It is difficult to envision how such an event could happen, but the Reverend Thomas Patient, after coming from England to the “Land of the Free,” was forced to return to Great Britain because of religious persecution. But let us consider the phenomenon.
Thomas Patient was born in England, and it is thought that he was educated either at Oxford or Cambridge. After becoming a Congregational minister, he immigrated to America. Meeting those who professed Baptist convictions, Patient re-examined the Scriptures pertinent to baptism. He concluded that “infants’ baptism had no foundation in Scripture.” The Pilgrims had come to America to gain the right to worship according to the dictates of their own conscience, but the persecution that the Reverend Thomas Patient experienced caused him to return to his native land. We are then reminded again that religious freedom was little known in the early days of the American colonies.
Returning to England, Patient served as co-pastor with the Reverend William Kiffin in London in 1640. Patient was one of the Baptist leaders who signed the Particular Baptist’s Confession of Faith, which was put forth by seven Baptist churches in London in 1644. He has been spoken of as one “of the most prominent Baptists of those times.”
The English Parliament voted to appoint six ministers to preach in Dublin, Ireland, and the Reverend Patient accepted one of those appointments. His gift as an eloquent speaker made him a favorite, and he spoke to large audiences. He acted as chaplain for Colonel John Jones in Dublin. The colonel, who was actually the governor of Dublin, requested Patient to preach each Lord’s Day in the Council of Dublin, and thus the aristocracy of the Anglo-Irish society heard a living gospel. From correspondence it is clear that Patient was personally acquainted with Oliver Cromwell during the British Commonwealth.
Patient baptized a large group in Dublin, and it is believed he founded the first Baptist church allowing the Reformation in Ireland. He apparently assisted in the establishment of the Baptist church at Cloughkeating. All the members of the congregation were tried for their lives, and his foreman of the jury vowed that all would be found guilty. But in the providence of God, the foreman died, and all the congregation was acquitted. Because he was willing to accept government remuneration for preaching, it is evident that the Baptists of London distanced themselves from Patient, but to him is ascribed the honor of building the first Baptist meeting house in Ireland.
After such a noteworthy and varied life, the man of God fell asleep in Jesus on July 30, 1666, having administered faithful service to His Savior in the New World as well as in England and Ireland. His Baptist conviction of immersion had cost him dearly, but the Lord honored his faithful servant.
Dr. Mike Rouse
What to do:
✞ Trust in God with all your heart no matter what you are going through.
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