Page Title

Historical Accounts of
Baptist Persecution in
England

The following are actual historical accounts of what some of our Baptist forefathers endured in England before toleration was
established and were compiled by R.P. McLellan.

Following each account, one may find the source of the material.

For those that don't know church truth, I highly recommend they read, "The Trail of Blood" - a link for which can be found on the
links page on this site.

For those that oppose church truth, you won't wish to read further.

King's Claim to the Baronies of Hastings and Ruthin. Anabaptists recommended to the Justice of this House by His Majesty.

The Lord Privy Seal, by Command from His Majesty, presented to the House a Paper, which was lately delivered to His Majesty,
which He commended to the Justice and Care of the House to consider of. The Contents of the Paper was read, in hæc verba:

Decimo tertio Die Januarii, 1640.

"Edm. Chillendon,

Nic. Tyne,

John Webb,

Richard Sturges,

Thomas Gunn,

Jo. Ellis,

With at least Sixty People more.They were all taken on Sunday last, in the Afternoon, in the Time of Divine Service, by the
Constables and Church-Wardens of St. Saviours, in the House of Richard Sturges; where they said they met to teach and edify
one another in Christ.

Their Tenets.

1. They being brought before Sir John Lenthall, he demanded why they would not go and resort to their Parish Church,
according to the Law of 35° Eliz. They answered, That the Law of 35° Eliz. was not a true Law, for that it was made by the
Bishops; and that they would not obey it.

2. That they would not go to their Parish Churches: That those Churches were not true Churches; and that there was no true
Church but where the Faithful met.

3. That the King could not make a perfect Law, for that He was not a perfect Man.

4. That they ought not to obey Him but in Civil Things.

5. That some of them threatened the Churchwardens and Constables, that they had not yet answered for this Day's Work.

"John Lenthall.

Tho. Temple. Tho. Butler, Church-warden.

John Luntley."

Order to keep them in safe Custody.

Hereupon it was Ordered, That Sir Jo. Lenthall do take Care that the aforesaid Persons shall be forthcoming, and appear before
this House on Monday Morning next; and likewise that he cause the Constable, the Churchwardens, and whosoever else can
testify any Thing in the Business, to attend the same Time here.

From: 'House of Lords Journal Volume 4: 16 January 1641', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 4: 1629-42 (1802), pp. 133-34.

Quakers, &c.

Resolved, upon the Question, That it be referred to Mr. Thurland, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Serjeant Charleton, Mr. Flint, Mr. Streete,
Mr. Prinn, Sir Solomon Swaile, Sir John Goodrick, Sir Thomas Mers, Sir Robert Atkyns, Mr. Robert Walker, or any Three of them,
to prepare and bring in a Bill to prevent the ill Consequences in Government, by the Quakers, Anabaptists, and other
Schismaticks, refusing to take Oaths, and numerously and unlawfully convening together; with such Penalties as may be suitable
to the Nature of those Offences, and may be profitable to work upon the Humour of such Fanaticks.

From: 'House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 16 May 1661', Journal of the House of Commons: volume 8: 1660-1667 (1802), pp.
250-52

Lancashire Petition, to settle the Presbyterian Church Government, and suppress schisms, &c.-to continue the Union between
the Two Kingdoms;-to prevent Differences between the Houses and the City;-to procure a Peace; and to send Supplies to
Ireland.

"To the Right Honourable the House of Peers, and to the Honourable the House of Commons, assembled in the High Court of
Parliament.

"The humble Petition of many Thousands of the well-affected Gentlemen, Ministers, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants, of the
County Palatine of Lancaster;

…"That some strict and speedy Course may be taken, for the suppressing of all separate Congregations of Anabaptists, Brownists,
Heretics, Schismatics, Blasphemers, and other Sectaries, which do or shall refuse to submit to the said Discipline and
Government.

"That such Refusers, and Members of such separate Congregations, may be removed and kept out of all Places of Public Trust;
that, according to the Covenant and Treaties, Means of Union (not of Division) of the Two Nations may be studied and promoted.

From: 'House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 25 August 1646', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 8: 1645-1647 (1802), pp. 470-72.

