A fascinating sermon from a Seventh Day Baptist preached during the middle years of the Great Awakening. In it, he argues that "authority," by which he means teachers, doctrine, historical orthodoxy, etc., has an important but limited place in the life of the Church, especially as it involves the initial act of conversion and in building the faith of the believer. These he argues belong to religious experiences of God's presence by the Spirit of God, strong impressions in the soul directly from God, and even miracles. 

Samuel Stennett [1727-1795] was a third generation Baptist pastor from an unusually prominent Baptist family who were friends with the Crown. George III had offered him political preferments, but he chose to be counted with the people of God and instead used his relationships in the government to obtain important rights for dissenting and non-conforming ministers and congregations. He also obtained a D.D. It is touching to see a minister of such social and educational prominence urging so strongly for the simplicity of a heart moved by the Spirit to love and appreciate the Christ.

He was also a hymn-writer, now best remembered for the camp-meeting and revivalist song, On Jordan's Stormy Banks. 

Stennett, Samuel. The Various Use of Authority and Experience in Matters of Religion. A Sermon Preached to the Ministers and Messengers of Several Associated Churches at the Rev. Mr. Francis's Meeting-place in Horsley in the County of Glocester 13 June 1764. London. Printed for J. Buckland, etc. 1764. 56pp.

Textually complete and clean, though essentially disbound. Very scarce.