The Life And Ministry Of Thomas Patient
Joseph Ivimey, “A History Of The English Baptists”, Vol 2:
He was for some time an Independent minister in America, where he embraced the principles of the Baptists. The consequence of this was, that he was violently persecuted and opposed by the Independents, who as little understood the principles of religious liberty, as those by whose opposition they had been obliged not long before to leave England. Returning to England, about 1640, he became the colleague of Mr. Kiffin, and signed the Confession of Faith, of the seven churches; and travelled with him through the country. Crosby says, he went with General Fleetwood into Ireland. This we suppose was in consequence of au order of Parliament, March 12, 1649, viz.
“to send over six able ministers to preach in Dublin, and to have £200 per annum apiece out of Bishops, and Deans, and Chapters lands in Ireland. And in the mean time, the Lord Lieutenant to take care that it be paid out of the public Revenue, and if any of those ministers die of that service in Ireland, that the Parliament will make competent provision for their wives and children.”
Dr. Winter being removed, Mr. Patient generally preached in the Cathedral in Dublin. In this station he appears to have been associated with Mr. Christopher Blackwood; but was frequently employed in itinerating up and down the country. He signed the letters sent from Ireland to the churches in England and Wales as the minister of a church in Dublin in 1653. It is said he had great success in that land of superstition, and that many were baptized by him:
Crosby supposes he was an instrument of raising the church at Cloughkeating, which in 1740 was a church of between two and three hundred members, and in which general and particular baptists were united without distinction. In Dublin he was the Chaplain of Colonel John Jones, who married the sister of Oliver Cromwell, and was one of the lords of the other house. Mr. Patient was such a favourite with this officer, that he appointed him to preach before him and the council in Christ-church, Dublin, every Sunday. The change which took place in Ireland at the Restoration, led Mr. Patient and his brethren to return to England. Some time after his return he was settled at the Pithay-meeting, Bristol, with Mr. Henry Hynam, and Mr. Andrew Gifford. But leaving this he came to London, where he was chosen to the office of joint-elder with Mr. Kiffin, and was set apart in Devonshire Square, June 28, 1666, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Knollys, assisting upon the occasion. In this office, however, he was not suffered to continue long by reason of death, as appears by the following memorandum in the church books of the Society.
“July 30, 1666, Thomas Patient, was on the 29th instant discharged by death, from his work and office, he being then taken from the evil to come; and having rested from all his labours, leaving a blessed savour behind him of his great usefulness and sober conversation. This his sudden removal being looked upon to be his own great advantage, but the church’s sore loss. On this day he was carried to his grave, accompanied by the members of this and other congregations, in a christian, comely and decent manner.”
Mr, Patient published nothing excepting a piece in Quarto on the subject of baptism.
Thomas Patient (?-1666) was a Particular Baptist preacher. He served a short time alongside William Kiffin and was one of the signatories of the 1644 Baptist Confession of Faith. After ministering several years in Ireland, he returned to London in 1666 and was appointed co-pastor with William Kiffin of the church meeting at Devonshire Square. He died one month later.
