THE intelligent and searching Rea­der, finding in this Book, under the Title of The Apostolical and true Opinion, concerning the Holy Trinity, Revived and Asserted, &c. several Explications of Holy Scripture, and Testimonies out of the most ancient Chri­stian Writers, touching that great and mo­mentous Doctrine, much differing from the commonly-receiv'd Opinions of both Papists and Protestants of these later Ages, will, with­out doubt, be desirous to know something of the Author's Life and Qualifications. Let him please therefore to take this plain and short Account, without those Embellish­ments, which the Lives of eminent Men are deservedly adorned with, but which my A­bilities will not reach to.

Know then, that the Author, John Bidle, was born at Wotton-under-hedg, in the County of Gloucester, in the Year of our Lord Christ, 1615. His Father, Edward Bidle, was of a middle sort of Yeomen, and also dealt in Woollen Clothes; by which means he main­tained his Family honestly, and with credit suitable to his Rank, or rather above it. His [Page 4] Son John, our Author, was educated in the Free-School of that Town; where his pro­ficiency in the Learning there taught, was soon taken notice of, both by Neighbours, and those more remote; among whom my Lord Barkley, as a Personage of the greatest Honour, so great a lover and promoter of Learning, is in the first place to be remembred. Who in respect to the early Blossoms of a rare Wit, great Probity and Ingenuity in our young Scholar, conferr'd upon him the ex­hibition of ten Pounds per Annum, among other the poorer Scholars; although by his Age, being not of ten Years, he was not qua­lified, according to common Method, for that Donation. And this Favour, it seems, added greater Vigour and Industry to the Youth's Studies; for after this, he did not only with ease surpass those his School-fellows of the same Rank, but, in Time, even out-run his Instructions, and became Tutor to himself; so overcoming both the Labours of his Task, and those Difficulties he met with in his Course. However, the want of fit Teaching on the one hand, and the benefit of that Exhibition on the other, or perhaps the want of fit Provisions for a Student in the Univer­sity, detain'd him longer in that School, than was otherwise for his Improvement; for here he continued till he was about Seven­teen Years of Age. In this Time he gave some Specimens of his pregnant, both Wit and Judgment, in the Translation of Virgil's Bucolicks, and the two first Satyrs of Juve­nal, into elegant English Verse; afterward publish'd in print, with approbation of Lear­ned Men. He composed also, and recited, before a full Auditory, an elaborate Oration in Latin, for a gracing to the Funeral of an honourable School-fellow. Yea, even in these younger Years was observed in him a singular piety of Mind, and contempt of secular Affairs; Whence it came, that he ap­plied himself to the study of Vertue, toge­ther with the Liberal Arts; and with great diligence gave dutiful Assistance to his Mo­ther, become a Widow by the Death of his Father.

From hence he was sent to the University of Oxford, and was admitted a Student in Magdalen-Hall there; where, in due time, he proceeded Master of Arts with good ap­plause, and was reckon'd among those of his rank, that did in an especial manner commend the Learning of that Academy. Here he did so Philosophize, as it might be observed, he was determined more by Rea­son than Authority; however, in Divine Things he did not much dissent from the common Doctrine, as may be collected from a little Tract he wrote against Dancing. But the fame of his Learning and Prudence in instructing Pupils there, having conciliated to him the Esteem of Persons of Quality, and more particularly of the Overseers of the School of Wootton, he was chosen by them to succeed in the Mastership thereof; which he may seem to have as wisely as modestly refused, but did in the mean time commend to them, another fit Person, whom they accepted of. This refusal gave oppor­tunity to the Magistrates of Gloucester, upon ample Recommendations of the principal Persons in the University, to chuse and im­portune him to be Master of the Free-School of Crisps in that City; which he consented to; and at his approach thither, was met and received by them with much Joy and Honour, Anno 1641. Neither did he de­ceive their Expectations, nor come short of the Character had been given of him, whilst he discharged that Imployment with such skil and faithfulness, that they thought them­selves not a little happy in that behalf, who could commit their Sons to his Instruction. Whence it came to pass, that not so much by the Salary, which is not great, but by the Gratuities of Parents, he reap'd consi­derable Profits. But Money did not infect his Mind with the love of it; his Mind was set upon the Knowledg of Divine Truth, and that, not for Curiosity, but for the Love of Christ, who is Truth and Life. And having laid aside the Impediments of Prejudice, he gave himself liberty to try all things, that he might hold fast that which is good. Thus diligently reading the Holy Scripture, (for Socinian Books he had read [Page 5] none) and fervently imploring Divine Illu­mination, he perceiv'd the common Doctrin concerning the Holy Trinity was not well grounded in Revelation, much less in Rea­son. And being as generous in speaking, as free in judging, he did, as occasion offered, discover his Reasons of questioning it: Which some Zealots not being able to bear, they accus'd him to the Magistrates of Heresy in that Point, before whom he exhibited in Writing this Confession.

