282 LIVES OF TIIE PURITANS. filthy prisons, and continual temptations, being ruined in their estates, and many of them never coming out till death.". This was a bold protestation against the illegal and iniquitous proceedings of the ruling prelates, and a noble stand in defence ofreligious liberty. For making theabove generous principles the foundation of their practice, they were grievously harassed in the ecclesiastical courts ; when their goods were seized, and they were many years confined in loathsome jails, being deprived of their wives, children and friends, till the Lord was pleased to release some of them by death. Mr. Helwisse had his share in these barbarous oppressions. Beinga leading person among the nonconformists of the baptist persuasion, lie felt the inhuman cruelties of the spiritual rulers, but went forwards, as he had opportunity, with courage and success. He died most probably about the year 1620.t THOMAS Wsasoa.-This learned and pious divine was many years minister of St. George's church, Canterbury; one of the six preachers in that city, chaplain to Lord Wotton. and a man of high reputation. Hewas a person deservedly famous in his time, preaching regularly three times, and occasionally every day, in theweek. Hewas a hard student, endowed with a healthy constitution and a strong memory. As his gifts were more than ordinary, sa were his trials. He had to contend with open enemies, false teachers, and notorious heretics, against whom he boldly defended the truth, detecting andrefuting their errors. He was troubled with certain false brethren, who secretly endeavoured to promote his ruin ; but the Lord delivered him out of their hands. He was once complained of to Archbishop Abbot, for nonconformity ; but, through the kind interference and endeavours of Lord Wotton, he escaped the snare. He used to say, " That so long as idolatry is publicly tolerated in the land, public judgments will not cease." His great concern for The welfare of his flock was manifest by his frequent preaching, expounding, and catechising, for a great number of years. Nor was he unmindful of them on his deathbed. With his dying breath, he charged Dr. Jackson, his chief patron, as lie would answer the same at the bar of God, that he would Crosby's Baptists, vol. isp. 126, 127. 1- Ibid. p. 273-276.
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