An Outline of Baptist History

-14- Kiffin gave large sums of money to the poor and contributed to feeble churches, and persecuted ministers. Once he was asked by the king to loan 40, 000 pounds to which he replied with great tact and dignity, that he could not possibly make so great a loan, but would gladly give the king 10,000 pounds. He afterward confided in a friend that in so doing he had saved 30, 000 pounds. The only treatise he ever published was a paper in favor of ''close communion, " One of Kiffin's sons was poisoned by a Catholic priest in Venice because he had been too free in denouncing his religion. Kiffin died Nov. 29, 1701 when the sword of William III had terrified the last Stuart. b. Hansend Knolleys (1599-1691) Knolleys was born in Chalkwell, Lancaster in 1599. He graduated from the University of Cambridge. In June 1629, he was ordained a bishop of Peter- borough. For more that 40 years he preached three or four sermons a week, He was a highly gifted man. At 35, he became disturbed about his connections with the church of England. Two years later he was arrested for preaching the Gospel and was put in prison. His jailor permitted his escape because of Knolleys kindness to him. | He started on a trip to New England by way of London. He waited so long in the trip that his money gave out. He was nearly 12 weeks in passage and the provisions became nearly unfit for use. He arrived in Boston and was denoun- ced as an Anti-Nomian. He became pastor of a church in Dover, New Hamp- shire. There was a bitter controversy between two sections of his church over baptizing children and receiving members. In 1641 he removed to Long Island because Dover was annexed to Massachu- setts and persecution became a threat. He was summoned to England by his aged father and commencedto preach in the churches. His congregation commonly reached to as many as a thous- and. For this success he was summoned by the authorities and told to preach no more. In 1645, he was formally ordained as pastor of a Baptist church in London. He was in prison frequently for breaking the laws against worship of dissenter. In his 84th year he was in jail six months. Knolleys was a strong Calvinist, a decided Baptist, and was found a friend of every true Christian. He was a man of great learning in the ancient languages. During his lifetime he wrote 11 works. One was a grammar of Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages. He died in London, Sept. 19, 1691 at the age of 93. c. John Bunyan (1628-1688) } Bunyan was born in Ulstow England in 1628. He was a profane and dissolute ~ youth, On one occasion aman took his place as a sentinel on duty and was shot. This brought conviction to him.At 25 years of age had an experience of Grace which completely transformed his life. In 1655 he was immersed by Rev. John Gifford. Two years later he became a Baptist and entered the