Smithfield was, at one time, a place of torture peculiarly in favour with theologians. Here that swollen Ahab, Henry VIII., burnt
poor wretches who denied his ecclesiastical supremacy; here Mary burnt Protestants, and here Elizabeth burnt Anabaptists.

From: 'Smithfield', Old and New London: Volume 2 (1878), pp. 339-44.

Remonstrance from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, &c. of London, against the Sectaries in the Church;— to be relieved of the heavy
Taxes;—for the Peers to qualify their Privilege of Protection from Arrests;— to prepare Propositions for a Peace;— to preserve
the Union between the Two Kingdoms;—to vindicate the Ld. Mayor;— and to consider of the Reduction of Ireland.

"We could add much more, of the daily Invectives against us from the Pulpit, and other Places where the Bontefews of these
Sectaries are admitted; the scurrilous and seditious Pamphlets daily broached in and against the City; and the great Contempt of,
and Discouragement unto, the Ministers of the Gospel who adhere to the Presbyterial Government: But we shall conclude with this
brief and humble Representation of our Petitions and Desires to your Lordships, in the Name of the whole City;

"That some strict and speedy Course may be taken, for the suppressing of all private and separate Congregations.

"That all Anabaptists, Brownists, Heretics, Schismatics, Blasphemers, and all such Sectaries as conform not to the Public Discipline
established, or to be established, by Parliament, may be fully declared against; and some effectual Course settled for proceeding
against such Persons.

"That, as we are all Subjects of One Kingdom, so all may be equally required to yield Obedience unto the Government set forth, or
to be set forth, by the Parliament.

"That no Persons disaffected to the Presbyterial Government set forth, or to be set forth, by the Parliament, may be employed in
any Place of Public Trust.

From: 'House of Lords Journal Volume 8: 26 May 1646', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 8: 1645-1647 (1802), pp. 331-35.

The Duke of Northumberland wrote to Cecil, 28 Oct. 1552, recommending John Knox for the bpc. 'He would be a whetstone to
the Archbishop of Canterbury, and a confounder of the AnaBaptists lately sprung up in Kent' (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1547-80 p. 46). In
fact, Rochester was vac. for two years (Cant. cath. libr., Reg. N f. 38v).

From: 'Bishops', Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541-1857: volume 3: Canterbury, Rochester and Winchester dioceses (1974), pp. 50-4

Answer of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, to the Declaration of both Houses, for conciliating Matters, and
effecting a Reformation in Church Government.

The Commissioners of this Kingdom, in the late Treaty of Peace, considering that Religion is not only the Mean of the Service of
God, and saving of Souls, bot is allso the Base and Foundation of Kingdoms and Estates, and the strongest Band to tye Subjects
to their Prince in true Loyalty, and to knit the Hearts of one to another in true Unity and Love; they did, with Preface of all
due Respect and Reverence, farre from Arrogancy or Presumption, represent, in Name of this Kingdom, their serious Thoughts
and earnest Desires for Unity of Religion; that, in all His Majesty's Dominions, there might be One Confession of Faith, One
Directory of Worship, One Public Catechism, and One Form of Kirke Government: This they conceived to be acceptable to God
Almighty, who delighteth to see His People walking in Truth and Unity; to be a special Means for conserving of Peace betwixt
the Kingdoms; of easing the King's Majesty and the Public Government of much Troble, which ariseth from Difference of
Religion, very grievous to Kings and Estates; of great Content to the King Himself, to His Nobles, His Court, and all His People,
when, occasioned to be abroad, without Scruple to themselves, or Scandal to others, all may resort to the same Public Worship
as they were at their own Dwellings; of suppressing the Names of Heresies and Sects, Puritans, Conformists, Separatists,
Anabaptists, &c. which do rend asunder the Bowells both of Kirke and Kingdom

What may be required of the Kirke of Scotland, for furthering the Work of Uniformity of Government, or for agreeing upon a
Common Confession of Faith, Catechism, and Directory for Worship, shall, according to the Order given by this Assembly, be
most willingly performed by us, who long extreamly for the Day when King and Parliament shall join, for bringing to pass so
great, so good a Work; that, all Wars and Commotions ceasing, all Superstition, Idolatry, Heresies, Sects, and Schisms, being
removed, as the Lord is One, so His Name may be One amonst us; and Mercy and Truth, Righteousness and Peace, meeting
together and kissing one another, may dwell in this Island.

