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Admin<\/strong><\/a> \u00b7 5 hrs<\/abbr><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Baptist History, Heritage & Distinctives – Dr. John Clarke, Americas First Baptist Pastor – Clark Petition for DisputationPart Six of Eleven <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n “From the prison this) 1st day, 6th mo., 1651″This motion, if granted, I desire might be subscribed by the Secretary’s hand, as an act of the same Court, by which we were condemned.”The motion was presented, and in due time Mr. Clarke was informed that a disputation was granted, to be held the next week. Mr. C., after some further conference between himself and the magistrates, committed to writing the several positions he proposed to defend, which were no other than the distinctive principles of the Baptist system. But this disputation, which had been anticipated with great interest, was prevented by the payment of Mr. C.’s fine, and his consequent release from prison. Fearing that the failure might be attributed to himself, he immediately sent the following note to the magistrates:”Whereas, through the indulgeney of tender hearted friends, without my consent, and contrary to my judgment, the sentence and condemnation of the Court at Boston (as is reported) have been fully satisfied on my behalf, and thereupon a warrant hath been procured, by which I am secluded the place of my imprisonment; by reason whereof 1 see no other call for present but to my habitation, and to those near relations which God hath given me there; yet, lest the cause should hereby suffer, which I profess is Christ’s, I would hereby signify that, if yet it should please the honored magistrates, or General Court of this Colony, to grant my former request, under their Secretary’s hand, I shall cheerfully embrace it, and, upon your mention, shall, through the help of God, come from the island to attend it, and hereunto I have subscribed my name.”John Clarke.”11th day 6th mo., 1651.”The above called forth another letter from the magistrates, and a rejoinder from Mr. Clarke, but the disputation never took place.Thomas E. Kresal from: Annals of the American Pulpit: Baptist by John Callender and Backus’ History N. E. III. – Benedict’s History of the Baptist. I. – Calender’s Hist. Disc. – Peterson’s History of Rhode <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nTHOMAS E KRESAL<\/a> ADMIN<\/a> \u00b7 MAY 30<\/a>, 2020<\/h3>\n\n\n\n