the Trinity, with observations on the same. Upon the publication of the 'Testimonies' the assembly of divines sitting at Westminster made their appeal to the parliament that he might suffer death. The divines had given him up as hopelessly unconvertible. Dr. Peter Gunning, indeed, visited him still, but with no success. But parliament did not confirm the divines' appeal. He never was brought to trial, and at length personal friends united, and one of their numoer once more procured his liberation 'by becoming surety for his appearance whenever he might be called upon.' He went down with a friend to Staffordshire, and not only became his chaplain, but also a preacher in a church there. Tidings of these things having been conveyed to the lord president Bradshaw, Biddle was once more apprehended and closely confined. Almost contemporaneously his Staffordshire benefactor died, and left him a small legacy. This was 'soon devoured by the payment of prison fees,' and he was left in utter indigence. His chief support, it is pathetically recorded, consisted of 'a draught of milk from the cow every morning and evening.'
Relief came unexpectedly. A learned man, who knew his competency, recommended him as a corrector of the press to Roger Daniel, printer, who was about to publish an edition of the Septuagint. This and other like literary employment enabled him, while it lasted, to procure a comfortable subsistence. Thomas Firmin dared to deliver also at this time to Cromwell a petition for his release from Newgate. Bishop Kennet thus reports the Protector's answer: 'You curl-pate boy, do you think I'll show any favour to a man who denies his Saviour, and disturbs the government?' (Register and Chronicle, p. 761).
On 10 Feb. 1662, by the will of Oliver, the parliament passed a general act of oblivion. This restored Biddle and many others to their full liberty. The first use which he made of his recovered freedom was ' to meet each Lord's day those friends whom he had gained in London, and expound the Scriptures to them.' He is also alleged to have translated and published at home and in Holland a number of Socinian books. It is very uncertain which were really translated by him. He further organised a conventicle, and conducted public worship.
In 1654 he again laid himself open to legal penalties. He published now 'A Two-fold Catechism, the one simply called A Scripture Catechism, the other A Brief Scripture Catechism for Children.' Complaint was made of these catechisms in parliament. Early in December 1654 the author was placed at the bar of parliament and asked whether he wrote the books. He replied by asking whether it seemed reasonable that one brought before a judgment-seat as a criminal should accuse himself. After debate and resolutions, he was on 13 Dec. 'committed a close prisoner to the Gatehouse and forbidden the use of pen, ink, and paper, or the access of any visitant; and all the copies of his books which could be found were ordered to be burnt.'
This resolution was carried out on the following day, and a bill afterwards ordered to be brought in for punishing him. But after about six months' imprisonment he obtained his liberty at the court of the Upper or King's Bench, 28 May 1 656. He was only out a month when he was entangled in a disputation with one John Griffin, pastor of a baptist church. Griffin was illiterate, and could not possibly have held his own against Biddle. But instead of mere disputation the law was invoked, an information was lodged against Biddle, and he was apprehended, and put first into the Poultry tfompter and then into Newgate. At the next sessions he was indicted at the Old Bailey under the obsolete and abrogated ordinance called the 'Draconick ordinance,' which had been passed on 2 May 1648, but had never acquired the force of law. At first the aid of counsel was denied him, but after a time, on putting in a bill of exceptions, his request was complied with, and the trial was fixed for the next day. But Cromwell interposed his authority and put a stop to the proceedings. A miserable tangle ensued. The upshot of the whole was that, as the lesser of two evils, he was 'banished to the Scilly Islands 5 Oct. 1655, to remain in close custody in the castle of St. Mary's during his life.' On the day previous (4 Oct.) there came out 'Two Letters of Mr. John Biddle, late Prisoner in Newgate, but now hurried away to some remote Island. One to the Lord Protector, the other to the Lord President Lawrence, 1655.' He expressly separates himself from Socinus as to the personality of the Holy Spirit.
The Protector allowed him 100 crowns per annum. He remained in prison until 1658. In the interval many means were taken to obtiiin his release. Calamy interceded. Baptist ministers interceded. He himself wrote with pathos and power. At length, through the intercession of many friends, he was conveyed from St. Mary's Castle by habeas corpus to the Upper Bench at Westminster, and, no accuser appearing, he was discharged by Lord Chief Justice Glynn.
Hereupon with alacrity he re-founded a 'society on congregational principles, and
