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JAMAICA-ROW, ROTHERHITHE.-Presbyterian, Extinct.

and references with which he supplied them; and it introduced him into an acquaintance with several persons of eminence both as scholars and as writers. The only pecuniary advantage of any moment, which he derived from connexions of this kind, was that which arose from his appointment to be one of the compilers of the General Index to the Journals of the House of Commons. The 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th vols. comprehending an interesting period of parliamentary proceedings, from 1660 to 1697, were assigned to him. This elaborate work was began in 1776, and completed in 1780. The plan upon which he conducted it was submitted to the consideration of a committee of the house soon after his appointment in 1770; and the execution of it was much approved and liberally rewarded. It ought, however, to be observed, that Dr. Flexman's knowledge in this way, and his attention in acquiring it, did not supersede his sedulous application to those subjects that were immediately connected with his profession as a Christian minister. The study of the scriptures, and particularly of the New Testament, in the original languages, was an employment to which he devoted much time, and in which he took peculiar pleasure. From this source he deduced his sentiments on theological subjects. They were the result of impartial and diligent inquiry. He mentioned them with firmness and zeal, but at the same time with a liberal and candid temper towards those who differed from him. Dr. Flexman's sentiments coincided very much with those of Dr. Amory; "and his sentiments," says his biographer, "with regard to both natural and revealed religion, nearly agreed with those of Dr. Samuel Clarke, and of the eminent Divines who were coadjutors with that great man. He did not, therefore, fall in with the Socinian principles, which of late have been so warmly defended neither did he reject the natural evidences of the life to come, or the notion of a separate state, as several ingenious moderns have done." Dr. Flexman was a strenuous advocate for the pre-existent dignity of

JAMAICA-ROW, ROTHERHITHE.

·Presbyterian, Extinct.

Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit. He maintained the essential distinction between the soul and the body, and the liberty of the human will, in opposition to materialists and necessitarians. If in the latter period of his life he expressed himself with more than common ardour on the subjects of religious controversy, it was when he took occasion to avow his opposition to opinions which he conceived to be no less prejudicial in their practical influence, than inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason and the doctrines of divine revelation. But his ardour was united to the most comprehensive charity and good will. Of many persons who held the tenets which he disapproved, he entertained a high opinion; and he was in habits of acquaintance and intimacy with them.

Dr. Flexmian's integrity was no less laudable than his zeal for what he apprehended to be important truth, and his candour towards persons of different sentiments. He was intimately acquainted with several clergymen of distinguished character, such as Dr. Sykes, Dr. Gregory Sharpe, Mr. Taylor, Dr. Majendie, and many others of considerable rank in the church and we have already observed that he had frequent opportunities of free intercourse with persons of exalted station and extensive influence. It is not unrea sonable to imagine that he might have obtained independence, if not affluence, by means of the recommendation or patronage of such friends, if he bad been disposed to seek or to accept it. We are assured, upon the best authority, that a considerable preferment in the church was actually offered him. But he continued to exercise his ministry among Protestant Dissenters, notwithstanding many difficulties and discouragements. Whilst he highly esteemed many members of the establishment, and was equally respected by them, he main tained his own profession without wavering. Whilst he avowed on all occasions a firm attachment to the fundamental principles of the British constitution, and few persons better understood them, he approved himself an en

JAMAICA.ROW, ROTHERHITHE

-Presbyterian, Extinct.

lightened and strenuous advocate for civil and religious liberty. The satisfaction of conscious integrity alleviated the trials of his closing scene, and animated his hopes in the prospect of a future world. The piety and devotional spirit of Dr. Flexman were distinguished traits in his character. In his compositions, and public performances, these qualities were conspicuous; and they were exemplified in his personal attendance on the social institutions of religion, when he became incapable of conducting the worship of his fellow Christians. Not to add, that they were sources of relief and comfort to him amidst those trials which exercised his faith and patience in the concluding period of his life. Of Dr. Flexman's compositions for the pulpit, it will be sufficient to say that they were judicious and instructive; and his mode of delivery was grave and solemn. Besides several publications of his own, (A) he was employed on various oc

