Early English Baptists' rejection of Mennonite doctrine

An article by James Garrett of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from the book Southern Baptist Identity: An Evangelical Denomination Faces the Future discusses a few of the many aspects of Mennonite doctrine rejected by the early English Baptists (not the least of which included the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which both English Baptists and Southern Baptists today strictly adhere to).

The fact needs to be noted that certain Mennonite teachings and practices, identifiably four, were specifically rejected by the early English Baptists. First, Baptists rejected the Anabaptist teaching that Christians ought not to serve as civil magistrates because they must use the sword...Second, Baptists rejected the Anabaptist teaching that Christians ought not to be soldiers but rather be nonresistant. Third, Baptists...rejected the Anabaptist teaching that Christians ought not to take civil oaths. Fourth...[they also rejected] the Mennonite practice of shunning those who have been excommunicated.(1)

In fact, attempting to distinguish and distance themselves from the Anabaptist movement, the First London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1644 provides the opening statement, "A confession of faith of seven congregations or churches of Christ in London, which are commonly, but unjustly, called Anabaptists." Southern Seminary professor of history Tom Nettles states that during the revolutionary period (1640-48), "many opponents were resurrecting and spreading scurrilous stories about the excesses of the lunatic fringe of Continental Anabaptists, and, by implication, they accused English Baptists of the same excesses."(2) The English Baptists desired desperately to separate themselves from the misnomer of the label of "Anabaptists" and their doctrine. They were a distinct entity, a movement that had a different source and going in another direction. There may be something to learn for us today within the Southern Baptist Convention from the pages of history as we struggle to not only pacify the turmoil within our ranks, but also, as we attempt to reclaim our identity from so long ago.

(1) Garrett, "The Roots of Baptist Beliefs," Southern Baptist Identity, pg. 150.
(2) Bush & Nettles, Baptists and the Bible, pg. 31.