the Rev. W. Turner , Jun. , MA., Lives of the eminent Unitarians

[52] with those from whom they had formerly endured so much. For some time he endeavoured to protect himself from the impending storm by abstaining from public assemblies, and holding only private meetings. But even so, he was not safe; for, on the 1st of June, 1662, when he and some of his friends were met for divine worship at his own lodgings, they were seized and carried before Sir Richard Brown, a justice of peace, who committed them all to prison, without admitting them to bail. The recorder, having more regard for legal forms, released them on their finding security to answer to the charge to be brought against them at the next sessions. There seems, however, little doubt that these outrageous proceedings were not only prompted by any thing rather than a regard for the public peace, but directed by a “vigour beyond the law.” The Act of Uniformity was indeed passed at this time, but did not come into force till some months afterwards; and, in fact, when the trial came on, the court, not being able to find any statute whereon to found an indictment, they were referred to the following sessions. They were then proceeded against at common law; a mode of procedure which sometimes appears nearly equivalent to leaving every thing to be settled at the discretion of the presiding judge. The result was, that every one of the hearers was fined in twenty pounds, and Mr. Biddle in one hundred pounds, and to be imprisoned till the fine was paid. From inability to pay this fine he, therefore, continued in prison. But, in five weeks afterwards, through the noisomeness of the place and the close air, (very offensive to him, whose only recreation and exercise for many years had been to walk