May 2, 1644.

1. I believe there is but one Infinite and Almighty Essence, called God.

2. I believe, that as there is but one Infi­nite and Almighty Essence, so there is but one Person in that Essence.

3. I believe that our Saviour Jesus Christ is truly God, by being truly, really and properly united to the only Person of the Infinite and Almighty Essence.

But when this did not satisfy the Magi­strates, but they did still press upon him to acknowledg three Persons in the Divine Essence, and he, it seems, knowing that the word Persons, when ascribed to God, is taken both by the Ancient Fathers, and by Modern Writers in various Significations, did, about fourteen days after, confess that that there are three in that one Divine Essence commonly termed Persons.

By this it appears, that how distinct soever he might be in his Conceptions concerning the Trinity, yet he was not determinate e­nough in his expressing of that matter, as he became not long after. For now proceeding sincerely in his search of holy Scripture, and in earnest Prayer to Al­mighty God for his Assistance, he attained that firmness of Understanding and Resolu­tion, and that distinctness of Expression, that he set himself to confer with his Familiars, and open his Mind freely upon those Que­stions of one God, and three Persons. And not only so, but he also wrote some pithy Arguments against the supposed Deity of the Holy Spirit, whom yet he held to be the third Person in the Holy Trinity. Where­upon a certain unfaithful Person betraying him to the Magistrate, and the Commissioners of Parliament there residing, (for then was there War between the King and Parlia­ment) he was committed Dec. 2. 1645, to the common Goal (tho at that time afflicted with a sore Fever) there to be detained till a fit occasion of presenting him before the Parliament at London (which was then in­flamed with Geneva-Zeal against such Here­ticks) to be punished as they should deter­mine. But now an eminent Person of Glou­cester commiserating his Case, procured his Inlargemert upon Security for an Appea­rance, as aforesaid, which Mr. Bidle made accordingly when summoned thereto, about six Months after. And the Parliament de­layed not to take Cognizance of his Cause, for they presently chose a Committee to ex­amine him; who freely confest before them, that he did deny the commonly believ'd Deity of the Holy Ghost, whereof he was accus'd; but was ready to hear what could be oppos'd to him, and to acknowledg his Error, if he could not maintain it for Truth. But being wearied with no less long than chargeable Ex­pectation, he wrote the Letter hereafter in­serted, dated April 1, 1647, to an eminent Knight, a Member of Parliament, praying he would report his Case to their House, that he might be either judged or discharged. But what followed thence was the Commitment of Mr. Bidle to the Custody of one of their Officers (which Restraint continued for five Years ensuing) and the referring him to the Assembly of the Presbyterian Divines, then sitting at Westminster, for his Conviction: Before some of which he often appear'd, and gave them in Writing his Arguments against the Deity of the Holy Spirit; but neither in Discourses nor in Writing could he obtain any pertinent, much less solid Answer. In­stead of that, they solicite the Parliament, in whose hands was the supream Power at that time, and procure a Draconick Ordinance ( May 2. 1648.) for inflicting the Punish­ment of Death upon those that held Opinions contrary to the Presbyterian Points about the [Page 6] Trinity, and other Doctrines, whom they named Blasphemers and Hereticks, and severe Penal­ties upon those that differ'd in lesser matters. This seemed a Damnatory Sentence against Mr. Bidle, which there was no escape from. But it pleased the Almighty to make way for him, by a Dissention in the Parliament it self; to the better part whereof the Army joyn'd its Power, as for other Reasons, so for that there were in it many both Officers and Souldiers, liable to the Severities of that mention'd Ordinance, which therefore from that time for divers Years lay unregarded.

