1790 SAMUEL EYLES PIERCE. Important 383pp, 200,000 Unpublished MSs by Important Reformed Baptist Divine.

An absolutely exceptional piece of "Reformed" or "Calvinistic" Baptist history and a publication-worthy previously unknown expansive manuscript. 

Simple titled on the first leaf, The Rev’d Mr. Pierce’s Works, this 383 page, 200,000+ word unpublished manuscript contains 33 complete sermons entirely in the hand of one of the most deeply experimental Baptist divines of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Samuel Eyles Pierce [1746-1829].

A fascinating figure of the later Great Awakening, as a young man he was deeply influenced by the writings of Philip Doddridge and George Whitefield and was a frequent attender upon the ministry of William Romaine. Prefiguring his later repeated accusations of anti-nomianism [as all the full-throated Calvinists were called] even in the early days, the names of John Wesley and Methodism made him hold his nose and sneer. Early in life, while thinking through his theology, he had written to Wesley, asking for guidance. He found him to be "not of his opinion." There would be written and verbal hostility between early Methodists and Pierce throughout his career.

Sensing a call to preach the Gospel, he entered the Countess of Huntington's College at Trefeca in 1775. He was apparently challenging student and seems to have effected the general tenor of the student body, perhaps by his intent on winning over all the Arminians running around and siding with the accused antinomian, James Hervey, at every side. The Countess and he seem to have come to an understanding, and he was sent to become the Minister at Gainsborough. They also ran him out as an hyper-calvinist [i.e. antinomian]. Over the next few years, he returned to preach for the Countess of Hungtindon often, became one of her itinerant preachers, and seems to have remained on good terms with her Ladyship. 

In 1783, he was settled at the Dissenting chapel at Truro, near the famed Samuel Walker. Here he hoped to find his long-term home. The church grew quickly, he was married in 1784, and everything seemed to be going along well. Until, you guessed it, in roughly 1796 his church charged him with antinomianism. His wife agreed with the charges and both the church and his wife withdrew their support for his ministry. He was removed. So he took up the itineracy again, preaching on a regular circuit from Cornwall to London, and gaining rather accute popularity. The gathering in London is said to have suffered no one else to preach while he was absent, only reading aloud Pierce's sermons on his Sundays elsewhere. 

This led to his final and most important move [1805]. A new chapel was built for him in London, where he would spend the rest of his life preaching the Gospel as he understood it to be, that of the full, free, unmerited, and unsought grace of the Triune God in Christ. He published sermons, which were distributed widely, books, and expositions. He also assisted in contributing to and editing Calvinistic Baptist periodicals and publications, and became one of the leading men among that Baptists in the generation after John Gill and preceding Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

After his death, his reputation only grew.

Spurgeon said that his writings, in regular print throughout the 19th century, were ". . . full of spiritual power and unction." And that Pierce, ". . . loved the deep things of God, and wrote upon them in a gracious manner.” Spurgeon quoted and refers to Pierce with regularity in his Treasury of David. 

It is recorded of Robert Hawker, that on a visit to London to preach, he had been accosted by a gentleman on his leaving St. Ann’s, Blackfriars,. He lamented Hawker's return home. The Doctor replied, “My dear sir, I shall not take away the Gospel with me.” “Where,” said the person, “would you advise me to go and hear it?” The Doctor rejoined, “Go and hear Mr. Pierce, at Shoe Lane. Not that I mean to put myself on a level with that man of God. Still, I hope I am hobbling after him, though at a great distance.”

His memoirs were compiled and edited by Andrew Fuller [1831] and became a biographical and devotional classic of the 19th century among Gospel Standard Baptists. 

As there seem to be references to his period of ministry in Truro, we would suggest dating the sermons to the earlier period of his ministry, from which little has been printed. 

The document, entirely in his hand, is full of the same spiritual fervor and full views of the Gospel of Grace as others published, including certain phrases or ideas that were nearly idiomatic with him, for instance, on one page, he quotes his early influence, William Romaine, referring to him as “holy Romaine” [p.248]. This is the same moniker he applied to Romaine in his printed sermon, The Death of Christ. A Complete Atonement Provided for the Sins of the Elect [p.6.], etc. 

A full account of the sermons below.:

Sermon 1. Matthew 14.30, 31.

But when he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid and beginning to sink, he cried saying, Lord save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hands and caught him up and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14,30, 31.

Sermon 2. John 14.16.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14.16.

Sermon 3. Romans 6.11.

Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6.11

Sermon 4. Luke 22.31, 32.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift thee as wheat; But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22.31, 32.

Sermon 5. 2 Timothy 1.12.

For the which cause I also suffer these things, nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1.12.

Sermon 6. Romans 11.33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out! Romans 11.33.

Sermon 7. Exodus 33.18.

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. Exodus 33.18.

Sermon 8. John 17.24.

Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me; for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world. John 17.24.

Sermon 9. Isaiah 27.2, 3.

In that day sing ye unto her, a vineyard of red wine, I the Lord do keep it. I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it. I will keep it night and day. Isaiah 27.2, 3.

