The Life And Ministry Of Benjamin Coxe
Joseph Ivimey, “A History Of The English Baptists”, Vol 2:
In the letter of Captain Deane, to Dr. Barlow, bishop of Lincoln, vol. I. p. 294. Mr. Coxe is mentioned as a minister at Bedford, after the abolition of Episcopacy. He was, it is said, son of a bishop, probably of Dr. Richard Coxe, bishop of Ely, one of the compilers of the Liturgy. This conjecture receives some confirmation from his being called an ancient minister, by Mr. Richard Baxter in 1644. After having been graduated in one of the universities, he seems to have obtained a living in the diocese of Exeter. Edwards, in his Gangraena, says he came out of Devonshire, and charges him with having been an innovator and great time-server in the Bishops’ time, bringing innovations into the church against the will of Dr. Hall, then bishop of Exeter. From this it appears, that he was a zealous Nonconformist clergyman, who much wished to promote a reformation in the established church. It is probable that he received an appointment to one of the parishes at Bedford from the “Assembly of Divines” soon after 1640. We have no account when he embraced the principles of the Baptists, but his name is signed to the “Confession” of the seven churches in London, in 1644. He resided in London at this time, and was doubtless the pastor of one of the churches who published this confession. In this year, we find him engaged in a dispute at Coventry on the subject of baptism, with the famous Richard Baxter, who was chaplain to the garrison. A society of Baptists being collected at Coventry, gave much uneasiness to the Presbyterians, and Mr. Coxe (who is stated by Mr. Baxter to be a minister of competent learning and parts) came down to confirm them, and when he had done so awhile he departed. But, on his coming the second time, he was summoned before the “Committee” to answer for his conduct; and because he would not promise to leave the city, and come no more, he was committed to prison. Mr. Baxter says, some of Mr. Coxe’s party gave out this was at his request, which he positively denies, but says, he and his influence got him out. Mr. Baxter adds,
“At this time I desired Mr. Coxe would entertain some disputes concerning our differences, which was consented to, and begun by words, and afterwards we agreed to follow it by writing: but to my first paper I never could have answer, (save to the extempore writing before at our meeting) and so that labour ended.” Mr. Baxter charges him with teaching the people that the Presbyterian ministers being unbaptized, were indeed no ministers of Christ, and that it was unlawful to hear them, or join with their people, though never so godly, because they were unbaptized persons.”
It is absurd to suppose that Mr. Coxe should say unbaptized ministers were not ministers of Christ, though it is highly probable he taught, that a church composed of baptized believers, should admit none to membership but baptized persons.
In 1645, we find him in London, engaged with some others to maintain a public dispute with Dr. Calamy. This was prevented by the interference of the Lord Mayor; but Mr. Coxe afterwards published a work entitled, “A Declaration concerning the public dispute which should have been in the public meeting-house in Aldermanbury, Dec. 3, 1645, concerning Infant Baptism.”
It is not known where he was employed in the ministry after this period; but it should seem he accepted a living, probably from the “Triers,” who admitted many baptists to parochial charges. There is some confusion in Crosby’s account of him. In one place he says, he was ejected front his living, but from what place he could not find. In another that he conformed when the Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662, but adds, “he was so grieved for what he had done, that he gave up his living, and died a Nonconformist and a baptist.”
We have no account of the place of his death. His attachment to the cause of Nonconformity, in the former part of his life, makes it remarkable that be should be induced to conform in his old age. Unless indeed it was to procure his liberty from prison, as it is probable he may be the person mentioned in the life of Mr. Grantham, who was in Lincoln Goal in the year 1660. But if like Cranmer, he was led through weakness and unbelief to give up his principles, like him too he repented of his apostacy, and returned to his former sentiments. Crosby says, he had heard but of one hook published by Mr. Coxe, besides that above mentioned. viz.
God’s ordinances the Saints’ privileges: proved in two treatises. First, The Saints’ Interest by Christ in all the privileges of grace cleared, and the objections against the same answered: Second, The peculiar interest of the Elect in Christ and his saving grace: wherein is proved that Christ hath not suffered for the sins of all men, but only for the sins of those who do, or shall believe in him, and the objections against the same answered. Wood in his Athenae Oxon says, p. 134. that Mr. Blake wrote an answer to B. Coxe about free admission to the Sacraments. There was a piece also published by a Mr. Coxe against “the errors of Thomas Collier.” This was recommended by Mr. Daniel Dyke.
The reason why Mr. Coxe is introduced in Bedfordshire, where he laboured but for a short time, is on account of his being in all probability, the first person who preached and propagated the principles of the baptists in this County. He it was, it is likely, who baptized some of those persons who were first united in church-fellowship at Bedford, and formed that society which still flourishes, and has continued prosperous from that period.
Benjamin Coxe (1595-1676) was a Particular Baptist preacher. His fame spread after debating Richard Baxter in Coventry on the issue of infant baptism. After moving to London in 1645, he aligned himself with the PB churches and their ministers, signing the second edition of the 1644 Baptist Confession of Faith and writing “An Appendix” to it.
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