Isaac Backus

A Letter to the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Lord 1764 Backus responds to ministerial criticism regarding baptism, church membership, and ministry qualifications, defending Baptist ecclesiastical principles. → A Fish Caught in His Own Net 1768 Backus exposes logical contradictions in arguments opposing religious liberty, using satire to defend Baptist principles and ecclesiastical independence. → A Seasonable Plea for Liberty of Conscience 1770 Backus defends liberty of conscience as a fundamental Christian right, opposing religious coercion and state-mandated ecclesiastical compliance. → The Doctrine of Sovereign Grace Opened and Vindicated 1771 Backus reconciles divine sovereignty with human moral responsibility, arguing that declaring God's sovereignty and human inability need not diminish Gospel urgency. → A Discourse Concerning the Materials, Manner of Building, and Power of Organizing of the Church of Christ 1773 Backus clarifies church composition, organization, and the boundaries between civil and ecclesiastical authority, addressing separation and responding to ministerial critics. → An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty 1773 Backus appeals for religious freedom and separation of church and state, arguing against compulsory religious taxation and state ecclesiastical authority. → A History of New England, Vol. 1 1777 First volume of comprehensive Baptist church history of New England from creation through 1777, documenting denominational development. → Government and Liberty Described; and Ecclesiastical Tyranny Exposed 1778 Backus distinguishes civil and ecclesiastical government, exposing ecclesiastical tyranny and justifying separation from state-controlled religious institutions. → Policy, as Well as Honesty, Forbids the Use of Secular Force in Religious Affairs 1779 Backus contends that secular force in religious matters violates both Christian principle and practical policy, undermining genuine faith and social order. → An Appeal to the People of the Massachusetts State, Against Arbitrary Power 1780 Backus appeals to Massachusetts citizens against arbitrary governmental power in religious matters, defending Baptist independence and conscience rights. → Truth Is Great, and Will Prevail 1781 Backus affirms the ultimate triumph of religious truth over persecution, encouraging Baptist resistance to state-imposed religious conformity. → A Church History of New England, Vol. 2 1784 Second volume of New England Baptist church history covering 1690 to 1784, continuing denominational historical narrative. → The Nature and Necessity of an Internal Call to Preach the Everlasting Gospel 1792 Backus distinguishes genuine Gospel ministers from deceivers through internal calling marks, establishing criteria for authentic ministerial authority and legitimacy. → A Church History of New England, Vol. 3 1796 Third volume of New England Baptist church history extending from 1783 to 1796, completing the denominational historical record. →