First Independent Church in England. to one of Cromwell's parliaments. Though we know very little of him in the character of a divine, yet as he appears to have been pastor of a congregation in London, he is entitled to some notice in this place. PRAISE-GOD BAREBONE was by occupation a leatherseller, in Fleet-street, and, according to Rapin, passed among his neighbours for a notable speaker, being used to entertain them with long harangues upon the times.* This pointed him out to the notice of Cromwell, who nominated him a member of the legislative body that succeeded the long parliament in 1653. In this assembly, he greatly distinguished himself for his activity; insomuch that the members, who were but little skilled in politics, received from him, in derision, the appellation of Barebone's Parliament.† Upon the dissolution of this body, about five months afterwards, Barebone appears to have retired from any concern in the government; and we hear nothing further of him till February 1659-60. Monk being then in London with a view of restoring the King, and intent upon the re-admission of the secluded members, Barebone appeared at the head of a numerous rabble, alarming even to that intrepid general, and presented a petition to parliament against the regal interest. Monk, who knew the popularity of Barebone, was obliged to make a general muster of his army, and wrote a letter to the parliament, expostulating with them "for giving too much countenance to that furious zealot and his adherents." The petitioners, however, received the thanks of the house for the expression of their good affections to the parliament. The same year, he was concerned in the publication of a book against the Court of Charles the Second, entitled, "News from Brussels, in a letter Rapin's Hist. of England, vol. ii. p. 590. + Granger's Biog. Hist. of England, vol. iii. p. 68. Kennet's Chronicle, p. 52. § Granger, ubi supra. Kennet's Chronicle, p. 52, First Independent Church in England. A from a near attendant on his Majesty's person, to a person of honour here. Dated March 10, 1659, O. S." reverend prelate* stiles this "a rascally piece against the "King to expose him to the hatred of his people." It ought to be observed, that the reputed author of this book was Marchmont Needham, and Barbone only his agent in conveying it to the printer or bookseller. On the thirtieth of the foregoing month, Mr. Barebone was summoned before the council of state, to answer to some matters objected against him; but on signing an engagement not to act in opposition to the existing government, or to disturb the same, he was discharged from further attendance.‡ After the Restoration he was looked upon with a jealous eye, and on Nov. 26, 1661, was apprehended, together with Major John Wildman, and James Harrington, Esq. and committed prisoner to the Tower, where he was confined for some time.§ On the meeting of parliament early in the following year, the Lord Chancellor¶ thought fit to alarm the house with the noise of plots and conspiracies, and enumerated the names of several persons whom he reported to be engaged in traiterous designs against the government. Among these were Major Wildman, Major Hains, Alderman Ireton, Mr. Praise-God Barebone, &c.** How far the charge against these persons was substantiated, or whether it was only a political engine of government to get rid of suspected individuals, we will not take upon us to say. Certain it is, that Mr. Barebone had now to contend with the strong arm of the civil power, which was directed with all the acrimony of party prejudice against persons of his stamp. The principles and conduct of this man are not sufficiently detailed in history, to form a just estimate of First Independent Church in England. their real nature and tendency. It seems probable, however, from the preceding facts, connected with the history of the times in which he lived, that he drank somewhat into the wild enthusiastic notions that disgraced some prevailing sects in his day. This might lead him into certain extravagancies of conduct, which are not otherwise to be accounted for. The time of Mr. Barebone's death is not mentioned by any author we have met with, nor are we acquainted with any further particulars of his history. It may be observed, however, for the amusement of the reader, that there were three brothers of this family, each of whom had a sentence for his christian name, viz. Praise-God Barebone; Christ-came-into-the-world-to-save Barebone; and If-Christ-had-not-died-thou-hast-been-damned Barebone : some are said to have omitted the former part of the sentence, and to have called him only "Damned Barebone.' This stile of naming individuals was exceedingly common in the time of the civil wars. It was said that the genealogy of our Saviour might be learnt from the names in Cromwell's regiments; and that the muster-master used no other list than the first chapter of Matthew. (P) It should be observed, however, that the absurdity of naming children after this manner, was not peculiar to that period; but was in use long before, and the practice continues, in some measure, even to the present day. Granger's Biog. Hist. of England, vol. iii. p. 68. (P) A jury was returned in the county of Sussex of the following names: First Independent Church in England. HENRY FORTY.-After the death of Mr. Jessey, some disputes arose in his church on the subject of mixed communion, which produced a separation. Those who opposed it withdrew, and chose for their pastor Mr. Henry Forty, then a member of the congregation. After some years, he accepted a call from the Baptist church at Abingdon, in Berkshire. He was a man of eminent piety, and underwent great trials and sufferings on account of religion; but, it pleased God to make him an honoured instrument in his hands for the conversion of many, particularly his own father and mother. In the reign of Charles the Second, he was imprisoned in Exeter jail, for the testimony of a good conscience; and, to the disgrace of the times, was suffered to continue in confinement twelve years. At length, having lived an unspotted life, he finished his course peaceably, in the 67th year of his age, A. D. 1692. He seems to have been buried in Southwark, so that it is probable he died there. Mr. Benjamin Keach preached his funeral sermon, and afterwards published it, with an elegy on his death. When Mr. Forty retired to Abingdon, his people joined with Mr. Kiffin's congregation in Devonshire-square.' What became of the other branch of Mr. Jessey's church we have not been able to discover. • Crosby's Hist. of the English Baptists, vol. iii. p. 100.-and Mr. Keach's Sermon on the death of Mr. Forty. |