Before this he had published the Twelve Arguments against the Deity of the Holy Spirit, and this Year his Confession of Faith touch­ing the Holy Trinity, which were both Reprinted, Anno 1653. together with most clear and full Testimonies for the Unity of the Person of God in distinction from the Son and Spirit, out of certain most celebrated Christian Fathers, who lived in the first Ages after Christ, and others. Now the Zealots in Parliament against Dissenters being exclu­ded, he had more liberty allow'd by his Keeper, who suffered him upon Security given to go into Staffordshire, where he lived sometimes with a Justice of Peace, who not only entertained him courteously, but at his Death left him a Legacy, which was a very seasonable supply to him who had already spent in a manner all he had gotten at Glou­cester, or elsewhere (which was not inconsi­derable) in now about four Years chargeable restraint. But he could not continue long here, before notice was given to Judg Brad­shaw, President of the Council of State, who caus'd him to be recalled by his Keeper, and kept more straitly. In this long Confinement, that which was most grievous to this Suffe­rer (devoted to the Service of Truth) was, that the Imputation of Blasphemy and Heresy to him, had so alienated all People generally from him, that he could have almost none to converse with; and of the Divines, whose Duty it was to have endeavoured his Infor­mation, not one (that I could ever hereof) vouchsafed him a Visit in that seven Years time of his Confinement, except perhaps one Mr. Gunning, afterward Bishop of Ely. Here he spent even all his Substance, insomuch that instead of an Ordinary for repast which he could not pay for, he was glad of the cheaper support of drinking a draught of Milk from the Cow Morning and Evening. At length it pleased the Divine Goodness to succour him through the favour of a Learned Man, who commended him to Roger Daniel the Printer, for a Man qualified with fit Learning and Integrity for correcting of the Impression of the Septuagint Greek Bible, which was then designed to be set forth with great Accuracy, and was accordingly performed the Imploy­ment being also most acceptable to J. Bidle, because his delight was in the Law of God.

But in Feb. 1651, was promulgated by the Parliament a general Act of Oblivion, which restored among others our conscientious Prisoner to his full Liberty, which he now improves among those Friends he had at length gained in London, in meeting together every Lord's-day for expounding Scripture, and discoursing thereupon, for the clearing of the Truths therein contained, and de­tecting of common Errors; by which means the Doctrine of one God, and Christ his only Son, and his Holy Spirit, was so pro­pagated, that the Ministers at London were exceedingly offended at it, but could not hinder it by Secular Power, which then favour'd Liberty of Religion and Conscience. In the Year 1654, he publish'd a twofold Scripture-Catechism. In the same Year Dr. Gunning (whom I named before) after­ward Regius Professor of Divinity at Cam­bridg, and no less famous for Subtilty of disputing than Learning, thinking (it seems) he should do great Service to the common Doctrine, if he put a Baffle upon the great Oppugner of it, before even those who be­gan to hearken to him; he came one Lord's-day to Mr. Bidle's Meeting, well accompa­nied with learned Witnesses, and commences a fair Scholastick Dispute, asserting the Dei­ty of the Holy Ghost; and the next Lord's-day in the same Auditory concerning the su­pream Deity of Christ, the Son of the most High. They disputed syllogistically, [Page 7] and took their turns of responding and op­posing, wherein John Bidle acquitted him­self with so much Learning, Judgment and Knowledg in the sense of Holy Scriptures, that instead of losing, he gained much Credit both to himself and his Cause, as even the Gentlemen of Dr. Gunning's Party, some of them had the ingenuity to acknow­ledg. After this Dr. Gunning comes again at unawares, and hears J. Biddle arguing against the Satisfaction of Punitive Justice by the Death of Christ, which the Doctor with great vigour defends; but found the Oppo­nent no less skilful and dextrous in this con­flict than in the former, which the Doctor himself had the Generosity afterward to confess.

In December following he was brought to the Bar of the Commons House of Parlia­ment, conveen'd by Oliver Cromwel the Pro­tector, and there asked, If he was the Au­thor of that Two-fold Scripture Catechism, (wherein all the Questions are answered in the words of Scripture at large)? He an­swered by asking, Whether it seem'd reaso­nable, that one brought before a Judgment-Seat as a Criminal, should accuse himself? And they presently committed him a close Prisoner to the Gatehouse, Decemb. 3. prohibi­ting him the use of Pen, Ink, and Paper, or the access of any Visitant; and commanded his Books to be burnt by the common Executio­ner. In this case nothing less than capital Pu­nishment could be expected; which, not­withstanding, the Prisoner bare a composed and chearful Mind, hoping in God, whose Cause he suffer'd for, for a happy Event. Neither did this Hope deceive him, for the Protector, for Reasons of his own Interest, dissolv'd that Parliament: and the Prisoner, after about six Months Imprisonment, ob­tain'd his Liberty at the Court of the Kings, or Ʋpper Bench, May 28. by due Course of Law; Neither was he any whit discouraged by these Dangers and Sufferings, but betook himself to his former Exercises for propagat­ing Truth, and the Honour of Almighty God concern'd therein.

But scarce a Year was expired, when a­nother no less formidable Danger overtook him, which was thus: There was a conside­rable number of a Congregation of those cal­led Anabaptists, who began to entertain J. Bi­del's Sentiments concerning the Trinity. The Pastor, one Griffin, thinking (it should seem) to reduce them to their former Opinion, and to put a stop to the spreading of this Gan­green, (as he esteemed it) challenges Mr. Bidle to a publick Disputation, at his Meet­ing place at St. Paul's, upon the Subject of Christ's Supream Deity; which he would have declin'd, as knowing Mr. Griffin to be far inferior to him in Learning, &c. but at length he accepted it: And being met in the midst of a numerous Auditory, among whom not a few of J. Bidle's inveterate and fiery Adversaries, especially some Booksellers: Mr. Griffin, either imprudently, or to preju­dice the Hearers against his Antagonist, or for some worse End, repeating the Question, asks, If any Man there did deny, that Christ was God most High? To which our Bidle re­solutely and conscientiously answers, I do de­ny it: By which generous Profession, he gave his Adversaries occasion of a positive and clear Accusation, which they soon laid hold of. For though John Griffin was not (in the Judgment of all Judicious Hearers) able to cope with John Bidle, yet he had the confidence to consent to another Meeting, when J. Bidle should take his turn of proving the Negative of the Question between them. But before that Day came, he was cast into the Prison, first of the Compter, then of New­gate, London, July 3. 1655. and tried for his Life the next Sessions, upon that obsolete and abrogated Ordinance, against Blasphemy and Heresy, of May 2. 1648. mention'd be­fore. To the Indictment hereupon, he prays Counsel might be allow'd him to plead the illegality of it; Which being denied him by the Judges, and the Sentence of a Mute threatned, he at length gave into Court his Exceptions ingrossed in Parchment; and with much strugling, had Counsel allow'd him; but the Trial was deferr'd to the next Day. But the Protector well knowing it was not for the Interest of his Government, either to [Page 8] have him Condemn'd or Absolv'd, takes him out of the Hands of the Law, and sends him away to the Isle of Scilly, Octob. 5. 1655. For, on the one Hand, the Presbyterians, and all Enemies to Liberty of Religion, (of which there appear'd a great number at his Trial) would be offended at his Release; and all that were for Liberty, (among whom many Congregations of Anabaptists especially) had petition'd the Protector for his discharge from prosecution upon that Ordinance, by which all their Liberties were threatned and condemned, and the Capital Article of the Protector's Government infringed; which run thus, That such as profess Faith in God by Je­sus Christ, (though differing in Judgment from the Doctrine, Worship, or Discipline publickly held forth) shall not be restrained from, but shall he protected, &c. Art. 37. That all Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, &c. to the contrary of the aforesaid Liberty, shall be esteemed as Null and Void, Art. 38.

