Christianity: Details about 'Thomas Helwys'
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Thomas Helwys, born c. 1550 - died c. 1616, was a 17th century English Baptist leader and defender of the idea of religious liberty. Of his most notable conributions is his publication of A Short Declaration of The Mistery of Iniquitysic., a critique and apocalyptic interpretiation of the Papacy as well as criticisms of Brownism and Puritainism. It is also noteworthy that in this work he asserts that even the power of the monarchy is subject to God. H. Leon McBeth relates: "Apparently Helwys made an attempt to present a copy of The Mistery to James I of England in person. Failing that, he sent the king an autographed copy.." This copy found him in prison for the rest of his life. He died sometime between 1614 and 1616, the year McBeth notes his will was probated. With John Smyth, Helwys was a member of a Separatist group that emigrated to Amsterdam circa 1608. After separating from Smyth's party, Helwys and others returned to England in 1611. Thomas Helwys For further study, cf. The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness. McBeth, H. Leon, Broadman and Holman Pub., Nashville, TN 1987. pp.101&ff. |
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