Neal - Houston-Packer Collection BX9333 .N4 1754

7be · HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. IIJ Chap. IV. in this and the following year, among whom are reckoned the reverend K. C ha rles r. Mr. Henry Denn, formerly ordained by the bi!hop of St. David's, and ~0 poffeffed of the living of Pyeton in Hertfordjhire; Mr. Coppe minifter in Warwickjbire, and fometime preacher to the garrifon in Compton-Houje ; Mr. Hanferd Knol&•s, who was fc:veral times before the committee for preaching imtinominianifm and antipcedobaptijhz; and being forbid to preach in the public churches, he opened a feparate meeting in Great St. H e- /en's, from whence he was quickly diilodged and his followers difperfed . Mr. Andrew Wyke in the county of Suffolk, was imprifoned on the fame account ; and Mr. Oates and Ejfex, tried for his life at Che!fmford affizes for the murder of Anne Martin, becaufe fhe died a few days after her immerfion, of a cold that feized her at that time. Lawrence Clarijon was imprifoned by the committee of Sz!fjolk, and having lain in gaoi fix months, figned a recantation and was releafed. The recantation as entered in the committee's books, was in thefe words; Jub• 15. !645. "T H I S day Lawrence Clarkfon, formerly committed for an ana- Mr. Clark– " baptijl, and for dipping, does now, before the committee, dif- fo~'s recan· " claim his errors. And whereas formerly he faid he durfl: not leave his tat•on. " dipping, if he might gain all the committees eftates, now he fays, " that he by the holy fcriptures is convinced, that his faid opinions " were erroneous, and that he will not, nor dares not practife it again, " if he might gain all the committees eftates by doing it. And that " he makes this recantation not for fear, or to gain his liberty, but " meerly out of a fenfe of his error, wherein he will endeavour to re- " form others," It mufl: be granted, that the imprudent behaviour of the baptijllay R emark;. preachers, who declaimed againft human literature, and hireling priefl:s, crying down magifl:racy, and a regular miniftry, and talking in the molt exalted ftrains of a fifth monarchy, and king Jefus, prejudiced the minds of mJ.ny fober people againft them ; but fiill the imprifoning men merely on account of religious principles, not incon!iftt:nt with the pnblic peace, nor propagated in a riotous and tumultuous manner, is not to he , · fl:'fi d Baxter s ~u 1 .e on any pretence whatfoever ; and it was the more inexcufable Li fe, p. 103 . m th1s cafe, becaufe Mr. Baxter admits, that the prefbyterian zeal was in Charles a great meafu re the occafion of it. L ewi<, elecB f · 1 J « bl r h' · · 'll b k tor palati ne e Oie we eave t 1e auem y 10r t IS year, 1t Wl e proper to ta e no- · h' • , COI.'US mto t e t1ce, that 1t was honoured with the prefence of CHARLES LEWI S elec- ajjembly. VoL. II. Q_ tor

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