Thomas Armitage 
History of the Baptists [PDF ebook] 
Traced by Their Vital Principles and Practices, From the Time of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the Year 1886

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The author has aimed, so far as in him lay, to command accuracy of statement with a style adapted to the common reader in our churches, thus especially reaching and interesting the young and making the work a reliable reference for all. A lamentable lack of intelligence exists amongst us in regard to our origin and principles as Baptists. This book is written for the purpose of putting within the reach of all such facts as shall inform them of their religious history and what it cost the fathers of our faith to defend the same.