Sermon 10. Romans 8.6.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8.6

Sermon 11. 2 Chronicles 3.12, 13.

And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto Him; and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God. 2 Chronicles 3.12, 13.

Sermon 12. Zechariah 13.9

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined. And will try them as gold is tried. They shall call upon my name and I will hear them. I will say it is my people; and they shall say the Lord is my God. Zechariah 13.9.

Sermon 13. Genesis 49.19.

Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last. Genesis 49.19.

Sermon 14. The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, the Subject of Paul’s Preaching to the Gentiles.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all the saints, is this grace given that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3.8.

Sermon 15. The Saints and Children of the Most High God will bear the Image of the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, by Having at their Resurrection from the Grave of Death Spiritual Bodies fashioned like to His Glorious Body.

The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As it is earthy, such are they also that are earthy. And as is the heavenly, such are they also which are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 1 Corinthians 15.47-49.

Sermon 16. On the Birth, Gift, Names, Throne, Kingdom, and Increase and Peace of Messiah and his Principality of Grace.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called wonderful, counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even for ever; the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9. 6, 7.

Sermon 17. On the Finishing the Temple built by Solomon, Setting the Furniture of it with Proper Form and Place, Opening it with Solemn, Costly, and Magnificent Sacrifices, with God’s Testimony of Approbation by the Cloud of Glory which Came Down on the House and Filled it, as a Prefiguration of Christ’s Incarnation and Filling the Temple of His Body with all the Fulness of the Godhead.

It came even to pass as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lift up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good, for his Mercy endureth forever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the Priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. 2 Chronicles 5.13, 14.

Sermon 18. 1 Corinthians 11.16

For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 1 Corinthians 11.16

MSs Copy of Augustus Toplady’s hymn, It is Finished in four stanzas. Also an MSs copy of the hymn, The Lord our Righteousness by Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf in an unusual form with 11 stanzas and noting Toplady as translator rather than John Wesley. This is then followed by a 5 stanza hymn, apparently original by Pierce, and seemingly unpublished. And then a further MSs copy of a hymn by John Mason, i.e. The Hymn of the Pearl.

The unpublished hymn as follows.

And shall my troubles weigh me down
And I forget the sparkling crown
Prepared for me above?
Tho now my troubles press me close
My troubles soon shall be o’er
And I be filled with love.

Might I be glad, amidst them all
My conflicts cannot make me fall
While Jesus is my God
Tho grievous to the flesh they be
Yet for some good their sent to me
Resign’d I’ll kiss the rod.

With Jesus’ Sovereign power is found
He governs all the world around
And orders all things well.
Each raging wave the Lord commands
He says, “Thus far” and there it stands
And hushes all the swell.

Tho’ yet the waves with fury beat
Soon shall they fall beneath my feet
Soon as he says “thus far”
Speak the word, let trials cease
And all within be joy and peace
And all be comfort there.

Yet not my will if trials be
Wisely appointed, Lord by thee
O keep me quite resign’d
Be this my prayer, thy will be done
Thy will, O Lord alone!
So breathes my peaceful mind.

Sermon 19. Christ Jesus the Saviour of Sinners.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1.15.

Sermon 20. The Whole Duty of Christianity.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12.13.

Sermon 21. On the Ground and Objects of Faith.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4.40.

Sermon 22. Sin is the Devil’s Work. A Hint Concerning the Originality of His Fall, and what His First Sin Consisted In. The Incarnation of the Son of God, [and] the Destruction of his [i.e. Satan’s] Empire.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3.8.

[See sermon 39 from his Exposition of the First Epistle of John, 1835, on the same text and with significant overlap].

Sermon 23. The Hundred and Third Psalm.

Sermon 24. Matthew 14.36.

And as many as tuched [sic] him were made perfectly whole. Matthew 14.36

Sermon 25. Psalm 136.16.

To Him which led his people through the wilderness, for his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 136.16.

Sermon 26. A Funeral Sermon.

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. I Corinthians 15.31.

Sermon 27. Christ’s Coronation.

Go forth O ye daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals and in the day of the gladness of his heart. Song of Solomon 3.11.

Sermon 28. On the Blotting Out of Sin.

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins: return unto me for I have redeemed thee. Isaiah 44.22.

Sermon 29. The Legality, Unbelief, and Self-Righteousness of the Heart Opened and Discovered.

Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord! Luke 5.8

Sermon 30. God’s Method of Proving to His People the Evil of their Hearts.

Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to enquire of the wonder done in the Lond, God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 2 Chronicles 32.31

Sermon 31. On Regeneration.

Jesus answered and said unti him, verily, I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God. John 3.3

Sermon 32. On the Atonement.

It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17.11

Sermon 33. Christ’s Doctrine to his Disciples Concerning their Self-Denial.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16.24

Also included throughout are a few miscellaneous notes of a later date from someone who owned the sermons MSs and was using it as devotional reading. These include devotional asides in another hand, encouragements to read a particular sermon as it was thought to be of excellent spiritual substance, etc., 

Highly legible, the first few leaves are loose with minor losses, generally not impacting the sense of the text. Handled, with occasional wear. House in original vellume with boards detached and spine cover absent.