Another Warrant for William Brewster

 On December 1, 1607, a second arrest warrant was issued for William Brewster, charged with being "disobedient in matters of religion." 

The Separatists who met in Brewster's home could no longer, in good conscience, worship with the Church of England. There were too many remnants of the Roman Catholic faith for their taste. In Brewster's Nottinghamshire home in Scrooby, England, they believed they could worship as their conscience dictated and avoid any conflicts with the local church authorities. This arrangement, however, did not last for long. 

Three years earlier, the Church of England issued 141 rules to force the Separatists into cooperation in matters of church beliefs and practices. But those new rules served only to toughen their determination to go their own way. King James feared that their religious rebellion may lead to a political rebellion and an attempt to overthrow his government. He angrily declared, "I shall make them conform themselves, or I will harry them out of the land." 

Archbishop Tobias Matthews made himself an expert on these religious radicals, reading every possible book on the subject. For harboring these disagreeable pietists and teaching them unlawful religious doctrines, the Archbishop declared that William Brewster was "a very dangerous schismatical Separatist." 

Brewster eventually paid the fines laid against him and two other Separatist friends, however he refused to appear in court to face the charges. Though he escaped arrest this time, it would not be England’s last attempt to bring him in for his religious rebellion. 

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“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the assemblies, and into prisons, and bring you before Kings and rulers for my Name’s sake.” 

(Luke 21:12; 1599 Geneva Bible)