THE EXCELLENT BENJAMIN KEACH
By Austin Walker
Joshua Press. 400 pages. £28.99
ISBN 978 1 894 400 633
Benjamin Keach (1640–1704) was one of the key Particular (Reformed, Calvinistic) Baptist leaders in England in the 17th century, and thus one of the forefathers of this global movement today.
He was an advocate of the laying on of hands straight after baptism (for the increase of the Spirit’s work in the believer), a staunch defender of justification by faith against the Neonomianism of Richard Baxter (good on yer), and the one who, more than any other, introduced congregational hymn-singing (as distinct from Psalm-singing) into English church life. He also suffered for his faith during the Restoration period (1660–1689) and was a man of courage, faith, love, humility and genuine piety.
