[114] The trial is published in a volume edited by Samuel Rosewell, 1718. The trial took place in the months of October and November, 1684. In the Memoir there is an account of his apprehension and first appearance before Jeffreys at his house in Aldermanbury. Rosewell, lest he should commit himself before witnesses, answered Jeffreys in Latin. The Judge flew into a passion, and told him, he supposed he could not utter another sentence in the same language to save his neck. Rosewell did not give him the lie, but thought it better to give his next answer in Greek. “The Judge seemed to be thunderstruck upon this.”—p. 47.
[115] Trial of Rosewell, p. 52, et seq. Speaking of the latter part of the reign of Charles II. Mrs. Mary Churchman says, “Persecution now came on apace, the Dissenters could have no meetings but in woods and corners. I, myself, have seen our companies often alarmed with drums and soldiers; every one was fined five pounds a month for being in their company.”—Abstract of the Gracious Dealings of God, &c., by Samuel James, 74.
[116] I have gathered this account entirely from Delaune’s pamphlets on the subject, which were collected and published in a volume in the year 1704. The controversy had been mixed up with a reference to Calamy’s invitation to private Christians, to consult their pastors in their religious difficulties; and to Nonconformists also to hear both sides; which—by a wide stretch of interpretation—Delaune construed into a public challenge to an answer in print. It had been further complicated with reproaches, because Calamy did not intercede for the sufferer, or visit him in prison. Defoe says, “It was very hard such a man, such a Christian, and such a scholar, and on such an occasion should starve in a dungeon; and the whole body of Dissenters in England, whose cause he died for defending, should not raise him £66 13s. 4d. to save his life.” A modern Baptist historian justly says, “We would not mitigate this crime an atom; but it is right to suggest that Mr. Delaune may have interdicted the payment of the fine.”—Evans’ English Baptists, ii. 337. Delaune, I suspect, was one of those men who, in the judgment of an opposite class, are said to court martyrdom.
[117] Neal, iv. 521.
[118] De Felice, Hist. of the Protestants of France, 261.
[119] “The King of France uses the Huguenots with inexpressible severity, takes away very many of their children by force, and puts them into Popish convents, and has published an edict for taking away one half of their churches that remain throughout all the provinces, and has actually begun to execute it in Normandy.”—Morice’s Diary, December 2, 1679. For a minute record of proceedings against the French Protestants, see Histoire Chronologique de L’Eglise Protestante de France, par C. Drion, ii.
[120] Elie Benoit Hist. de L’Edit de Nantes, iv. 479.
[121] Hist. des Réfugiés Protestants, par Weiss, i. 265–267.
[122] Hist. des Réfugiés Protestants, par Weiss, i. 268.
[123] Coxe’s House of Austria, ii. 352.