His Highness showed moreover that the maintainers of this opinion of Mr.Biddle's are guilty of great blasphemy against Christ, who is God equal with the Father; and he referred it to them to consider whether any who loved the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity could give any countenance to such a person as he is." But, while the petitioners were thus dismissed with a severe lecture, Cromwell had made up his mind to save Mr.Biddle.

On the 5th of October it was resolved by the Council that he should be removed to the Isle of Scilly and there shut up; and Cromwell's warrant to that effect was at once issued.

In no other way could the trial have been quashed, and it was the kindest thing that could have been done for Biddle in the circumstances.

He lived comfortably enough in his seclusion in the distant Island for the next two years and a half, receiving an allowance of a hundred crowns _per annum_ from Cromwell, and employing his leisure in the deep study of the Apocalypse and the preparation of a treatise against the Doctrine of the Fifth Monarchy.[1] [Footnote 1: Council Order Books, July 3 and Oct.

5, 1655; _Merc.
Pol._ Sept.