Williams Stokes on Creeds (1855)

William Stokes, a Baptist from the mid-19th century, wrote,

"It is sufficiently suspicious that the only public bodies that have opposed themselves to the employment of Creeds have been those of the Arian and Socinian schools, with others, or portions of others, of a kindred theology. With the exception of some few excellent individuals from among the orthodox, . . . [avoiding creeds] has been confined to members of these several schools. But who are the most to be admired,--those who, conscious of honest sincerity and a thorough love of truth, declare openly the great principles of their faith;--or those who surround their profession with this mysterious reserve, and who in too many instances lead along an unknown path until it is too late to escape from the gloomy labyrinth? The advantages of an open-hearted honesty in a matter of such a moment, are far too great to be bartered for the dry sentimentality of the Arian, or the frigid, genteel, but Christless morality of the Socinian part; and when it is remembered that our forefathers set the example with bonds, imprisonment, and death, as the penalty of their fidelity; surely it is not too much to expect that we rigidly adhere to a pattern so noble."

William Stokes, The History of the Midland Association of Baptist Churches, from its Rise in the Year 1655 to 1855 (London: R. Theobald, Paternobter Row, 1855), 15.

Williams Stokes on Creeds (1855)

William Stokes, a Baptist from the mid-19th century, wrote,

"It is sufficiently suspicious that the only public bodies that have opposed themselves to the employment of Creeds have been those of the Arian and Socinian schools, with others, or portions of others, of a kindred theology. With the exception of some few excellent individuals from among the orthodox, . . . [avoiding creeds] has been confined to members of these several schools. But who are the most to be admired,--those who, conscious of honest sincerity and a thorough love of truth, declare openly the great principles of their faith;--or those who surround their profession with this mysterious reserve, and who in too many instances lead along an unknown path until it is too late to escape from the gloomy labyrinth? The advantages of an open-hearted honesty in a matter of such a moment, are far too great to be bartered for the dry sentimentality of the Arian, or the frigid, genteel, but Christless morality of the Socinian part; and when it is remembered that our forefathers set the example with bonds, imprisonment, and death, as the penalty of their fidelity; surely it is not too much to expect that we rigidly adhere to a pattern so noble."

William Stokes, The History of the Midland Association of Baptist Churches, from its Rise in the Year 1655 to 1855 (London: R. Theobald, Paternobter Row, 1855), 15.