(A) WORKS.-A General Index to the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th Vols. of the Journals of the House of Commons, folio from 1660 to 1697. Printed by Order of the House of Commons, 1780.-SERMONS. 1. The Connexion and Harmony of Religion and Virtue delineated, in the Character of Abraham, on Gen. xviii. 19. Jan. 1, 1752.-2. The Nature and Advantage of a Religious Education, on Eph. vi. 4. May 19, 1770.3. A Funeral Sermon for Dr. Amory. 1774.-TRACTS. 1. The Plan of Divine Worship in the Churches of Protestant Dessenters, justified in Defence of the Rev. Dr. John Taylor's Letter on Forms of Prayer; with Remarks upon a Piece entitled, "The Plan of the Universal Liturgy. 1754.-2. An Account of the Writings of the Right Rev. Gilbert Burnet, D. D Lord Bishop of Salisbury; annexed to the History of his own Times, Vol. 4. 1754. 8vo.-3. An Account of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Samuel Bourn, of Birmingham and Coseley, prefixed to a Volume of his Posthumous Sermons. 1755.-4. An Account of the Writings of the Rev. Samuel Chandler, D. D. annexed to the Sermon preached on his Death by Dr. Amory. 1766.-5. An Account of the Writings of the Rev. Thomas Amory, D. D. annexed to his Funeral Sermion. 1774.-6. Critical, Historical, and Political Miscellanies; containing Remarks on various Authors; and also impartial Observations on the Writings of the most Rev. Archbishops Potter and Secker; and of the Right Rev. Bishops Sherlock, Clayton, Warburton. Law, and Lowth; of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Randolph, and the Rev. Dr. Nicholas Carter. 8vo. 1752.

ROTHERHITHE.-Baptist.

casions as an editor of the works of others. He was also an occasional writer in several periodical publications, some of which have been long ago discontinued; but others of them retain their reputation to the present day. His abilities and various attainments justly entitled him to the honour of a degree of D. D. which was conferred upon him in 1770, by the Marischal College of Aberdeen.*

ROTHERHITHE.

BAPTIST.

THIS place was situated in Jamaica-row, opposite to the

Presbyterian meeting-house now occupied by Mr. Townsend's congregation. It was erected about half a century ago, for a society of Baptists lately formed in the neighbourhood, and who were served successively by the following ministers. RICHARD HUTCHINS, who had preached about twelve months upon trial at Devonshire-square, after Mr. Stevens left that place in 1760. He then fixed at Rotherhithe, where he preached several years, but spent the latter part of his life at Greenwich, and died there in 1804.-The next minister at Rotherhite was a Mr. WILLIAM TRUELOVE, who before his settlement here had preached in Mitchell-street, behind Old-street church. He was an illiterate man, and did not continue here long.-SAMUEL ROWLES preached here for a short time after Mr. Truelove. He removed first to Chard in Somersetshire, and afterwards to Canterbury.-JOHN HENRY LANGLEY was designed for the medical profession, but being brought under religious

* Dr. Rees's Sermon on the Death of Dr. Flexman.

LOWER ROTHERHITHE.-Independent, Extinct.

impressions, turned his attention to the ministry, and was ordained in his twenty-second year pastor of a congregation in Hertfordshire. He afterwards settled at Rotherhithe, and appears to have been a zealous, laborious young minister; but he was cut off in his thirty-ninth year, June 1, 1792. There is a funeral sermon for him extant by Mr. Cartwright, where may be seen much of his religious character.— The next preacher here was Mr. JOHN DUNCAN, who had been a deacon of Mr. Brown's church in Blacksfields, and afterwards built a small place in the Grange Road, but left it in consequence of some difference. He was here but a short time, and was succeeded by Mr. GEORGE PHILLIPS, who preached here a few years; but left his people abruptly in 1804, and removed to Birmingham. He was succeeded by a person who, after a short time, left the ministry ; as he was by Mr. NORRIS, the present pastor.

LOWER ROTHERHITHE.

INDEPENDENT.-EXTINCT.

THIS place was situated in Meeting-house-alley, Queen

street, Lower Rotherhithe, near what is called the Cuckold's Point. It was a small building, without galleries, and supposed to have been built soon after the Revolution. Mr. JEREMIAH WHITE, chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and other ministers, preached here occasionally; but the first settled minister was Mr. WILLIAM CHAPMAN. The interest at this place was always small; but latterly it declined very fast, and at length broke up in 1762. The pastors of this church were as follows:

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