An Excellent And Judicious Divine: Nehemiah Coxe -- By: James M. Renihan

Journal: Reformed Baptist Theological Review
Volume: RBTR 04:2 (Jul 2007)
Article: An Excellent And Judicious Divine: Nehemiah Coxe
Author: James M. Renihan


An Excellent And Judicious Divine:
Nehemiah Coxe

James M. Renihan*

*James M. Renihan, Ph.D., is Dean of the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies (www.reformedbaptistinstitute.org/), Westminster Theological Seminary in California, Escondido, CA.

In God’s providence, many of His saints have lived and died without recognition or historical acclaim. The book of Hebrews, in chapter 11, summarizes the lives of believers from all ages who faithfully endured, looking not for earthly fame but for the promised reward. Only the Last Day will reveal the fullness of God’s workings among His elect. We are thankful for the historical record given to us, providing noble testimonies of those who demonstrated that the life of faith is the essence of godliness. Many are famous, most are obscure. Such is the case with Nehemiah Coxe. Perhaps the chief editor of the most famous Baptist Confession ever, his name is unrecognized by the majority of his theological heirs. Even the published editions of the 2nd LCF, when listing the names of the subscribers, make no mention of him. It is a pleasure to bring some attention to the work of God through this devoted servant of Jesus Christ.

The story of his life must begin with his father, Benjamin Coxe. Probably the son of a Church of England clergyman,1 Benjamin matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, in April 1609, when he was 14 years old. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Broadgates Hall, Oxford in June 1613, and his Master of Arts degree in June, 1617.2 He was appointed rector of the western village of Sampford Paverel, but at this point in his career his doctrinal convictions are unclear. W.T. Whitley notes that the high Presbyterian Thomas Edwards “twitted”

Coxe “for having been zealous concerning Laud’s innovations.”3 Whatever the truth of this allegation, by 1642 Coxe was defending a position not far from that of the Baptists in his pamphlet A Thesis or Position Concerning The Administering and Receiving Of The Lord’s Supper Cleared and Confirmed. The thesis of his argument is thus: “He who administers the Lord’s Supper to one who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, does therein commit a very grievous and hateful sin. The children of God must have no fellowship at all with this sin, but reprove it.”4 Clearly, Coxe was moving toward a Baptist view of the sacraments. It is only a small step from guarding the holiness of ...

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