353, in a note.) Mr.Hildreth states the case as follows: "Encouraged by the King's demand for toleration, construed as superseding the 'by-laws' of the colony, the Baptists ventured to hold a service in their new meeting-house.

For this they were summoned before the magistrates, and when they refused to desist the doors were nailed up and the following order posted upon them: 'All persons are to take notice that, by order of the Court, the doors of this house are shut up, and that they are inhibited to hold any meeting therein, or to open the doors thereof without licence from authority, till the General Court take further order, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.' When the General Court met the Baptists pleaded that their house was built before any law was made to prevent it.

This plea was so far allowed that their past offences were forgiven; but they were not allowed to open the house." (History of the United States, Vol.

I., Chap, xiv., p.

501.)] [Footnote 176: (Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts Bay, Vol.