BIDDLE, John, English Socinian writer and founder of English Unitarianism: b. Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, 14 Jan. 1615; d. London, 22 Sept. 1662. He entered Magdalen College, Oxford, in his 19th year and graduated A.M. in 1641. Being led to doubt the doctrine of the Trinity, he drew up 'Twelve Arguments' on the subject, for which he was committed to jail, but was re leased on bail. About six months afterward, on examination before a committee of Parlia ment, he acknowledged his opinion against the divinity of the Holy Ghost and his 'Twelve Arguments' were ordered to be burned. He persisted in his opinion and in 1648 published two tracts, containing his 'Confession of Faith Concerning the Holy Trinity' and 'Testi monies' of Irenxus, Justin Martyr and several other early writers on the same subject. On this the Assembly of Divines asked Parlia ment to decree the punishment of death against those who should impugn the established opin ions respecting the Trinity and to enact se vere penalties for minor deviations. Such a decree was passed, but differences of opinion in the Parliament itself and the penalties to which this sweeping measure rendered many in the army liable prevented its execution. Biddle was again remanded to prison, how ever, and remained for some years in rigor ous confinement. A general act of oblivion
in 1651 restored him to liberty, when he im mediately disseminated his opinions both by preaching and by the publication of his 'Two fold Scripture Catechism.' For this he was confined in the Gate House for six months. Cromwell banished him to Saint Mary's Cas tle, Scilly Islands, assigning him an annual subsistence of 100 crowns. Here he remained three years, until liberated in 1658. He then became pastor of an Independent congrega tion and continued to support his opinions un til fear of the Presbyterian Parliament of Richard Cromwell induced him to retire into the country. On the dissolution of that Par liament he preached as before until the Res toration, after which he was obliged to con fine himself to private preaching. In lune 1662 he was apprehended at one of the private assemblies and upon process of law fined f100 and ordered to lie in prison until it was paid. He fell a victim to jail fever and died in the 47th year of his age; a martyr to religious in tolerance. His private character was moral, benevolent and exemplary and Toulmin styles him the of the modern Unitarians.' Consult Toulmin, Joshua, 'Life of John Bid dle' (London 1789; new ed., 1805) and Spears, 'Memorable Unitarians' (London 1906).