Now although this Banishment drew with it many Inconveniences, yet through the Goodness of God it was temper'd with Mer­cies. Here the Prisoner enjoy'd much Di­vine Comfort from the Heavenly Contem­plations, which his Retirement gave him opportunity for: Here he had sweet Com­munion with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, and attained a clearer Understanding of the Divine Oracles in many particulars. Here, whilst he was more abundantly con­firm'd in the Doctrines of his Confession of Faith, &c. yet he seems notwithstanding to have become more doubtful about some other Points, which he had formerly held, as appears from his Essay to the Explaining of the Revelation, which he wrote after his re­turn thence: which shews that he still main­tain'd a free and unprejudiced Mind. And here we must not forget to do the Protector this right, as to tell the World, that after some time he was pleased to allow his Pri­soner a Hundred Crowns per Annum for his subsistance, to wit, lest being removed far from his Friends and Imployments, he should want Necessaries. This Banishment seems also to have been beneficial to him on this Account, that it was a means to prevent another of the Protector's Parliaments from decreeing any thing more rigid against him; being now absent and out of their way. In this Exile he continued about three Years, notwithstanding all Endeavours of his Friends for his Liberty; and his own Letters, both to the Protector and to Mr. Calamy, (an e­minent Presbyterian Minister) to reason them into compassion. At length, through the Importunity of Friends, and other Oc­currences, the Protector suffer'd a Writ of Habeas Corpus to be granted out of the Ʋp­per-Bench Court (as it was then called) and to be obeyed by the Governour of Scilly, whereby the Prisoner was brought thence, and by that Court set at liberty, as finding no legal Cause of detaining him.

