– Written by Michael A. G. Azad Haykin
– A concise study of a holy, heartfelt, and confessional churchman
– The inaugural lecture of the Reformed Baptist Study Centre
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Samuel Pearce’s ministry lasted scarcely a decade, yet his holy character, affectionate preaching and doctrinal faithfulness left a deep impression upon the Particular Baptists of his day.
In this concise historical and theological study, Michael A. G. Azad Haykin introduces readers to the man remembered by his contemporaries as “the Seraphic Pearce.” Drawing upon Andrew Fuller’s celebrated memoir, William Jay’s personal recollections, Pearce’s correspondence and his surviving writings, Haykin traces Pearce’s conversion, preparation for ministry and fruitful pastorate at Cannon Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.
Particular attention is given to the two great concerns that shaped Pearce’s spirituality: his love for God, grounded in the sovereign grace revealed at the cross, and his love for the lost. His devotion to Christ found expression in earnest preaching, evangelistic labour, support for foreign missions and a remarkable concern for the advance of the gospel beyond Britain.
Haykin also outlines how Pearce was a confessional Churchman. He contended for sound doctrine within the Midland Baptist Association, and in his circular letter, The Doctrine of Salvation by Free Grace Alone, Pearce directed readers to the 1677/1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, reminding them of the free grace of God in the justification of sinners.
More than a brief biography, this booklet presents Pearce as an example of warm-hearted, Christ-centred and evangelistic Particular Baptist piety. It invites contemporary Christians—and especially pastors—to consider what it means for sound theology, personal holiness and love for souls to belong together.
Originally delivered as the inaugural lecture of the Reformed Baptist Study Centre at Trinity Grace Church, Ramsbottom, on 23 June 2026, the booklet includes an introduction by Robert Strivens and is published in partnership with the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies.
Samuel Pearce was born in Plymouth on 20 July 1766 and raised in a devout Baptist home. Although he turned away from that upbringing during his youth, he was converted in 1782 through the preaching of Isaiah Birt. He was baptized upon his seventeenth birthday, and his gifts for Christian ministry were soon recognized by his church.
After studying at Bristol Baptist Academy, Pearce became pastor of Cannon Street Particular Baptist Church in Birmingham. He formally accepted the pastorate in 1790 and remained there until his death in 1799. During those years, 335 people were baptized and received into the church’s membership, in addition to others converted through his wider preaching ministry.
Pearce was closely associated with Andrew Fuller, William Carey and the missionary movement that arose among the Particular Baptists at the close of the eighteenth century. Although illness prevented him from undertaking missionary service himself, he worked energetically to support the spread of the gospel and retained a deep concern for people in Ireland, France and further afield.
His friends remembered him for his tender preaching, unaffected humility, theological conviction and extraordinary devotion to Christ. The title “Seraphic Pearce” reflected the spiritual warmth and heavenly-mindedness that seemed to characterize both his ministry and personal fellowship. He died on 10 October 1799 at only thirty-three years of age, but his life continued to influence generations through Andrew Fuller’s widely read memoir of him.
It is a concise study of the life, theology and spirituality of Samuel Pearce, an eighteenth-century Particular Baptist pastor known for his Christ-centred preaching and love for the lost.
Pearce preached the gospel with tenderness, urgency and a heartfelt concern for lost sinners. William Jay said that, when imagining Christ as a preacher, Pearce came to mind more often than any other minister.
Samuel Pearce was a Particular Baptist. Throughout his ministry he looked to the Baptist Confession of Faith 1677/1689 as a most helpful and excellent subordinate doctrinal standard. In The Doctrine of Salvation by Free Grace Alone, he directed readers to the Confession of Faith to defend defend God’s free grace in the justification of sinners.
The name reflected the unusually warm, tender and heavenly character that his contemporaries observed in his preaching and personal life. His friends regarded him as an outstanding example of Christian spirituality.
Pearce emphasized salvation entirely by sovereign grace, justification through Christ alone and the sufficiency of Christ’s work upon the cross. His theology was confessional, evangelical and firmly rooted in the Particular Baptist tradition.
Two concerns stand out: supreme love for God and an earnest love for those without Christ. These convictions shaped his preaching, pastoral work, evangelism and support for foreign missions.
Pearce belonged to the same circle as Andrew Fuller and William Carey and worked vigorously to advance the missionary cause. He preached at important missionary meetings, raised support and considered opportunities for gospel work overseas.
Michael A. G. Azad Haykin is Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the founder and executive director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies and has written extensively on Baptist history and spirituality.
The Centre exists to strengthen the church’s understanding of Scripture, history and theology within the confessional Reformed Baptist tradition. This booklet began as the lecture delivered at its formal launch in June 2026.
It will be especially valuable for pastors, theological students, readers of Baptist history and Christians seeking an example of how doctrinal conviction, personal holiness and evangelistic zeal can be united.
This is a 32-page stapled booklet measuring approximately 119 × 190 mm, with a matte-finished cover. It is printed in the United Kingdom.
| Partners | Reformed Baptist Study Centre; Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies |
|---|---|
| Title | The Seraphic Samuel Pearce: The Piety and Theology of a Particular Baptist Pastor |
| Author | Michael A. G. Azad Haykin |
| Dimensions | 190 x 119 mm |
| Pages | 32 |
| Format | Paperback booklet |
| ISBN | 9781917873215 |
