BATCHELOR. 33 of this censorious writer. About the. year 1643, he was appointed, with several other learned divines, one of the licensers of the press, for books in divinity. In this office he discovered his generous sentiments, by giving his public sanc- tion to all publications which were founded on the broad and liberal principles of christian freedom and a toleration of all parties. This was sure to incur the indignant censure of Mr. Edwards, who gives the following amusing account of him : " Master Batchelor," says he, " is the licenser-general of books, not only of independent doctrines, but of books for a toleration of all sects, and against jowdobaptism.". What a shocking crime was this in the opinion of this bigotted and intolerant writer ! In another place he says, " There is one Master John Batchelor, licenser-general of the sectaries' books, and of all sorts of wicked opinions, who hath been a man-midwife to bring forth more monsters begotten by the devil, and born of the sectaries, within this three last years, than ever were brought into the light in England by all the former licensers, the bishops and their chaplains, for fourscore years. He bath licensed books pleading for all sorts of sectaries : as, seekers, antinomians, anabaptists, antiscrip- turists, arians, antitrinitarians, questiOnists, and all blas- phemers. This is apparent by his licensing that late wicked pamphlet, called, Some modest and humble Queries con- cerning a printed Paper, entitled, An Ordinance presented to the Honourable House of Commons. " This Master Batchelor hath licensed several pamphlets for a toleration; yea, not only for a limited toleration of some sects and opinions, as anabaptists and independents ; but for a universal toleration of all consciences and opinions, as may be seen in Walwin's book licensed by him : yea, he hath licensed unlicensed books printed before he was born, as a pamphlet, entitled, Religious Peace,' made by one Leonard Busher, and printed in 1614; wherein there is a pleading for a toleration of papists, jews, and all persons differing in religion ; and that it may be lawful for them to write, dispute, confer, print and publish, any matter touching religion. That the wickedness of Master Batchelor may the more appear, I desire the reader to observe these following particulars :-He gives not a bare imprimatur to this book of Busher's, but gives his imprimatur with a special recommendation in ;hese words : This useful treatise, entitled, Religibus Peace, long Gangrmna, part i. p. 38. VOL. III.
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