I3AREBONE. 401 the latter been the case, and they had suffered any thing for their conduct, it is highly probable this writer would have transmitted some account of it to posterity. Mr. Barebone, however, continued his ministerial labours for many years among the people; and, in the year 1654, when the baptist churches published their " Declaration," he was still pastor of this church. Among those who subscribed it, " twenty- twowere of the church that walks with Mr. Barebone.". According to Rapin, he passed among his neighbours for a notable speaker, and used to entertain them with long harangues upon the times.1- This undoubtedly pointed him out to the notice of Cromwell,who nominated him a member of the legislative body that succeeded the long parliament in 1653. Thus he continued pastor of his church, even after he became member of parliament. In this assembly, he was so greatly distinguished for ability and activity, that the members, who were but little skilled in politics, received from him, in derision, the appellation of Barebone's podia- ment.# As a politician, he was constantly zealous in the cause of the commonwealth ; but upon the dissolution of the above assembly, about five months afterwards, he appears to have retired from any further concern in the government. Upon the motion of inviting borne the king, he took part with the opposition, and presented a petition to the parliament, from the " well-affected persons, inhabitants of the cities of London and Westminster," declaring their determination to support the commonwealth. General Monk, being then in London, with a view to restore the king, and intent upon the re-admission of the secluded members, who knew Mr. Bare-: bone's popularity, was obliged to make a general muster of his army; when he wrote a letter to the parliament, expos- tulating with them " for giving too much countenance to that furious zealot and his adherents." The petitioners, however, received the thanks of the house for the expression of their good affections to the parliament§ Mr. Barebone was at this time concerned in the publica- tion of a book against the court of Charles the Second, entitled, " News 'from Brussels, in a letter from a near attendant on his majesty's person, to a person of honour here. Dated March 10, 1659, 0. S." A reverend prelate styles this " a rascally piece against the king, to expose him to the hatred of his people ;"II and it was designed, it is said, " to Declaration, p.22. t Rapin's Hist. of Eng. vol. ii. p. 590. t Granger's Biog. Ilist. vol. iii. p. 68. Ibid.-Kennet's Chronicle,. p. 52. if . Ibid. p. 80. VOL. III. e D
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