />