The time given him to depart was only six weeks, and though some of the laymen in the church opposed the decree, every clerical member save one approved it.
Liberty to remain till spring was afterwards granted Williams, but he was admonished not to go about to draw others to his opinions.

As Williams was one of those contentious people who must talk, this inhibition was futile.

It is true that he no longer preached in his church, as the congregation had submitted to the will of those in power.

But he conversed in private with some of his friends, and arranged a plan of establishing a new settlement on the shores of Narragansett Bay.
When information of this design reached Boston in January, 1636, the authorities, on the plea that an heretical settlement in the neighborhood might affect the peace of the colony, determined to get rid of Williams altogether by shipping him to England.

An order was sent to him to come to Boston, which he declined to obey on account of ill-health.