JEFFERY. S87 Which, with very little variation, continued many years, and some of them were very respectable interests. The great object of this constant and faithful labourer was to preach, and establish the fundamental truths of the gospel, without entering upon points of controversy and matters of mere speculation. He was very zealous in maintaining the love of God; a vigorous and successful promoter of the interests of the baptists ; and one who suffered much with great patience and pleasure in his Master's cause. He had several disputa- tions with the episcopalians, the independents, and quakers'. With the last, he and Mr. Matthew Coffin had several con- tests. He was author of a piece entitled, " The whole Faith of Man; being the Gospel declared in plainness, as it is in Jesus, and the way thereof, of old confirmed by divers signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost," second editipn, printed in 1659. The following anecdote is related of Mr. Jeffery's congre- gation :-The magistrates of Seven-oaks sent their officers to his congregation, then meeting at Bradburn; who took all the men into custody, and, carried them up to the town, where they were kept prisoners during the night. The following day, when the justices were assembled, the prisoners were brought before them, and they underwent an examination ; after which they were dismissed. They all, with one heart, full of wonder and joy, returnedto the meeting-housewhence they were carried, to return their united thanks to God for this unexpected deliverance. When they entered the place, to their great surprize and inexpressiblejoy, they found the women there, who had not departed from the house of God, but spent the whole night, and following morning, in fasting and prayer to God in their behalf.. Mr. Jeffery survived the restoration, and bore his share of persecution with the rest of his brethren; 'on, account of which, they unitedly published an address to the king, the parliament, and the people, entitled, " Sion's Groans for her Distressed : or, sober endeavours to prevent innocent blood," &c. This is dated March 8, 1661, and is signed by Thomas Monck, William Jeffery, William Reynolds, Joseph Wright, Francis Stanley, Francis Smith, and George Hammon. Many pious and worthy persons were now prisoners in Maidstone jail, among whom were Mr. Jeffery, Mr. John Reeve his colleague, Mr. George Hammon a minister at Canterbury, and Mr. James Blackmore, minister at some Crosby's Baptists, vol. iii. p. 97-100.
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