St. Andrews, August 3d, 1642.

"F. Shouston, Clericus Eccles."

From: 'House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 26 August 1642', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 5: 1642-1643 (1802), pp. 321-25.

Dr. Burges's Report concerning the Sectaries at Hempstead.

Dr. Burges this Day gave this House an Account, That, according to their Lordships Directions, he hath preached at Hempsteed, in
the County of Hertford; and he finds the People there much possessed with Anabaptism and Antinomianism, and other Sects;
that, unless some speedy Course be taken, the Mischief will hardly be prevented; and the Minister of the Town, Mr. Kendall,
refused to come to him, whereby he might acquaint him with the Order of Parliament: This Mr. Kendall, being set in there by
both Houses of Parliament, hath been a chief Promoter of all the Distractions there; he refuseth to baptize any Infants; he hath
openly maintained the Church of England to be no Church, and that a Parochial Congregation cannot be a true Church: It is
generally conceived, that, so long as he is permitted there, it will never be better with the People, but rather worse; and that
there is Labouring in that Town against the taking of the Covenant.

"That there are divers Ministers of that Country, who have promised to preach the Thursday Lecture at Hempsteed, according to
an Order of this House, dated the 19th February, 1643; but, by reason of the great Distraction in those Parts, and the Boldness of
Anabaptists and other Sectaries thereabouts, the Ministers dare not enter upon this Service, unless they be ordered by their
several Names to perform it;

(List of ministers not included)

Also a Certificate was read, as followeth:

"We, being Inhabitants in the Town or Parish of Hempsteed, whose Names are here underwritten, do certify, That Mr. Kendall,
now a Minister in our Town, hath from Time to Time denied to administer the Sacrament of Baptism unto our Infants, when we
have earnestly desired it: This we are ready to testify.

Tho. Walker the Elder.

Wm. Arnot.

Tho. Walker.

Wm. Gregory.

Nathaniell Miles."

29 Feb.

Kendall, Minister there, sent for.

Hereupon this House Ordered, That the said Kendall shall be summoned to appear before the Lords in Parliament forthwith, to
answer the said Offences; and that the Assembly be desired to take some Course that the said Parish may be supplied with a
Minister, to preach there, until this House gives further Directions therein: And it is further Ordered, That this House appoints
the Fifteen Preachers mentioned in the List read this Day, to preach on the Lecture-days at Hempsted, in their several Turns.
And this House thought it fit to have a Conference with the House of Commons, after Kendall hath (fn. *) been heard what he can
say for himself.

Baldwin examined, touching his Opinions delivered there.

Next, Mr. Baldwin, that was attached as a Delinquent by Order of this House, upon a former Complaint against him, for
endeavouring to stir up the People with seditious Opinions, was brought to the Bar; and a Letter was produced, which he wrote
to Mr. Tutty, and read; videlicet,

"Mr. Tutty,

"I understand you desire a Dispute with me; but you would have the Points agreed upon which are to be disputed, that you might
study upon them, to be furnished for the Dispute, although you would possess the World that you are a Teacher; which if you
were, 'twere required that you should be so apt to teach, before you undertake to be a Teacher, that you should be first
enabled both to maintain your own Doctrine and Practice, and also to answer the Gainsayer without Study: But I take you not for
a Gospel Teacher, and therefore allow you (as you have Need) Study to fit yourself, being not otherwise fitted.

"Raise then Two Propositions out of my Doctrine and Practice; study thence to confute me. I have believed the Things I have
delivered, therefore have I spoken. I have made the Word of Truth the Rule of what I yet practise, therefore shall I trust God for
Ability to maintain both extempore. I think it also equally meet that your Doctrine and Practice should be brought to Trial; that
therefore you may not say that I debar you your needful Study, I have raised to maintain against you what I have here sent you, in
Contradiction both to your Doctrine and Practice.

