190 Jesus, Prophet ofIslamin the Free 5chool of St. Mary de Crypt inGloucester. Here Biddle
began to re-examine his religious views, and started to doubt the
validity of the doctrine of the Trinity. He was influenced by the
thought of the European Unitarians - for the teaching of Socianus
had by now made its way to England.
A Latin version of the RacooianCatechism had been sent to Eng
land with a dedication to King James 1.It was bumt by the hang
man inpublic in 1614. Although the book may have been burnt, its
contents eaught the interest of the public, and steps were taken to
discredit it. John Owen, who was eommissioned by the Council of
State under Oliver Cromwell to refute the teaching of Socianus, is
recorded as saying: 'Do not look upon these things as things far off
wherein you are little concemed, the evil is at the door; there is not
a city, a town, searee a village in England wherein sorne of the poi
son is not poured forth.'28
These attempts to uphold the official dogmas of the established
Church did meet with sorne opposition. William Chillingworth,
(1602-1644),for example, condemned, 'themischief of creeds which
lead to the persecution, burning, cursing and damning of men for
not subscribing to the words of men, as the word of God.' 29 Jeremy
Taylor and John Milton both affirrned that, 'the faithful pursuit of
reason did not make a heretic. The misehief lay in the influences
that perverted the will.' :JO
The debate spread, and more steps were taken by those in au
thorityto 'protect'belief in the doctrineof Trinity. In June 1640,the
Conventions of Canterbury and York decided to prohibit the im
port,printingand circulationof Socian books. Priests wereordered
not to preach Socian doctrines, and everyone was warned that any
one who believed in these doctrines would be exeommunieated. A
number of authors and thinkers denouneed this decision, but to
no effect.
It was in this climate of reappraisal and fresh examination that
Biddle's own views underwent a change, especially in conneetion
with the doctrine of Trinity. He spoke freely about them and as a
result was asked by the Magistrates, in 1644, to give them a writ
ten confession of faith. This he did in simple language: '1 believe
there is one Almighty Essence called God. 50 there is only One
person in Essence.' 31
Biddle also published a pamphlet at this time entitled Twelve
Arguments Refuting the Deity ofthe Holy Spirit. It was addressed 'To
the Christian Reader'.
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