Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Printing put him in prison1664 – The trial of Benjamin Keach

Thomas E Kresal October 8, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Printing put him in prison1664 – The trial of Benjamin Keach began at Buckinghamshire, England for writing a little book entitled The Child’s Instructor: or, A New and Easier Primer.

In it he asserted that infants ought not to be baptized, that laymen having abilities may preach the gospel, and that Christ would reign personally upon the earth in the latter day.

Soon a justice of the peace and a constable appeared at his door, seized all of his books that could be found, and bound him over to the court. The judge accused Keach of wresting the scriptures and writing a creed to his own and other’s destruction.Keach was not permitted to defend himself.The judge said, “You shall not preach here, nor give the reasons of your damnable doctrine to seduce and infect the king’s subjects.” Neither was he allowed a copy of the indictment, thus he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following instructions from the judge, the jury reluctantly declared him guilty.

The judge sentenced him to prison for two weeks and to stand in the pillory in the market place at Aylesbury with a paper upon his head which accused him of publishing a schismatical book. He was also to pay a fine of 20 pounds to give surety that he would appear in the next court to recant his doctrines.

At another time he stood in the pillory at Winslow where the hangman carried out the public burning of his book before his eyes. The mob who usually pelted the pilloried with eggs, listened eagerly to Keach as he preached from the scriptures.

On another occasion they came to arrest him and tied him on the ground. Just as they were about to spur their horses, God intervened and saved his life.

Thomas E. Kresal from: This Day in Baptist History, Volume One

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2660268347358174&set=gm.1082493875279094&type=3&theater&ifg=1