The Life And Ministry Of Samuel Ewer

Joseph Ivimey, “A History Of The English Baptists”, Vol 2:

When the people here separated from Kensworth we have no account; probably about the period of the Revolution, as we find Mr. Ewer attending the general Assemblies in London, both in 1689, and 1692. His name is signed to the “confession of faith,” and several resolutions. Crosby says, “He was a generous worthy man, well beloved and respected by his people.” He died in 1708, and his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. John Piggott of London, December 44, 1708, from Ecclesiastes 9:5. For the living know that they must die. Mr. Piggott in giving his character designates him “an excellent minister of the gospel,” and adds,

“He was justly esteemed by all men of probity and good sense, who had the advantage of his acquaintance: for if one consider the Reverend Mr. Ewer in any relation while living, he was very desirable.

“He has distinguished himself for several years as an exemplary christian, whose piety towards God, and affability towards men, have recommended him to the esteem and approbation of all; being a pattern to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. He was a Nathaniel, an Israelite indeed, one who could not stoop to the little arts and disguises by which some people make their way in the world.

“He had a prudent and regular zeal for the glory of God, and the salvation of souls. He ever expressed a just indignation against sin, and pressed after the greatest degrees of holiness. He kept clear from the extremes of superstition and enthusiasm, believing that substantial religion did consist in a conformity to the moral perfections of the Godhead. ‘Hid moderation was remarkable and extensive, he followed the things which made for peace, and diffused the grateful odours of charity wherever he came. He was patient and submissive under the various trials and afflictions, to which he was exposed through the course of his life.

“And if we consider him in his public character as a Divine, he was well qualified with useful learning and ministerial gifts: a man vigilant, sober, and of good behaviour; given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient: not a broader, not covetous; one that ruled well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.”

And as this minister of Christ had a peculiar aptness to teach, so he was unwearied in his Master’s work; having the glory of God, and the interest of souls constantly at heart. The zeal of God’s house had eaten him up; he was constantly seeking of you and not yours: He coveted no man’s gold or silver; he was the farthest in the world from a little mercenary spirit: it was not the prospect of earthly gain, but the love of souls that engaged him in the ministerial work. He did forego that which he might have demanded, I mean the maintenance of himself and family: For no man is obliged to go a warfare at his own charge and the Apostle says, that Christ hath ordained that he that preaches the gospel should live of the gospel. Yet you are witnesses for your deceased pastor, that be always generously gave his labours; and yet that did not cause him to take less pains in the promoting of your salvation. But he studied diligently to shew himself approved, a workman who needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; and constantly, in the course of his ministry (as I am informed by those who attended it) he did insist upon the great and substantial truths contained in the Christian Revelation.

“If the sermons of your deceased pastor had not all the embellishments of language which some beast of, they had this peculiar advantage, to be full of solid Divinity; which, I think, is a much better character for a pulpit discourse, than to say it is full of pompous eloquence and flights of wit. The praise of this useful minister is in all the churches, where the knowledge of him hath reached. Here, indeed he lived, here he constantly preached; and I believe you will all own, that his life was an excellent sermon: for in that you may see the practicalness, and usefulness of relative duties. In him you might behold the manly tenderness of a loving husband, the melting compassion of a kind father, the generous freedom of a true friend, and the admirable qualifications of a faithful pastor. How did he exhort and reprove, and rebuke with all longsuffering and doctrine; meekly instructing those who opposed themselves! Did he not warn every man, night and day beseeching them with tears?

“Thus did he fulfil his ministry, having obtained mercy of the Lord to he faithful; always desiring that Christ might be magnified in his body, whether in life or death. For he accounted not his life dear to himself, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

“As to his particular behaviour during his last sickness, I am told by those who were nigh him, that he did not pass the time of his illness without some violent assaults from Satan: but it pleased the Lord to afford him speedy relief, and to make him more than a conqueror, when he considered his interest in the everlasting Covenant which is ordered in all things and sure. He had not only good hope through grace: but before he left this world he expressed his satisfaction and joy, that all his sins were pardoned, and that, that God whom he had served in the gospel would never leave him nor forsake him.

“His indisposition was but short; he was well and dead within the compass of seven days. He did not apprehend that he should die of his illness, till about two days before his death. His pain was so great that he feared to discourse but little; and when he drew near his end, he was sometimes delirious. Yet when he had the least interval, he expressed a very great concern for the church under his care, which he had fed and governed agreeably to the divine word. But he has done sowing in the church militant, and is gone to reap the fruit of his labours in the church triumphant. He is entered into that rest which remains for the people of God: he is fallen asleep in Jesus, having fought a good fight and finished his course and kept the faith. Death has closed his eyes and sealed up his lips till the first resurrection.”

Mr. Ewer left a widow and children who were affectionately addressed by Mr. Piggott at the close of his sermon. Some of his descendants are still remaining in the neighbourhood of Hampstead, and a great grandson is now a deacon of the church in Eagle Street, London.

Mr. Ewer, it appears, was a man of some learning. He wrote a reply to Mr. Edward Hitchin’s book, entitled, The Infant’s cause pleaded, cleared, and vindicated. He appears to have died just as he had finished the manuscript. It was, however, published after his death, and we have not heard it was ever answered.

An Address to the reader prefixed, is signed by Thomas Marsom, James Hardinge, John Ward, Matthew Dutton. The character these persons gave him fully corroborates the highly finished portrait of Mr. Piggott, as they conclude by saying, “His name and memory will be deservedly precious in the churches of Christ, not only in this but succeeding ages.”

We could willingly give large extracts from this very masterly performance, but content ourselves by giving the opinion of Mr. Thomas Davye of Leicester, in his “Treatise of Baptism” printed September 1788. Speaking of the Paedobaptist argument derived from circumcision, he says,

“Those who would wish to see more of what is said upon this argument, I refer to Mr. Ewer’s answer to Mr. Hitchin’s book, which argument is everlastingly shattered and refuted: and I must confess is done the best that I have seen of late in this kind, and our dissenting brethren can never possibly get over it.”

This work was translated into the Welch language, by the Rev. Joshua Thomas of Leominster, who wrote a preface to it, highly extolling, and warmly recommending it. The occasion of its translation was, that Mr. Hitchins’ book had been published in the Welch language. The Translators in their address to the reader having said, that till this was done Welch Paedobaptists had no arguments by which to oppose their opponents. Mr. Thomas shrewdly replied, that this declaration was a tacit acknowledgment that they were convinced the New Testament was not sufficient for the purpose.

The church at Hempstead still exists and is under the care at present of Mr. Liddon.