414 LIVES OF TRE PURITANS. examined, and the book was burnt, on the eighth of the same month.. In the year 1648 Mr. Biddle published " A Confession of Faith touching the Holy Trinity, according to Scripture ;" and another work, entitled, " The Testimonies of Ireneus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Novatianus, Theophilus, Origen," &c. Upon the appearance of his writings, the presbyterians, having now the ecclesiastical government in their own hands, and being altogether averse to a universal toleration, solicited the interference of the parliament, and obtained an ordinance for the punishment of all blasphemies and heresies. Hence Mr. Biddle's life was in danger. But the act was directed to so 'many objects, and so various, and meeting with con- siderable opposition from the army ; and because there was a dissention in the parliament itself, it lay unregarded for several years. Though the force of this severe ordinance remained dormant, Mr. Biddle suffered, for several years, the miseries of a prison. His keeper, however, at length allowed him more liberty, and permitted him, upon security being given, even to go into Staffordshire. Here the oppressions he had suffered were, in some degree, counterbalanced by the patronage and kindness of a justice of the peace, who received him into his house, courteously entertained him, made him his chaplain, and appointed him preacher in one of the churches in that county, and, at his death, left him a legacy. Mr. Biddlewas not long permitted to enjoy the comfort ofthis friendly asylum. Sir John Bradshaw, president of the council of state, being informed of his retreat, issued orders for him to be recalled, and more strictly confined. In this confinement he continued inprison till February, 1651 ; and, during the whole of his seven years' imprisonment, no divine, it is said, except Mr. Peter Gunning, afterwards bishop of Ely, ever paid him a visit, not even to attempt to convince him of his errors. In addition to his long confinement in prison, he was reduced to great poverty and want. After havingendured much suffering for want of the comforts and necessaries of life, a door was unexpectedly opened for providing him a com- fortable supply. A printer in London, being about to pub- lish a Greek version of the Old Testament, Mr. Biddle, having an exact knowledge of that language, was employed 1. This piece was answered by the learned Mr. Matthew Poole, in a work entitled, " A Plea for the Godhead of the Holy GhoSt."-Wood'a Ailattes Oxon. vol. B. p. 198.
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