The Life And Ministry Of John Noble
Joseph Ivimey, “A History Of The English Baptists”, Vol 2:
It appears that he became the pastor of a church at Tallow Chandler’s Hall, Dowgate Hill, in 1690 composed of two congregations, each of which was so well satisfied with his ministry as to invite him to become the pastor, and both of which united into one Society rather than not enjoy the benefits of his very acceptable ministry. In this station he was preserved with great honour, integrity, and usefulness, for about thirty four years; in all which time he truly manifested himself a minister of the grace of Christ. He was removed by death June 12, 1730, in the 71st year of his age.
He was buried in the ground belonging to the Park meeting, Southwark, and his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Edward Wallin, from Philippians 1:21. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. In this discourse Mr. Wallin gives a particular account of Mr. Noble’s religious character. He says “that in the early part of his life, which was a time of persecution, he used to attend his religious parents to the worship of God, and was with them and others apprehended and sent to the common goal. Here he suffered great hardships from the enemies of religion and liberty, concerning which he used to say that though he suffered for the profession of religion, yet at that time he was destitute of the saving knowledge of Christ and would observe, that a religious education, a mere profession, and zeal for a party might carry persons a great length in suffering for christianity, while they were strangers to themselves and the powerful influences of the grace of the gospel. His imprisonment, however, was made the occasion of his conversion to God, and in this place of confinement he pursued his studies in useful knowledge which was afterwards so conspicuous in his preaching and defending the great truths of the gospel. After obtaining his liberty he attended to the laws of Christ, being baptized on a profession of faith and uniting himself with a gospel church. The church perceiving his capacity for the ministry soon called him to it, and for some time he preached occasionally to several churches in the country among whom he was very useful. During this period he kept a grammar school, that he might preach the gospel with less charge to poor churches. In London his ministry was very acceptable.
“His light and knowledge in the gospel (says Mr. Wallin) was very considerable and much exceeded some who yet are to be honoured as ministers of Christ.”
The grace of Christ was his delightful subject; he would speak of this with an holy zeal, and fervor of spirit, as one who had tasted this grace himself, and desired in preaching it to commend himself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Mr. Wallin gives an intimation that some who opposed the doctrines he preached, insisting they gave a liberty to sin, and lessened a due regard for the discharge of moral or religious duties. This Mr. Wallin contradicts by saying,
“Although he could not allow the very best performances to be any part of the soul’s justifying righteousness, yet he esteemed them the genuine fruits of the Spirit of Christ, and a means to adorn the doctrines of God our Saviour; therefore he would frequently argue the saints’ obligation to the precepts of the gospel from the mercies of God, the love of Christ, and the riches of grace discovered to them, to the end that believers may honour their Redeemer by all gospel obedience.”
In Mr. Noble’s last illness he expressed a cheerful resignation to the divine pleasure,’ declaring that the truths be had preached to others were the comfort and support of his own soul in the near views of death and eternity. Crosby says of Mr. Noble, he was a man of learning and excellent parts, and noted for his peculiarity respecting some controverted doctrines. His zeal in defence of his own opinions sometimes led him to uncharitableness respecting those that differed from him. This however only appeared in his own pulpit; when preaching for others he discovered an uncommon moderation.
In the meeting of the Baptist Ministers in and about London, who met monthly to consult about the Baptist interest in general, many who knew his zeal for the doctrines he preached, were astonished at the prudence and moderation he manifested. An instance of this is given by Crosby, that though he was much opposed to the practice of laying on of hands at the ordination of ministers, yet he assisted at the ordination of Mr. John Gill, where this was observed. He preached at the ordination of this justly celebrated man, afterwards Dr. Gill, from Acts 20:28.
During Mr. Noble’s ministry, between the year 1727 and 1730, the church removed from Tallow Chandler’s hall to Maiden-head Court, Great-East Cheap.
John Noble (?-1730) was a Particular Baptist preacher. In 1690, two congregations called him as pastor, but rather than the one being without the minister, the congregations agreed to unite as a single church. It met at Tallow Chandler’s Hall, Dowgate Hill. In 1717, he co-founded the Particular Baptist Fund with John Skepp to support poor ministers.
