For several years past there has been a lecture at Devonshire-square, on a Lord's-day evening, conducted by a number of ministers of different denominations. The Wednesday evening lecture, formerly at Great-Eastcheap, being removed to this place, was preached some years by Mr. Swain, who had a crouded audience; and after his death by Dr. Jenkins. The church in Devonshire-square is one of those that constitute the Particular Baptist fund, for the relief of poor ministers and churches, in England, Wales, &c.

The following is a list of the pastors and assistants in the church at Devonshire-square, from the origin of the Society to the present time:

itat 50.

Anno, 1667.

From an original Painting.

In the Possession of the Rev Rich Frost, Dunmow

DEVONSHIRE-SQUARE.-Particular Baptist.

WILLIAM KIFFIN.-This celebrated person, who made so distinguished a figure among the Anti-Podobaptists of the seventeenth century, was, probably, a native of London, and born about the year 1616. The family of the Kiffins appears to have come originally from Wales, where the name signifies a borderer. He had the misfortune to lose his parents at an early age; for it having pleased God to visit the metropolis with a dreadful plague in 1625, they were swept away by that dismal calamity, which proved nearly fatal to himself. Having six plague-boils upon his body, nothing but death was looked for; nevertheless, he wonderfully recovered. Being left an orphan at nine years of age, he was taken under the care of such friends as remained alive; who possessing themselves of the property left him by his parents, and afterwards failing, only a small part was recovered by Mr. Kiffin.+

In 1629, he was put apprentice to John Lilburn, of turbulent memory, who, during the reign of Charles the First, followed the profession of a brewer, in London; but after the commencement of the civil war, obtained a colonel's commission in the parliament's service. At this time, young Kiffin had no sense of religion upon his mind. Growing melancholy upon a view of his outward condition, he resolved to leave his master; and accomplished his intention early one morning, being then fifteen years of age. Wandering about the streets of London, he happened to pass by St. Antholin's church, and seeing some people go in, he followed them. The preacher was Mr. Foxley, who, discoursing upon the fifth commandment, unfolded the duty of servants to masters. This was so applicable to the case of young Kiffin, as to create his astonishment. He thought the preacher knew, and addressed him personally. The effect was, that

• Noble's Memoirs of the House of Cromwell, vol. ii. p. 454.

+ MS. Account of Mr. Kiffin's Life, communicated by one of his descendants.

DEVONSHIRE-SQUARE.—Particular Baptist.

Kiffin returned immediately to his master, before his absence was discovered.*

The impression made upon his mind by this discourse made him resolve to attend the preaching of the Puritans. Accordingly, soon afterwards, he went to hear Mr. Norton, who was the morning-preacher at the same place. His text was Isa. lvii. 18. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked; from which he took occasion to shew what true peace was, and that no man could obtain it without an interest in Jesus Christ: "which sermon (says Mr. Kiffin) took very great impression on my heart, being convinced I had not that peace, and how to obtain an interest in Christ Jesus I knew not; which occasioned great perplexity in my soul. I every day saw myself more and more sinful, and vile. Pray, I could not, nor believe in Jesus Christ I could not, and thought myself shut up in unbelief; and, although I desired to mourn under the sense of my sin, yet I saw there was no proportion suitable to that evil nature which I found working strongly in my soul. I only took up resolutions to attend upon the most powerful preaching, which accordingly I did; by means of which, I found some relief (many times) from the sense of a possibility that, notwithstanding my sinful state, I might at last obtain mercy. I took up resolutions to leave sin; and, although to will was present sometimes, yet, how to perform I had no power."+

After some time, he went to hear Mr. Davenport, in Coleman-street. His subject was, 1 John, i. 7. And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. From which he shewed the efficacy of the blood of Christ both to pardon, and cleanse from sin, answering many objections that the unbelieving heart of man would raise against that full satisfaction, which Jesus Christ has made for sinners: Many of which (says Mr. Kiffin) I found to be