And now, notwithstanding all these Per­secutions, Sufferings and Dangers he had hi­therto underwent, he was not terrified, from what he counted his Duty to Christ, in propagating the true knowledg of the only true God, and of Jesus Christ whom he had sent, but return'd to his long inter­rupted Exercises among his Friends. But he could not long labour in this Field, for a­bout five Months after, the Protector Oliver dies, and his Son Richard succeeding, calls a Parliament, dangerous certainly to John Bidle in the first place, if to any other; which being foreseen, he was forced as it were, (for he did it with regret,) by the Impor­tunity of a Noble Friend, to retire into the Country during their Session. But that Par­liament being dissolv'd, he returned to his wonted Station, till such time as the Divisi­ons between the Protector and Army had brought into Power again the Long Parlia­ment; and the Divisions of that Parliament, and Army, and People, had brought in General Monk out of Scotland, he the Seclu­ded Members, and they the Exil'd King Charles, and with him a restoration of the Antient Government in Church and State. Then after some time the liberty of Dissen­ting Worshippers was taken away, and their Meetings punish'd as seditious. Now J. Bidle yields to the Time, and restrains him­self [Page 9] from publick to more private Assem­blies. But neither could he long enjoy those, however peaceable and harmless, for on the first of June, 1662. He was haled out of his Lodgings, where he was conven'd with some few of his Friends for Divine Worship, and carried before Sir Rich. Brown, who forthwith committed them all to the publick Prison; J. Bidle to the Dungeon, where he lay for five hours, and was denied the benefit of the Law, which admits Offenders of that sort to Bail for their Appearance. There they lay till the Recorder, moved with more reverence of the Laws, took se­curity for their answering to their Charge next Sessions; which they perform'd accord­ingly. But when the Court could not find any Statute whereon to form any Criminal Indictment against them, they were referr'd to the Sessions following; and then were proceeded against, by pretext of an Offence against Common Law, (the Rules of which lie mostly in the Judges Breasts) and there­upon fined every one of the Hearers in the penalty of Twenty Pounds, and J. Bidle in One Hundred; to lie in Prison till paid. Now though the Sheriff would generously have been satisfied with Ten Pounds for him, and he would have paid it, yet the Enmity of Sir Rich. Brown was such, as he could not be induced to consent thereto up­on any terms; but threatn'd him with a Se­ven Years Imprisonment, though he should pay the whole Hundred Pounds; This was the cause of his continuing in Prison; but he had not been there full five Weeks, till by reason of the noisomness of the Place and pent Air, to him, whose only Recreation and Exercise had been, for many Years, to walk daily into the free Air, he contracted a Disease, which in a few days, alas, put a pe­riod to his Life. In this Extremity Sir R. Brown could not be moved to grant the Sick Prisoner the present Comfort of a Removal, in order to a Recovery; but Sheriff Meynel, to the praise of his great Humanity, did grant it: But, alas, the second Day after his removal, between five and six a Clock in the Morning, the 22th of September 1662. he quietly gave up his Spirit to God. He was then in the strength of his Age, the 47th Year of his Life. Now it did appear, (as he had said formerly) that by frequent Meditations of the Resurrection and future Happiness, he had made Death contemptible to himself. For as soon, as by the Disease more strong­ly annoying his Brain, he perceiv'd a great Alteration, he signified it to his Friends, and would not be induced to any Discourse, but compos'd himself as it were to sleep, during that eight hours time, which after that he liv'd, being very sparing of Words, or indeed of Groans, that might argue any Impatience; notwithstanding, when a cer­tain pious Matron, who ministred to him, broke forth into this (as it were) Farewel-saying, God grant we may see one another in the Kingdom of Heaven: He, now his Speech failing, left up his quivering Hand, shewing thereby (it seems) how pleasing that Wish was to him. And that he was not surpriz'd with dying at this time, may be collected from his often saying before, That if he should be once more cast into Prison, he should never be restor'd to Liberty; and moreover, That the Work was done, meaning, That that Truth which God had rais'd him up to profess, was sufficiently brought to light, there wanted only Ingenuity in Men, for the embracing and acknowledging it.

Having in this manner described the Course of John Bidle's Life, it may perhaps be en­quired, why being so learned and able a Man, he published so few Books, especially being provoked by divers Answers to what he did publish, to which he did not reply? To this it may be answered, first, That he was verily perswaded, that Truth being in it self plain and simple, especially what is necessa­ry and very useful, is easy to be apprehended by few words; it's Error that seeks Garnish in many Words and Figures of Speech. Again, what he did publish, he well deliberated of; so that he did not find in the adverse Wri­tings, any thing of moment, which an atten­tive Reader might not perceive already ob­viated: And they that attend not to the first [Page 10] Propositions, will not receive benefit by Re­plies and Rejoinders. We add, that he treading in a Path, long over-grown with Briars and Thorns of Error and Sophistry, it requir'd vastly greater Labour and Dili­gence to find out the Way of Truth, in which no English-Man had by any ap­pearing Foot-steeps gone before him for ma­ny Ages.