"The First is in Contradiction to your Doctrine, which you wrested falsely from Paul's Words, 1 Cor. iv. 1. I thus proposing, that
Believers are not so to account of the Ministry of the Church of England as the Ministers of Jesus Christ, and Stewards of the
Mystery of the Gospel, and so to hear and follow them; but to account of them as the Members of Antichrist, and Stewards of
the Mystery of Iniquity, and thereupon not to hear, but fly from them.

"Secondly, in Contradiction to your Practice, I thus propose to maintain, that Infants of Days are not fit Subjects of Baptism, and
such Baptism upon such Subjects no true Baptism, and a Church constituted of such Members through such Baptism not built
upon the Head Corner-stone, the Lord Christ.

"The Place for the Dispute requisite to be in Mimms Steeple House, in so much as our Difference arose from what were there
delivered. The Time to be the Sixth Day of the First Month, being the Fourth Day of the Week, Anno 1643. Per me,

"Rob'T Baldwin.

"This Paper was delivered to me by Mr. Baldwin, with his own Hand, at Ridge, in Hartfordshire, on Tuesday last, 27 Feb. 1643, Per
me,

"WM. Tutty."

This Letter being shewed to the said Rob't Baldwin, he confessed it to be his own Hand-writing, and owned it.

Baldwin committed to The Gatehouse.

Hereupon this House taking this Business into Consideration, for the present Ordered, That the said Rob't Baldwin, for
endeavouring to stir up Sedition, shall stand committed to the Prison of The Gatehouse in Westm. there to remain until the
Pleasure of this House be further known; and that the Keeper of the Prison shall take special Care that no Company resort unto
him, nor that he be permitted to preach, whereby to disperse his Sedition; and this Command to obey, as he will answer the
contrary at his Peril.

From: 'House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 2 March 1644', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 6: 1643 (1802), pp. 446-48.

This done under the direction of King James II.

"... That, as His Majesty will readily consent (having done so heretofore) to the Execution of all Laws already made, and to any
good Acts to be made, for the suppressing of Popery, and for the firm settling of the Protestant Religion now established by
Law; so He desires that a good Bill may be framed, for the better preserving of the Book of Common Prayer from the Scorn and
Violence of Brownists, Anabaptists, and other Sectaries, with such Clauses for the Ease of tender Consciences as His Majesty
hath formerly offered.

From: 'House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 6 February 1643', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 5: 1642-1643 (1802), pp. 590-91.

Order against Quakers and Anabaptists Meetings in North'tonshire.

Upon Information given to this House, "That there are very great Assemblies of Quakers and Anabaptists (conceived to be of
Lambert's Party), who meet frequently, in very great Multitudes, in the Towns of Culworth and Eyden in Northamptonshire, and in
other Parts of that County, plotting and contriving against the Peace of the Church and State, as appears evidently by their very
frequent casting out and dispersing several scandalous Papers, against the Ministers and their Preaching the Truth in Churches,
to the great Discouragement and Scandal of good People:"

It is Ordered, by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That it is hereby specially recommended to the Justices of Assize, at their
next Sitting in the said County, that they give strict Charge to the Sheriff there, and to the Justices of the Peace and others
whom it concerns, that they, in their several Jurisdictions and Places about them, do suppress and prevent such Meetings, that
the Peace of the Land be kept, and the People freed hereafter of the said Disquiets; and that the Sheriff be specially charged to
prevent the like Meetings throughout the whole County hereafter, for the avoiding of Tumults and Riots contrary to Law.

From: 'House of Lords Journal Volume 11: 3 September 1660', Journal of the House of Lords: volume 11: 1660-1666, pp. 152-54.

It is the earnest opinion of the compiler, R.P. McLellan, that these so scorned Anabaptists mentioned were often times
misrepresented and falsely accused.

Further, from the evidence of the beliefs they held, it seems clear that many under this name were indeed the forefathers of
those true Baptists that exist until this day.

It should be noted to any wishing to use any of the items on this page, that proper citation should be given.