The Christian's duty and confidence in times of public calamity

The Christian's duty and confidence in times of public calamity. Being several discourses occasioned by the late dreadful earthquakes and the apprehensions of a French war.

This work by Wallin can be downloaded here.

The Redeemer's Charge against his Declining Churches

 One of Wallin's works has been republished in e-form and can be accessed through this link.

Frontispiece Wallin's Funeral Sermon for Samuel James

John MacGowan

One of Wallin's last works was a sermon on the decease of John Macgowan (1726–1780). In 1774 Wallin had preached the sermon at the funeral of MacGowan's sixteen year old only daughter, Elizabeth. He was a Baptist minister and author born and educated in Edinburgh, where he was apprenticed as a weaver but who subsequently settled in Bridge Street, Warrington, as a baker.

He had early become a Wesleyan and in Warrington joined the Methodist movement as a preacher. At a later period he was attracted by the Independents, but finally joined the Particular Baptists. He ministered at the old baptist chapel at Hill Cliff, near Warrington, and then at Bridgnorth, Salop.

In September 1766 he became pastor of the old Baptist meeting-house in Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, London, opened by William Kiffin in 1687. Here he remained until his death.

His preaching, Calvinistic tone, became popular. His congregation were typically artisans. On its behalf he signed the petition of the Protestant Association of London, in the prelude to the Gordon Riots.

In failing health, he administered the sacrament for the last time on 12 November 1780, and died 25 November. He was buried in Bunhill Fields. He left a widow (his second wife Mary) and four sons.

Macgowan was a caustic controversial writer, who used allegory in devotional works. His books went through many editions in London, the North of England and America. Several were published under pseudonyms such as "The Shaver" and "Pasquin Shaveblock". His major work, Infernal Conferences, or Dialogues of Devils, by the Listener, London, 1772, 2 vols. may have been suggested by The Dialogues of the Dead (London, 1760) of George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton.

List of works at PRDL

See here for a list of Wallin's works

• The ancient believers transition from mortality to life, a sermon occasioned by the decease of H. Munn (1779)
• A charge and sermon together with an introductory discourse and confession of faith: delivered at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Abraham Booth Feb.16, 1769, in Goodman's Fields ... (G. Keith; J. Buckland, W. Harris; B. Tomkins; J. Gurney, 1769)
• The church an habitation of God, through the Spirit: a sermon (1774)
• The eternal existence of the Lord Jesus Christ considered and improved: A sermon, the substance of which was lately delivered at a monthly association, in Grafton-Street, near the Seven-Dials. (author; and sold by J. Buckland; E. and C. Dilly; G. Keith and E. Gardiner; and B. Tomkins, 1766)
• God's relation to the faithful after their decease, a proof of their present life, and future resurrection. A sermon occasioned by the death of Mr. Thomas Wildman, who departed this life, June 25, 1754. (George Keith, and Bedwell Law, 1754)
• Lectures on primitive Christianity in doctrine, experience, worship, discipline and manners: as it appeared in the church at Jerusalem in the time of the Apostles; also on the epistle to the church at Sardis and on the faithful in the days of Malachi, interspersed with notes, reflections, and addresses with a view to awaken a becoming zeal for the communion of saints, in order and love (London : author, 1768)
• Lectures on primitive Christianity: in doctrine, experience, worship, discipline and manners, as it appeared in the church at Jerusalem, in the time of the apostles. Also on the epistle to the church at Sardis. And on the faithful in the days of Malachi. Interspersed with notes, reflections, and ... (John Boggs, Jun. by Bonsal and Niles, 1801) GB Lectures on primitive Christianity.. (1801)
• The Popular Concern in the Choice of Representatives: A Sermon Delivered ... October 9, 1774. By Benjamin Wallin, ... (author; and sold, 1774) 
• The Redeemer's charge against his declining churches : exemplified in the case of the church of Ephesus .. (London : J. Ward, 1748)