But that which in my Judgment does more commend our John Bidle, than all his Labours and Sufferings for the propagation of great and important Truths, is his great Zeal for promoting Holiness of Life and Manners; for this was always his End and Design in what he taught. He valued not his Doctrines for Speculation but Practice; insomuch that he would not discourse of those Points wherein he differed from others, with those that appear'd not religious ac­cording to their Knowledg. Neither could he bear those that dissembled in Profession for Worldly Interests. He was a strict Ob­server himself, and a severe Exactor in o­thers, of reverence in speaking of God, and Christ, and Holy Things; so that he would by no means hear their Names, or any Sen­tence of Holy Scripture us'd vainly or light­ly, much less any foolish Talking, or Scurri­lity. He would often tell his Friends, that no Religion would benefit a bad Man; and call upon them to resolve with themselves, as well to profess and practise the Truth that is according to Godliness, as to study to find it out; and that against all Terrors or Al­lurements to the contrary; being assured that nothing displeasing to Almighty God, could be in any wise profitable to them. But as for those that were really of a contrary Mind to him, how mean soever, (for he was very humble and condescending) they could not oblige him more, than by pertinent Obje­ctions, soberly urg'd, to give him the oppor­tunity of resolving them; which he always did with great simplicity and plainness of Speech, without any ostentation of Learn­ing, which yet he was as much master of, as those most famous on that Account. In­deed his Learning in Matters of Religion was gain'd by a diligent study of the Holy Scrip­tures, especially of the New Testament, wherein he was so conversant, that he re­tain'd it all in his Memory verbatim, not on­ly in English, but in Greek, as far as the Fourth Chapter of the Revelation of St. John. This thorow-knowledg in the Scriptures, join'd with an ordinary, happy, and ready Memory, whereby he retain'd also the Sum of what he had read in other Authors, gave him great advantage against all Opponents, and in all Discourses, but without the least appearance of boasting.

I could mention many other things, which shew that it was in his Heart to promote Pi­ety, and that he had no design of aggrandi­zing his Name by opposition to common Doctrins. Indeed, he was a great Asserter of common Doctrines against Noval Opini­ons, that tended either to Sedition, Liber­tinism, or Superstition. And in what he held contrary to the Current, he did not endeavour to tie those he had won, to be of his Mind in such a Society, and by such a Society, and by such bands, as might con­tinue them a successive Party, bearing his Name as their Founder, but left them at all that liberty, which the Duty of owning the Truth according to their Conscience, and of mutual edification, would allow them. And as no tincture of Ambition did appear in him, so neither of the least degree of cove­ting worldly Gain: for he always sustain'd himself by his own Industry, when he was in capacity of using it; and would never accept of any Supplies, tho offer'd; but when his Necessities, arising from Impri­sonment, Sickness, or the like, forc'd him to it, (Except that after his seven Years re­straint, a friendly Citizen of London impor­tun'd him to take a Bed and Board with him; and after his Deliverance from Scilly another did the like) for he had learn'd to be contented with a little, and sought not more, yea out of that little would contribute to the Necessities of others. Temperance was at all times most conspicuous in him, as well in eating as in drinking: and he thought it not enough to be very chast, but that he [Page 11] ought to avoid all suspicion of unchastity; insomuch that he would not willingly look upon a Woman without just occasion; and was very uneasy, if left in a room with one alone, till reliev'd by more Company.

I have spoken above of the Reverence and Gravity he us'd himself, and exacted of o­thers, in handling of Holy Things; in other matters he would be merry and pleasant, and liked well that the Company should be so too; yet even in this common Converse, he always retain'd an awe of the Divine Pre­sence, and was sometimes observ'd to lift up his Hand suddenly; which those that were intimate with him, knew to be an ef­fect of a secret Ejaculation. But in his Clo­set-Devotions, he was wont often to pro­strate himself upon the Ground, after the manner of our Saviour in his Agony, and would commend that Posture of Worship al­so to his most intimate Friends. But his Devotion toward God, and study for pro­pagating Divine Truth, did not, as in some Persons, swallow up his Justice and Charity toward Men, for he was as careful a pra­ctiser and promoter of those Virtues, as his Opinion of their Necessity to Salvation did require.

In fine, many more things might be re­membred, which might demonstrate John Bidle, to have been a Man, if any in this last Age, most eminent for Piety and Virtue, as well as Learning and Knowledg. But thus much at least was due to his Memory, not only to vindicate him from those Depraved Affections that encline Men to Heresy, and to be the Authors of new Sects: but to give the World an Example of a sincere Re­former.