Laurence, R.; Scott, William. Lay Baptism Invalid: to which is added Dissenters' Baptism null and void; With Additions and Illustrations, arranged and edited, by William Scott, M. A. London: James Burns, 1841. Reprinted from the Fourth Edition, 1723. [10429]
Blue cloth with printed paper spine label, spine faded, bottom of spine and short edge of board abraded with loss, joints good. 1852 church library bookplate, cliii., 256 clean pp., 4 pp catalogue. Title page in red and black. Good. Hardcover.
The 153 pp. of preliminary material includes the Editor's and Author's Prefaces; a Preliminary Discourse of the various Opinions of the Fathers concerning Rebaptisation and invalid Baptisms: with Remarks; and an Appendix to the Preliminary Discourse. This Fourth and last edition encompasses all of the additions made by Laurence in response to his critics.
Roger Laurence (1670-1736) was a merchant who had been baptized by Dissenters. His own study of theology led him to renounce that baptism, publish his studies of that sacrament, and become rebaptized in Christ Church, Newgate Street, in 1708. This act, and his book, gave rise to a controversy. Laurence was ordained deacon and priest in 1714, by the nonjuring bishop, George Hickes, and in 1733 was consecrated a bishop by Archibald Campbell. This act, because enacted by a single bishop, was not recognized by the rest of the nonjurors, and a new sect was born with Laurence and Campbell as principals.
"His collection of facts and references in support of his view on lay baptism is valuable." - DNB.
"An able and learned divine. Consecrated a bishop of the Nonjurors, 1733." - Darling.
