The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

I. Clarke-Persecution Brings Confession of Prophetic Faith

Of somewhat different character is the testimony of JOHN CLARKE (1609-1676), learned minister, physician, and writer, one of the founders of Rhode Island and of the American Baptists. He emigrated from England to Boston in 1637, where his Baptist principles soon brought him into conflict with the Massachusetts General Court. Later he was driven out of Massachusetts, but was received by Roger Williams and settled in Aquidneck, Rhode Island. In 1639 he assisted in founding the Baptist church at Newport-the next oldest after the Williams church of 1638. Clarke likewise accompanied Williams to England as an agent for the colony. Between 1664 and 1669 Clarke was a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and from 1669-1671 was deputy governor and codified the Rhode Island laws. In 1663 he obtained a second charter from Charles II for Rhode Island, which secured the liberty of the colony in matters of religion. Then he resumed the care of the Newport Baptist church, keeping his pulpit strongly premillennial until his death. (Portrait appears on page 34.) PFF3 78.2

In 1651 Clarke, in company with Obadiah Holmes, was arrested, fined, and imprisoned for holding a religious meeting, preaching the gospel, and celebrating the ordinances on Sunday, at meeting time, in a private house for the benefit of William Witter, an aged blind member of Clarke’s church, residing just over the provincial line from Rhode Island at Lin (Lynn), Massachusetts. ¹ This arrest was carried out under the old Massachusetts law of 1644 against Anabaptists, and concerning “Heresie” and “Disturbing of Churches.” ² Fortunately, Clarke’s full story of the graphic episode has been preserved in his /// Newes From New-England (1652), in the very preface of which Clarke refers to the second advent and the prophecies. PFF3 79.1

Here Clarke speaks of Antichrist, “which mystery being brought to this height, then shall Christ Jesus consume him with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy him with the brightness of his coming.” ³ He refers to the papal “Beast” of prophecy, and cites the call to come out and be separate, and refers to the tribulation before the second glorious advent. Then he gives a faithful recital of the persecution of Obadiah Holmes and himself, “meerly for conscience towards God.” ⁴ The little meeting mentioned (with only about a dozen present) was in progress when two constables interrupted and broke it up, forcing Clarke and his companions to attend the orthodox Congregational meeting on their way to the common prison at Boston. ⁵ PFF3 79.2

A few days later they were tried before the court, which was somewhat embarrassed by Clarke’s able defense. ⁶ He was sentenced to pay a line of L20, or be well whipped. ⁷ And this “without producing either accuser, witness, jury, law of God, or man.” ⁸ This he refused to pay, as that would be an acknowledgment of guilt. So he was sent back to prison. Here Clarke thrice sent out a petition to meet the local clergy in public discussion. The proposal was first accepted and a day fixed.” ⁹ But on second thought, the clergy deemed it inexpedient to debate with so worthy an antagonist. Clarke’s fine was paid without his knowledge and consent, and lie was released, escaping the lash. ¹⁰ But not so with Holmes, as will be noted in the next sketch. PFF3 80.1

Clarke quotes the “Laws of Massachusetts” under which he was prosecuted,” ¹¹ with the section on “Blasphemy,” as well as the “Lawes Ecclesiastical” against gathering for worship without civil approbation or failure to attend the established preaching of the Word, and also for “Heresie” and “Disturbing of Churches”-with punishment in fines or banishment for violation. ¹² That these are a true copy of the original statutes in The Book of the General Lauues and Libertyes Concerning the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts (1648) is evident from a comparison. The statute against “Heresie” significantly involves, be it noted, those who deny the lawful authority of the Magistracy to “punish the outward breaches of the first Table.” ¹³ PFF3 80.2

Roger Williams wrote to Governor Winthrop concerning the matter. ¹⁴ And Sir Richard Saltonstall, one of the Massachusetts magistrates, likewise wrote a letter of protest about such tyranny and persecution, imprisoning and whipping men for heir consciences. To this Cotton replied lamely but with asperity, being “chafed” by the rebuke. ¹⁵ PFF3 80.3

1. ANTICHRIST REIGNS PRIOR TO SECOND ADVENT

It was while in prison and seeking a public discussion of his faith that Clarke wrote out his notable “Testimony,” or Confession of Faith. Following his name were the words “a prisoner of Jesus Christ at Boston,” waiting “in hope of that glorious Kingdom which shall ere long appear.” ¹⁶ The first proposition pertains to Jesus Christ, His resurrection and ascension-not only as Saviour, but as Prophet, Priest, and returning 1 King. The part of the Antichrist in relation to this sequence is clearly stated in his later explanation: PFF3 81.1

“And as he [Christ] was the Prophet, opening his Fathers Bosome, and shewing the things that were past and present, so the things also that were to come; he tells them how many things he must suffer of the Elders, and Chief Priests, and Scribes, and be killed, and raised again the third day, and therein fore sheweth his Office of Priesthood; he also foretells how after he is risen as a Lord, he will set his House in order, and so depart to his Father to receive his Kingdom, and to return, and what shall befall his Servants in the time of his absence, by the reign and rage of the Beast, and the Spirit of Antichrist, and what will be each ones portion at his return, as appears in the book of the Revelation, which is surrounded with blessings to him that readeth, Chapter 1.3. and curses to him that addeth to it, or taketh from it, Chapt. last 18.19.” ¹⁷ PFF3 81.2

2. ETERNAL KINGDOM FOLLOWS THE FOUR MONARCHIES

The second part of the same proposition pertained to “The Annointed King, who is gone unto his Father for his glorious Kingdom, and shall ere long return again.” ¹⁸ Declaring (in his explanation) “he shall appear indeed in the form of a King with thousands of his Saints, and ten thousand times ten thousand of the heavenly Hosts,” ¹⁹ Clarke refers to His coming kingly office as fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel, with the coming kingdom approaching. PFF3 81.3

“As the dream of Nebuchadnezzer hath been found certain, and the interpretation of Daniel sure, concerning those four Monarchies or King doms of men which should come to puss in the Earth, so certain and sure it is, that the day is approaching that the God of Heaven will set up his Kingdom by that despised yet Cornerstone that was cut out without hands, Daniel 2:44, 45.” ²⁰ PFF3 81.4

Then follows an earnest declaration of freedom to worship God without a commanding or ordering power, and free from “the inventions and commandments of men,” not by “carnal! commandments seconded with carnall weapons.” ²¹ PFF3 82.1