Under the spur of this conviction, he devoted himself to the great cause of religious freedom, encountering opposition and persecution, and suffering fines, imprisonments and beating with many stripes.

After referring to several of his books his biographer says:—

I have another of his books, called “Good News from a Far Country,” whose argument is to prove that the Civil Government “have no authority from God to judge in cases of conscience,” to which is added “An Answer to an Election Sermon Preached by Nathaniel Eells.” Another, dated from New London 11th of 7th month, 1728 (March being then the first month of the year), is a pamphlet containing John Bolle’s application to the General Court, holden at New Haven, the 10th of the 8th month, 1728, informing that honorable body, “in all the honor and submissive obedience that God requires me to show unto you,” etc., that he had examined the Confessions of Faith established by them and found therein principles that seem not to be proved by the Scriptures there quoted, and had drawn up some objections thereto, etc. He published many other works, and from 1708 to 1754 hardly a year elapsed without his thus assailing the abuses of the established church and vindicating the great principle of “soul-liberty.” Once a year, as a general rule, he mounted his horse, with saddle-bags stuffed full of books, and rode from county to county challenging discussion, inviting the Presbyterian Elders to meet him, man-fashion, in argument,[[17]] or confess and abandon their errors. “But,” says he, in one of his books, “they disregarded my request.” He even made a pilgrimage to Boston, Mass., in 1754, to move the General Court of Massachusetts in this behalf, as he had often endeavored to move the Connecticut Legislature. This last exploit, a horseback ride of two hundred miles, in his 77th year, may be regarded as a fit climax to a long life of zealous effort in the cause of truth. It is no extravagant eulogy to say that John Bolles was a great and good man.

His works are his best epitaph. No man knoweth of his grave unto this day; but the stars shine over it.

With all the humble, all the holy,

All the meek and all the lowly,

He held communion sweet;

But when he heard the lion roar,

Or saw the tushes of the boar,

Was quick upon his feet: